It's official: DTV "hard date" moved to June 12

After much wrangling, the DTV Delay Act has worked its way through the House of Representatives and will certainly be signed by President Obama, changing the cutoff date for analog broadcasts from February 17 to June 12. Don't expect this to bring a sudden end to digital TV confusion, since stations can switch prior to that date, and according to the FCC up to 61% will be able to. Since simply powering analog equipment costs thousands of dollars a month, OTA TV watchers will want to check their local broadcaster's plans as more than a few will be going ahead with the original date for better or worse. Got an unused, expired coupon? No need to head to Retrevo just yet, since you'll now be able to reapply to the again-funded coupon program. Of course, the FCC still has to figure out how to implement the new law, with only a few days to prepare, tomorrow's open meeting on the subject should be very interesting.

[MadMike @ Feb 4th 2009 4:45PM]

Morons...

[Nicky Smith @ Feb 4th 2009 4:54PM]

Look.
You and 99% of Engadget readers are utterly unaffected by the digital switchover. Almost all of us have cable and/or a new TV. But there are millions upon millions of low income Americans who get their news (and entertainment) exclusively from OTA and have old TVs. And millions of these Americans don't have converter boxes because the government ran out of coupons.
So while you grumble about having to wait four more months for a switchover that will you are unaffected by, think about those who it will affect.

[Skyler @ Feb 4th 2009 5:08PM]

Don't you realize that American have a right to TV in the broadcast format of their choice?!?! It's in the constitution! Just like the rights to a car, two story home, credit card and new sneakers.

At least that's what Obama told me at that campaign stop in Iowa...

[Jared @ Feb 4th 2009 4:59PM]

Nicky has been listening to the propaganda...

[Alex @ Feb 4th 2009 5:01PM]

I cannot see "millions upon millions of low income Americans" who watch television often enough to receive the bulk of their news and information not knowing or preparing for the transition. Yes, there are people who couldn't get the box because some coupons ran out, but that is not enough of an excuse to push back the date. In this situation I blame only the government who instead of honoring out-of-date coupons decided it to be wiser to reissue coupons that had expired.

As the smart 99% of people on this site will say, this transition has been talked about and planned for years. I think that it's about time that we actually realize that date, and I hope that there aren't any more delays come June.

[Nick @ Feb 4th 2009 5:03PM]

Having concern for others is propaganda?

[BJ is Gooder @ Feb 4th 2009 5:06PM]

@ Nicky

You expect a different response on a tech blog? You really expect the vast majority of Engadget readers to 'think about those that will be affected?'

Why? Because they haven't had over three years to prepare for this? If three years isn't enough to prepare you, I doubt another few months will help. At all.
This delay is completely pointless.

[CraigJ @ Feb 4th 2009 5:09PM]

"And millions of these Americans don't have converter boxes because they are too stupid and/or lazy and/or cheap to rectify the problem."

Fixed that for you.

[kjb434 @ Feb 4th 2009 5:16PM]

If you were an American that did receive TV only through analog antenna, then you were the to get the full force of the ad campaign about the switchover.

These people were the most informed.

The real reason that the date is being pushed back is that Democrats realized that the poor who are in this situation are their voters. People who vote to get someone else's money and not do for their own. These are the people who's first response in any situation is how someone else will help them (or worse the government). (SEE HURRICANE KATRINA AND NEW ORLEANS).

What happens come June 12 and they realize that the same amount of people are in the same situation again? Push it back again? People need to realize that the helping everyone and every point in their life only hurts the person being helped.

[Jay Voorhees @ Feb 4th 2009 5:26PM]

Give a man a voucher and he'll sit on his ass all day watching TV.

Give a man a job so he can work for his $40 and he'll be too busy to watch t.v. and spend it on something else.

I think that's how the saying goes..

[Cameron @ Feb 4th 2009 5:30PM]

I'm not sure if anyone has though about this, but, the converter boxes would have most likely only cost 10 or 15 dollars at kmart or anywhere if it wasn't for the coupon from the government. However, since the government subsidized 40 dollars for a box then companies were left to sell the boxes for $50 or $60 leaving the same cost to the consumer. Overall this whole program has been a waste of all of our tax dollars. I guess "Change" will be delayed. This new stimulus bill is another waste of tax dollars (go look up money that its going for). But I guess we got into this situation because "Republicans have messed up this country for the last 8 years and its all there fault."

