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The Nielson Co. says over 6 million households relying on analog signals, most of them low income or elderly, will lose their TV service if the delay does not happen. The National Association of Broadcasters disputes that figure, saying it includes people who have converter boxes but haven’t installed them yet and those on the coupon waiting list. The boxes, which cost between $40 and $80, are needed to convert digital signals to analog so old TV sets can display them.
Those who oppose the delay say it will create added cost to TV stations who will be forced to keep broadcasting in both analog and digital and burden the wireless companies and public service agencies waiting to take over the analog spectrum. A delay is expected to cost public broadcasters at least $22 million.
I have cable so the transition will not affect me, but I do wonder why Rockefeller and the Obama administration think a delay is necessary. Public service announcements about the transition have been running constantly for over a year now. Should broadcasters and public service agencies have to pay because so many people either ignored the notices or waited until the last minute? $40 is not a huge sum of money so purchasing a converter box should not be a burden for most. It’s certainly a lot cheaper than having to buy a new TV or sign up for cable. Please drop a line in the comment section and let me know your thoughts on this issue!
Read [Yahoo! News]
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