[NYTr] Federal Coupons for TV Digital Cnverters

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

[Obviously, TeeVee is the USA's great national priority. -NYTr]


sent by MichaelP - activ-l

AP via Google - Dec 31, 2007
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iiNo8In2FguQeKvOzx4O62OIm1mgD8TSLIC82

Coupons to Help Buy Digital Converters

By JOHN DUNBAR

WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of $40 government coupons become available
Tuesday to help low-tech television owners buy special converter boxes
for older TVs that might not work after the switch to digital
broadcasting.

Beginning Feb. 18, 2009, anyone who does not own a digital set and
still gets their programming via over-the-air antennas will no longer
receive a picture.

That's the day the television industry completes its transition from
old-style analog broadcasting to digital.

The converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70 and will
be available at most major electronics retail stores. Starting Tuesday,
the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will
begin accepting requests for two $40 coupons per household to be used
toward the purchase of the boxes.

Viewers who have satellite or cable service will not need a box.

To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at
http://www.dtv2009.gov starting Tuesday. The government also has set up
a 24-hour hotline to take requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

Congress, in ordering the transition to digital broadcasting, set aside
$1.5 billion for the coupon program, which will fund 33.5 million
coupons and other costs.

The giveaway basically works under the honor system.

The first 22 million coupons will go to all households that request
them. That includes a residence that gets cable service for one
television but has a spare TV that still uses an antenna, for example.

The rest of the coupons, however, are meant only for those who do not
subscribe to a pay-television service.

The Nielsen Co. estimates that 14.3 million households, or about 13
percent of the 112.8 million total television households in the nation,
rely on over-the-air television broadcasts for programming.

Tony Wilhelm, director of consumer education for NTIA, said the agency
expects to have enough coupons to satisfy demand. "We think the high
number will be 26 million," he said. "Low end is 10 million."

Members of Congress have criticized both the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal
Communications Commission for their work on the transition to digital
television.

In November, the Government Accountability Office, Congress'
investigative arm, released a report that concluded there is "no
comprehensive plan" for the transition.

Most of the concern rests with public education campaigns. While
Congress allocated $1.5 billion for the coupon program, only $5 million
was for education. The Association for Public Television Stations
reported in September that 51 percent of participants surveyed were
unaware that the transition was taking place.

Since then, the broadcast industry has announced a voluntary public
education campaign. The FCC is circulating a plan among commissioners
that would make public education efforts by broadcasters mandatory.

Congress ordered the transition to digital broadcasting to make more
efficient use of the publicly owned airwaves.

On Jan. 24, the FCC will auction off the spectrum currently used for
analog television. That portion of the airwaves will be sold to
wireless providers and is expected to bring in as much as $15 billion.
A portion of the spectrum will also be dedicated for use by emergency
responders. 

On the Net:

FCC information: http://www.dtv.gov/