digital television transition

FCC Extends Deadline for Proposed Martin Fines

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:28:28 -0500

Full article: Multichannel News
John Eggerton
The FCC has extended the deadline for cable operators to either pay or appeal hundreds of thousands of dollars in proposed fines for failing to provide sufficient information to the commission in its investigation of the migration of channels from analog to digital.

FCC: No Problem Handling DTV Calls So Far

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:20:16 -0500

Full article: Multichannel News
John Eggerton
The FCC said it had received 6,750 calls during the first few hours after 421 TV stations pulled the plug on analog broadcasting. That was "well within the capacity of the call center," said the commission.

Sanders Tosses Another DTV Lifeline

Stevie Converse — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:41:50 -0500

Full article: Broadcasting & Cable
John Eggerton
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has re-introduced a basic TV "lifeline" bill. The bill would assure that over-the-air only viewers at risk of losing some TV stations' signals after the DTV transition continue to have access to their local TV stations.

Big Four Networks Don't Mind Delaying Digital Transition

Stevie Converse — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:15:11 -0500

Full article: Broadcasting & Cable
John Eggerton
ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox support moving the DTV transition date if that's what it takes to successfully move viewers from analog to digital.

Don’t Touch That Dial

Stevie Converse — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:11:04 -0500

Full article: New York Times
William Kennard and Michael Powell
The countdown clock is ticking on the digital television transition and it is becoming increasingly clear that the nation will not be ready. There is no reason to rush toward a fiasco when we can just as well take the time to make sure the change happens smoothly.

Consumers Union Wants Digital TV Transition Postponed

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:28:42 -0500

Full article: ars technica
Matthew Lasar
The group Consumers Union says television watchers need more time to prepare for the digital transition, which is scheduled for February 17.

Obama Recommends Delay in Digital TV Switch

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:21:44 -0500

Full article: New York Times
Brian Stelter
Six weeks before the nation's television stations are scheduled to convert to digital transmission, an aide to President-elect Barack Obama is asking Congress to consider a delay.

Obama Asks Congress to Delay DTV Transition

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:18:06 -0500

Full article: Broadcasting & Cable
John Eggerton
President-elect Barack Obama has asked Congress to extend the Feb. 17 DTV transition date. Citing problems with the DTV-to-analog converter box program and "inadequate funding" of government DTV education programs, John Podesta, co-chair of the Obama-Biden transition team, requested that "the cut-off date for analog signals should be reconsidered and extended."

Obama Team Asks Congress to Postpone Digital TV Switch

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:12:55 -0500

Full article: Washington Post
Kim Hart
President-elect Barack Obama's transition team asked key members of Congress to consider delaying the nation's switch to digital television scheduled for Feb. 17, saying there is "insufficient support" for the problems consumers will experience during the shut-off of analog signals.

PBS Chief Pushes for Digital Conversion Action

Stevie Converse — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:31:38 -0500

Full article: Associated Press
PBS chief Paula Kerger called for immediate federal action to remedy the growing deficiencies in the federal digital conversion subsidy process. It's especially crucial because "people are making very hard economic choices in their households" and more are depending on free, over-the-air television instead of cable or satellite, Kerger said.