6 weeks after the original deadline for the DTV conversion the US Government will be sending out converter box coupons. The agency that is overseeing the coupon distribution received monies through the economic stimulus. Coupons should be mailed to more than 2.3 million households within two and a half weeks, or around March 20, 2009.

The DTV conversion has been delayed till June 10, 2009 due to the fact that so many people have been on a waiting list for the converter box coupons. Most Television broadcasters have the digital equipment in place and ready for use. Some stations have already turned on the digital signal and continue the analog signal too. Others have stopped their analog broadcast which has left some without TV. Under the extension the TV stations have the choice whether to change now or before June 10. The sooner consumers have the proper equipment in place the better.

The US Congress has passed the DTV extension for broadcasters and TV stations. The new deadline for DTV Change over is June 12, 2009. The extension is for broadcasters only and is not mandated. Meaning television stations only have the option to continue to broadcast the analog signal. Television stations can discontinue the analog signal when they chose.

If your local TV stations do not plan continuing a analog signal it will be up to viewers to have the right equipment in place to receive the Digital Television Signal. This would include even a digital ready television or a DTV converter box.

For the last couple years the FCC has been pushing the citizens of the USA to get ready for the Digital Television Conversion set for February 17, 2009. Look for a announcement soon of a bill in congress to push the conversion back. The only way the conversion date can be changed is by a act of congress since the conversion is set up as a law and mandated to be completed 2/17/09.

The US Government has run out of money for converter box coupons. It is estimated that over a million people have applied for the coupons but will not receive them until the Government can find the money. We have heard estimates of up to 3 million people will be out of luck until this issue is resolved.

New President Barrack Obama is said to be for a postponement as current President Bush is against any delay. Whatever the case as far a politics go this issue can only be solved by the passing of a law allowing a changed for the conversion deadline.

Most TV Stations around the US have done their testing and have even started broadcasting the DTV Signals. Any delay could cost local and cable stations money by having to retain the personal longer they hired to handle the conversion and having to broadcast two signals for a indefinite amount of time. Why indefinite? We all know how slow our congress works.

The US Government is making the change to digital TV (DTV) for 2 reasons. The first is to free up more bandwidth which they can sell to the highest bidder and second is to improve or update the outdated system.

With 36 days left Congress had better get something done quick