Philosophy
Congress has finally put a hold on the switch from analog to digital broadcasting.
Congress voted Wednesday to give consumers four more months to prepare for the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting.
The House voted 264-158 to postpone the shutdown of analog TV signals to June 12, to address growing concerns that too many Americans won't be ready in time for the Feb. 17 deadline that Congress had set three years ago. The Senate passed the measure unanimously last week and the bill now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature.
The delay is a victory for the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress, who maintain that the previous administration mismanaged efforts to ensure that all consumers -- particularly poor, rural and minority Americans -- will be prepared for the switchover.
The Nielsen Co. estimates that more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals still are not ready. People who subscribe to cable or satellite TV or have a newer TV with a digital tuner will not be affected.
"The passage of this bipartisan legislation means that millions of Americans will have the time they need to prepare for the conversion," the White House said in a statement. "We will continue to work with Congress to improve the information and assistance available to American consumers in advance of June 12, especially those in the most vulnerable communities."
Wednesday's vote came one week after House Republicans blocked the bill when it was in a special fast-track vote that required two-thirds support to pass. This time, the bill passed the House under a regular floor vote, which only requires a simple majority.
"Digital TV Delay"
Jeffrey Brown and an analyst examine the impact of renewed efforts to delay the U.S. switch to digitally transmitted television signals.
PBS Newshour
The House negates digital delay
- Bunglers Of The Spectrum
The following article sums up the debacle. "How We Bungled the Digital Television Transition" by Eliot Van Buskirk February 20th, 2009 Wired America's transition to over-the-air digital television signals, which netted the government $19 billion...
- 100s Of Analog Signals Are Severed
KCTV TOWER And so chaos and frustration begins. "Hundreds of television stations cut analog signals" by Peter Svensson February 17th, 2009 Associated Press About a quarter of the nation's TV stations cut off their analog signals Tuesday, causing...
- Dtv Officially Postponed
Four more months of chaos and cost. "Obama signs bill delaying switch to digital TV" Some stations have asked permission to turn off analog signals on the originally planned date -- Tuesday. by Jim Puzzanghera February 12TH, 2009 Los Angeles Times ...
- More On Dtv...kansas City Style
"Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into."--Oliver Hardy to Stan Laurel. What a costly debacle by the Federal Government. "KC stations to delay DTV switch after all" by Aaron Barnhart February 7th, 2009 The Kansas City Star Kansas...
- Digital Tv Switchover Is Postponed
It has passed the Senate and the House will probably do the same...so hold off on throwing that old TV by the roadside. "Digital TV Switchover Delay Gathers Steam in Congress" by John C Abell January 27th, 2009 Wired The Senate has voted to delay for...
Philosophy
Done deal...analog broadcasting switch on hold
Congress has finally put a hold on the switch from analog to digital broadcasting.
"House Votes to Delay Switch to Digital Television"
February 4th, 2009
The Associated Press
February 4th, 2009
The Associated Press
Congress voted Wednesday to give consumers four more months to prepare for the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting.
The House voted 264-158 to postpone the shutdown of analog TV signals to June 12, to address growing concerns that too many Americans won't be ready in time for the Feb. 17 deadline that Congress had set three years ago. The Senate passed the measure unanimously last week and the bill now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature.
The delay is a victory for the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress, who maintain that the previous administration mismanaged efforts to ensure that all consumers -- particularly poor, rural and minority Americans -- will be prepared for the switchover.
The Nielsen Co. estimates that more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals still are not ready. People who subscribe to cable or satellite TV or have a newer TV with a digital tuner will not be affected.
"The passage of this bipartisan legislation means that millions of Americans will have the time they need to prepare for the conversion," the White House said in a statement. "We will continue to work with Congress to improve the information and assistance available to American consumers in advance of June 12, especially those in the most vulnerable communities."
Wednesday's vote came one week after House Republicans blocked the bill when it was in a special fast-track vote that required two-thirds support to pass. This time, the bill passed the House under a regular floor vote, which only requires a simple majority.
"Digital TV Delay"
Jeffrey Brown and an analyst examine the impact of renewed efforts to delay the U.S. switch to digitally transmitted television signals.
PBS Newshour
The House negates digital delay
- Bunglers Of The Spectrum
The following article sums up the debacle. "How We Bungled the Digital Television Transition" by Eliot Van Buskirk February 20th, 2009 Wired America's transition to over-the-air digital television signals, which netted the government $19 billion...
- 100s Of Analog Signals Are Severed
KCTV TOWER And so chaos and frustration begins. "Hundreds of television stations cut analog signals" by Peter Svensson February 17th, 2009 Associated Press About a quarter of the nation's TV stations cut off their analog signals Tuesday, causing...
- Dtv Officially Postponed
Four more months of chaos and cost. "Obama signs bill delaying switch to digital TV" Some stations have asked permission to turn off analog signals on the originally planned date -- Tuesday. by Jim Puzzanghera February 12TH, 2009 Los Angeles Times ...
- More On Dtv...kansas City Style
"Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into."--Oliver Hardy to Stan Laurel. What a costly debacle by the Federal Government. "KC stations to delay DTV switch after all" by Aaron Barnhart February 7th, 2009 The Kansas City Star Kansas...
- Digital Tv Switchover Is Postponed
It has passed the Senate and the House will probably do the same...so hold off on throwing that old TV by the roadside. "Digital TV Switchover Delay Gathers Steam in Congress" by John C Abell January 27th, 2009 Wired The Senate has voted to delay for...