Millions of households in the US could receive government help with the planned digital switchover in the form of coupons for those who rely solely on analogue broadcasts.
The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NITA) has proposed that these viewers, of whom there are estimated to be about 21 million, could be eligible for a scheme of national coupons that can be exchanged for digital set-top boxes.
There are between 44 million and 73 million homes not hooked up to cable or satellite in the US, with the digital switchover scheduled to occur there in February 2009.
The Government Accountability Office estimates that there are around 85 million subscribers to cable or satellite services in the US and by having alternatives they would not be entitled to take part in the coupon scheme.
People who think that they are eligible for the coupons will have to apply between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009.
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