Digital TV Transition Delayed

Last week President Barack Obama signed into law the DTV Delay Act, a bill postponing the date on which television broadcasters will transition from analog to digital signals.

The legislation moves the deadline from February 17 to June 12. Why? For several reasons, but most notably, the government ran out of converter box coupons and 3.7 million people have yet to receive them. The converter box typically sells for around $60, but the coupon is worth $40 and every household is entitled to 2.

Will some stations still be switching? Yes, the FCC reports that nearly 1/3 of the stations broadcasting in analog will end that transmission sometime this week as planned. But why is the government requiring the switch in the first place? Again, several reasons, but most notably, to free up bandwidth for emergency response. How many people still fiddle with rabbit ears to get a better picture? Would you believe 1 in 5. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), about 21 million U.S. households – 19 percent of the country – do not subscribe to cable or satellite services.

I’m actually pleased to hear the number, I’m looking at it this way: If Congress can help 19% of the country get a better television signal, and if they can pass a $787 billion stimulus package that includes $650 million specifically for that cause, then in my simple mind, Social Security will survive; I can retire at 80! Of course I won’t have health insurance and I can’t even find a decent bridge to live under, but I’ll have digital tv and enough money to pay the cable or satellite bill!

For more information regarding the switch to DTV, browse to http://www.dtv.gov/.

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