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.

The 110th Congress, 2nd Session, House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill allowing television stations to broadcast emergency and informational messages in analog format in the days following the DTV change over February 17, 2009.

The bill still needs to be signed by President Bush. This bill should alleviate concerns from citizens worried about receiving emergancy announcements from local broadcasters about weather conditions or any other warning from The Emergency Broadcast System and Public Safety Information

The bill will require the Federal Communications Commission to provide for a short-term extension of the analog television broadcasting authority so that essential public safety announcements and digital television transition information may be provided for a short time during the transition to digital television broadcasting