Preparing for the DTV Transition

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Preparing for the DTV Transition

• Presented by
• (insert name)
• (insert organization, if any)

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TV Matters
Access Access to communications is a
necessity Not just entertainment We rely on TV
during emergencies (i.e., tornado warnings,
school closings, and other breaking news)
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February 17, 2009 Transition

• From Analog Most television stations must stop
  sending analog over-the-air signals by
  February 17, 2009
• To Digital
• Analog-to-digital transition will change the
  way Americans watch television

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Why the switch to digital?

• Efficiency
• Digital is a more efficient way to broadcast
• Safety
• Frees up the old analog airwaves for use by
  first responders and emergency personnel
• Programming
• Digital stations will be able to transmit more
  channels
• Quality
• Digital pictures are clearer

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Who will this impact?
Most Americans Vast majority of Americans will
benefit Twenty-one million households Twenty-one
million households - many of which include
fixed-income families, seniors, minorities and
individuals with disabilities - may be hard hit
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What does this mean for you?
Who is affected? People who use rabbit ears or a
rooftop antenna to receive free over-the-air
television Who is not affected? People whose
TV already has a digital (ATSC) tuner and/or is
connected to cable, satellite or a telephone
company video service provider
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Who is most affected?
21 Million Analog Households 21 million
households rely on over-the-air
television Spanish Language One-third are
Spanish-language speakers African American
Nearly one-quarter are African American
Low-income Forty-eight percent have incomes
under 30,000 Older people 8 million include at
least one person over age 50 People with
disabilities An estimated one-third or more of
viewers have disabilities
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What can I do?
Get the coupon. Get the right box. Keep your TV.
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The Box
Converters for Sale Stores are now selling
converter boxes that will allow old analog TVs
to receive the new digital signal Cost Boxes
cost from 40-70 One Time One-time cost, no
monthly fees
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The Coupon

• FreeThe government has set up a free coupon
  program
• Maximum Limit
• Every U.S. household can request up to two 40
  coupons to offset the price of the converter
  boxes. Nursing home and assisted living
  facility residents can request up to one 40
  coupon.
• First Come, First Served
• But coupons are first come, first served and
  supplies are limited. And theyre going fast.
• The Nursing Home Application must be mailed in.

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Coupon Request Application
Mail / Fax
Online
www.dtv2009.gov
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Request your coupon now!

• Phone
• 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009)
• TTY
• 1-877-530-2634
• Online (or to print the mail/fax form)
• www.dtv2009.gov

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When you receive your coupon

• When it Arrives
• It will come in the mail
• The Look
• Coupons are red and look like a plastic gift
  card, the serial number and an expiration date is
  on the front
• Like a Gift CardWorks at participating stores
  the same as a gift card
• Time LimitMust be redeemed within 90 days

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Your coupon will look like this
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Included with the coupon

• Locations
• List of local participating retail stores
• Eligible Boxes
• List of coupon eligible converter boxes
• Tips
• Answers to frequently asked questions

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How to use the coupon

• Different Boxes
• More than 100 approved converter boxes, and
  each is a little different
• Identify your Needs
• Important to get the right box for your needs

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Some boxes are better for you
If you

• Live in rural areas
• Need boxes with better receptivity
• Rely on closed captioning
• Need boxes with pass-through of closed
  captioning
• Watch low-power stations
• Need boxes with analog pass-through capability

Many of which broadcast in languages other than
English
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Spread the word at home

• Start local
• Tell your friends, family neighbors that TV
  goes digital on February 17, 2009
• Publicize the coupon
• Tell them about the Coupon Program
• Help out
• Offer to help them request their coupon right
  away

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Spread the word in your community

• In Local News
• Include Coupon Program information in
  newsletters, bulletins, websites
• At Events
• Speak at community events and meetings
• Materials
• Distribute informational materials

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Free information

• Coupon Program Application Forms
• Set up tables outside busy places or hold an
  event to help people apply for their coupon
• DTV Toolkit CD-ROMS DVDsPop this disc into
  your computer and access dozens of DTV materials,
  videos, and tools
• FlyersHang them in your grocery stores, schools,
  community centers, libraries, and houses of
  worship

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More free materials

• Postcards Hand them out or mail them to your
  friends family
• BookmarksAsk local stores or libraries to make
  them available

Many materials are available in English,
Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, Lao,
Khmer/Cambodian, or accessible formats.
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Get your free DTV materials

• Online www.civilrights.org/DTV
• Email DTV_at_civilrights.org
• Phone [phone]

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For more information
Visit www.civilrights.org/DTV Or contact any of
the following organizations