Obama urges delay in digital TV switch
WASHINGTON -- President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting.
In a letter to key lawmakers, transition team co-chair John Podesta warned Thursday that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcasts won't be ready.
The incoming administration is pushing for a delay in part because the Commerce Department has run out of money for the coupons that subsidize digital TV converter boxes for consumers. People who don't have cable or satellite TV or a new TV with a digital tuner will need the converter boxes to keep their analog TVs working.
Obama officials are also concerned that the government is not giving consumers enough help with the TV transition.
analog tvs, john podesta, Barack Obama, converter boxes, analog tv, analog to digital, incoming administration, president elect, transition team, tv converter, digital tuner, washington president, team co, television broadcasting, digital television, satellite tv, commerce department, new tv, co chair, digital tv, Business, politics, topstories, News, Politics & Government
I don’t understand why so much money is being spent on trying to educate everyone on the digital switch. If people haven’t heard about it by now or are choosing to ignore it, they will catch on Feb. 17th when their TV no longer works.
Nothing will come between the american people and their television watching habits. They will learn quickly and get it fixed.
1 comment