DTV Conversion back on for February 17, at least for now

The transition to digital television is apparently back on for February 17, for now.  House Republicans defeated a bill Wednesday afternoon that would have delayed the transition until June 12.

Our local Congressman squared off against each other in the voting, maybe indiciating the sentiment nationwide that some think we should wait while others think we should just get on with it.

Congressman John Barrow told us “I think the delay’s a good idea.  Too many folks aren’t ready yet, and the ones who would lose out are older folks, folks who can’t afford to make the transition right now, and folks in rural areas.  We need to give them the chance to make the transition, and the extra time will sure help.“

Barrow voted yes in Wednesday’s roll call.  (Actually the measure got more yes votes, the finally tally was 258 to 168. But because of the way the vote was called, it needed a two thirds majority to pass, which it did not receive.)

It’s estimated that 6.5 million U.S. households will not be ready for the change.  While people who subscribe to cable or satellite TV or have a newer TV with a digital tuner will nto be affected, consumers who still rely on analog television sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals will need a converter box.  (The box converts the digital signal so it can be seen on the older, anaolog televisions.) 

A government program to provide Americans with a $40 coupon to help defray the cost of the converter box is basically backlogged and out of money.  At this point 2.5 million consumers are on a waiting list to receive a coupon.  Most officials agree that most of the waiting will not get a coupon by February 17, if the transition indeed moves forward.

Congressman Jack Kingston voted against changing the plan, saying we should stick with the February 17 date. “After two years of getting the word out and with 94% of households ready, I just don’t see how we can justify spending $650 million dollars to extend the deadline in these tough economic times.“  Kingston told us.

It’s estimated that among the extra costs that would be incurred with a delay, would be millions that would have to be spent by television stations around the country to keep up both the analog signal and the digital signal for an additional four months if the deadline is moved back to June 12 as some still want to do.

As far as Wednesday’s vote, that may be it.  But some say the House democrats could try to bring up the bill again and vote on it using regular rules, which would require only a simple majority to pass.