WASHINGTON - One month from today, the United States is scheduled to make the transition to digital television (DTV). This will modernize our airwaves and make part of the analog spectrum available for public safety officers and innovative commercial use. On June 12, full-power television stations across the country will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to digital signals. Consumers using antennas or "rabbit ears" to watch free over-the-air television are at risk of losing their reception after the transition. This will not affect consumers with cable or satellite TV or those who have a converter box for their older analog TV sets.
"The transition to digital is one month away and I encourage New Mexicans who watch local TV by using an antenna to prepare," said Udall. "Households using antennas do not have to purchase a new TV set for the DTV transition. They can protect their TV service by simply installing a converter box for their television. For information on how to prepare, or to request a converter box coupon, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit the DTV transition website."
According to Nielsen surveys, at 12 percent, New Mexico has one of the highest percentages of unprepared TV viewers in the nation. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Udall has been working with the FCC to increase DTV awareness in the state. He also supported delaying the digital transition and increasing funding for converter box coupons to help make sure no New Mexico households were left in the dark.
Key Facts on the DTV Transition
o By law, full-power television stations nationwide are required to transition to digital broadcasting on June 12, 2009.
o Consumers who use antennas to watch free over-the-air television using an analog TV set and don't subscribe to a pay TV service, such as cable or satellite, risk losing their reception after the transition, unless they take steps to receive a digital signal.
o One of the easiest and cheapest ways for consumers to get ready for the switch is to buy a DTV converter box that connects to their TV set.
o A DTV converter box is an electronic device that hooks up to your analog TV. The box converts the digital television signal into a format that analog televisions can display.
o Consumers do not have to purchase a new TV set for the DTV transition. This is especially important for people on a fixed income to understand. The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is offering households up to two $40 coupons to help defray the cost of converter boxes.
o Consumers can apply for a coupon online at www.dtv2009.gov by phone at 1-888-DTV-2009, or by mail at PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208.
o Coupons are mailed via the U.S. Postal Service and consumers must redeem them within 90 days.
o A converter box costs between $40 and $70 and can be purchased at thousands of local and national retailers. Consumers can also order boxes online or by telephone. A list of retailers is available at: https://www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx
