Consumer Coupons

Converter Box Coupons

Coupon Program for Converting to HD/digital

Beginning February 17, 2009, all television signals will be broadcast in digital. This will require that some consumers purchase a converter box in order to continue to receive their favorite television shows. Not every television owner will be affected by the change, and some will not have to take any action.

The United States Congress ordered that the television signals begin to be broadcast in digital for several reasons. They wanted consumers to get the best possible television signal with a clearer picture and better sound, but the primary reason behind the conversion was to provide more space in the airwaves for additional radio channels for public safety crews and emergency responders. In order to help consumers through the transition to all digital television the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) - a subsidiary of the Department of Commerce - has set up an information portal and is offering a coupon program for converting to digital television signals.

The coupon program is available to anyone who will otherwise lose their signal when the switch to digital is made. This includes everyone who does not currently pay for either a cable or satellite service. Many of these people who get free over the air television signals with an antenna or "rabbit ears" might not even need a converter box. A large majority of televisions sold after 2007 included a digital tuner embedded in the television. Consumers who own these internal digital tuner televisions will not need a converter box. The converter boxes will only help those with analog television sets who do not receive signals through a cable or satellite provider. If a consumer is unsure of whether or not his television has a digital tuner in it, he should consult the manual or call the manufacturer of his television set.

The coupon program for converting to digital is straightforward to allow as many to take advantage of it who will need it. The coupon will be available for order through March 31, 2009. A consumer can have a converter coupon, good for $40 off the cost of a converter, sent to them by visiting the website www.dtv2009.gov. The coupon will be mailed, and the consumer will have 90 days after mailing. Each household can request up to two coupons to get two converter boxes.

Along with the coupon, a listing of the major retailers who will sell the digital converters and accept the converter box coupons will be sent.

Consumers are encouraged to act quickly as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will only release a limited number of converter box coupons. All households are eligible to receive up to two coupons. Once those are gone, a second, smaller number will only be given to households without any cable or satellite signals.