Originally published January 22 2006
Broadcasters must switch to digital by 2009
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Legislation passed by the Senate requires broadcasters to switch from traditional analog transmissions to digital by Feb. 17, 2009. The plan includes $1.5 billion for a "converter box" program to convert older TV sets.
Digital television offers the promise of super-sharp pictures and better sound, and there's now a firm deadline for broadcasters to complete the transition to all-digital signals.
Legislation passed by the Senate on Wednesday would require broadcasters to end their traditional analog transmissions by Feb. 17, 2009, and send their signals digitally.
The deadline was part of a larger budget bill that narrowly passed the Senate.
House approval is expected and President Bush praised the Senate vote.
The plan also would allocate as much as $1.5 billion for a "converter box" program to help people with older, analog TV sets that would lose their signals in the digital era.
The group says the fund - after subtracting operating and other costs - would cover fewer than 17 million households.
An estimated 21 million households do not get cable or satellite service and rely solely on free over-the-air TV. Consumers Union estimates an additional 20 million homes that have cable or satellite do not have all of their TV sets hooked up to the service and would need converter boxes, too.
Consumers with analog sets would be able to request two $40 coupons to help buy the set-top boxes, which are expected to cost $50 to $60 each.
There is no income cap for those who may request the coupons.
GOP supporters such as the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, have said lawmakers do not expect to subsidize wealthier homes.
People who have newer TV sets capable of receiving digital signals would not notice a change when the switch is made in 2009.
Nor should satellite television viewers or the roughly 26 million households with digital cable.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml