Washington, D.C.
(February 7, 2007)
-- Americans can request two coupons for Digital TV
converter boxes on January 1, 2008, according to
President Bush's new fiscal budget.
That's according to an article by National Journal.
On February 17, 2009, the United States will switch from analog to Digital TV signals. At that time, if you don't have a Digital TV or a digital converter box, you will not be able to watch television.
However, Congress has approved up to $1.5 billion in subsidies to help people purchase the converter boxes.
That's according to an article by National Journal.
On February 17, 2009, the United States will switch from analog to Digital TV signals. At that time, if you don't have a Digital TV or a digital converter box, you will not be able to watch television.
However, Congress has approved up to $1.5 billion in subsidies to help people purchase the converter boxes.
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John Kneuer, who heads the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is overseeing the Digital TV transition, said recently that a subsidy coupon will likely be worth $40 while the converter box will cost between $50 and $75.
The converter box will allow owners of old analog TVs to continue to watch the new digital signals. It's unclear when the converter boxes will be introduced to the public.
Cable and satellite operators are expected to provide set-tops that can convert digital signals to analog. So the 22 million U.S. homes that receive TV signals via off-air antennas will have the greatest need for the boxes.
The NTIA is expected shortly to issue rules on coupon eligibility and procedures. But National Journal reports that the president's new budget says the coupons will be available upon request from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Each household will be eligible for up to two coupons.
With an estimated 75 million analog TVs currently in U.S. households (including cable and satellite), the $1.5 billion in coupon subsidies is not expected to satisfy demand. But congressional Democrats, who are expected to hold hearings this year on the subsidy program, could eventually increase funding.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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John Kneuer, who heads the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is overseeing the Digital TV transition, said recently that a subsidy coupon will likely be worth $40 while the converter box will cost between $50 and $75.
The converter box will allow owners of old analog TVs to continue to watch the new digital signals. It's unclear when the converter boxes will be introduced to the public.
Cable and satellite operators are expected to provide set-tops that can convert digital signals to analog. So the 22 million U.S. homes that receive TV signals via off-air antennas will have the greatest need for the boxes.
The NTIA is expected shortly to issue rules on coupon eligibility and procedures. But National Journal reports that the president's new budget says the coupons will be available upon request from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Each household will be eligible for up to two coupons.
With an estimated 75 million analog TVs currently in U.S. households (including cable and satellite), the $1.5 billion in coupon subsidies is not expected to satisfy demand. But congressional Democrats, who are expected to hold hearings this year on the subsidy program, could eventually increase funding.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of
TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of
publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN,
Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The
Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial
Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood
Reporter. He can be reached at
swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
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