Converter Box Supply is Dwindling - 3/26/09

**Jason Fritz** · 03-26-2009, 01:08 PM

Converter Box demand may exceed supply according to a recent WSJ article on the digital transition.

9.3 million coupons are currently active and a redemption rate of about 60%, that suggests some 5.5 million set top boxes might be needed, House Energy and Commerce subcommittee chairman Rick Boucher (D., Va.) said at the oversight hearing.

"If every coupon is redeemed there won't be sufficient boxes to meet that demand," Anna Gomez, acting heading of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, told lawmakers at the hearing. "I do share the concern about whether inventory levels will be sufficient to get us through June 12 and also after June 12," she said.

It's highly unlikely (ok, impossible) that every single coupon will be redeemed over the next 3 months, but there is a possibility that with the recent change to the coupon program to allow expired coupon holders to reapply, there will be an uptick in coupons ordered again...and coupled with a limited supply of converter boxes, could create problems for consumers in June when the Digital Transition occurs.

**bicker** · 03-26-2009, 02:42 PM

Watchword needs to be, "U snuuz U luuz".

**Jason Fritz** · 03-26-2009, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by bicker

Watchword needs to be, "U snuuz U luuz".

Kind of tough to miss out on getting a discount on a converter box now...1. dtv transition postponed 2. coupon program extended 3. expired coupon holders now allowed to reapply

**bicker** · 03-27-2009, 01:59 AM

The coupons aren't really an issue any more AFAIC: There has been more than enough time to take advantage of that program. Everything we're doing now to let people still do so is bonus. However, the OP is pointing out the the boxes themselves may be running out, so they won't be available at any price.