NTIA Clears DTV Coupon Waiting List, Accepting Applicants

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has cleared the waiting list for the $40 DTV converter box coupons and is now accepting new applications.

The program reached its budget on Jan. 4, 2009, meaning new applicants had to wait until unredeemed coupons reached their 90-day expiration date.

On March 2, according to the NTIA, the waiting list had 4.1 million requests from 2.3 million households. The NTIA says applications are now being processed on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies last.

"With the backlog of applications now eliminated, consumers can apply for coupons and get assistance right away, allowing them to continue to receive important local television news and emergency information by purchasing a converter box at a reduced cost," acting NTIA administrator Anna Gomez says.

The DTV Delay Act delayed the digital transition by about four months from Feb. 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009. President Obama supported the delay because he thought too many people were unprepared for the switch.

About 800 of the 1,796 full-power stations have already stopped broadcasting analog signals.