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Obama Asks For Delay Of Digital TV Transition

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By RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 8, 2009

Updated: 01/08/2009 03:10 pm

Could the federal government delay the switch to digital television?

Given a growing list of glitches with the transition, there's momentum building to push back the transition date.

President-elect Barack Obama today urged Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting.

For now, the changeover date is Feb. 17. That's when TV broadcasters plan to stop sending their analog TV signals and switch to digital feeds. Millions of television sets will go blank if not connected to cable or satellite TV or a digital converter box.

This week, Consumer's Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, formally urged Congress to delay the switchover, citing a litany of problems. On Sunday, money ran short at the federal program that hands out $40 coupons to help TV viewers purchase digital TV converter boxes. Unless Congress changes rules for that program, more than 100,000 people who need coupons may not get them before the changeover.

Also, the National Association of Broadcasters urged Congress this week to fix problems with the program.

In a letter to key lawmakers, Obama transition team co-chairman John Podesta warned today that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets won't be ready.

At least one key member of Congress says the date might need to be changed: Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., chairman of the House Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee.

"With the date looming, moving the date back certainly warrants further discussion and may be a wise choice," said Daniel Reilly, a spokesman for Markey, according to a report in the industry publication Broadcasting & Cable.

There's a lot at stake.

December data show that approximately 7.8 million households, or 6.8 percent of U.S. homes with televisions, are completely unprepared for the transition.

On Tuesday, stations across the country will conduct their next test of the digital system, temporarily turning off their analog signals and replacing them with a message telling viewers to prepare for the transition.

Reporter Richard Mullins can be reached at (813) 259-7919 or rmullins@tampatrib.com.

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