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Congress Delays Digital TV Switch Until June 12

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 4, 2009 3:44 PM CST

(AP) – Congress has decided to give people four more months to prepare for the upcoming transition from analog to digital TV. The House voted today to postpone the end of analog TV signals until June 12. The Senate passed a similar measure last week, so it now goes to President Obama, who has pledged to sign it. The move is meant to address concerns that more than 6.5 million Americans wouldn't be ready by the original Feb. 17 deadline.

Volunteers assist customers over the phone for the switch from analog TV to digital in Honolulu Jan. 15.
Volunteers assist customers over the phone for the switch from analog TV to digital in Honolulu Jan. 15.   (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
A television set installed with a digital converter box, left, produced a superior image when compared to the analog version of the same channel in this file photo.
A television set installed with a digital converter box, left, produced a superior image when compared to the analog version of the same channel in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
A technician connects a digital converter to a television at the Federal Communications Commission office in Honolulu.
A technician connects a digital converter to a television at the Federal Communications Commission office in Honolulu.   (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
riffran
Feb 7, 2009 5:55 AM CST
that means 6.5 million sat on their duff, and did nothing, they had over two years to get ready.....But oh no....lets hold everything up for the slackers, in order to garner votes...let them whine
Guest
Feb 5, 2009 9:29 PM CST
I dont think that this is an issue of people holding back process. If it were a real issue to the American public, the 6.5 million people who are supposedly holding the switch back would have taken the necessary steps to make sure their tv signal is ready for conversion by now. It's not as though all forms of TV will disappear if you dont have the conversion box ready when the switch occurs. If you're watching TV, and cant watch the show you want to and you realize "Hey, i dont have that digital thing-a-ma-jig", you go out and buy one. This is a issue of Politics holding back process, not the people. No one gave a shit in the first place.
Guest
Feb 5, 2009 4:46 AM CST
The annoying ads for this change have been on the air for months. How could you possibly NOT be ready yet?

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