More Time and Help to Prepare for DTV

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By voting to delay the nation’s switch to all-digital television from Feb. 17 to June 12, Congress gave viewers 16 extra weeks to prepare for the shift. The date change gives viewers more time to access government coupons that subsidize the cost of converter boxes necessary to allow analog sets to work.

The bill did, however, allow broadcasters to go all-digital starting Feb. 17, and already many have.

Without the transition delay, millions of people, mostly low-income and older viewers, could have lost programming. Earlier this year, the TV converter box coupon program ran out of money for the $40 vouchers, and the waiting list now tops 3 million.

AARP has established a call center through March 31 to answer questions and offer technical assistance on converter boxes and antennas. Call 1-877-698-8068 toll-free Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST. Or go to www.aarp.org/dtv.

Carol Simons is an executive editor at the AARP Bulletin.