All US households with televisions that use analog technology will be eligible for $40 discount coupons to buy digital converter boxes, according to the Commerce Department.
That means less-affluent consumers who have only analog TVs and rely solely on free over-the-air television will line up for a coupon alongside households that subscribe to cable or satellite service, or already own digital televisions.
U.S. television stations are required to switch to only digital broadcasts by February 17, 2009. An estimated 20 million households now rely solely on free over-the-air television.
Analog televisions could go dark at that time if owners do not get a converter box, subscribe to satellite or digital cable, or replace their TV with a digital television.
Some industry sources have estimated the price of a converter box could range between $50 to $60.
"There are a number of options for consumers to effect transition on their own ... This program is one option for consumers," said John Kneuer, head of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), a Commerce Department agency responsible for the converter box coupon program.
The NTIA expects to have a system in place to process coupons starting on January 1, 2008, he said.
