Digital TV switchover may be delayed until June

See that image? The US Federal government has run out of funds for the program to hand out these $40 coupons for the Ditigal TV switchover, which is probably why on Monday the Senate unanimously voted to extend the “analog shutoff” deadline from February 17th to June 12th.

Several other reasons for the delay were cited. For one, there’s still not enough accurate information out there about who needs to switch and what someone affected by this change will have to purchase in order to use a digital signal. That’s a vast understatement, since the media at large has only just this month caught on that digital signals will require many TV owners making the switch to buy a new antenna as well — which the current (now-bankrupt) government program doesn’t take into account.

(Read more about how badly this could screw things up after the break)

However, a four months delay will introduce financial hardship for TV stations that have had to broadcast their analog signals simultaneously with their new digital transmitters, and were anticipating shutting off their analog antennas in just a few short weeks.

It was speculated that the House would take up the bill on Wednesday, but they instead passed a $819 billion stimulus package. Since this is meant to bolster infrastructure, this could potentially bode well for the DTV program.

Powet.TV, being on INTERNET, is naturally immune to this situation, but we feel for our terrestrial brethren. That’s why we’ll soon release a new video about the DTV switchover, who’s affected, and what you have to do to prepare. Be happy! You have four more months to figure things out, and Powet is here to help.