U.S. House fails to pass DTV deadline delay

More Details On Proposed DTV Delay: This Just Gets Better And Better [Techdirt]

Amazingly, three weeks before the deadline, the confusion that surrounds the DTV delay legislation is still on the rise. A bill passed the Senate that would move the digital television transition deadline from February 17th to June 12th last week.  Unfortunately, the DTV delay legislation failed yesterday's vote in the House of Representatives. It needed a 2/3 vote for passage, and it fell well short of that margin, while receiving a majority of members' votes.

Even if the House bill is resurrected by changing the rule that required a 2/3 majority, they made a few minor changes in the legislation requiring the Senate to reconsider the bill. Assuming those pass the Senate - and remember, one senator can halt the bill's progress with an objection, the date will change to June 12 -- oh, by the way, right in the middle of the NBA championships.  

I'm being told now that the situation is very fluid, and it's again very much up in the air whether we'll see a DTV delay. 

And if you're not confused enough, I reported yesterday that some TV stations in Louisville will stick with the original DTV deadline of February 17th, regardless of what action Congress takes (or does not take). Given how confusing all these on-again, off-again DTV deadlines are becoming, I wonder, more than ever, if it simply serves consumers best just to stick with the original date.  February 17th has been ingrained in consumers' minds with the millions of dollars of advertising and education provided by the cable industry and broadcasters. There is an simple alternative bill in the House that would release more funding for the siezed-up Federal Coupon Program.

Comments

[Alex]

Bowling Green already made the switch. It's time to do it and get it over with.

[PostItChild]

The NY Times is wrong on three counts regarding the digital transition. At least factually.

http://www.medianewsandviews.com/2009/01/nytdigitaltvduhs/