Congress Should Delay the Digital TV Transition

The transition to digital television is scheduled to take place on February 17^th.  However, there have been serious problems with the converter box coupon program being administered by the U.S. Commerce Department.  As a result, Nielsen Media Research has estimated that millions of Americans are not prepared for the transition and could lose access to TV in their homes. Many of these viewers, who are threatened by this cut off, are elderly or poor.  In this difficult economic environment, we believe that it would be very unwise not to provide some limited additional time to try to close this gap to provide a smooth transition to digital TV.

 

Legislation to fix the problems with the coupon program and delay the transition to June has been bouncing back and forth between the Senate and House in recent days.  Unfortunately, the issue has become mired in partisan gridlock as we get closer to February 17th.  With only 15 days remaining to the digital conversion deadline, we have called on the Congress not to allow the search for legislative perfection to block the necessary steps to foster this important program.  We, therefore, have written to the Congressional leadership urging them to put partisanship aside and pass legislation to delay the digital TV transition until June.