The United States have been preparing for a long time for the switch from normal to digital television, which was supposed to be a national switch, initially scheduled to occur on February 19^th. The transition from regular to digital is probably the biggest step in television probably ever since the transition from black-and-white television to colored TV.

 

However, President-elect Barack Obama was concerned that this transition would leave millions without any kind of television reception, as not everybody has the equipment that is required to receive digital transmission. As a result, Barack Obama asked Congress to postpone the switch to digital television, although it was a federal mandate.

 

Senator Jay Rockefeller and the soon-to-be chairman of the influential Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation seems to agree with the President-elect, as on Thursday he proposed legislation in order to delay the nationwide switch to digital television for almost four months, until June 12^th. Rockefeller himself stated that “I firmly believe that our nation is not yet ready to make this transition.”

 

Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee recommended that $650 million be allocated to the DTV transition. Even Chris Murray, a senior lawyer with Consumers Union, who supports the postponement, said that “We're pleased to see Congress moving so quickly on an issue that will affect millions of consumers.” However, only Congress can change the date of the switch.