The transition from analog to digital television will continue as planned, on the 17^th of February. Despite a unanimous vote by the U.S. Senate to delay this deadline, the changeover will proceed after a vote by the House of Representatives.

 

The Senate voted on Monday to delay the transition to the 12^th of June, because they were afraid that an estimated 8 million households, mostly low-income and elderly would not be ready for the shift from analog TV. The delay would give those millions of viewers more time to prepare for the transition. The Federal Communications Commission estimated that about 13 million coupons have not been redeemed, but the government cannot distribute more until they expire 90 days from the time they were mailed out. Consumers were able to request two coupons each, and took more than they needed.

 

President Obama has requested more than $650 million worth of coupons be allocated as part of his federal bailout plan. Therefore, as of Wednesday, 46.5 million coupons had been mailed and 20.8 million redeemed since the program started on the 1^st of January 2008. The waiting list includes 2.6 million people. But in spite of this move, it is expected that 4% of the population will ignore warnings about the transition until it is too late.

 

In spite of the fact that the President urged a delay earlier this month, the Republicans opposed to the delay, saying it would only further confuse consumers and would cost broadcasters millions to keep broadcasting in analog.