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Digital Television Transition General DTV Talking Points

About the DTV transition

• Access to communications in the 21st century is not a luxury; it is a necessity. People watch television for entertainment but they also rely on it during emergencies such as tornado warnings, school closings, or other breaking news.
• By law on February 17, 2009 most television stations must stop sending analog over-the-air signals. This will change the way Americans watch television.
• The switch from old analog to new digital signals will provide many benefits. Digital pictures are clearer, and each digital television station will be able to transmit more channels. In addition, freeing up the old analog space will create room for first responders and emergency personnel.

Who is affected

• The vast majority of Americans will benefit from the digital transition, but there are 21 million households – many of which include fixed-income families, seniors, minorities and individuals with disabilities – who may be hard hit by the transition.
• Of the 21 million households that rely on over-the-air television:
  • One-third are Spanish-language speakers
  • Nearly one-quarter are African American
  • Forty-eight percent have incomes under $30,000
  • Eight million include at least one person over 50 years of age
  • An estimated one-third or more over-the-air viewers have disabilities
• Recent polls have found that millions of Americans who use rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna for over-the-air television signals are unaware of the digital shift or are confused by it.

How to keep watching TV

• If you use rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna for over-the-air television signals and your TV is more than a few years old, you will probably need a converter box. Without cable, satellite, a digital TV set, or a converter box, you won’t get most TV programming.
• Many people are worried that they may need to buy an expensive new television or subscribe to cable. They don’t. But they do need to request a coupon that can be used to get a converter box.

Requesting coupons

• The government has set up a free coupon program and every U.S. household can apply for up to two $40 coupons to offset the price of the converter boxes.
• People can request the coupons now by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009),
  1-877-530-2634 (TTY), visiting www.DTV2009.gov, applying by mail at PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208, or faxing 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632).
• As of October 2008, you can request a coupon if you receive mail at a PO box, or if you live in a nursing home or other care facility. People who live in care facilities need to fill out a special form.
• The coupons are free, but supply is limited. Don’t wait. Apply now. There is no income requirement for the coupons, and anyone can request coupons even if they don't need them. That's why it's important that the people who need them most request their coupons right away, before supplies run out.

Using the coupons

• The coupons will look like a plastic gift card and they will work at participating retail stores the same way a gift card does. They are red and include a serial number and an expiration date on the front. Once received, they must be redeemed within 90 days.
• When you receive your coupons in the mail, they will be accompanied by a list of local participating retailers, a list of coupon eligible converter boxes, and frequently asked questions.

Converter boxes

• Converter boxes are expected to cost between $40 and $70. Depending on your converter box needs, the coupon may cover the entire cost of the box.
• The converter box is a one-time cost. It does not come with any monthly fees.
• There are more than 100 approved digital converter boxes. Each one is a little different. It’s important that you get the right box for your needs. For example, the best box for rural areas may be different than the best box for big cities. Some boxes may be better for people who rely on closed captioning.
• There are more than 1,600 local stations already broadcasting in digital. Viewers who purchase a converter box now and connect it to their analog TVs can begin to receive digital channels right now.

What to look out for

• There is no need to buy a coupon, even if someone is trying to sell you one. They are free. While supplies are available, they will be mailed to those who request them. But you need to request them. You should not be tricked into purchasing them off the street or the Internet.