Sixty-two percent of all U.S. households that rely on over-the-air TV reception have requested coupons from the government’s TV converter box coupon program, according to the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
According to acting NTIA administrator Meredith Baker, 17 million households have requested more than 33.5 million coupons. As of Nov. 10, 13.5 million had been redeemed for converter boxes.
NTIA statistics charting the progress of the coupon program reveal that of the 210 television markets, 172 have more than 50 percent participation among over-the-air households; 45 markets have a 75 percent or greater participation rate. Forty-five markets have a 75 percent or greater participation rate for OTA households.
The markets with the highest coupon application rates include: Wilmington, NC; Salisbury, MD; Myrtle Beach-Florence, SC; Quincy (IL)-Hannibal (MO)-Keokuk (IA); and Charleston-Huntington, WV. The markets with the lowest coupon application rates are: Juneau, AK; Glendive, MT; Honolulu; Eureka, CA; and Anchorage, AK.
For more information, visit www.ntia.doc.gov.
