Calls for delaying digital TV switchover (1 Viewer)

[TravisR]

Exactly. Four months isn't going to do anything when the people are either ignoring or are unaware of the situation. The only thing that will get their attention is when their TV doesn't work so you have to make the switch to 'force' those people to ever make the change.

Plus, if Neilsen is correct and there's 6 million people not ready for the switchover, that's a drop in the bucket when you compare it to the people who are ready.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

~May 20-22, 2009

"Washington Post - Senate Passes Bill to Delay Digital Switchover to October 5th"

"As the current four mont delay demonstrated, the truth is that we are not poised to do this transition right," Rockefeller said in a statement. "We are only weeks away from doing it dreadfully wrong -- and leaving consumers with the consequences. By delaying the transition until October, we give the FCC another chance to do it right."

 

[DavidJ]

This article is before the vote, but it does outline why the negatives of further delays:

The Associated Press: Delay in analog TV shutdown presents challenges

I've heard that several stations around here may go ahead with the switch.

 

[Steve_Pannell]

Here's the new public service announcement:

YouTube - Gilda Radner Nevermind

 

[Jerome Grate]

PBS also mentions a very interesting dilemna with the delay. Broadcasters literally would have to renew contracts with those that use to provide signals to them that was scheduled to expire on 2/17/09. A delay into June on any month later than that can cost them millions. Very interesting point from The Associated Press regarding emergency reponse teams and how they were going to use the analog signal available for contacting emergency staff. Not sure this was thought through when this decision was made. The President and Congress is basing a decision on the few that effects the many.

Now most of us as you know have digital cable or satellite so we won't be effected in anyway. Those that have prepared for the change over and is ready for the change will probably be disappointed. I agree with Malcolm R. those that are not ready for 2/17/09 will not be ready in June or a later month. What's wrong with those that purchase a box with out a coupon, save their receipts and when money is available, send out vouchers for a mail in rebate. That way people get the discount needed and you don't delay the transition and finally billions are not wasted in advertising getting everyone ready and educated for Digital t.v.

 

[WillG]

If they delay again I'm going to be thinking it's never going to happen. Question though, my parents have an older television. It's hooked up to a digital cable box, but they can't get certain channels regardless, even though, other, newer TVs in the house (still CRT non-High Def can get them) I have been told it's because some stations have already converted to digital. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Holadem]

Nevermind, nothing to see here.

--
H

 

[Brian D H]

I have a simple idea:
Why not just shut off the analog signal for NBC only on February 1 for about 30 minutes?

I guarantee that everyone who misses 30 minutes of the Superbowl will be ready by the deadline. If people still remember the "Heidi" debacle from 1968 they will certainly fix their TVs after this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidi_Game

 

[DanielKellmii]

Call me a softy, but I think that is a bit harsh. How about doing that durring prime time hours some weeknight. That will get peoples attention.

 

[Carl Johnson]

I saw a news report on television which made it sound like the proposed delay would give stations the option of continuing to broadcast on their old frequency. I think that's a reasonable idea. The stations shouldn't be required to simulcast, but if an individual station deems the expense worth it to retain those who are not prepared for the changeover then allow them to do so.

 

[Jerome Grate]

That would be a lot easier to deal with if all the broadcasting stations was in that boat, but based on the previous article and PBS' article in Yahoo, some will be paying the extra penny.

 

[Greg_S_H]

The House defeated the delay! There's still a little sanity in DC.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

House Defeats Bill to Delay Digital TV Transition - washingtonpost.com

...for now. At this point, it's basically a race against time. The House adopted special rules for the vote, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass. The roll call vote was 258 yeas, 168 nays. If the economic stimulus package doesn't eat up all their time, I could see the House leaders bringing the bill back to the floor under different rules requiring only a simple majority to pass.

 

[TravisR]

Yeah, I mean I love TV but I think there's more important things for Congress to be worrying about right now.

 

[ThomasC]

I'm surprised the House didn't pass it, since the Senate voted unanimously in favor of it or a similar bill.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

The House and Senate tend to be very different beasts. For one thing, Senators tend to represent far larger constituencies. When the electorate of a single congressional district might not have any problems with the current DTV date, there might be a huge rural constituency elsewhere that would lose reception because of the switch. That's not to justify the Senate's idiocy, just to explain why Senators vote differently than House members.

 

[Greg_S_H]

There's a school of thought that would rather see the Congress getting involved with things like this television switchover than mucking up something real. But, I guess this isn't the place for that discussion.

 

[Bryan X]

I'm surprised and happy. It doesn't affect me, personally, but this switchover has been delayed enough. The only way people are going to be ready for this is if they are forced to be ready. There's just too much hand-holding in this country.

 

[Joseph DeMartino]

Without going into specifics, and thus violating forum policy, it helps to bear in mind that just as there are many companies that will benefit when the transition happens, there are others that would benefit greatly from a delay. Companies on both sides of the issue lobby and contribute to politicians of both parties. For all the high-flown rhetoric about moving our television system into the modern age or helping the old folks on the farm keep their TV a little longer, a lot of this comes down to money and where each congressperon's or senator's friends and supporters stand on the issue.

Regards,

Joe

 

[Greg_S_H]

I just hope it ultimately leads to more HD programming and better signals, but since I get digital cable anyway and have for a long time, I'm probably hoping in vain.