IBM to handle Digital TV Coupon Program for Feds
It's coming, and it'll be here faster than you can think of it. The end of analog TV. On February 17th, 2009, all analog TV broadcasts in the United States will cease. Part of the transition process is a coupon program, whereby consumers will receive up to two $40 coupons for a digital converter box that will interface to their analog TV. And the delivery of these coupons will be managed by IBM.
The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) said that IBM will manage the
government's DTV coupon program, which will subsidize the analog-to-DTV
handoff in 2009.
IBM's contract will be worth an estimated $119,968,468 over 25 months, according to the NTIA. IBM will be assisted by Corporate Lodging Consultants and PR company Ketchum to oversee and educate consumers on what they need to do to prepare for the transition.
It should be noted that for most of us, the transition means nothing. It really only affects those receiving their TV signal through over-the-air antennas, as cable TV and satellite subscribers have a decoder within their converter boxes.
