Limits proposed on digital TV converter coupons

LIMITS PROPOSED ON DIGITAL TV CONVERTER COUPONS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky]
An estimated 21 million U.S. households, those that rely solely on over-the-air television broadcasts, would be eligible to get coupons to buy digital converter boxes, according to a Commerce Department agency proposal released on Monday. Coupons would not be offered to a majority of U.S. households because they already have an alternative. The Government Accountability Office estimates about 85 million households watch television using cable or satellite services. U.S. television stations are required to switch to airing only digital broadcasts in February 2009. However, millions of Americans have yet to buy new televisions that receive the higher-quality broadcast signals. Congress last year passed a law that would provide an initial $990 million, and as much as $1.5 billion, to help Americans buy converter boxes that would keep their old, analog televisions working when the digital transition is finished. NTIA sought public comment on the proposal and other ideas such as whether to limit the coupons to low-income households, like those families living below the poverty level.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&story...

See also --

* NTIA press release: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2006/dtvcoupon_072406.htm

* NTIA request for comments: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2006/couponprogram_nprm_07202...

* FAQ: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/FAQ_v6_07212006.htm

* Cable Households Won't Get Converter Subsidy
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6355923.html?display=Breaking...

* Digital-TV Aid Proposed for 21 Million Households
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-coupon25jul25,1,46374...