2008-07-17 07:00:00
NTIA Certification Approves Retailer to Accept Coupons for Digital TV
Conversion
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., July 17 /EMWNews/ -- In preparation
for America's transition to digital television on Feb. 17, 2009, Sears
announced today that it will sell the DTVPal(TM) digital-to-analog
converter box by DISH Network(R) in 511 of its full-line stores nationwide
and at 194 Sears Dealer stores.
DTVPal converter boxes are eligible for the TV Converter Box Coupon
Program and have a retail price of $59.99. The DTVPal is one of the few
boxes that has analog pass-through, ideal for all consumers since many
stations are low-power and are not required to switch to digital broadcasts
by 2009. DTVPal has an easy-to-follow setup wizard, a best in class(*)
electronic program guide with up to seven days of program listings,
parental controls, program search, auto tune timers for program recording
on a connected VCR, closed caption support and signal strength screen
pop-ups that can troubleshoot lost signals. In addition, the DTVPal remote
control allows consumers to use a single remote to control the TV's volume.
The DTVPal was deemed a "top choice" by a leading consumer electronic
review Web site and is the only converter box that comes with a nationwide
customer care and service network to facilitate installation, including
knowledgeable, multilingual agents and technicians trained in the digital
transition.
"The DTVPal by DISH Network is one of the highest-rated
digital-to-analog converter boxes on the market, and we are thrilled to be
able to offer it at Sears -- a trusted and quality-driven national
retailer," said Tom Stingley, executive vice president of Sales and
Distribution for DISH Network. "Now the DTVPal is even more accessible to
consumers across the country -- and at $19.99 with a government coupon, the
value of our feature-rich box beats other converter boxes hands down."
Sears has been approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to participate in
the TV Converter Box Coupon Program in preparation for the transition to
digital television on Feb. 17, 2009 and has been selling converter boxes in
all of its stores since April 2008.
Analog televisions, which rely on over-the-air broadcasts, will require
a converter box to receive a digital signal after Feb. 17, 2009. Most
televisions connected to cable, satellite or other subscription TV services
do not need a converter box. Customers should check with service providers
to confirm functionality. A recent report issued by Nielsen Media Research
reveals that nearly 25 million homes have at least one television set that
will stop functioning after Feb. 17, 2009. Ten million of those homes, or
9.4 percent of U.S. households, have been deemed "completely unready" for
the transition.
Households wishing to continue using analog TV sets after Feb. 17, 2009
can apply for two government coupons. To find out more information about
the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, the digital TV conversion or to
download an application, visit http://www.dtv2009.gov.
(*) Review, June 19, 2008
About Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings
Corporation (Nasdaq: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing
merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of
home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more
than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and
Canada, which includes approximately 926 full-line and 1,100 specialty
stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and
services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears,
Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore,
Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred
brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home
services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more
information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at http://www.sears.com or
the Sears Holdings Corporation website at http://www.searsholdings.com.
About DISH Network Corporation
DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) provides more than 13.815
million satellite TV customers with industry-leading customer satisfaction
which has surpassed major cable companies for seven years running. DISH
Network customers also enjoy access to a premier line of award-winning
Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), hundreds of video and audio channels, the
most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV
applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD.
DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the
lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package,
high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the
industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a
Fortune 300 company. Visit http://www.dishnetwork.com/aboutus or call
1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.
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