If you put off getting a converter-box coupon for the Feb. 17 digital-TV switchover, you might be out of luck. The federal government has run out of money to fund the program, which grants a $40 voucher to those who watch TV on an analog set using an over-the-air antenna so they can buy a converter box. Starting this week, anyone who applies for the coupon will be put on a waiting list; as money from expired coupons becomes available, new ones will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Because of the high demand for coupons, the program reached its $1.34 billion ceiling, which consists of ordered and redeemed coupons,” the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration explained.

The outlook is probably good for procrastinators. The first reason is that of the nearly 42 million coupons mailed to date, nearly a third expired because people never used them (although anyone ordering at this late date probably really needs them). The second reason is this quote from acting NTIA administrator Meredith Attwell Baker:  “We are working with Congress, the incoming administration and other stakeholders to ensure everyone is prepared for the transition and no one is left in the dark.” That relief would probably come in the form of another allocation of money for the program, which has happened before.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 at 9:16 am and is filed under DTV switchover. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.