Consumer Alert! Transition from Analog to Digital Television Looms
With just over 300 days left before most TV stations must switch from analog to digital television broadcasting, consumers should start paying attention to any choices they must make.
After February 17, 2009 all full-power television stations will broadcast only in digital. If you use rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna with your analog TV, you are going to need to take action to continue watching TV.
You have three options:
- Buy a converter box that will plug into you analog TV;
- Buy a TV with a digital tuner; or
-
Connect your analog TV to cable, satellite or other pay TV service.
If you decide to buy a converter box, the federal government will provide you with up to two $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of certified converter boxes. These certified TV converter boxes are available at participating retailers and are expected to cost between $40 and $70. They convert digital television signals back to analog so your analog TV will receive pictures and audio.
To request your coupons:
Toll free call 1-888-388-2009 or TTY 1-877-530-2634
Fax your request 1-877-388-4632
Go to the government website (or in Spanish)
Coupons are in limited supply, with 9 million already mailed out of the total 33 million available. We encourage you to share this information with a friend who doesn’t know about this but who you know watches TV for free using rabbit ears. AAPD has also launched a Consumer Alert website with all this information and more.
So sign up, apply, and buy! Keep your old TV!
-Item provided by Jenifer Simpson, Telecommunications and Technology Policy Initiative, Justice For All
