TV Converter Box Coupon Program from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Faces Heavy Demand

When Congress mandated that all television broadcasters switch to a digital signal by February 17, 2009, they knew that many currently existing analog TV sets could not receive the new digital signals without a special converter box or subscription to cable or a digital television service.

The U.S. Department of Commerce began the TV Converter Box Coupon Program on January 1 that provides $40 coupons toward the purchase of digital converter boxes to those with analog television sets. The digital converter boxes are expected to retail between $50 - $70. Widespread use of digital tuners did not begin until 2004, so there are millions of television viewers that will be affected by the switch from analog to digital.

The program is being administered by the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which has reported in a press release that the program is more popular than the government anticipated.

"In its first week, the TV Converter Box Coupon Program leapt out of the gates as more than one million households requested two million coupons," said Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for NTIA Meredith Baker.

Customers can visit www.dtv2009.gov to apply for a coupon for that they can use to purchase a converter box. Customers without internet access can call 1-888-DTV-2009 for more information on the change from analog to digital or to request a coupon.

The NTIA also announced in a press release that over 250 retailers representing over 15,000 national locations have been certified to participate in the program, including Circuit City, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Radio Shack, K-Mart and Sears. For customers that want to buy their converter box online, J&R Music World, QVC and Sewell Direct all plan to accept the coupons on their website.