Digital Television Facts
January 22nd, 2009
- At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting.
- Analog television that receives free over-the-air broadcasting will no longer work after February 17, 2009.
- A digital television converter box is absolutely required for analog television in order to continue to receive free over-the-air broadcasting.
- Cable and satellite television will not be affected.
- Digital television broadcast is already available in all major US cities.
- Congress created a coupon program for purchasing of DTV converter boxes. Each household can receive up to TWO $40 coupon.
- Each $40 coupon is eligible for a single DTV converter box purchase only. You can not apply two coupons for purchasing of a single DTV converter box.
- You can use multiple coupons to purchase multiple DTV converter boxes from the same retailer. There is no limit on how many coupons you can use at the same time.
- Coupons are valid up to 90 days from the date they were mailed.
- Coupons will take weeks to ship so apply now.
- Last day to request government coupon is March 31, 2009.
- A new antenna may be needed for digital television reception. You can go to AntennaWeb to see whether your current antenna is compatible and what channels are available in your area.
- A full listing of CECB (coupon eligible converter box) can be found on Wikipedia