NTIA: DTV-to-Analog Converter-Box Coupon Demand Slowing
DTV-to-Analog Converter-Box Coupon Requests Down to 70,000 per Day
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/18/2008 6:25:00 AM
Digital-TV-to-analog converter-box coupon requests have leveled off since the first rush at the program's Jan. 1 launch, according to the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, which is overseeing the program.
According to spokesman Todd Sedmak, more than 1.78 million applications have been received so far for a little over 3.3 million coupons, which means that almost everyone is still requesting the maximum of two $40 coupons per household.
Those coupons can be used toward the purchase of a converter that will allow analog-only TV sets to receive a digital signal after Feb. 17, 2009, when all full-power TV stations are scheduled to end analog service and switch to digital.
But while some 700,000 coupon applications were filed on that first day, by Thursday, that number was down to about 70,000 per day.
The NTIA can give out 22.25 million coupons to analog-only and multichannel-video homes alike. After that, the remaining 11.25 million coupons are reserved for analog-only home to make sure people with cable or satellite service don't use up the supply taking care of additional sets not hooked up to cable.
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With analog and my antennae, I receive 7 stations; when we hook up the converter box (even after adjusting the antennae), we only receive ONE station. The Radio Shack where I live says that this is a VERY common problem where I live.
WHAT can Channel 4 do about this?
Peter Pauper - 12/9/2008 6:47:00 PM EST -
With analog and my antennae, I receive 7 stations; when we hook up the converter box (even after adjusting the antennae), we only receive ONE station. The Radio Shack where I live says that this is a VERY common problem where I live.
WHAT can Channel 4 do about this?
Peter Pauper - 12/9/2008 6:47:00 PM EST -
With analog and my antennae, I receive 7 stations; when we hook up the converter box (even after adjusting the antennae), we only receive ONE station. The Radio Shack where I live says that this is a VERY common problem where I live.
WHAT can Channel 4 do about this?
Peter Pauper - 12/9/2008 6:47:00 PM EST -
After waiting 2 months for a coupon only to discover it was mailed to an old address,I'm no longer eligible for a discount coupon. My change of address is more than a yr. old and calling the dtv system today it still repeats the old address. A gov't error and I have to pay the price.On FIXED income I will have to do without tv because I can't afford a new one.
Shelia Jenkins - 12/9/2008 3:04:00 PM EST -
I live on the East Side Of Cincinnati. I had a coupon for this converter box. I looked for over 2 months. No one had them and they didn't know when they would get anymore in. So I wasn't able to get one and my coupon expired. Well yesterday I walked into Wal-mart and they were stocked full. So I have to pay full price. Wal-mart did this on purpose. Why would they want to wait for that 40 bucks from the Gov when they can get it right away from the customer. I went to every single store that sell electronics. They looked on their cpomputers. There was not one converter box within 50 miles of here. Somebody is getting my TV in peices. I can't afford a new Tv. I can't afford cable.
Mary McLaughlin - 8/5/2008 7:56:00 AM EDT
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