Home | TV/Cable News | DTV deadline is June 12: It might as well be 100-0

DTV deadline is June 12: It might as well be 100-0

26 January, 2009 10:04:00
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The Senate just decided to slam-dunk the Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)-Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) compromise bill moving the DTV transition deadline from 2/17/09 to 6/12/09 by unanimous consent. That means that no Republican senators are willing to put a hold on the bill, and thus earn the blame for everything that might have gone wrong on 2/17/09. Even though Minnesota is still trying to figure out who its junior senator is, it is doubtful the outcome of that court-bound election would’ve changed the outcome of this vote regardless of the identity of the eventual winner.

 “Delaying the upcoming DTV switch is the right thing to do,” said Rockefeller. “I firmly believe that our nation is not yet ready to make this transition at this time. The Senate acted responsibly to give the Obama Administration time to attempt to bring order to a mismanaged process. I want to thank Senator Hutchison for her leadership in this effort.  I urge our colleagues in the House to pass this bill and I know Chairman Waxman is working on it.”

RBR/TVBR observation: The House Energy and Commerce Committee takes up the issue today. 6/12/09 is a mortal lock to pass – unlike in the Senate, House Republicans who may be of a mind to resist the change will be powerless to stop it. And a major delay to the DTV transition was specifically requested by the Obama administration. So, ladies and gentlemen, the delay is going to happen. Adjust your plans accordingly. Have an opinion on this article? Post your comment below.

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Subscribe to comments feed Comments (3 posted):

Sean T. on 27 January, 2009 03:00:00
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This is going to be a crappy budget year for stations already, now they have to keep their power-hungry analog transmitters going another four months? I wonder how many people and projects will get the axe now...
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chris walczak on 27 January, 2009 01:32:14
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I understand the delay is voluntary. Each station can turn off thier analog signal anytime up to June 12. What's the problem with that?
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Sean T. on 01 February, 2009 11:45:01
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The problem is that most stations won't turn off their analog with an extension in place for several reasons. First, if they did any number of advocacy groups would howl in disgust that they were abandoning their most "vulnerable viewers".

Second, many station managers cling to the misguided belief that their DTV programs won't be as accurately tracked by Nielsen.

Third, having one of their two high-power transmitters off the air when the competition could have both of theirs running would be seen as a competitive disadvantage and, with all the posturing that goes on in local broadcasting, no one wants to be the low man on the totem pole.
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