Following demands from President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team to postpone the switch to digital TV on February 17, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin expressed concern over the effects of such a delay.

 

During the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Chairman Kevin Martin said the delay would create confusion for the consumers, even though he acknowledged it is important to solve the issues that have come along the way.

 

Obama’s transition team asked for a delay following reports that millions of Americans will remain in the dark if the transition occurs on February 17. One of the factors contributing to that is of course the coupon program, which is already out of funds.

 

The government initially arranged for people to benefit from the coupons to buy digital converters for their TVs, which can cost between $40 and $80. Unfortunately, over 1 million Americans are still on the waiting list, and several millions more will get deprived from TV signal one the switch takes place.

 

Who’s in and who’s out in this delay? Obama’s transition team is supported by the Consumers Union on the one hand, but the broadcasters would not be so happy about the switch, since they’ve already made the necessary preparations for Feb. 17.

 

As FCC Chairman Kevin Martin pointed out, it is important to figure out ways of bringing the coupon program back on the floating line, but it would be even better if they could do that without stopping the progress of the digital TV transition.