[Bobs @ Feb 4th 2009 5:34PM]

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-
D:

[ctgaffney @ Feb 4th 2009 5:38PM]

Great, now we get more months of watching 2 hour long specials telling special people:

A) you use rabbit ears and an antenna...you need a converter box
or
B) You have cable or satellite..you don't need a converter box.

These are worse than a modern day "Duck and Cover" commercial..which BTW is a recommended "must see" for people who apparently needed the extension.

[puhsitch @ Feb 4th 2009 5:45PM]

Seems like it's kind of a reasonable compromise since the stations can still kill off their analog signals if they want on Feb. 17. I don't see any reason to be bothered by this. And when people start to see that some of their stations are disappearing, they'll be more likely to move on getting a converter box.

Cascading the analog blackouts is probably what they should have done in the first place...

[Dave @ Feb 4th 2009 5:50PM]

The same lazy, lethargic, procrastinators will not be ready in June either. I heard a guy call in to a talk show on the matter that said his excuse for not getting a box was that he had a life changing experience. Turns out the box was for his third TV since his first two had digital tuners. Why are we the taxpayers paying to subsidize a box for his third TV? It also turns out his life changing experience was his wife having a baby. WTF kind of BS excuse is that? He's a lazy, lethargic, procrastinator that will not be ready in June either!

[Jon @ Feb 4th 2009 6:03PM]

some commenters are saying 99% of Engadget readers are unaffected by the switch. SERIOUSLY, ARE PEOPLE THIS OBLIVIOUS! We have to pay for it!! I definitely am affected by the delay because it allows time for the $650 Million to be slipped into the $850 Billion "stimulus" bill. So, yes, sir, when I have to pay for other people's TV, then most definitely I AM affected.

[Ordeith @ Feb 4th 2009 6:19PM]

THIS is how out of touch the democrats are!

Some will think that Feb 17th was a hoax and they don't have to do anything.

Some stations will switch anyway, others won't, further adding to the confusion.

Several industries invested in the switch will together lose millions of dollars by the delay. Great economic timing.

Washington doesn't care abou the industries, the people, the logistics, nothing. They knee jerk to our detriment. This isn't limited to just DTV.

Be wary of politicians bearing promises.

[Richard @ Feb 4th 2009 6:45PM]

@ Nicky

And those millions upon millions of people haven't been inundated with ads warning about the switchover on their OTA stations using their rabbit ear antennas? Those same people haven't been able to cough up $50 in that time to buy a box?

a) They're lazy or dumb
b) Really should be doing something OTHER than watching television.
c) In four months these same people will STILL not ready.
d) All the problems surrounding digital tv will still be there (coupon issues, fringe reception, etc.)

So that begs the question of what congress has accomplished with this delay? Absolutely NOTHING. Ain't status quo grand?

Come Feb 17, I hope that broadcasters have the balls that congress seriously lacks, and they pull the plug on analog tv once and for all.

[Bob @ Feb 4th 2009 6:38PM]

I was just notified today that Qwest is not switching their cable service to digital. So I will be left without channels from my cable provider unless I switch. I'm glad they pushed the date so it gives me a little more time to find new service and have it installed (waiting lists for cable service in my area is 6+ weeks).

[ZeitgeistXIII @ Feb 4th 2009 6:57PM]

Nicky try the cool aid. Its delicious! Oh wait you have been drinking it already. If people did not get ready by now they certainly will not be ready in June. Its the story of the ant and the grasshopper. Poor or not some people are just plain cheap there are people at my work who earn plenty of mney have jobs and still have not done anything to get ready. They dont hve cable, just bunny ears. These are not some poor social bordered people they just wont do anything till they have to.

