Posted by SH
The Senate has voted to approve a four-month delay in the mandated switch from analog to digital television, changing the date that over-the-air signals would no longer work from Feb. 17 to June 12. Despite the government’s massive promotional campaign advertising the switch, the Nielsen Co. estimates there are 6.5 million U.S. households whose televisions would go dark without the postponement. President Obama felt the delay was necessary after the Commerce Department reached a $1.34 billion limit on funding $40-to-$80 coupons for people to buy digital TV-converter boxes. The bill now goes to the House, which could vote on it as early as today.
The delay could cost PBS $22 million, because they would have to keep broadcasting in both analog and digital for another four months.
Share your thoughts. Does the digital TV transition need to be delayed?