Press Release

Secretary Gutierrez Urges Action in the Three Months Before Digital Transition Conclusion

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today released the following statement on the three-month mark before all full-power TV broadcasters will switch from analog to 100 percent digital broadcasts on February 17, 2009:

“Three months from today, all households using antennas with analog TVs will be impacted by the switch to digital broadcast. This upcoming switch requires immediate attention by those households. If they don’t act soon, they will find themselves without access to television.

“We are very pleased with the high level of consumer participation in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, but there are still many who need to take action in order to be prepared for the transition. We urge them to act immediately by applying for a converter box coupon.

“The Coupon Program has been a success so far, largely because of the collaborative efforts of more than 300 national partners in the broadcast and consumer electronics industries, converter manufacturers, retailers, non-profits, and the federal government.”

Background
The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital after February 17, 2009. Over-the-air television viewers with analog televisions must switch their TV to cable, satellite or pay television service; replace it with a digital TV; or keep it working with a TV converter box.

Households may apply for converter box coupons at www.DTV2009.gov or by phone at 1-888-DTV-2009. So far, the program has issued nearly 35 million coupons to approximately 18 million households. More than 14 million coupons have been redeemed for the purchase of a coupon-eligible converter box at a participating retailer.

Consumers who choose to transition to digital television by purchasing a TV converter box with a coupon need to follow three steps and act by the end of the year because the process may take six weeks. Consumers should immediately apply for their coupons, buy a converter box when the coupons arrive, and try the box with their television to address any potential technical issues before full-power broadcasters switch to digital.