WASHINGTON -- Did you know that in one year 432,740 homes in North Carolina and 230,230 homes in South Carolina could face a television blackout? Your home could be one of them if you don't have a digital TV and still use an indoor or outdoor antenna. If you have cable or a satellite dish, this story doesn't apply to you.

On February 17, 2009 television stations across the country will start broadcasting only in digital. This mean the homes mentioned above will lose their signal if they don't make changes.

Eyewitness News talked with the man who leads the U.S. Commerce Department, Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. His agency is responsible for the digital switch.

"If people have an analog TV with the rabbit ears and that's all they have, after February 17, 2009 they will no longer have access to television programming," said Secretary Gutierrez.

Gutierrez says people need to do one of three things. They can pay for a new digital TV or sign up for cable or a satellite dish. Another option is to get a special converter box. This box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after the switchover date. Here's the best news: the government is offering up to two $40 coupons a house to help pay for the converter box.

You can apply online at www.dtv2009.gov. There's also a phone number: 1-888-DTV-2009.

So far the government has approved more than three million coupons. However, they won't be sending them out until the converter boxes are in stores. The Commerce Department says that's supposed to be by the end of February or first of March. The cost of a box: between $50 and $70.

Another tip: don't wait to the last minute to apply. The coupons are limited and will be issued on a first-come-first-serve basis.