Government may stall transition to digital television

Could the federal government delay the switch to digital television?

Given a growing list of glitches with the transition, there’s momentum building to push back the transition date.

For now, the changeover date is set for Feb. 17. That’s when TV broadcasters plan to stop sending their analog TV signals and switch to digital feeds. Millions of television sets would go blank unless they are connected to cable or satellite TV or a digital converter box.

However, this week, Consumer’s Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, formally urged Congress to delay the switchover, citing a litany of problems. On Sunday, money ran short at the federal program that hands out $40 coupons to help TV viewers purchase digital TV converter boxes. Unless Congress changes rules for that program, more than 100,000 people who need coupons may not get them before the changeover.

Also, the National Association of Broadcasters urged Congress this week to fix problems with the program.

“One thing is certain, there have been far more applications sent to the TV Converter Box Coupon Program than anyone who designed the program would have expected,“ the NAB wrote in a letter to Congress.

Special Section: Digital Television
Web Site: TV Converter Box Coupon Program

At least one key member of Congress says the date might need to be changed: Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., chairman of the House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee.

“With the date looming, moving the date back certainly warrants further discussion and may be a wise choice,“ said Daniel Reilly, a spokesman for Markey, according to a report in the industry publication Broadcasting and Cable.

Without naming sources, the magazine says officials with President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team have been working on the issue and have been floating the possibility of moving the date.

Reporter Richard Mullins can be reached at (813) 259-7919 or .