More DTV coupons coming soon

If you're among the millions of consumers who were put on a waiting list for a DTV coupon when funding ran out in January, here's some good news: You should get your coupon in the next few weeks.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration hopes to clear the backlog of 4 million applications within two or three weeks. NTIA got an additional $650 million for the coupon program as part of the recently approved economic stimulus package. If you haven't applied for a coupon yet, now's the time.

There's even better news for anyone whose coupon expired before they had a chance to buy a converter box. You'll be able to reapply for new coupons. Details are still being ironed out.

Find more details at HearUsNow.org, a Consumers Union site focusing on consumer issues.

More than 600 stations have already gone to all-digital broadcasts, but the bulk of the nation's nearly 1,800 stations have yet to cut their analog signals. The deadline for the end of analog broadcasts is now June 12.

—Eileen McCooey

Comments

[everett whitney]

Nicholas - 06 Oct - " Another Coupon sign-up?"

That federal coupon program is totally gone - - ended 31 July, period!

BUT - if one really wants some, simply go to the web selling sites {i.e.-ebay, craig's list, etc..} where these are very available .... apparently originally-bought by speculators, hoping to "cash-in?"

BUT - with the relatively poor durability / performance issues associated w/ many of the varieties of Coupon Boxes, not many persons actually find these worth the bother.

everett

[Nicholas]

Will there be a next issue of coupons for those of us who didnt sign up the first time?

[Jeri]

Dang, I missed out. I'm moving back from overseas at the end of August. I'm getting a new tv but planned to use the old one too. Once again seeing my tax dollars working for someone else.

[everett whitney]

TO: Howard - " WHERE ARE MY COUPONS ?"

Because of that HUGE backlog created whenever the money for them ran out, there IS a fairly-high % of you NOT getting them in time for the 12 June cut off !

Even in the earlier, initial program, it many times required Months & Months !

These federal coupon Converters are definitely NOT a permanent "cure-all!" Strictly & ONLY a very temporary means of extending the limited viewing capabilities of digital signals on older picture tube sets for a while.

Plan on a new HDTV - with it's own, internal digitl tuner as well as a new outside Appropriate Antenna Sysytem too !

Primarily sent on UHF band - {certainly check @ www.antennaweb.org} - all such signaling WILL BE much more tedious / difficult to receive 100% of the time, in all weather & in all TV Markets!

Totally-successful DTV reception & viewing will be a Monumental TV-changing experience for us all.

everett

[Howard]

I applied for a coupon several months ago and haven't got it yet. I called and was told i'd get it in a cople of weeks. It's been a couple of months and no coupon. My last name starts with "A". When should i expect to get my coupon?

[shaam]

What happens if you got the coupons and they expired. Can you get new ones?