Congress mandated that the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog will be February 17, 2009 -- over-the-air television broadcasts will be in digital only after that date. If you have one or more TV sets that receive free over-the-air television programming with a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV, the type of TV you own is very important. A digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner) will allow you to continue to watch free over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009, but if you have an analog television, you’ll need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on that set. This converter box will also make it possible for you to see any additional multicast programming that your local stations are offering.

To help consumers with the DTV transition, the Government established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a part of the Department of Commerce, administers this program. Every U.S. household is eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes.

As of the beginning of January, 2008 you’re now able to place a request for the coupons. The coupons may only be used for eligible converter boxes sold at participating consumer electronics retailers, & the coupons must be used at the time of purchase.

Manufacturers estimate that digital-to-analog converter boxes will sell from $50 to $70 each. This is a one-time cost. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit the NTIA’s website at www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service should not be affected by the February 17, 2009 cut-off date for full-power analog broadcasting.




To find out more information on DTV, click HERE