As for not being able to get coupons, what a load if they have them and they expired what the *&^% were they doing with the whole time they had them? Using them as wall paper? Window dressing? Gluing them to a TV thinking thats all they had to do and the TV fairy was gonna come by and give them magic boxes? Stores didnt have them? Well have them order or issue a rain check using the coupon for you. I just dont get the logic there will ALWAYs be people who procrastinate and well thenthey should get left behind. These are the same people who forget tabs for their car tags? Or tax day? Maybe we should not have deadlines anymore for anything, we can start in schools for tests and homework move into business and civic support. We can all lay about and moan all the time we need more time and feel good knowing none of it matters any more since nobody cares. Just think of the economic repercussions, Fed Ex could change its motto to "When it absolutely positvely has to be there, eh when we get around to it" People will be thankful to get anything at that point.

I was going to finish this but I can do it in 9 months and I am sure people will read it then too.

[Eric @ Feb 4th 2009 11:54PM]

It's just sad. The greatest technological country in the world has to take 3+ years to move to digital. And this final delay might be the nail in the coffin for smaller companies basing their business plans on releasing 'white space' products. Good job Barrak, you've been in office for a few weeks and you have shown the world that you are incapable of running this country. Why don't you just give me an address to send my entire paycheck so you can continue to run this country into the groud.

[dafuzzjr @ Feb 4th 2009 4:45PM]

*Sigh.*

[Kris S. @ Feb 4th 2009 4:46PM]

Obama is an idiot.

[MadMike @ Feb 4th 2009 4:48PM]

+1

[Peter F @ Feb 4th 2009 4:55PM]

+1

[CraigJ @ Feb 4th 2009 4:59PM]

=2?

[Mycroft @ Feb 4th 2009 5:02PM]

You guys should figure out the budget.


You couldn't be worse that what we have already.

[Jake E. @ Feb 4th 2009 5:10PM]

In other news:

The national bird is now fried chicken.

[CraigJ @ Feb 4th 2009 5:13PM]

That was uncalled for. I oppose a lot of Obama's policies, but that has nothing to do with his race.

[Jay Voorhees @ Feb 4th 2009 5:19PM]

Don't blame me, I voted for Ron Paul.

[ctgaffney @ Feb 4th 2009 5:43PM]

In 2012 the national bird will be the Turkey if Sarah Palin comes back...and you know what she does with turkeys.

[CraigJ @ Feb 4th 2009 5:44PM]

kills them and eats them. which is what you're supposed to do with them.

[dcoaster @ Feb 4th 2009 5:49PM]

So you're being racist against Sarah Palin? Caucasians are a race too.

[ctgaffney @ Feb 4th 2009 5:51PM]

of course..I love turkey (had some yesterday)...i was basically saying she'd kill the country..nevermind

[puhsitch @ Feb 4th 2009 6:06PM]

Maybe I'm just naive, but what do turkeys have to do with racism against white people?

[Jon @ Feb 4th 2009 6:10PM]

@Jake E,

I absolutely despise Obama (the politician, not on a personal level) and everything him and other left wing liberal "whackos" stand for, but definitely race has nothing to do with it. Your comment is not welcome.

[Alex @ Feb 4th 2009 6:11PM]

Wasn't this thread orignally about Obama?

[ctgaffney @ Feb 4th 2009 6:20PM]

it was...looks like the thread needs a converter box...

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Feb 4th 2009 6:20PM]

Try doing some research:

1) Ed Markey called for a delay before Obama did and the Consumers Union agreed with him. I think it's clear that the delay was gaining traction - otherwise the pols wouldn't have even brought it to the floor to vote on.

2) The cock-up falls squarely on the FCC's shoulders under Michael Powell and Kevin Mitchell's leadership as the men George W. Bush appointed to that post and were clearly responsible for showing leadership in the situation, which they failed in doing.

3) Obama has been president for two WEEKS. This is one you can't blame him for. At all. He saw something he thought was a problem left over from the previous administration and asked congress to do something about it. Did you call your senators or US rep to tell them what you thought about passing the delay? Or did you pull the same old crap of just whining about it on the internets?

Obama's playing the game we elected him to play. Supporting a delay comes across as being concerned about low-income individuals and the elderly and, if there's no massive impact to the greater populace, it's clear that's something that's going to be supported.

So grow up - it doesn't matter if a handful of geeks commenting on a gadget blog agree or not if they don't speak up to the powers that be.

