DTV Converter Box Coupons: Apply Now!
Update: The DTV coupon program will end on July 31, 2009. If you still need a converter box, see our new post and apply right away. - Ed.
As you probably know by now, TV as we know it will change next year as the airwaves go all-digital. Most stations now broadcast both analog and digital signals, but that will end February 17, 2009, when a new law requires them to transmit only digitally.
If you have an older non-digital TV that receives programming via rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna, you'lll need to get a set-top converter box that can transform digital over-the-air broadcasts into analog signals that can be received by their TVs. (TVs with a digital ATSC tuner will continue to receive broadcasts via antenna, and TVs connected to cable, satellite and telco-delivered TV services won't be affected.)
To help ease the burden of paying for these government-approved DTV converter boxes, Uncle Sam is offering each household two $40 coupons to buy two digital converter boxes, which are expected to cost $50 to $70. But you have to request the coupons. We suggest you apply immediately, as they're being offered on a first-come, first-served basis until the funding runs out. Another reason to act now: Most stations are already broadcasting digitally, so you can use the converter box as soon as you get one to receive the extra programming and enhanced quality of digital transmissions.
To get your coupons, you can call a toll-free number, 1-888-DTV-2009, and give them your name and address. You can also visit a website, www.dtv2009.gov, to apply. The last day to request coupons is March 31, 2009, but there's no guarantee they’ll be available at that late date if funding for the program runs out. The coupons are good for 90 days, and the federal government is supposedly timing coupon distribution to coincide with retail availability of the DTV converters. Many leading retail chains, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart, have been certified to participate in the coupon program.
Every household in America is eligible for coupons, regardless of income. For more information on the coupon program, go the FCC site at www.dtv.gov. Or you can check out these other resources: www.dtvtransition.org, Consumer Reports' online Guide to the Digital TV Transition (www.ConsumerReports.org/dtv), and HearUsNow.org, a consumer-advocacy Web site managed by Consumers Union (publishers of Consumer Reports).
Posted by: Nick Mandle, Asst. Editor, ConsumerReports.org | Jun 17, 2009 1:01:39 PM
Note to readers:
See our most recent post on the DTV converter box coupon program, which will end on July 31, 2009.
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/06/dtv-digital-tv-transition-coupon-program-ends-july-31.html
Thanks,
Nick Mandle, Asst. Editor
Posted by: Carol Richmond VA | Jun 10, 2009 10:59:20 PM
I got two coupons today,good until 9.11.09. Took them to the store and they didn't work. Called customer service and was told I would receive a letter in 6-8 weeks concerning my coupons. Any coupons issued with term date 9.11.09 are no good per customer service.
Posted by: patricia reynolds | Jun 7, 2009 4:16:02 PM
I I applied for 2 converter boxes, but was approved for only one because they said i already applied or used one. i did not get to complete the first application so i assume this is what they are referring to so, still need to get 2 converter boxes.
Posted by: Tom Aro | Jun 4, 2009 8:50:41 PM
I received my coupons today, went to Amazon.com to order a converter. Followed their instructions on entering my coupon code, but it would not accept my coupon as valid with this email reply; "Unfortunately, our attempt to validate the code you entered with the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) agency who issued the coupon was unsuccessful." I called Amazon's customer service, the rep tried it as well, and I received the same result. Tried to contact DTV2009.gov, but there is no way to talk to a human regarding this problem. My only recourse is to send them an email and wait for a response. This is very frustrating!!
Posted by: Buffy | May 21, 2009 8:03:22 PM
last summer I ordered my 2 coupons. Never recd. them. I was told they
had been sent. Last month I reordered. The website says they were mailed 2 weeks ago. I have yet to see them. I live in a private home
and am the only one to get the mail.
Meanwhile I recd. a coupon from lady at church. I bought the converter
box. Numerous people have tried to install it. I now get one fuzzy station! How's that for progress?
Buffy
Posted by: patsy | May 18, 2009 2:04:33 PM
Requested coupon & was approved on April 3rd. According to info posted on website my coupon was suppose to mail out 5/9/09. It is 05/18 and no coupon yet. If your not going to mail out coupons why dont you just say it !and we wont be waiting around for a stupid coupon!
Posted by: JAIME CAMACHO | May 16, 2009 11:10:34 PM
I APPLIED FOR MY 2 COUPONS AND I WAS APPROVED FOR ONLY ONE THEY SAID THE I ALREADY RECIEVED ONE , BUT IT'S NOT TRUE. I HAVEN'T RECIEVED ANY YET.
