NOTE: The free federal digital TV convertor coupon program ended on July 31, 2009. Information about digital TV conversion and how to improve over air digital TV antenna reception can be found at fcc.gov. Assistance in locating over air TV stations broadcasting in your area and finetuning your antenna can be found at AntennaWeb.org.
At midnight on February 17, 2009, analog television signals stopped broadcasting over the airwaves in the U.S. and digital signals took their place.
While this didn’t affect TV sets with digital tuners, or those on cable or satellite, a converter box is now necessary for older sets that use an antenna.
To help homeowners with the change, the federal government gave away $40 coupons for the purchase of a digital converter box.