Digital News Report- The U.S. House of Representatives voted on and defeated a bill that would delay the digital transition to June 12, 2009. This comes after the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a similar measure on Monday. President Obama has also urged a delay for the switch. Under the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, the broadcasting of full-power analog television in the United States will stop after February 17, 2009 and with the bill blocked, this will continue as scheduled.
The DTV transition in the United States is the switchover from analog, which is the traditional method of transmitting television signals, to exclusively digital broadcasting of free over-the-air television programming. This means that televisions that rely on antennas for a television signal will go dark at midnight on February 17th. Televisions that use cable or satellite will not be affected.
The transition from analog to digital television has been described by David Rehr, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, as representing “the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced.”
According to the Nielsen Company, 6.5 million Americans are not yet prepared for the switch. The DTV Converter Box Coupon Program will assist people in making the switch to Digital Television. The program is specifically aimed toward low income, elderly, disabled, inner city, and rural Americans, because these groups mainly watch analog antenna TV more than any other groups.
For more information, visit: dtv2009.gov