I NEED 2 BECAUSE I HAVE TWO TVS.
Posted by: Ana D LOpez | May 2, 2009 1:07:57 PM
The first time that i apply for this coupons was in august of 2008 and it was never send because i never received it.that's why i reapply for the second time for another 2 coupons.What can i do so i can receive my 2 coupons?
Appreciate your help in this situation!!
Posted by: Don Dansby | Apr 22, 2009 9:42:03 AM
DTV.GOV now says you can get replacements for expired coupons. I put in a request online for the one coupon that expired on me in July 2008 and it was accepted.
This is the address of the information and has links to the application.
https://www.dtv2009.gov/CouponProgramUpdate.aspx
Don, April 22, 2009
Posted by: Eleanor Willis | Apr 20, 2009 6:26:50 PM
I forgot about my DTV coupons and I mistakely let them expired. Will I be able to receive 2 more coupons.
Posted by: Greg | Apr 15, 2009 4:00:58 PM
I can't believe how absolutely stupid some of the people who work for the Federal Government (Or was this a contract job) are. I tried to redeem a coupon today, it says valid thru 04/15/2009. Wouldn't most people in the world think it would be useable? Not for the Feds. It was valid until 4/14/2009. Then they wonder WHY people are frustrated with the Federal government. Who did the testing on this program? If I did such a poor job, I would be without one and I work for the State of Wisconsin. The Feds need a reality check!
Posted by: Lisa | Apr 14, 2009 9:52:02 PM
I have not received the 2 coupons that I applied for and was approved for. When I tried to reapply I was denied because I was approved already, and I NEVER RECEIVED MY COUPONS! Where do I go from here?!
Lisa
Posted by: Patricia Nemec | Mar 5, 2009 1:29:24 PM
I ordered 2 coupons last October. They never arrived. When I called and emailed to find out the problem I was told they were already used. This is not the case as they never arrived.
I just tried to order again and it says I already have been approved.
I would like this to be resolved.
Please email as to how we can get our coupons as soon as possible. This has gone on too long.
Posted by: Jeff | Feb 24, 2009 9:02:16 AM
I recently returned a converter that did not have feature to turn off tv with supplied remote. I was unable to receive credit for the $40 coupon I used at time of purchase. Retailer said, (and confirmed with another store), that they do not receive the $40.
So who gets the $40????
Certainly we can trust our government to run a clean and honest rebate program, but I still beg the answers to the question... WHO is receiving the $40???, How are 'they' receiving the $40 ???, and Who is accountable for the paper trail????
Posted by: David Allen | Feb 21, 2009 1:38:41 PM
I requested my coupons last fall and have not received them yet when I went to reorder them it states that I have received them. Yet I did not receive them in the mail. I need to find out how I can still get them so that I can go on receiving my programs. Also is it true that I will have go out and purchase either a rooftop antenia or a tower? Towers are not allowed by park regulations and my roof is not designed for a rooftop. What can I do I live on a fixed income.
Posted by: michael mcgowan | Feb 17, 2009 9:54:15 PM
It apears that someone gave our phone number and their address
to recieved our 2 coupons. When we give our Phone number they tell us somrone eles address. What can be done. They tell me rudley that nothing can be done.
Posted by: Diane Moore | Feb 17, 2009 11:21:14 AM
I applied for coupons for my brother. I have tracked them on line ,they were mailed on Jan 30 2009. He has Not received the coupons yet. Talked to the mailman ,he said that maybe they were sent back,but i'm thinking that maybe they were delivered to the wrong address by the mailman, because when we have a new mailman,mail often gets delivered to the wrong address.Contacted the post office and they said that it takes 6 weeks to deliver coupons. Could not get them to understand the coupons were already sent out,and should have been delivered already.I have exhausted all avenues for trying to figure out what happenedto the coupons. Problem is I cannot apply again for coupons that were already mailed out. PLEASE HELP.
Posted by: Kim McKenna | Feb 7, 2009 1:01:14 PM
I ordered 2 coupons early last year figuring I would be ahead of the game. I received the coupons, but they expired before any converters were available in my area. While waiting for the government to decide if they would reinstate the expired coupons, I ordered another to be sent to our cottage address last November. (at least I HAD that option since you are only allowed 2 per address). WE NEVER RECEIVED IT!
According to the dtv2009.gov website, it was mailed in November. Guess I'm S.O.L. till the government figures out what they are doing! We all need to watch less TV anyway!
