Commerce's NTIA, 25 Federal Agencies Partner to Urge Households to Apply for TV Converter Box Coupons by December 31

Monday, December 8th, 2008

20 Million Households Request 39 Million Coupons and Redeem 16 Million, to Date

WASHINGTON — The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today hosted more than 25 federal agencies to further coordinate efforts to educate vulnerable Americans about the February 17, 2009, deadline to transition to digital television and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. To date, more than 20 million households have requested more than 39 million coupons and redeemed more than 16 million coupons since the program opened on January 1, 2008.

“I am pleased that over two dozen federal agencies participated in our Interagency meeting today to mobilize the Federal government in assisting consumers with the digital television transition,” said Acting NTIA Administrator Meredith Baker. “Throughout the year, we have asked our federal agency partners – and they have responded at every turn–to urge the millions of constituents and customers whom they serve to prepare for the transition, especially by December 31.”

Consumers, who rely on an antenna to receive free television channels and want a $40 coupon to purchase a converter box to keep their TV set working, need to apply for their coupons no later than the end of the year, if they want to receive their coupon prior to the February 17, 2009, deadline. NTIA administers the TV Converter Box Coupon Program permitting all households to request up to two coupons – each worth $40 – toward the purchase of certified converter boxes.

During the meeting, NTIA and the Federal Communications Commission officials provided updates on their coordinated consumer education activities and other federal agency officials discussed immediate action needed to be taken to urge unprepared consumers to get ready now.

Federal agencies participating in the meeting included the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging; U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the Appalachian Regional Commission; the National Council on Disability; and the Social Security Administration. The Federal partners also met as a group in January at the Commerce Department and in September at the White House.