DTV CONVERSION alert

County of Los Angeles Community and Senior Services Office of Communications 3175 W. 6th Street, Suite 302 – Los Angeles, CA 90020 http://css.lacounty.gov

              

                     Cynthia D. Banks, Director

________________________________________

PRESS RELEASE                                                        CONTACT:  Patricia Senette

                                                       (213) 738-2065

        E-Mail psenette@css.lacounty.gov                 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                       

March 25, 2009

 

THE DIGITAL TELEVISION (DTV) TRANSITION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED

LOS ANGELES COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING ALERTS SENIORS!

 

Los Angeles County—Congress has recently extended the deadline until June 12, 2009, for when all full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only.  Even though the deadline has been pushed back, it is important that consumers be ready for the conversion now.

 

Cynthia Banks, Director, Community and Senior Services/Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging said, “June 12, 2009 will be here sooner than we think.  Now is the time for us all to get up to speed on DTV—what is it, what does it mean to me, and what do I need to do?  We at the Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging want to encourage seniors to educate themselves on this important issue.”

 

To help consumers without digital TV, cable, or satellite service transition to DTV, the Government has established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program.  The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, administers this program.  Every household is eligible to receive up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes.  Plugging a converter into a television (that currently uses a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears”) will allow you to continue to receive your television programs after June 12, 2009. This is an option if you do not have a digital TV or cable/satellite service.  For more information call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY). 

 

There are many sources of information about the digital television transition but one of the best is the government’s Web site www.dtv.gov.  It contains information on what DTV is and questions consumers should ask when purchasing new television sets.  You may also call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) or by TTY at 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322).  Or contact the FCC by e-mailing dtvinfo@fcc.gov.