Digital Television Subsidy

The Program:  TV Converter Box Coupon Program

This program helped anybody in purchasing digital converter boxes for their analog televisions, so that they could still watch TV after the government mandated digital changeover took place. The program was part of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 (This act was part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.I still don't get how spending many reduces a deficit.) I guess the public safety part comes in to play because the program would allow people to continue watching episodes of COPS and Law and Order: Criminal Intent.



Who Was Eligible?

Everybody who said they had an analog television set. There were no income restrictions with this program.

Cost of Product to Recipients

Anyone who received the $40 coupon (limit 2 per household: supplies "limited") and purchased a converter box had to pay the balance of the total cost of the box, which was generally $10-$30 depending on which model was chosen.


Cost to Someone Purchasing Similar Product

 This cost varied depending on which model was purchased. The costs ranged from around $50-$70. Oh, not to mention the tax dollars that were taken from them to provide a television signal to the recipients of the coupons.

Tax Dollars That Went to the Program

Initially the legislation appropriated $1.4 billion for the program. Then due to the federal government's inefficiency to run any program correctly a new law was written. The Delay Act (which had to extend the change over to digital by 4 months and was part of the famous American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which funded pornographic projects) allotted an additional $650 million, bringing the total to $2,050,000,000.

Fraud in The Program

There were no means tests to be found with this program. If a requester told the government that they were eligible, the government believed them. Some official was sitting at his desk in Washington looking over applications and was thinking, "This hand writing looks like it comes from a respectable person. I will approve their request for this provision of a right."

Proponents Say

It is vital that everyone makes this transition so they are not left without television. Families are struggling and cannot pay for cable, so they need this coupon.

Opponents Say

Are you serious? It's just television.

Would I Have Qualified for This Program

Not necessarily. I don't own a TV, but I still could have gotten a coupon card. I own a computer and pay for Internet access. If ever I feel like I want to watch an old episode of The A-Team I just go to Hulu.com.

Now just remember that this program was a cinch to administer and everyone was comfortable with their ability to convert their own television...see the following video.


Funny videos
http://www.civilrights.org/dtv/
http://www.dtv.gov/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coupon-eligible_converter_box