DTV Transition Coupon Program

A Date to Remember: Midnight on February 17, 2009

At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting is known as Digital television transmission or DTV. This change came about under legislation passed by Congress in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The legislation stated that over the-air-broadcast television stations would be required to turn off their analog channels on February 17, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format.

Digital television transmission or DTV will provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders and other analog business services. The use of airwaves and analog transmission by emergency responders is the most important benefit of this change. When this switch happens households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets will need a converter box. The US government and the television broadcast industry have created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program to help with this transition.

More about Analog TV Sets

Analog TV's are those that receive their signal through the airwaves using an antenna device, such as "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna on or before February 17, 2009. If you currently watch TV on an analog TV set that receives transmission over the airwaves you will need a converter box. Note that analog TV sets receiving television programming through cable, satellite or other pay TV service will not need a separate converter box. This is because cable, satellite or other pay TV services include an analog converter box or the equivalent in their equipment package.

The converter box for analog TVs will allow consumers to continue watching TV over the airwaves using a "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna. The converter box will be connected between the antenna system and the analog television set. The converter box is very easy to install.

If you own an analog television and use a digital tuner or receives transmission through subscription to pay TV service, then you will likely continue to receive TV programming as usual after the change.

TV Converter Box Coupon Program

Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program to lessen the financial burden for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40 that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes. Converter boxes will start to become available in 2008. There are some restrictions with the coupons and we recommend that you request your coupons right away. The initial distribution of coupons is offered to any households in the US. Later in 2008 the program limit the coupons to households that do not subscribe to cable, satellite or other pay TV service.

Households that apply and are accepted will receive 2 coupons worth $40 each towards 2 converter boxes. The coupons cannot be combined towards one converter. The converter boxes are expected to cost between $50.00 and $65.00.

The government is providing the TV Converter Box Coupon Program so that consumers have a low cost method of continuing to receive TV programs on their current TV after the transition. Our government and the television industry are aware that over the airwaves TV reception costs less than cable, satellite or other pay TV service. This TV Converter Box Coupon Program is available so consumers continue to have a low cost option for receiving television programming.

Other Options

A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program. Consumers with analog TV's also have the option to connect to cable, satellite or other pay service to continue to receive programs. Another option is that the consumer can purchase a new television with a digital tuner. Newer TVs with built in converters can receive over the air television transmission without an additonal converter box.

Why DTV Transmission verses Analog?

Digital television transmission (DTV) is a more efficient than the current analog system. For example, DTV provides dramatically better pictures and sound. DTV also allows TV stations to multicast which is the ability to show several channels of television programming at one time. DTV also enables TV stations to broadcast enhanced closed captioning.

Remember the Date - Midnight on February 17, 2009

The switchover from analog to Digital television transmission (DTV) will be completed on February 17, 2009, as set by Congress. Television stations have been preparing for this transition since the late 1990s. You will need to take action before February 17, 2009 if you currently watch TV on an analog TV set that is not connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service. If you own a television with a digital tuner or subscribe to a pay TV service, you will likely continue to receive TV programming as usual after the transition.

Visit this website www.dtv2009.gov for more information and to order your TV Converter Box Coupon

Here is a list of websites that provide more information on this subject:

Government Websites:

TV Converter Box Coupon Program
www.dtv2009.gov

DTV - Digital Television
www.dtv.gov

Other Related Websites:

Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition
www.ceretailers.org

Consumer Electronics Association
www.digitaltips.org

DTV Answers
www.dtvanswers.com

DTV Transition Coalition
www.dtvtransition.org

Get Ready for Digital TV
www.getreadyfordigitaltv.com

National Cable & Telecommunications Association
www.ncta.com

Source: TV Converter Box Coupon Program, www.dtv2009.gov
Top