Billed as perhaps the greatest leap in television since "living color," the transition to digital TV is a mere 39 days away, and in serious trouble: millions of households still aren't ready for the conversion and a government program created to subsidize the hardware needed by many has run out of money.
Broadcasters want to stick to D(igital)-Day: Feb. 17, as decreed by Congress in back 2005. But some in Washington say we should take more time to ensure that so many of the nation's TV screens don't go snowy at the flick of that switch.
Among them, most conspicuously, is the next president of the United States. Barack Obama has requested that Congress push back the digital TV transition date in light of a number of stumbling blocks that could temporarily cut off access to millions of unprepared Americans with analog sets.
"With coupons unavailable, support and education insufficient, and the most vulnerable Americans exposed, I urge you to consider a change to the legislatively-mandated analog cutoff date," wrote John Podesta, as co-chair of the Obama-Biden transition team.
Congress would have to act fast to avoid minimal confusion (though the process has been confusing enough already). And it is facing a mountain of other problems, including Obama's own economic bailout proposal to cope with the nation's massive economic mess.
In 2005, Congress mandated a conversion to digital to free up the spectrum for use by wireless companies and public safety agencies. Way back then it seemed like there would be all the time in the world to prepare for the conversion. As it stands, ready or not, U.S broadcasters are required by law on Feb. 17 to switch from analog to all digital broadcasting.
Households who get TV through cable or satellite providers are just fine. But a surprising number of households still receive TV entirely over the air: According to the Washington Post, 6.8 percent of the 114
million U.S. households with televisions were not ready for the transition as of even last month.
Those who choose to stick with an analog TV set as opposed to purchasing a digital TV need to buy a special converting box that costs upwards of
$40 or $50. The government set up a coupon program to help defray the cost, but multiple surveys have showed that the entire process is a headache for consumers – and now it has run out of cash for an ever-growing waiting list.
Awareness of the issue doesn't seem to be the problem. Last August we reported that Americans were taking their sweet time doing anything about it. Technology isn't to blame (as near as we can tell): A pilot test conducted in Wilmington, N.C., last September found great willingness to comply and only some technical glitches.
The National Association of Broadcasters seems adamant about sticking to the date but Obama has picked up the support of a few important legislative allies, including Senate Commerce Committee
Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WVA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Outgoing
Chair of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications Edward Markey has said the proposal should at least be considered.
"I've long believed that there is too much at stake for consumers and for public safety to simply cross our fingers and hope for the best when it comes to the digital television transition," Rockfefeller said
Thursday. "Millions of Americans could be left in the dark if this doesn't go smoothly."
And with Lost and American Idol about to begin their seasons, the timing could not be worse.
So, are you ready?
See Also:
- Americans Fully Aware of DTV Transition; Put Off Buying Converter Boxes
- Hawaii Pushes Up Digital TV Transition to Save Its Birds
- Comcast Gives Free Cable TV to Rabbit-Ear Households
- TV Broadcasters Say FCC Comissioners Don't Know What They're Talking About
- Americans Can't Live Without Their Cable TV
- FCC Is 'Concerned' About Cable Rate Hikes
- DTV Switch Reveals Hitch; Viewers Lose Local Stations
- New Noises About DTV Transition; Push for Grace Period
