Feds Ease TV Switch With Coupons

(NEWSER) - The digital TV switch took place Friday, and you’d be forgiven for missing it. The FCC is patting itself on the back, USA Today reports, because the long-planned, long-delayed switch went off without any major hiccups. By Saturday, the FCC had fielded 315,000 calls from consumers, but that died down to 60,000 by yesterday afternoon, and most were about run-of-the-mill issues. More»

Millions of American viewers could lose signal today

(NEWSER) - As the US completes the shift to digital TV today, viewers in more than 2 million households will see nothing but static, according to Nielsen and broadcasters’ estimates. Those without signals are likely to be from poorer, rural, and older demographics, the Wall Street Journal reports—though Nielsen research finds that elderly people are the "most ready," TVNewsday notes. More»

(AP) - The agency that mails out coupons for digital TV converter boxes expects to eliminate its wait list in 2½ weeks, an official said today. Helped by $650 million from the economic stimulus package, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has started to mail out coupons to the 2.3 million households on the wait list. More»

Ahead of transition, viewers struggle to receive digital signals

(NEWSER) - The big switch to digital TV may be less than a month away but many viewers are finding the transition anything but smooth, the Washington Post reports. Consumers are discovering that getting a converter box for older analog sets or buying a new digital TV doesn't always guarantee good reception. Many are expected to lose channels if they don't buy more powerful antennas. More»

Too many people unprepared, he tells Congress in letter

(NEWSER) - The push to delay pulling the plug on analog television gained an important convert today: Barack Obama. The president-elect's transition team sent a letter to Congress urging it to push back the Feb. 17 conversion date to all-digital TV, the Los Angeles Times reports. It cited in particular the Commerce Department's announcement that it has no more money left to provide $40 coupons to help people buy converter boxes. More»