Photo: iStockPhoto
This is what analog TVs will look like on 12 June 2009 without digital converter boxes.
Today the U.S. House of Representatives followed the lead of the U.S. Senate today and voted to extend the deadline for broadcasters to stop airing analog TV signals. The Obama Administration pushed for the bill and is expected to sign it.
Until the passage of this bill, on 17 February 2009 broadcasters were required by law to turn off their analog broadcast. This bill moves that date until 12 June.
This victory is hollow on many levels.
First, it's not the broadcast industry that was pushing for an extension. Many (most?) do not want to have to continue broadcasting both analog and digital signals because of the cost involved.
Second, this is a deadline, not a "switch today" date. According to FCC Chair Michael Cox, "143 broadcasters have already terminated their analog signals and another 60 stations plan to do so before Feb. 17."
Third, the bill does not address the issue of expired rebate coupons (if yours expired before you used it, you are out of luck).
Finally, the bill does not address the need for additional funds for the rebate program. That's expected to come in the "stimulus" bill.
See: What Is The Digital TV Transition? and Obama: Postpone Digital-TV Switch. Poll: Should We Postpone Implementation of Digital-Only TV Broadcasts?
Comments
Damn, this is one thing I actually got ready for. What I really wish the government would specify is who gets put in prison for stealing from the U.S. Treasury and robbing the American people of their money and property. Meanwhile, I’m sick of obstructionist Republicans professing a new found belief in fiscal responsibility. Get off the tax cut thing already. We need some help out here!
Hi, Stan … remember, this change means only that broadcaster have an extra four months to execute a change-over. It does not require them to wait another four months to do so.
This is one case where I think the consumer advocates may be barking up the wrong tree.
On the other hand, I heard about a nursing home that is trying to manage the conversion while implementing a new scheme that centralizes the TV experience (like hotels do). Poor managerial planning?