WASHINGTON - 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).
1 comment:
How stupid do they think we are? File this one along with Katrina VISA cards and extra tax refund checks. This would never happen if it were a business's or consumer's money being spent--only tax dollars are spent this foolishly. You don't give out coupons or vouchers with a cash value to anyone who asks so that business can redeem them. It's a program designed to facilitate corruption! "Hey, Joe, in exchange for your campaign funds, here's your 1,000,000 bogus $40 coupons that you can redeem for cash." What kind of auditing will be in place for this? It's a flipping joke.
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