Last week, I noted that there was the possibility of a delay in the switch-off of analog TV, long slated for this coming February 17. (Read it here.)
Looks like, perhaps, this was much ado about nothing, because Congress this week voted against a bill that was calling for the postponement of the switch-off until June 2009.
As stated in my previous post on this topic, I am not talking about the political angle; I’m just sharing what’s happening because it’s relevant to entertainment wireless system users.
According to an MSNBC website report, “The (President) Obama administration called for the transition date to be postponed after the Commerce Department early this month hit a $1.34 billion funding limit for coupons to subsidize digital TV converter boxes for consumers. The coupon program allows consumers to request up to two $40 vouchers per household to help pay for the boxes, which translate digital signals back into analog ones for older TVs. The boxes generally cost between $40 and $80 each and can be purchased without a coupon.”
But wait! Maybe the issue isn’t set in stone quite yet: “But the battle over a delay may not be over, with some predicting the House will take up the measure again next week.”
Read the full MSNBC report here.