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Linglestown Gazette: Death of analog TV delayed

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Death of analog TV delayed

Updated Friday, 02.06.09, with info about local TV stations.

By Harrison L. Michelson
For Linglestown Gazette

Today is your lucky day if you still use a TV antenna and haven't acquired a digital converter box – analog TV will be sticking around until June 12.

Congress sent a bill to President Obama's desk today that would push the digital switchover from February 17 to June 12, a move prompted by the TV Converter Box Coupon Program running out of money. Critics said 6.5 million people would be without TV if the switch took place on February 17. Our representative, Tim Holden of Schuylkill County, voted against delaying the transition.

Currently, the only way money is freed up for the digital converter program is when coupons in the hands of consumers go unused and expire. Funding for the program could be restored under the economic stimulus package now being considered by Congress.

TV stations are able to turn off their analog signal even though the switchover date has been pushed back.

As of Thursday (Feb. 5), WHTM TV-27 was the only station in south-central Pennsylvania planning to turn off its analog signal on Feb. 17. If they stick with this plan, people who use an antenna will need to purchase a digital converter box to view TV-27 on Feb. 17 and beyond.

For additional info on the digital TV transition, check out a report published by The Washington Post this afternoon.
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B² note – I have a friend who uses an antenna because he doesn't want to dish out the bucks for cable, and he is using a digital converter box. If you are using an antenna, please post a comment on whether you're ready for the digital transition.

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posted by Bill Bostic @ 9:54 PM   4 comments

4 Comments:

At 9:42 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gads, millions of people without TV??? Whatever will they do?? So sad. Uhm, Waah.

/sarcasm

Actually maybe that's just one part of the new National health coverage plan. The "Get off your Duff" initiative.

 
At 3:51 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have Direct TV at home but we have 2 TV's That aren't hooked up to the dish. We bought the digital convertor boxes as soon as we received the coupons last year. So yes we are ready!!!! I do know my daughter went to buy a box a few weeks back and Circuit City didn't have any.

 
At 12:50 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We are cableless but digital ready.
Although our channel count in-
creased from 6 to 10, it was most disappointing when PBS recently dropped their digital channel (so WITF dropped 33-3). Guess I'm surprised the commercial networks haven't pushed out more content through their affiliates. For example, why isn't Telemundo (Spanish network owned by NBC) offered on a WGAL-subchannel?

 
At 2:29 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

As I wrote on my blog, I am extremely disappointed that this is delayed. People had over 2 years to prepare for this.

Brian Roche on News 8 reported last night at ALL the stations are planning to wait now til June.

I have been DTV ready since April of 2008. I can recieve all stations in HD except for CBS21. Even though I live less than 10 miles from the tower. Now I won't get to see CBS21 in HD or their MyTV 21.2 channel until June. And yes, I tried to reposition the antenna, etc.

All because of lazy people. Ugh. Oh well.

-- Matt

 

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