Washington - The subsidy program offering coupons to Americans to help pay for converter boxes that ensure their televisions will continue to work after the digital TV transition next month is about to run out of funds, the Associated Press reported.

The $1.34 billion allotted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) by Congress is helping offer up to two $40 coupons to consumers using analog sets whose signals will go dark on Feb. 17 unless they purchase converter boxes.

The NTIA is now seeking additional funding.

The AP estimated that if demand remains at current levels, the initial 51.5 million coupon allotment will be exhausted later this month, and some 60 million total would be requested by March 31, when the subsidy program ends.

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http://snipurl.com/9i7nk (AP)