Media Center

On February 17, 2009 all consumers who currently use antennas to receive analog television signals will be required to buy a digital-to-analog converter box in order to continue using their analog television sets. Other options include acquiring a digital television or an analog television equipped with a digital tuner or subscribing to cable, satellite or your local telephone company’s television service.

 

Currently the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the Department of Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission are working to make this transition as smooth as possible. Congress has set aside $1.5 billion for a coupon program to help analog television owners in purchasing a conversion box for older televisions that may not work after the switch from analog to digital.

 

To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at www.dtv2009.gov or call the 24 hour hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009.

To learn more about the digital switchover, visit www.dtv.gov.