[Richard @ Feb 4th 2009 6:55PM]

The negativity towards Obama about the analog cutoff is idiotic and totally uncalled for. He's been in office for two weeks. This process was started in congress as way a appear responsible in tending the needs of the lazy who havne't gotten their converter box yet, but in reality to avoid the public backlash when grandma has a snowy screen and can't watch Jerry Springer.

While I disagree with the reasoning behind the delay, I understand seeing the cluster #$%$ that is the digital transition and wanting to see if anyting could be done to make it go smoother. The current state of the analog cutoff is wholly the responsibility of the REPUBLICAN led FCC (Martin and Powell) under George the Incurious and his merry band of right wing wackos.

Sadly in four months, we will be in precisely the same spot and the people who aren't ready now, STILL will not be ready. Only by pulling the switch will the procrastinators get their act together. Pity that Congress lacks balls, whether controlled by bumbling elephants or asses.

[CraigJ @ Feb 4th 2009 10:45PM]

"The current state of the analog cutoff is wholly the responsibility of the REPUBLICAN led FCC (Martin and Powell) under George the Incurious and his merry band of right wing wackos."

Yep, and the current state is, EVERYONE, including the broadcasters, and 98% percent of the viewers are ready to go, and have been for months. The hold up is 6.5 million losers.

This is the Consumer's Union statement:

Congress votes tomorrow! Tell your member the last thing we need in this economy is to pay for once-free TV.

Starting February 17th, the federal government has ordered U.S. television stations to turn off their analog signals and begin broadcasting only digital signals. And over 10 million of us will be left without TV and access to emergency alerts, news and information.

The government was supposed to help people buy converter boxes to get the new digital signals. But the coupon program has run out of money, leaving millions of consumers on a waiting list. And another 13 million are stuck with expired coupons.

Meanwhile, the federal government is expected to pocket $19 billion from selling the old airwaves. We should not be forced to spend cash to get TV while the government makes money.

We're all making hard choices in this economic climate. Tell Congress to vote Wednesday to delay the digital transition until these problems are fixed, and to stop shifting the economic burden onto consumers.


This statement is full in inaccuracies and frankly bullshit. Let's examine a few of the more salient points:

"13 million are stuck with expired coupons" So? fuck'em if they couldn't get off their ass and you know, head on down to wally world and pick up a box before the $40 tax payer funded coupon expired.

"And over 10 million of us will be left without TV and access to emergency alerts, news and information." The official numbers I've heard are closer to 6.5 million, and really, so what? they've had 2 years to purchase a 40 to 50 dollar piece of equipment.

"And over 10 million of us will be left without TV and access to emergency alerts, news and information." A blatant misrepresentation. the signal is still free. last time I checked, however, TVs were not free. Why don't we just give everyone a 42" plasma. For christ's sake. quit fucking whining.

"pocket $19 billion from selling the old airwaves." I don't think "pocket" is exactly the right word to use here.

In conclusion, there are a lot of inarguably and empirically stupid (to quote mrpoo), lazy and cheap people in this country that want the government to pay for everything. I said it before, and I'll say it again: Fuck'em.

[max654000 @ Feb 4th 2009 11:32PM]

so is everyone cheering for the delay

[bombgigitty @ Feb 5th 2009 3:35PM]

And your a professor at which Ivy League university?

[pditty @ Feb 4th 2009 4:47PM]

it was too confusing after 2 years. better move it around 15 times. i know the local best buy only has about 9,000 of these boxes in stock. AHHHHH! just do it!

[sir_mycroft @ Feb 4th 2009 4:49PM]

Um, I gues the date has been... Changed.

[DaLa @ Feb 4th 2009 4:49PM]

Plug the plug!!!!

[ImaYam @ Feb 4th 2009 5:45PM]

Dont you mean,
"Pull the plug?"

[jack @ Feb 5th 2009 1:06AM]

no he was right

[alan @ Feb 4th 2009 4:50PM]

FFFF-ING GAY! way to move ahead

[DeoWulf @ Feb 4th 2009 5:42PM]

I fail to see what is homosexual about this.