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Congress Pauses TV Signal Change

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The Associated Press

Published: February 5, 2009

WASHINGTON - Congress is giving consumers four more months to prepare for the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting.

The House on Wednesday voted 264-158 to postpone 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 that Congress had set three years ago. The Senate passed the measure unanimously last week and the bill now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The change is being required because digital signals are more efficient than analog.

The Nielsen Co. estimates that more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals still are not ready. People who subscribe to cable or satellite TV or have a newer TV with a digital tuner will not be affected.
Opponents warned that the move will confuse consumers and cost television stations.

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