Broadcast coupon program falters

That federal program that subsidizes the changeover of homes from analog to digital television is running out of money. The program is housed in a little-known federal office called the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. But it was outsourced to IBM on a contract that turns out not to have enough money. Whether that’s because IBM mismanaged it or the contract amount was just too small is not yet determined.

The program provides $40 coupons for adaptors that convert television sets to digital. The coupons are good for 90 days, but it takes three or four weeks for them to be delivered. They can be obtained at www.dtv2009.gov. And maybe it’s a good idea to hurry while there’s still money left in the program.