TV Converter Box Coupon Program Off to 'Great Start'

Almost 1.9 million coupons requested

WASHINGTON — With the United States set to switch completely from analog to digital television in February 2009, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today issued the following statement on the launch of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, designed to help facilitate the changeover.

“The TV Converter Coupon Program opened as scheduled on January 1, and is off to a great start. Americans have begun requesting coupons that will help them get the converter boxes needed for when our television signals change on February 17, 2009. With these coupons, the federal government will defray $40 of the cost of an eligible converter, which is expected to cost between $50 and $70.

“The demand for coupons is strong. We’ve taken requests from every state for nearly 1.9 million coupons from more than one million households.

“Digital television provides consumers with a clearer picture, more programming, and frees up spectrum for advanced wireless broadband services and interoperable communications among emergency first responders.

“The public has until February 17, 2009 to decide how to keep their analog televisions working.”

Televisions hooked up to cable, satellite or other pay services do not need a converter from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.

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. The Act also authorizes Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to create the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.