Two senators, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and John Rockefeller of West Virginia, have introduced legislation that calls for the switchover from analog to digital television to be delayed for three months, until June 12. The move was originally planned for February 17.

The switch has been plagued by a series of problems ranging from a lack of coupons for DTV converter boxes to fears the boxes are too expensive for many low-income families. As expected, the two senators, both Democrats, serve states with large rural population. Therefore, it's likely that most of the families in those states will be impacted by any shortcomings in the program.

The main issue is that the program to provide coupons so consumers can purchase boxes that will convert digital signals so they can operate on older analog TVs has run into problems. Funny as it sounds, many consumers who received $40 coupons in order to purchase converters found that they weren't available in the early days of the drive, and when converter boxes became available, the deadline for using the coupons had expired.

Furthermore, millions of Americans still haven't received coupons to purchase converter boxes and millions more don't have the proper information they need in order to have a perfect transition. Aside from the two Democrat senators, president-elect Barack Obama has also called for the program to be delayed. The delay will give the government enough time to deliver converter box coupons to everyone who needs them.

However, a delay means bad news for the broadcast stations themselves, as all of them made huge financial efforts in order to ensure a smooth transition. It remains to be seen if the switchover will keep its assigned date.