WFAA-TV

A reminder: If you need a government coupon for a digital television converter box, act now. We're just 49 days from the end of analog TV.

The government is predicting a surge of last-minute coupon requests, and that may exhaust the supply of the $40 coupons.

Furthermore, even if you apply for a coupon today, you might not receive it until after February 17, when all full-power television stations in the U.S. will end analog transmissions.

After that date, if you currently get your TV signals directly off the air using an antenna (rabbit ears or outdoor), you will need either a television set with a built-in digital tuner or a digital converter box that lets an older TV view the digital content. In some cases, a new antenna or adjustment of the existing antenna will be required.

Viewers who subscribe to cable or satellite service do not have to purchase any additional equipment.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which runs the government coupon giveaway, estimates that more than three-quarters of all U.S. households who rely on over-the-air TV have already requested coupons.

The NTIA says it has distributed $1.16 billion in coupons; the agency has the authority to issue up to $1.34 billion of coupons. If it runs out of money, coupon requests will be rejected unless Congress approves additional funding.

Every household is eligible for up to two $40 coupons that can be applied against the expense of a converter box. The boxes are available from more than 34,000 electronics retailers at prices ranging from $40 to $60.

Call 888-388-2009 or go to DTV2009.gov for information about the digital converter box coupon program.