Barack Obama: Makes a delay in digital television switch

Six weeks before the television stations of the nation are scheduled to convert to digital transmission, an assistant to President-elect Barack Obama is asking Congress to consider a delay.

More news on Barack Obama has been inferred from quite a number of sources. In the most significant sign of present day concern about the future digital TV transition, the transition team of Obama co-chairman John Podesta commented that the government funds to support the change are “woefully inadequate” and also said that the digital switch date, Feb. 17, should be “reconsidered and extended.”

Echoing concerns from consumer groups, Mr. Podesta also added that the Obama transition staff has found key difficulties in the transition, which was approved by Congress in the year 2005. On Feb. 17, stations are scheduled to cease their analog transmissions and broadcast only in digital form, thereby requiring consumers without a digital-ready TV who rely on over-the-air signals for the installation of the converter boxes.

Chief broadcasters, including ABC and NBC, have given support that they support a delay. In a statement, NBC channel called the administration’s move as “prudent and well-considered.” CBS stated that it was open to the suggestion.

Earlier this week the president of PBS, Paula Kerger, “said she’s especially concerned that children in less-affluent homes that rely on free television might lose access to PBS educational shows for kids,” including “Sesame Street.” The report has been revealed by a famous news agency of United States.

Millions of television viewers would be affected by the switch. In the month of December, Nielsen Media Research has given the estimate that 7.8 million households, representing 6.8 percent of homes with television, have not upgraded any of their television sets for the transition. These houses are unable to receive any TV signals after the switch. The subscribers to cable or satellite television will not be affected by the transition.

The administration’s statement will put new pressure on Congress to make a delay in the end of analog broadcasting. The move comes as the government’s $1.3 billion coupon program to subsidize the cost of converter boxes has run out of funds, thereby placing over 1 million requests for coupons on a waiting list.

“The federal government is getting $19 billion from selling the analog TV spectrum, while people with analog TVs have to go out and spend their own money for a converter box.” In a press release Joel Kelsey, a policy analyst for Consumers Union said so on Wednesday. He continued, “Everyone affected by the digital switch should be able to get their $40 coupons. Congress needs to consider delaying the transition until these problems are fixed.”

In a letter to Congressional leaders, Mr. Podesta commented that the number of unfulfilled coupon requests would be increased by the hundreds of thousands every day. He indicated that Barack Obama’s economic recovery package would include additional funds for the transition.

“With coupons unavailable, support and education insufficient, and the most vulnerable Americans exposed, I urge you to consider a change to the legislatively mandated cutoff date,” added Mr. Podesta.