Plea to postpone analog-to-digital TV switch
Posted by Jacque on January 8th, 2009
The Washington Post is reporting that President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team has sent a letter to Congress asking for a delay in the switch to digital TV which is scheduled for Februray 17th. They join the Consumer’s Union in their concern that low-income, rural and elderly Americans who rely most heavily on over-the-air signals, will lose access to their main source of news and entertainment.
Although the switch was announced quite awhile ago, preparations have been rocky and underfunded. It is estimated that 5 million people will request a coupon for the converter box which is needed to turn “rabbit ears” TVs (analog) into ones that can receive digital transmissions.
Those who have digital TV sets, or who subscribe to cable or satellite service, will not lose programming, but it is feared that many who don’t are not prepared for the switch and the government-provided coupons for a converter box are no longer available due to lack of funds.
“With coupons unavailable, support and education insufficient, and the most vulnerable Americans exposed, I urge you to consider a change to the legislatively-mandated analog cutoff date,” John Podesta, co-chair of the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team wrote in the letter, which was sent to leaders of the Senate and House Commerce committees
Lawmakers are looking for ways to make sure consumers who need coupons get them in time. “But with the date looming, moving the date back certainly warrants further discussion and may be a wise choice,” Daniel Reilly, a spokesman for Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the House subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet, said yesterday.
