Digital TV Switch Delay Confirmed

Senate Passes Bill to Delay the Switch from Analog to Digital Signal

Lynda Altman
Lynda Altman, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Feb 5, 2009 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
The Senate passed a bill today, Monday January 26, 2009 to delay the switch to digital TV. Citing needs of the consumer, it was agreed to delay the switch.

The pending deadline of February 17, 2009 has been extended to June 12th. Consumers who need more time to get converter boxes should be able to do so by the new extension date. Concern that the poor, the elderly and those in rural areas are not ready for the transition prompted the Senate to pass this bill. By law, all TV stations in the US were to stop sending analog signals and go to a completely digital signal by February 17, 2009. This bill extends the deadline to June 12.

Proponents say this is good for consumers. It gives time for the new administration to get a poorly managed transition under control. The new deadline will allow for more coupons to be sent to consumers. Those in rural areas and those who are from low income areas will have more time to purchase a converter box.

Opponents of this bill state that it will cost the broadcasting sector money. TV stations are prepared and ready to make the transition by the February deadline. Extending the deadline will cause delays and further complicate the process.

How does this affect the average person? Is there a need to panic? Here is what you need to know about the transition to digital TV. First, only older TV's that are not hooked up to cable (like Cox or Time Warner) or satellite (like Dish Network or Direct TV) need to have a converter box. If your TV is new and HD compatible, you have nothing to worry about. Next, game systems will work on any TV. The TV does not have to be hooked up to cable, satellite, or to rabbit ears in order to work with a game system. TV's that are connected to cable or satellite services will not be affected by the transition. Only TV's that currently use an external antenna to get a signal will need a converter box.

The new deadline of June 12 gives those individuals who have to purchase a converter box a little more time to do so. This is right around the time that most people who file taxes on the April 15 deadline should receive refunds. Maybe extending the deadline is a good thing.

Published by Lynda Altman

Lynda Altman is a freelance writer, blogger and researcher. Her experience includes published print articles in Family Chronicle Magazine, writing and researching for private clients, and writing online cont...  View profile

  • The deadline to switch to digital TV has been extended to June 12, 2009
  • The extension gives more time for consumers to get a converter box if needed.
  • Rural communities, the elderly and the poor may not be ready to switch in February.
You only need a converter box if your TV is not HDTV ready or if your TV is not connected to cable or satellite TV. If you pay a company like Direct TV or Cox cable for service, you do not need to do anything.

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