Ned Potter is the science correspondent for ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson." He has reported on such topics as space exploration, the human genome and climate change.
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Left in the Dark: Digital TV Transition Out of Funds
January 05, 2009 3:28 PM
The Commerce Department says it warned us. Digital television is coming on Feb. 17, like it or not, and the department is struggling to get the word out. About 20 percent of American TV watchers will be affected.
Remember those $40 vouchers they promised to help people buy converter boxes, if you have an old analog TV, and you get your signal from a rooftop or set-top antenna? Today the government said it's already used up all the money for them. All $1.34 billion. If you ask for one now, you'll be put on a waiting list.
As you may recall from my previous POST, the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (part of the Commerce Department) had warned in December that the money was running low -- but not this low. Apparently, they say, a spate of news stories over the holidays sent people rushing to apply for vouchers (they're actually plastic cards that work like debit cards). The NTIA says it received 7.2 million applications in December -- "a larger number that we ever projected," says Meredith Atwell Baker, acting assistant secretary of the NTIA. She says her office thought it would get 4.3 million requests. They were off by just a tad.
The government has information at https://www.dtv2009.gov, or you can call 1-888-388-2009.
One catch -- as noted by frustrated people commenting before -- is that the vouchers expire after 90 days, and only 58-60 percent of people who sent for them have actually been redeeming them so far. That could be good for latecomers. As unused vouchers expire, money will be freed up -- forty bucks at a time -- for new ones. Still, if you apply today, you probably won't get a voucher by the Feb. 17 transition.
And as for whether electronics stores will have the converter boxes -- oh, don't even ask. The National Association of Broadcasters estimates there are 70 million analog TV sets, still using rabbit ears or rooftop antennae, that will need the set-top boxes...but nobody seems to know for sure.
"For those who have not acted, it is important to do so immediately," said Secretary Baker during a teleconference a few minutes ago. "And for all Americans, it is important to help family and friends to ensure that nobody is left in the dark."
A few reminders:
--If you have cable TV or satellite, you probably don't need to do anything.
--If you have HDTV or another new set with a digital tuner, you probably don't need to do anything.
--If you're a bookworm, you definitely don't need to do anything.
--Nobody, but nobody, we're told, will actually need to buy a new TV set -- just a converter box if you're still using your 1955 black-and-white Admiral with rabbit ears on top.
"43 days to end of analog broadcasts," says the voucher program's website. It's brightly-colored...or ominous, depending on your point of view.
January 5, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (15)
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It was a big waste of tax dollars at the worst possible time. Thank you clinton admin.
Posted by: Quietman | Jan 5, 2009 3:38:12 PM
HOW DO YOU GET IT IS CLINTON ADMIN FAULT?
Posted by: PJ | Jan 5, 2009 3:54:17 PM
What's a big waste of time is the fact people are making a big deal out of this. I personally don't know anyone that has a bunny ears TV set (or if they do, they also have a newer one). It is amazing how misinformed people are regarding this.
You do NOT need one if you have cable. This is for those old bunny ear TVs that a lot of people have in their closets.
I wonder how many of those people that actually ordered the coupon actually NEED it. Typical confused panicking masses.
Posted by: Misinformed | Jan 5, 2009 4:05:40 PM
I find it hard to believe that there are 33,500,000 sets using rabbit ears in this country.The graft and theft involved in this program must be staggering.I haven't seen a TV aerial on a roof in years.Did people get these with the idea they could sell them?You betcha.
Posted by: nostoppingme1 | Jan 5, 2009 4:37:24 PM
I am getting fed up with articles written to the web that are not proof read for spelling and continuity errors. I think 7.2 requests is a whole lot less than the 4.3 million expected. Why should there be a shortfall of funds if this story is credible? Please, please check the story before hitting the send button.
Posted by: SB | Jan 5, 2009 4:40:27 PM
Thank you, SB. Typo corrected.
--NP
Posted by: Ned Potter | Jan 5, 2009 4:43:42 PM
Some of us who live out in the country have been doing just fine with our "rabbit ears" till now. Unfortunately, now that we have purchased two converter boxes, we find that they aren't enough to make the switch for us. Seems we have to buy some new "smart antenna" as well. Frustrating and hardly mentioned in the deluge of news coverage.
