Commerce's NTIA Releases TV Converter Box Coupon Program Request Rate by TV Market with 100 Days Until Digital TV Transition Concludes

WASHINGTON — The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced updated participation rates by television market and that 62 percent of all over-the-air households, those that rely on an antenna for broadcast TV, have requested coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. The program helps households switch to digital television when full-power TV broadcasters transition from analog to 100 percent digital broadcasts on February 17, 2009–100 days from today.

“The Coupon Program is successful and very popular with 17 million households requesting more than 33.5 million coupons and redeeming 13.5 million of them, to date,” said Acting NTIA Administrator Meredith Baker. “I am very pleased with the large number of over-the-air households we have served. Combined with households choosing to purchase a TV set or subscribing to cable, satellite or other pay TV service, households are making a timely transition to digital television. However, we also realize that many people still need coupons. With only 100 days until the digital transition concludes, NTIA urges consumers who need a coupon to apply before the end of the year, purchase a converter when the coupons arrive in the mail and install it immediately to enjoy the benefits of digital television.”

Of the 210 television markets, 172 have over 50% participation among over-the-air households; 45 markets have a 75 percent or greater participation rate. Forty-five markets have a 75 percent or greater participation rate for “over-the-air” TV households. The markets with the highest coupon application rates include, Wilmington, NC; Salisbury, MD; Myrtle Beach-Florence, SC; Quincy (IL)-Hannibal (MO)-Keokuk (IA); and Charleston-Huntington, WV. The markets with the lowest coupon application rates are: Juneau, AK; Glendive, MT; Honolulu, HI; Eureka, CA; and Anchorage, AK.

Households that rely on an antenna that are choosing 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 about six weeks. Consumers should immediately apply for their coupons, buy a converter box, and try the box with their television to minimize the chances of losing TV reception when full-power broadcasters switch to digital.

More: Participation Report