Authorities to start distributing free TV decoders in Brazil's capital

Digital TV converter kits will start to be distributed this week to low-income families in Brazil's capital Brasília as part of the country's analog switch-off process, the government said.

The kits, which allow viewers even with CRT-style sets to watch digital TV, are for families registered on Brazil's social welfare programs database, called CadÚnico.

From June 2, those that requested the equipment – decoders and antennas – by phone or over the internet will be able to collect it at distribution points in Brasília, federal communications authorities reported. Some 372,000 families are expected to receive a kit.

Digital TV equipment has also been distributed in Mexico, as part of that country's analog switch-off process.

Brasília's analog signal – and that covering nine metropolitan municipalities which are already receiving the kits – is due to be switched off on October 26.

In March, after several delays, Rio Verde became the first city in Brazil to see its analog signal switched off, but the process was considered a pilot.