Digital TV Coupon Program Under Way Again

U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced that the agency has begun to clear its waiting list for requests to the TV Converter Box Coupon Program as a result of additional funds provided by Congress.

"NTIA expects to eliminate the current waiting list within two to three weeks," said Acting NTIA Administrator Anna Gomez. "This is good news for the more than two million households on the waiting list, who soon will be able to enjoy the benefits of digital television broadcasting. I encourage all consumers to redeem their coupons immediately so that they, too, can enjoy clearer pictures and more programming choices from digital television."

On January 4, 2009, the TV Converter Box Coupon Program reached its funds obligation ceiling and placed incoming coupon requests on a waiting list. While NTIA has fulfilled requests for 3.4 million coupons from the waiting list, requests for over 4.1 million coupons representing over 2.3 million households - still remain on the waiting list.

While the DTV Delay Act signed by the President on February 11th allows NTIA to issue replacement coupons to households whose coupons have expired, NTIA is currently not accepting requests for replacement coupons. NTIA will announce shortly when it will be able to issue, upon request, one replacement coupon for each coupon that expired without being redeemed.

Consumers can receive digital television today by purchasing a TV converter box (with or without a government coupon), buying a digital TV, or subscribing to cable, satellite or another pay service. Consumers who currently have coupons in hand should use them immediately. The coupons may not be used as a rebate and must be presented to the retailer at the time of purchase.

Under the TV Convert Box Coupon Program, consumers can receive up to two $40 coupons per household to be used for purchasing a converter box which turns digital signals into analog. Converter boxes usually range from $55 - $75.

Of the nations nearly 1,800 full-power televisions stations, 641 stations have already terminated analog service and transitioned to Digital TV. That's 36% of all full-power stations nationwide.