Government to help offset cost of TV’s digital revolution

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

The revolution will be televised. And the federal government will pay to help you see it.
In a blink at midnight on Feb. 17, 2009, the revolution will happen to television: that’s the moment analog TV broadcasts will cease in the United States, according to Congressman Rick Boucher. In their place will beam out digital signals.
If your analog TV set uses rabbit ears or an antenna outside, it will not receive the new signal. “If you’re on cable, you will still receive a clear signal,” Boucher said.
“There are 70 million analog-dependent sets across the U.S., and unless something is done, they won’t be able to get the signal.”
Something is being done.
“Congress approved financial aid to analog owners to purchase a converter box to convert the signal from digital to analog,” Boucher said. “The boxes cost about $50 each. The federal government will offer vouchers of $40 each to defray the cost of the box.”
Each household can apply for up to two boxes.
Vouchers became available yesterday. Boxes will be on store shelves early this year, Boucher said.
More information about the vouchers and the digital television transition can be found on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Web site, http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html. 
For additional information about the transition and what you may need to do to prepare for it, visit the Federal Communications Commission’s Web site http://www.dtv.gov/ or call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322).