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Fox News and President-elect Obama Unite (on Delaying DTV Switchover)
January 08, 2009 5:53 PM
In a letter to key members of the House and Senate today, Obama Transition Team co-chair John Podesta requested that Congress postpone the switch from analog to digital television broadcasting currently scheduled for Feb. 17.
Podesta pointed out that there are scarce supplies of coupons to help consumers switch from analog to digital television signals by purchasing converter boxes, with more than one million Americans on a waiting list for the coupons with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the arm of the Commerce Department supervising the switch.
"With coupons unavailable, support and education insufficient, and the most vulnerable Americans exposed, I urge you to consider a change to the legislatively mandated analog cutoff date," wrote the former Clinton White House chief of staff.
The letters went to Sens. Jay Rockefeller, D-WV, and Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, chair and ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, and Reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Joe Barton, R-Texas, of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The Associated Press reports that Meredith Attwell Baker, head of the NTIA, said the Bush administration opposes a delay since the government and broadcasters have "invested so much in preparing for this date." A delay, she said, "would create uncertainty, frustration and confusion among consumers."
A spokesperson for News Corp, which owns Fox News, says that “News Corporation supports any efforts to ensure that the transition to digital television is a success. Our first concern is what’s best for our viewers, and we believe that the Obama-Biden Transition Team shares our concern. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration, Congress, and the FCC to achieve a smooth DTV transition.”
-- jpt
January 8, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (10)
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Why does ABC care what Fox says? Your title makes you look like an idiot.
Posted by: joe | Jan 10, 2009 7:03:05 PM
In the meantime, the 19 billion the government received for converting the signal system to all digital remains unaccounted for, just like the TARP funding. But at least it's not taxpayers' money.
Posted by: kat | Jan 9, 2009 11:32:20 AM
This is the biggest problem we face as a Nation. Everytime a goal is set and people can't get it together, the time is extended, the bar is lowered, or worse, Congress (please help us) does something about it. It is time that the concept of negative consequences returns to our culture. How many years has this been going on? If people aren't ready, then no TV for them. Enough of everyone getting a trophy. Enough of never having to feel the effects of failure. Maybe they will learn for the next issue to arise...or not.
Posted by: dnha14 | Jan 9, 2009 8:59:29 AM
so they have been spending untold amounts of money on advertising the switch over .........yet there is a waiting list for COUPONS!!!!! and by the way ....IT'S JUST TELEVISION!!!!!!!
read a friggin newspaper just make the switch and get it over with. Does everything have to be so complicated and is this something (N)obama really needs to concern hisself with right now? i think his time would be better spent putting a guy back into a position that "lost" 3.3 trillion or so in defense dollars in 2000 and 2001
Posted by: steve f | Jan 9, 2009 2:54:43 AM
And why are there not enough coupons or funding?
Has any one looked into potential fraud or misredemption?
If this program is anything like the V-Chip that we all pay for every time we buy a TV the benifits will far surpass the cost once the program is implented.
BTW does anyone know how to use the V-Chip? Has anyone ever talked to someone who uses the V-Chip?
Posted by: smith | Jan 8, 2009 11:30:53 PM
When Google Buys NBC, It will have to rename it the obama channel
Posted by: MSN exposed | Jan 8, 2009 9:23:45 PM
Typo: DIGITAL conversion!
Posted by: kat | Jan 8, 2009 7:39:28 PM
Yet another delay would be stupid.
Posted by: Rich | Jan 8, 2009 6:57:57 PM
Congress approves the coupons, not the President.
And one of the main beneficiaries of the spectrum will be Obama loving Google.
Looks like News Corp only has a few VHF stations. Unfortunately they happen to be in NYC and NJ.
Since all areas seem to have an adequate supply of boxes, the real problem is to get Congress to approve more coupon funding.
Posted by: BertieW | Jan 8, 2009 6:43:33 PM
The FCC or some facet of the government sold off the analog system for 19 billion, but after the sale, there aren't enough coupons to go around. Now the Bush administration is insisting that the analog conversion must go ahead a out of deference to the consumers, even though a majority would probably not be able to get a coupon. It will take some time getting used to competency after years of bully pulpit posturing with the right hand oblivious to the left one.
Posted by: kat | Jan 8, 2009 6:28:40 PM
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