Digital TV: No “Change” For You

Transition to digital broadcasting stalls in Congress

Congressional Democrats have seized President Obama's technologically-forward mantel and buried it in a vote for maintaining an analog broadcasting status quo.

House Democrats pushed back the date for conversion from analog to digital broadcasting with a 264-158 vote Wedneday. President Obama is expected to approve the delay from a February 17th to June 12th switchover, maintaining that millions of Americans might not be prepared for the change and that subsidies were necessary to purchase converter devices to keep televisions functional, according to MSNBC.

“The legislation passed by Congress provides more time for Americans to prepare for the (digital)  transition and will allow more time for the government to fix the coupon program," David Rehron, president of the National Association of Broadcasters, told MSNBC.

“When government took their hands off the steering wheel of public education, a lot of confusion crept into the marketplace,” said Joel Kelsey, policy analyst for Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports.

A large percentage of the public is reportedly confused about what the switchover means –– perhaps confirming a direct correlation between dependence on television and inability to understand the most basic things under the sun.  

Contact Us