Washington, D.C.
(March 29, 2007)
-- Several congressmen said yesterday that they will not
extend the deadline for the nation's switch to Digital
TV.
The vow, made at a House subcommittee hearing on the Digital TV switch, flies in the face of criticism by some lawmakers that the country won't be ready when the switch is scheduled on February 17, 2009.
However, according to Reuters, three congressmen said at the hearing that the transition is crucial because some analog signals will be used by first responders to communicate in emergencies.
Analog signals will also be auctioned off by the federal government for an expected $10 billion, which some observers believe is driving the government's switch to digital.
"We will not let that date slip," said Rep. Fred Upton (R-Michigan), according to Reuters.
The vow, made at a House subcommittee hearing on the Digital TV switch, flies in the face of criticism by some lawmakers that the country won't be ready when the switch is scheduled on February 17, 2009.
However, according to Reuters, three congressmen said at the hearing that the transition is crucial because some analog signals will be used by first responders to communicate in emergencies.
Analog signals will also be auctioned off by the federal government for an expected $10 billion, which some observers believe is driving the government's switch to digital.
"We will not let that date slip," said Rep. Fred Upton (R-Michigan), according to Reuters.
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On February 17, 2009, all broadcasters must switch to digital signals. On that date, viewers will not be able to watch TV unless they get a new Digital TV, subscribe to cable or satellite or get converter boxes which will enable old analog TVs to display the new signals.
An estimated 19 million households now do not subscribe to cable or satellite.
Reps. John Dingell (D-Michigan), Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) and others have suggested that millions could lose their TV signals when the switch occurs because there's not enough time for educational efforts.
But Reuters says Democratic Reps. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania and Jane Harman of California agreed with Upton.
"We cannot violate a sacred trust to those that died on 9/11. I will do whatever I can do not to let this deadline slip," said Harman, referring to the difficulties of police and fire fighters to communicate with each other when the World Trade Center was attacked.
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© TVPredictions.com
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On February 17, 2009, all broadcasters must switch to digital signals. On that date, viewers will not be able to watch TV unless they get a new Digital TV, subscribe to cable or satellite or get converter boxes which will enable old analog TVs to display the new signals.
An estimated 19 million households now do not subscribe to cable or satellite.
Reps. John Dingell (D-Michigan), Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) and others have suggested that millions could lose their TV signals when the switch occurs because there's not enough time for educational efforts.
But Reuters says Democratic Reps. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania and Jane Harman of California agreed with Upton.
"We cannot violate a sacred trust to those that died on 9/11. I will do whatever I can do not to let this deadline slip," said Harman, referring to the difficulties of police and fire fighters to communicate with each other when the World Trade Center was attacked.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of
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Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial
Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood
Reporter. He can be reached at
swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
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