Death of television as you’ve known it might come later than planned after the U.S. Senate Monday unanimously voted to approve delaying the switch from traditional analog broadcast, initially scheduled for February 17, until June 12.

Insisting that too many Americans won't be ready for the switch to digital, the Obama administration has been pushing for the delay since before taking office. Even more after the Commerce Department ran out of money to fund the conversion box coupons. The program offered two $40 coupons per household toward the purchase of converter boxes that allow viewers with older TVs to get the new digital signals.

However, not enough people are using their coupons, which expire within 90 days from the date they were issued. New coupons can’t be issued until existing ones are used or expired, hence over 2 million Americans are on a waiting list.

According to Nielsen Co. estimates, more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals would have seen their TVs go dark if it weren’t for the recent delay. People who subscribe to cable or satellite TV, or have a newer TV with a digital tuner, are not affected.

More surveys by Nielsen Media Research show that among the nation's major markets, Fresno is one of the least-prepared for the change. But two stations, KSEE (Channel 24) and KVPT (Channel 18) are ready for the change and have already filed petitions seeking permission to make the switch next month.

“We could delay six months, a year, and a certain percentage of local viewers will not know there is a change going on,” said KSEE general manager Todd McWilliams. “Our plan is to shut off the analog signal Feb. 17, if the government allows us.”