Today the Senate voted to extend the Digital Transition deadline until June 12th. What does this mean? Well, several things:
- Anyone who got a $40 converter coupon and didn’t use it, or failed to get one, will be able to reapply and get one.
- The expiration date of the new coupon will be Septenber 15th.
- Television stations will be required to maintain analog transmission until June 12th.
Why extend it? Well, earlier this year the Transition Coupon program ran out of money, with many people still waiting for coupons. Also, there have been reports that people in Rural areas who currently receive poor but watchable analog TV, are unable to receive any Digital TV signals from their local providers. That leaves their only option to either get Cable or Satellite, or wait for the local stations to boost their broadcasting power.
It’s a mess, estimated to cost the US Taxpayer several million more dollars in an already cash-strapped economy. AT&T & Verizon, the two companies that paid $16 billion for the Analog spectrum, have agreed to a short one-time extension of the transition.
