Digital TV Transition Update
On February 4 The U.S. House of Representatives voted to delay the transition to digital TV from February 17 to June 12, 2009. The reasoning behind the delay is that about 1.8 million households are still waiting on coupons that help the consumer buy the converter boxes needed to receive digital signals over-the-air. The federal government under estimated the demand for the converter coupons and ran out of them. Those who have cable or satellite TV are already set for the digital switchover.
Research shows that Indianapolis ranks 15th worst in the country in terms of being prepared for the switchover. Many citizens are still on the waiting list to receive the government issued coupons. The coupons can be taken to electronic retailers such as Best Buy and Radio Shack to purchase the needed converter to receive over-the-air digital signals.
Quick Facts:
TV viewers who get their programming over an antenna and who do not have cable or satellite TV need a converter.
To get a coupon go online to www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx or call toll free to make a request at 1-888-388-2009.
Every TV that receives programming over an antenna will need a digital converter to hook up to.
For a complete list of where to buy a converter, go to www.dtv2009.gov/vendorsearch.aspx