Washington - Beginning Jan. 1, the 13-21 million households that use an antenna to receive analog TV signals can ask the government for two $40 coupons they can use toward the purchase of converters that will be needed for them to view digital TV signals once analog broadcasts are discontinued in 2009, the Associated Press reported.

A total of $1.5 billion has so far been allotted by Congress for the coupon program, and converters from DigitalSTREAM, Zenith, Magnavox and Philco have already been certified.

"Over 100 retailers have been certified including a variety of small stores, retail chains and these very large retailers," Meredith Baker, acting administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is overseeing the coupon program, told AP.

"We have nationwide coverage with over 14,000 brick-and-mortar stores involved as well as with online participation."

The converters will be sold at retailers including Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart and RadioShack.

Those interested in the coupon program can apply at DTV2009.gov, which will go live on Jan. 1.

Related Links:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2007/DTVretailers_121107.html

http://snipurl.com/1v6bp (AP)

http://www.dtvtransition.org

http://www.dtv2009.gov