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Entry bubble DTV Update: Converter Box Coupon Status

By: Jake | March 30, 2009 | Category: General

DTV phone numberLast month I told you about how the President and Congress delayed the transition from analog to digital-only broadcast until June 12, 2009 in order to give stations and consumers more time to prepare.

When the delay was announced, many people were on a waiting list for a digital television converter box coupon. The coupon allows people who have analog televisions the ability to buy a digital signal converter box at a reduced price. Fortunately everyone on the coupon waiting list has had their requests processed and they can go online and use their address or account number (given when they signed up for the program) to check their coupons' status. People can still apply for a converter box coupon, but they are being issued on a first come first serve basis. Once you buy your converter box, look at the resources for installation and fixing any reception problems.

When the transition was delayed, the Federal Communications Commission allowed some stations to move to digital-only broadcast on the original deadline date of February 17. As a result, one third of all television stations in the US are digital-only broadcast. Two weeks ago the FCC released a list of 158 channels which meet the specific requirements set forth by the FCC that allow these stations to transition before the June 12 deadline. The remaining stations will transition on the June 12 deadline.

Have you had any trouble getting a coupon?

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: converter_box   digital_tv_transition   jake  

Comments (4):

blue comment bubble Posted by Yolanda on March 30, 2009 at 11:43 PM EDT

I ordered and received my coupons early last year but was unable to find converter boxes before the coupons expired. I heard they may still be valid but haven't heard official word on it. Is this true?

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blue comment bubble Posted by D.A.O. on March 31, 2009 at 01:54 PM EDT

With all due respect, if someone is reading this blog, then I'm pretty sure they have a digital ready TV or how to go about getting one.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Jake on March 31, 2009 at 04:41 PM EDT

Your coupons are probably invalid. I just checked this website https://www.dtv2009.gov/FAQ.aspx and it says that coupons go invalid after 90 days. If you coupon is older than 3 months it is invalid (there should be a date on it).

Luckily it shouldn't take you too long to get a converter box coupon. When I ordered one last week and checked the status, it said the coupon was only going to take a couple weeks to mail.

D.O.A.
Thanks for your comment. I understand your statement that people who are reading this or other blogs would probably be more prepared for the DTV transition. Every time I've posted about this topic, people like Yolanda have had questions about things like the converter box coupon program and reception.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Michelle on March 31, 2009 at 04:44 PM EDT

I get what D.A.O. is saying, but it's kind of dangerous to make those kinds of assumptions. I'm reading the blog, and I actually thought I was ready, but realized recently that I'm not.

Thank you for this blog!

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