NTIA DTV coupon program

NTIA DTV coupon program

UPDATE: The DTV Coupon Program officially ended on July 31, 2009. Further information regarding background and statistics can be found at at the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) web site.

On February 17, 2009, the television stations that broadcast analog signals over the air will be required to switch to digital. You don't need to worry about this unless you currently use a roof antenna or "rabbit ears" on your television to view TV.

If this is how you receive television signals in your home, then you will no longer be able to do so without a converter box to convert the new digital signal into the older analog format so your TV can understand it.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has been issuing coupons for DTV converter boxes since early 2008. They have set up a program to help people with the cost of a converter box. You can apply for up to 2 $40 coupons towards up to 2 converter boxes per household.

For more information, visit the DTV.gov web site.

Between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, you can request coupons while supplies last in one of four ways:

* Apply online
* Call the Coupon Program toll-free 24-hour automated system 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).
* Mail a coupon application to: PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. Download a Coupon Application here.
* Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)
* Deaf or hard of hearing callers may dial 1-877-530-2634 (English/TTY) or 1-866-495-1161 (Spanish/TTY). TTY Service is available from 9 AM - 9 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday.

If you know someone who uses an antenna to watch TV, pass this info on to them!

-Dan