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With Digital "DTV Transition, " Will Millions Of Americans Lose TV Service?

Ironic? The national DTV Transition switch from analog to digital television is scheduled for February 17. The DTV Transition switch from analog to digital television means that if you don't have cable or satellite television, you need a converter box. The U.S. House of Representatives today is debating a proposed delay until June 12, but if you want to watch the debate, it's on C-SPAN, and so you would need cable or digital TV to see the debate.

Ironic indeed with the DTV Transition, but this isn't so funny for 6.5 million households who do not yet have converter boxes.

President Barack Obama and most Democrats want a delay until June 12 before switching off on analog. Most Republicans want to plow ahead on February 17.

The federal government started advertising nearly two years ago that families without cable or digital television could apply by mail, telephone or e-mail for a pair of $40 "DTV Transition" coupons to help pay the purchase price of converter boxes for their old-fashioned "rabbit ears antenna" service. This was based not as a giveaway, but that it would be unfair to force non-cable or satellite subscribers to shell out big money for the new technology.

Late last year, the original $1.34 billion allotment for the converter boxes ran out of money. Congress under former President George W. Bush did not allocate the added $650 million that the Federal Communications Commission said was needed.

Democrats say the Nielsen Company -- yes, the same company that assembles the Nielsen Ratings of television shows -- has reported that 6.5 million households still lack converters and would lose TV service on February 17. A waiting list for the $40 coupons is reported as high as 3.7 million households, most of which has been compiled during recent weeks. There also are at least 2 million households that have not applied for the coupons.

Republicans respond that information on the need for analog converters has been publicized for nearly two years, and that if families are not prepared, it's their own fault. Republicans also state that local broadcasters should not be forced to continue the dual electricity costs of running analog and digital systems beyond February 17, and that public safety first responders are eager to implement the communications improvements that the digital conversion will provide.

Representative Erik Paulsen, a Minnesota Republican, says the $650 million now shoved into the economic stimulus plan should go for job creation rather than converter boxes. Representative Rick Boucher, a Virginia Democrat, responds that he can't imagine allowing more than 6 million homes to suddenly lose television service.

The government web site for obtaining the $40 coupons is dtv2009.gov. Viewers are informed of the waiting list, and that funds are not currently available to reduce the waiting list.

SOURCE

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28695439/