FREE $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes

Beginning Feb. 18, 2009, anyone who does not own a digital set and still gets their programming via over-the-air antennas will no longer receive a picture.That's the day the television industry completes its transition from old-style analog broadcasting to digital.

Starting January 1, 2008, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70 and will be available at most major electronics retail stores.

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To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at http://www.dtv2009.gov/ starting Tuesday. The government also has set up a 24-hour hotline to take requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

For more details on the federal regulations, including the budget information, please the DTV Converter Box Coupon Program Rules. For a quick overview, see the Associated Press (AP) video about the digital TV converter boxes