If you get your weekly dose of “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “The Office” on an older TV that is not hooked up to cable or satellite, be aware–beginning February 18, 2009–you will no longer receive a picture.
That’s the date the television industry will officially complete the transition from traditional analog broadcasting to digital. And for those of you who do not own a digital TV set (and you get your programming via over-the-air antennas) that’s the date you will no longer be able to view your favorite shows—-UNLESS you have a converter box. (If you have satellite or cable service you will not need a box.)
The converter boxes are expected to go on sale next month and cost between $50 and $70. To help defray the cost for people who will be forced to purchase a converter box to view their favorite shows the government is offering $40 coupons.
Starting today the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is accepting requests for two $40 coupons per household to be used toward the purchase of the converter boxes.
To request a coupon, you can apply online by clicking here. Otherwise, the government has a 24-hour hotline to take requests, the number is: 1-888-388-2009. The giveaway basically works under the honor system. Which means the first 22 million coupons will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Again, each household is limited to two coupons.
Also, take note, if you live in a home where one of your TVs gets cable service but you have a spare TV in another room that still uses an antenna, you qualify for a coupon. The coupons were meant only for those who do not subscribe to a pay-television service, but the government is making the exception for residents who only have one TV hooked up to cable.