DTV legislation: on again, off again, but back on track.

We reported to you last week for a legislative push to switch off the analog TV signals in the wake Katrina. They had put the hearings on hold,
but appear to be back on track thanks to Senator John McCain. He has lead the push for DTV for some years now and previously helped draft a compromise to turn off signals on January 1st, 2009.

Digital televisions have always had a special place in their digital hearts for the Republican Senator from Arizona. But after Katrina he is lobbing once again for Congress to flip the switch in order to free up the spectrum for emergency workers as soon as January 1st, 2007. The freed up space would allow the government to build a new communication system for first responders and emergency services.

But what about the millions of people that would not be able to use their over-the-air televisions; who is going to help them?