NTIA
Ah, the federal government: So big, so powerful. Yet, in many ways, utterly impotent. And, I can’t fault them for it. They are really trying to help out folks here in America, but their eyes are just too big. It’s like a 6-year-old asking for a 26 scoop sundae and not being able to finish it.
And, before you get all angry and defensive on me, I’m not talking about the financial bailout. No, I’m talking about the Digital TV bailout. Thinking that you have some time to grab one of those coupons to get a free converter box that permits a digital signal on your 19-inch, black-and-white television? If so, then there’s a potential problem. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has told lawmakers that they may run out of money for the $40 converter box coupons before they run out of requests. Uh, anyone up on Capitol Hill hear of the economic policy of Supply and Demand?
The problem seems to be that the FCC, along with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, may have underestimated the amount of coupons they needed. Take the recent digital cut-over of Wilmington, NC for example. Estimates on the amount of converter boxes needed were originally recorded at about 14 thousand. Turns out, nearly 20,000 boxes were needed. Taking that model and applying it to the rest of the country the FCC and NTIA are looking at 20 million coupons for converter boxes. Add post office boxes and nursing homes to that mix and things don’t look good.
This is bad news during a particularly bad time around here. People rely on television more than ever these days for news about the plight of this nation. Having their access to that means of communication suddenly turned off in the middle of February seems like a bad deal to me. I mean, where are these people going to turn to for their news? Radio? The Internet? Shocking, I tell you. Shocking!
Clacked by Richard Keller 
on Oct 08, 2008 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
Just another example of how outdated, unreliable, and completely screwed up Nielsen numbers are. I guess if their faulty numbers are good enough for the stupid networks that use them then they’re good enough for the stupid government officials that use them too. Makes you wonder how far off they are on prime-time ratings numbers too? And why anybody would be dumb enough to let them control a $10 billion a year or more industry?
Wow this is bullshit.
First I got mine soon because I figured the government was like this, but then they expired after 90 days! That was lame, now I can’t get another one.
Plus they don’t make the things free, they should, it’s only for $40. The government will make at least 20 billion dollars by selling the old airwaves, yet they can’t give these things out for free?
Yet another, in a hugely long list, of government failures.
Well I had put it off since the ads started airing in January, but I just applied for my coupons. I need two in the house – kitchen and a bedroom, cause only two rooms have cable. I didn’t want have to get them so early, so I’ll cross my fingers.
Call me stupid — but couldn’t they just print up more coupons, I mean really. Oh better yet no coupons and the stores just sell them at $10 until the end of the year. I mean it’s a pain in the a-s. I’m not a financial guy though
just my thoughts
That takes alot of heart as a blogger to call the federal government “impotent”. Well, I don’t have that much courage…lol (smile)
The blame for this is misdirected — if there should be any. The number of available coupons was set by the funds available by Congress, so they are responsible for estimating the need. The coupons, however, have been available (and advertised) for more than nine months now. I think the real problem has simply been that people aren’t paying attention to the ads that have been running all this time. The coupon clearly states that it expires in 90 days, and 50% of the recipients have allowed it to expire.
From my interaction with key people running this program, I would say that they are doing a competent job.
hi
sd9lj18ctvsfy9cq
good luck
hi
sd9lj18ctvsfy9cq
good luck
hi
sd9lj18ctvsfy9cq
good luck