Obama Calls for DTV Switch Delay
By: Laura Kellerman/RNS
Updated: January 8, 2009
President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting.The Commerce Department says it's out of money for the $40 coupons comsumers can use towards the purchase of a digital converter box. $1.34 billion was allocated for the purpose.
Without the converter boxes or newer model TV sets, people without cable or satellite TV will not be able to receive a broadcast signal after Feb. 17.
The Obama team says it's concerned the government isn't doing enough to help consumers in rural and poor communities prepare for and learn about the transition.
Congress would have to pass a new law to postpone the date.
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