DIGITAL TV ROLL-OVER POSTPONED - Congress Says Four More Months

(02/05/2009)

At the last minute, Congress is giving consumers four more months to prepare for the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting. The measure postpones 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. Digital signals are more sharp than analog, and ending analog TV is freeing up valuable space in the nation's airwaves for other uses. The Obama administration and Democrats in Congress have maintained that the previous administration mismanaged the transition efforts, particularly for poor and rural Americans. WSAZ-TV (channel 3) has announced they will discontinue their analog signal on February 17th as scheduled. The Nielsen Co. has estimated that more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air are not ready. In rural Calhoun, because of the distance from stations in Huntington and Charleston, a new TV antenna for a higher frequency many be necessary. Certainly, every TV set owner who uses an over-the-air signal must purchase a converter box for about $60. The government could be issuing a new round of coupons for their purchase. People who subscribe to cable or satellite TV or have a newer TV with a digital tuner will not be affected.

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