Delay for Digital TV Switch

Fans of rabbit ears on televisions will be breathing a sigh of relief tonight—the Senate has just voted to delay the digital transition. The bill would put off the DTV, as the mandatory transition of television broadcasts from analog is known, from Feb. 17 to June 12. Under the DTV, those who rely on over-the-air TV must buy a digital TV or converter box, or sign up for cable or satellite TV. Obama has added his support to delaying the transition, which “hit a snag earlier this month when the U.S. Commerce Department was forced to set up a waiting list for people applying for $40 coupons to offset the cost of converter boxes,” The Wall Street Journal reports. The bill now needs to be approved in the House before the Feb. 17 cutoff date.