OVER-THE-AIR TV SETS COULD GO DARK

(02/03/2009)
If you're still getting a TV signal through-the-air with a TV antenna, without making changes, your picture will go to black on February 17.

The US House of Representatives has just defeated a bill to postpone the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting by four months to June 12.

The Obama administration and Democrats on Capitol Hill say they fear too many Americans are not ready for the switchover.

The Nielsen Co. estimates more than 6.5 million U.S. households are not ready for the transition.

The availability of government vouchers ($40) to purchase a conversion box has dried up.

TV set owners who get their service from cable or satellite will not be affected.

Over-the-air by antenna viewers can obtain the converter box for about $50-$60.