Posted by: obamamama | Jan 5, 2009 5:02:07 PM
nostoppingme1 wrote: "The graft and theft involved in this program must be staggering." What do you make that slanderous allegation on?
Posted by: Sam J | Jan 5, 2009 7:55:40 PM
Yeah, I did the math too and I find it hard to believe that many old analog TV's are out there...and also how many of those are not hooked up to sat/cable? I bet this is a case of people being offered something for free so they take it regardless if they even need it...or has someone figured out a way to redeem them for other things at the electronics store? How do these vouchers work?
Posted by: JoeBag | Jan 6, 2009 4:12:21 PM
PJ
Maybe you have not been paying attention but I have known about this for 10 years.
Posted by: Quietman | Jan 7, 2009 1:18:10 AM
Come on how, I'm on fixed income and I was able to purchase a HDTV at Wal-mart for a good price, this was two years ago
people this convertion to digital from analog hase been in the works now for a few years get a HDTV or a TV with a digital tuner. you will love the brodecast pictures as if you are right there.
Posted by: Adiggs | Jan 10, 2009 8:39:40 PM
American Recovery Bill of 2009 addresses the TV set-top converters.
This draft bill, delivered to the House on 16 January 2009, sets aside 54 billion for energy infrastructure stimulus/improvements along with approximately 800 billion further spending in other areas. 32 billion of the 54 billion is for improving energy transmission and distribution. However...wouldn't it be better spent preparing for the Solar Super Storm coming in 2011 or 2012. To heck with "helping the nation to embrace green energy"...we just about have time to try and "harden" our nation's electricity transmission and distribution systems before being hit by this solar super storm maximum of epic proportions...some scientists believe it will exceed the solar super storm of 1859 that melted telegraph wires and presented Northern Lights clear down to Havana Cuba.
Minor solar storms in the past twenty-five years have knocked out Canada's power grid completely for a day and caused $100's of billions in damage to things like GPS and communications satellites. We won't need the Internet if all our electronics are fried to a crisp! Coming our way 2011 or 2012. At least you'll have your government-funded converter boxes until then, and digital TV......at least for the next 18 to 36 months....
Posted by: K. Daraa | Jan 18, 2009 7:09:14 PM
Some of the previous commentators are forgetting that cable and satellite tv are not free. Yes, many people still do rely on solely on analog transmissions and their rabbit ears or antennae...most of them are elderly, low-income, or both.
With the economy the way it is, how many more people will need to cancel cable service to trim the monthly budget? For those of you who are not worried about this transition because you have come to take your cable tv for granted, think what will happen if you lose your job, and cannot make your payments. When might you find yourself having to run out and buy a digital converter box and a special antennae just so you can get the local new broadcasts, and the major, free public networks?
Also, thanks K. Daraa for your comments. A lot of people are keeping their heads in the sand over this issue, and the needed research funding is not there. Yes, the solar storms are coming (no "if" about it) and no one really seems to be too worried how they will affect digital transmissions.
In my opinion, the basic, free, non-cable public networks should continue broadcasting in analog. Hey, analog transmissions might also get completely knocked out, but at least all our eggs won't be in one basket.
Posted by: barbara | May 9, 2009 2:38:58 PM
messed up from the start.
as i remember, part of Obama's bailout package included dumping more $ into the converter-box coupon program. for those who didnt get to use their coupons, or didnt receive them until after expired, we were supposed to get replacements.
I re-applied for replacement and got a letter saying no more coupons were being given out, and "you might be able to get one from a friend/neighbor or family member. We will not be re-issuing coupons"
this was NOT what news reported. this was NOT what Obama promised.now we're screwed. cant afford converter box even with coupon. the one i need for my TV is about 60$.
lies lies lies.
Posted by: al | Jun 12, 2009 3:38:27 PM
I was in the dark until jun 24, and would like to help anyone who is having problems. When the day came, my T.V. was not digital and I couldn't decide which T.V. to get I finnaly decided, I wanted a better one than I could afford now. Reasoned out I should get the converter box to get by. Upon another discovery also found out the converter box is a complete T.V. with out a monitor so I could plug it into my DVD player and have T.V. in the car. (For those of you who can't figure it out yourselves (don't drive and watch T.V.))
Pat
Posted by: Pat Schottler | Jul 1, 2009 7:00:47 PM
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