Digital TV Transition Outreach

June 11, 2009
One DAY Left!

Dear SEARAC Friends:

Tomorrow is the day. Tomorrow is the day that the transition to digital tv will take place.

What follows is some important information to keep in mind as the transition date arrives.

1. If you, your relatives, friends, or neighbors experience reception or technical problems with televisions after the transition, please call 1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL-FCC).
2. If you, your relatives, friends, or neighbors still need to order a tv converter box coupon, call 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009) or go to www.DTV2009.gov. While supplies last, consumers can continue to apply for TV converter box coupons through July 31, 2009. Applications for coupons continue to be accepted online, over the phone, by mail and by fax. It typically takes nine business days to process and mail coupons.
3. If you do not request your coupons by July 31, 2009, your options will be to purchase a converter box without the coupon; contact your local cable, satellite or other pay TV service to begin a subscription; or purchase a TV equipped with a digital tuner.
4. In addition, if you have any questions once the transition takes place, please feel free to call me at 202-667-4690, e-mail me at naomi@searac.org, and/or check out the information about the digital tv transition on both this and www.DTV2009.gov.

June 5, 2009
One Week Left!

Dear SEARAC Friends:

We are just one week out from the end of the digital tv (DTV) transition. On June 12th, the transition process will be complete. People who are using televisions that receive over-the-air reception (e.g. using televisions that need "rabbit ears" or antenna to work) need to make sure that they take the necessary steps before June 12th in order to continue being able to watch tv. If they do not, starting on June 12th, they will no longer be able to watch the televisions they currently own.

Why is SEARAC involved with the effort to share information about the digital tv transition? Why is this important?

The digital tv transition is important to be aware of, because among the people who will be affected most by the transition are people who have limited incomes and/or speak and read limited English. Many people receive their news by watching tv. For example, many people learn about weather emergencies by watching their tvs. People who are not prepared for the digital tv transition will lose access to an important source of information that can help keep them safe.

With only one week left until the transition, it is important that we all work to make sure that our friends, neighbors and relatives are all prepared for the digital tv transition.

Here are a couple of key pieces of information that can help during the next several days:

• You do not need to buy a new TV to be ready for the DTV transition. COUPONS ARE STILL AVAILABLE to help families buy converter boxes that will allow them to get the new digital tv signals on the tvs they already own. Each converter box coupon is worth $40. Each household may receive up to two coupons. Applications for coupons continue to be accepted online, over the phone, by mail and by fax. Since it typically takes nine business days to process and mail coupons, people who apply now may not receive their coupons in time for the June 12th transition.
• You may find information about which stores in your area are accepting the converter box coupons by going to www.DTV2009.gov. You may also buy the converter boxes online or by telephone and have them shipped directly to your home.
• To receive your converter box coupons, you may call at no cost, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). Or, you may also go to www.DTV2009.gov

There was some initial confusion about if people can donate their converter box coupons. While it is illegal to sell coupons, it is okay to donate them. Consumers who have an unexpired coupon they do not need should check with friends, neighbors and relatives who have an older antenna tv and need a coupon. By giving them your coupon, you can help to ensure they are ready for the June 12 digital transition and continue to receive important local news and information.

If you do not want to use a coupon to get a converter box, you have three other options:

1. Purchase converter boxes without coupons. The boxes typically range in price from $40-$80.
2. Subscribe to a cable, satellite or other pay tv service.
3. Purchase a tv equipped with a digital tuner.

For more information about the DTV transition, please go to www.DTV2009.gov contact Naomi Steinberg at 202-667-4690/naomi@searac.org.

March 10, 2009
Update on NEW Deadline

SEARAC friends:

As many of you already know, legislation was recently passed that extended the deadline for tv stations around the country to switch to using only digital tv signals. The new deadline is June 12, 2009. Some television stations have already made the switch to digital signals, but the June 12th deadline means that all must switch to using digital signals by that date.

The basic facts about the DTV transition remain the same. Individuals and families who currently use a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears" to watch tv have four options if they want to continue receiving tv signals after the June 12th transition:

1. Apply for a converter box coupon (worth $40). Converter boxes will allow you to keep the tv you already have and continue to receive tv signals after the transition.**
2. Buy a converter box without a coupon. Boxes typically cost between $40-$80.
3. Buy a new tv with a digital tuner
4. Sign up for cable, satellite, or another pay service. These options will automatically transmit digital tv signals.

**As a result of the "stimulus package" that was signed into law in February, more money is now available to support the converter box coupon program. The status of the coupon program is as follows:

1. Approved applications for coupons that were placed on the waiting list starting in January 2009 will now receive coupons.
2. After everyone on the waiting list receives their coupons, new applications for coupons will be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis for as long as supplies last. It is possible that if the coupon program runs out of funds for coupons again, another wait list will be created.
3. It is very important to apply for a coupon right away in order to increase your chances of receiving one! Applications will be accepted through July 31, 2009, or as long as funds for coupons last.

January 9, 2009
Update on Coupons

A key piece of SEARAC's DTV information campaign has been to let people know about the option of getting free "tv converter box" coupons. These coupons allow people to get converter boxes either for free or at a reduced cost (depending on the type of converter box that is purchased). Getting a converter box means that families can keep receiving tv signals after the transition and not need to buy a new tv or subscribe to cable. Each converter box coupon is only valid for three months. If somebody receives a coupon and does not use it within that three month period, the coupon will no longer be valid and will not be usable.

The federal government's coupon program has run out of money to keep supplying coupons. This means that anybody who applies for a coupon in 2009 will be placed on a waiting list. Coupon requests will now only be filled as money becomes available when other converter box coupons that were not used during their three month periods expire and that money can be used for new converter box coupons.

This leaves individuals and families who currently use a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears" to watch tv with four options if they want to continue receiving tv signals after February 17th:

1. Apply for a converter box coupon and wait. There is a possibility you will receive a coupon, but there is no guarantee that people on the waiting list will receive coupons.
2. Buy a converter box without a coupon. Boxes typically cost between $40-$80. *This is the least expensive option with a guarantee to be effective.*
3. Buy a new tv with a digital tuner
4. Sign up for cable, satellite, or another pay service. These options will automatically transmit digital tv signals.

Efforts are now underway in Congress to further fund the converter box coupon program so that all who want the coupons will be able to receive them, although it is not known if these efforts will be successful. We will continue to share information on this topic as we receive it. For more information about the DTV transition, please contact Naomi Steinberg at 202-667-4690/naomi@searac.org. In addition, you may go to www.DTV2009.gov for more information.