Posted by: Felita Franklin | Feb 4, 2009 4:21:54 PM
my cards are expired what do i do,will u send re-placement cards.
Posted by: erika lopez | Jan 21, 2009 10:35:07 PM
i have a problem i recieved my coupons but i lost the bag where my coupons where so now i found them but there expired so i dont know what to do
Posted by: Sherman Williams | Jan 12, 2009 2:21:01 PM
This system is so messed up. I have ordered 4 cards. 2 in my name at my house. 2 to my mothers house. Got all of them. Not one of them worked!!!!!!! this makes the transition really fun. Im having a blast with this government controled BS!!!! Its sucks that we are forced to do this. I mean pay $40+ for a tuner that cost like $7!!!! THEY ARE JUST STUPID TUNERS NOT GOLD!!! wernt vcr's just like $15? Now with the new tuners there way too expensive. Just like the way we do it tho. Make it for $1, sell it for $300!!! MAXIMUM PROFIT OR DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Glenn | Jan 12, 2009 12:46:57 PM
Digital tv conversion at no cost to the consumer...Sounds good, Don't believe it:
My findings..........Totally bogus!!!!:
First year costs as I figure them:
Digital tv converter: $65-40 coupon = $25, but my coupon expired...OK so that one is my fault.
Directional antenna and installation: $200
What a shame, this did not work. Now since we still have No Signal at my location that means in February we will no longer get the clear analog reception for channels 2,4,5,7,9 and 11 that we have been accustomed to.
Time for Plan B.......Cable, which is no bargain unless you like to watch a lot of tv.
Basic Cable: $60/month + installation = $820/first year
TOTAL FIRST YEAR COST (AFTER TAX): $1045
TOTAL FIRST YEAR COST (BEFORE TAX): $1493
Now, does anyone know who I may invoice so that there will be "no cost to the consumer"? What a ripoff, now if we want to occasionally flip on the idiot box, I have to earn another $1000+ each year. I won't even ask for compensation for all of my time to figure this mess out.
At least our elected officials are watching out for us.
Posted by: Randal D Greenwalt | Jan 8, 2009 5:26:38 PM
I applied for two coupons on November 8, 2008. Approval was confirmed by the program website titled "Where are my coupons?" The mailing date was supposed to have been November 19th. I have not yet received them. I gather from some of the preceding posts that this kind of wait may be common, but I also wonder if there may not be some kind of black market trade in coupons stolen from mailboxes. I live in a fairly bad neighborhood and would not be surprised by that kind of thing. Can the coupons be traced, or is that asking too much of a government program that seems to be badly mishandled in the first place? Or should I just chill, be patient, and wait until my old analog set blinks out on February 17, and then just suck it up and pop for the converter right when people are going to go bonkers because they don't have free broadcast television any more, and the retailers are going to go for the "demand" free market option and charge however much they like? Given the looming prospects of double digit unemployment, I don't like the way I see this DTV conversion playing out. It's like Marie Antoinette saying, "Let them eat cake."
Posted by: Paul Eng | Jan 7, 2009 8:09:38 PM
To Pook:
There are several organizations, such as the Georgia Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and AARP, that are trying to arrange a "Donate unused DTV converter box coupons" programs.
Consumer Reports and our advocacy group, Consumers Union, cannot verify or offer any official endorsement of such programs. But if you want to find out more about them, check out their Web sites:
Georgia PBS TV Donate Your DTV Coupons:
http://www.gpb.org/dtv/exchange
AARP Share Your DTV Coupons:
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/yourhome/articles/share_your_dtv_coupons.html
We recently noted that the NTIA, the government agency that is distributing the $40 coupons, has run out of money for the DTV coupon program.
See "DTV coupons: Join the waiting list, says NTIA"
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/01/dtv-coupons-joi.html
While it's noble of you to donate your unused coupons, we believe that millions of U.S. consumers will still be left "out in the cold" come Feb. 17. As such, Consumers Union believes the more appropriate thing to do would be to postpone the transition.
See "CU to Feds: Consider delaying the DTV transition"
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/01/cu-to-feds-cons.html
--Paul Eng
Web Senior Editor, Electronics
Posted by: Pook | Jan 7, 2009 7:45:58 PM
I have 2 digital conversion coupons that I am not going to use. I decided to buy a new TV instead. I'd like to give them to people that need them and would use them but I can't find a site where I could post this. Any ideas on how to give them away to a person in need? I think we could solve the shortage problem if we could find a way to get all the unused coupons to the people that need them.