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Some TV viewers may be without signal Feb. 17
CARLSBAD, Jan 11, 2009 (Carlsbad Current-Argus - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Few persons who have watched television during the past six months could have missed the message: the world of "free" television viewing ends Feb. 17.
The change in viewing was prompted by congressional action which, according to The Associated Press, "mandated that broadcasters switch from analog to digital broadcasts to free up more room in the 'wireless spectrum.'"
In other words, unless the viewer will buy, or has purchased a television set capable of receiving digital signals, or is connected to cable or a satellite system, "rabbit ears" or other exterior antenna systems will no longer work as of Feb. 17. To make the "old" exterior antenna or rabbit ears work, a converter box will be necessary after that date.
Some stations, such as over-the-air channel 25 in the Carlsbad market, have already made the switch, and KOAT-TV has announced its plans to make the switch Feb. 10.
Congress, to ease the transition at least financially, authorized the issuance of coupons valued at $40 each for up to two converters per household. However, for many nationwide, getting one of those coupons -- let alone two -- may not be possible before the transition date.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, charged with administering the coupon program, cannot commit more than $1.34 billion at any time to cover the cost of converter box coupons, according to the AP. That includes coupons that have already been redeemed, unexpired coupons
sent out but not yet redeemed and coupons requested but not yet mailed out.
And all of those funds have been expended.
According to the AP, in a Jan. 2 article, "Congress could address the funding problem by approving more money for the coupon program or raising the $1.34 billion cap "
Consumers can still go to the government Web site at www.dtv.org and fill out an application. However, the application page states that "The TV Converter Box Program has reached its funding ceiling. However, coupon requests from eligible households will be filled as funds from expiring coupons become available. If you would like to apply for a coupon today and are eligible, you will be placed on a waiting list and will receive coupons on a first-come-first-served basis as funds from expiring coupons become available. Coupons will expire within 90 days of the date they are mailed."
The Associated Press also reported Monday that the waiting list "already has requests for 103,000 coupons."
The issue prompted the transition team representing President-elect Oback Barama Thursday to ask that the change in television signals be postponed.
In response, however, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission warned Saturday that such action could confuse consumers.
He said options could include additional funding from Congress and the elimination of the 90-day expiration deadline on the coupons.
A survey of eight potential Carlsbad dealers on Wednesday revealed that only one has any converters in stock, several potential dealers did not choose to sell them, and others had them -- but are unsure if they will be receiving any more -- at any time.
Cynthia Haworth, a sales associate with Radio Shack, 2521 S. Canal St., said they have two brands in stock -- Zenith and Digital Stream, and have not experienced any problems in maintaining an inventory. She said if the store did run out, they were able to get new inventory within a couple of days.
She said her customers have known what they needed, and why they needed the converter box.
Haworth said that while some consumers had the $40 coupons, persons without them were also purchasing the converter boxes.
Haworth said that, initially, consumers could go to the Radio Shack Web site and procure the coupons. But, she added, when the federal supply ran out, the Web site option for consumers was also eliminated.
She also noted a consumer reaction that she couldn't explain. Haworth said that some customers, instead of spending the approximately $60 per converter box, chose to buy a new, digital-ready television that was on sale during the holiday period.
The survey indicated that the converter boxes retailed from $48 to $69, depending on store and brand.
Niki Barker, lifestyle team leader at Hastings Books, Music & Videos, 1601 W. Pierce St., said that store was selling the converter boxes but is now out of stock. She said that, according to her information, it was doubtful if Hastings would be receiving any more for the Carlsbad store.
Unlike Haworth's customers, Barker said more persons inquiring about them were older, and were uncertain what they needed or why they had to have the converter box.
She said store employees would talk with those customers, and help them determine if they really needed them to continue watching television.
At the Carlsbad Wal-Mart Superstore, shelf tags remain in place for a Magnavox brand, but the shelves were empty Wednesday.
A sales associate confirmed the store was out of stock, and cited a manufacturer shortage for the local store not being able to get them from the warehouse.
The Wal-Mart associate could not state when another shipment could be expected, but added that it might be "a while."
Donna Bennett, general manager of Sears, located in the Carlsbad Mall, reported that the store cannot custom order a converter box for a customer. While the store was out of stock on Wednesday, she also reported that the Carlsbad store may receive a small allocation from its warehouse, when the warehouse has them available for distribution.
In the AP story sent out Monday, Meredith Attwell Baker, NTIA head, "urged consumers now requesting coupons not to wait for them to arrive and to instead act quickly to ensure that they have at least one television set ready for (the) Feb. 17 transition.
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