TV Converter Program Runs Out of Funding

by Edmund Jenks | January 6, 2009 at 06:38 am

664 views | 24 Recommendations | 14 comments

Is anyone

surprised? Give the government something to manage and they will manage to mess it up. Hey, why don't we have the government fix our economy that had been sent into a tailspin through the promotion of JUNK MORTGAGES backed by organizations create by .... the government? - oops!

Maybe the government can free up some of the 750 billion dollars that was supposed to be used to buy back JUNK MORTGAGES so that people in our society don't miss the new gameshow program, Million Dollar Password.

The government's billion-dollar program to help people prepare for the transition to digital television has run out of money, potentially leaving millions of viewers without coupons to buy converter boxes they need to keep their analog TV sets working after the switch.

As of this past Sunday, consumers who request a $40 coupon to help offset the cost of a converter box are being placed on a waiting list. They may not receive the coupons before Feb. 17, when full-power television stations will shut off traditional analog broadcasts and transmit only digital signals.

Members of Congress are now scrambling to find ways to allocate more money to the program.

Check out the video that has been added ... the one that teaches someone on how to build an analog to digital antenna for about $8.00. Build an antenna, then watch Million Dollar Password!

41 See all footage | View Slideshow

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CJaye

at 08:32 on January 6th, 2009

I can believe the Government, Bush is still in Office. The antenna video very very cool. That might just catch on especially down South. I can joke it because I'm from there. But I'd hate to see the version they would come up with.

Edmund Jenks

at 08:50 on January 6th, 2009

Pssst! Don't tell anybody, but it was the Congress that passed the law and provided the taxpayer-funding for the conversion ... that would be the Democratic Party controlled Congress.

Trust me on this, it will NOT get any better under the One-Party rule that will be in place come January 20, 2009.

Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutly! Watch your back.

dunkelberg

at 08:54 on January 6th, 2009

Welllllll, let us not forget who has been in charge of the FCC for the last eight years and who could have changed the rules.

As the White House was in GOP control. I guess this goes on the list as yet another Bush failure.

[chuckle]

Let's face it, this is a bipartisan ripoff with government forcing demand for new technology rather than vice versa.

While we are at it. Digital television was the one chance leaders in the worlds of government and technology had to develop a common broadcast signal. Nothing there either.

Edmund Jenks

at 16:39 on January 6th, 2009

Your point is almost correct about the FCC. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Commerce Department is more precise.

Funding, however, is the sole responsibility of the Legislative Branch ... hence, the Congress.

Joe Zydeco (not verified)

at 11:39 on January 6th, 2009

PSST! Don't tell Edmund Jenks, but the converter program was paid for by proceeds from the spectrum auction. So, indirectly, AT&T and Verizon paid for the boxes not the government.

dunkelberg

at 08:50 on January 6th, 2009

There will be hell to pay in February.

Amy Judd

at 10:26 on January 6th, 2009

Interesting piece - thanks for this!

harringtola

at 14:07 on January 6th, 2009

Is there information somewhere that defines exactly where the money came from in the first place?

Edmund Jenks

at 14:59 on January 6th, 2009

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the arm of the Commerce Department in charge of administering the coupon program, expects to hit a $1.34 billion funding ceiling set by Congress.

The above information was lifted from an article found at Yahoo, posted by AP.

LINK: http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090102/ap_on_hi_te/tec_digital_tv_transition

harringtola

at 15:36 on January 6th, 2009

Thank you for the facts. Now do we know how they funded this program?

The Internet (not verified)

at 19:22 on January 6th, 2009

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/budgetrequest2008_factsheetDTV.pdf

harringtola

at 19:33 on January 6th, 2009

Thank you very much for the pointer. Charts and graphs.

harringtola

at 05:54 on January 7th, 2009

I will say I like the video on the $8 alternative but I am not sure I could do it from those instructions and I do have to say it is a little bit ugly in all it's final glory.

Rowdy1 (not verified)

at 21:24 on January 7th, 2009

The reason that funds were depleted so quickly, is the many greedy people that thought they could get something for nothing... They got their limit of 2 discount coupons even though they did not need one because they had cable or a later model digital ready tv. Just look at the numbers of converters for sale for double the price on Ebay and Craigs List..

So now it is the same stupid people who can't figure out how to vote, whom are s.o.l. and therefore angry with the government for not giving them ample time to convert.... After all, it's only been more than a year since the conversion deadlines were first announced..

But hang on gang.. O'Bama will soon solve all of your problems.. After all, it is the Constitution guaranteed right of every American to watch "Biggest Loser" without any disruption....