11 months ago
WASHINGTON, DC, (WUSA) -- President-elect Barack Obama urged Congress to delay the February 17 transition from analog to digital TV broadcasting.
Transition co-chair John Podesta sent a letter to lawmakers today warning that too many Americans who rely on analog television sets to receive over-the-air broadcasts will not be ready.
Obama officials are pushing for a delay because the Commerce Department has run out of money for the coupons that subsidize digital converter boxes for consumers.
In a written statement, the National Association of Broadcasters' Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton says, "The certainty created when Congress set the February 17 hard date for the DTV transition was a positive catalyst for broadcasters, manufacturers, retailers, public safety groups, consumers and the government."
Wharton went on to say that the NAB and broadcasters across the country were committed to meeting the February 17 deadline, and urged "Congress to act swiftly to ensure coupons are made available for those who need them."
The NTIA, which oversees the coupon program, told 9 NEWS NOW they do not support changing the date.
The federal government mandated the digital TV switch to free up more room in the wireless spectrum. The old analog frequencies were auctioned off to wireless broadband companies for $19 billion.
