House approves new digital-TV deadline

Representatives want to complete the country's transition away from analog television by Feb. 17, 2009, freeing up airwaves.

The story "House approves new digital-TV deadline" published December 19, 2005 at 4:52 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[just_some_guy]

Not soon enough

The government wants to free up communication airwaves for emergency response agencies. Hopefully, the terrorists and Mother Nature will agree to leave us alone until 2009! Bureaucracy is just too slow.

[bommai]

Conveniently post-2008 election

Also, they conveniently put the deadline past the post-2008 elections. So, I highly doubt that this is achievable. They are slow as molasses!!

[waldadam]

hmm...1.5 Billion dollars

I'm glad to see digital TV coming and all... but 1.5 billion dollars just to make sure our couch potato life style isn't interrupted. I don't think the converter subsidy is necessary. I've been in some of the poorest places and it's amazing how the people always manage to be able to afford a T.V. 1.5 billion dollars??, heck the hydrogen fund only got 1.2 billion, and I think energy security is a lot more important than T.V.

[bommai]

Agree

Completely agree. Energy independence is more important than TV. Also, I highly doubt 73 million households will be affected. I have read that about 12% of America still uses analog OTA for getting TV. That does not add upto 73 million. However, they might have gotten 73 million by including TVs owned by people that also have satellite dish, cable, etc. but may also have a third or fourth TV that is hooked to an antenna.

I would prefer just get the bandwidth back from the TV broadcasters and let the people be resourceful on their own. I am not a Bush backer, but what happened to his concept of Ownership-Society!!