Waiting List Created for DTV Coupons
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: January 6, 2009
Time is running out on the countdown to Digital TV transition, and so are the coupons from the federal government for the digital conversion boxes needed. The federal government announced this week that it's out of budgeted money, and is now creating a wait list -- meaning you might not get your coupon in time for the switchover.
The original budget was set at $1.34 billion dollars. Sunday, the government hit that amount, so now they've created a wait list that will send out coupons as unredeemed ones expire. That means if you haven't applied for one yet -- you will not automatically be sent one.
There's reportedly already 103,000 requests on that waiting list. According to Radiolab owner Jeff Griffiths, this could be a huge problem for folks in the Hub City. He says we still have a ton of folks who are still using older televisions with antennaes. That deadline is February 17th, so Griffiths says it's best to act now.
Jeff Griffiths, RadioLab Owner: "Definitely look at that expiration date. There's a 90-day window of opportunity to get one, and get that $40 discount. So they should immediately look at those cards if they haven't. If they've received them and haven't looked at 'em, they really should immediately."
Now -- if you don't get a coupon before February 17th, of course you can still buy a conversion box, you'll just have to pay $59.95, instead of $19.95.
