Feds: Over 1 Million Digital TV Coupons Used

Washington, D.C. (May 6, 2008) -- The U.S. Commerce Department says more than one million households have now used a $40 federal coupon to purchase a Digital TV converter.

On February 17, 2009, all full-powered local stations must switch their analog signals to digital which means viewers will need a Digital TV, a pay TV subscription, or a digital converter box to continue watching TV.

The converter box can convert the new digital signals to analog so they can be viewed on older sets, thereby eliminating the need for a new TV or a pay subscription.

In January, the federal government started taking applications for the $40 coupons which can be applied to the purchase of the converter box. Each American is entitled to two coupons each; the converter boxes cost around $50-60 each.

While Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today said that more than one million households have used the coupons, he did not provide figures on how many of those homes already have pay TV subscriptions or Digital TVs.

Because the coupons are available to all Americans, it's unclear if the group that needs them the most -- the 15-20 million homes that receive their TV signals via off-air antennas -- is actually using them.

But Guitierrez urged antenna owners to begin preparing for the transition.

"The nation is nine months away from the historic February 17, 2009, digital television transition for all full-power broadcasters. I encourage all Americans who rely on an antenna for their television programs to learn about their options for the digital transition and to act on their decision," he said in a statement.

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