FCC chairman Kevin Martin is concerned that a proposal from the Obama team to delay the DTV transition would cause consumer confusion.
“I recognize that we have a problem [and it’s] something we need to make sure gets addressed, but I am concerned about the confusion” it might cause, Martin said during a Saturday appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Amidst reports that the government-run converter box coupon program is underfunded and that some stations might go black on Feb. 17 due to a “digital cliff,” President-elect Obama’s transition team this week sent a letter to Congress suggesting that the federally mandated Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital broadcasts be delayed.
“Ultimately this is Congress’ decision” because they picked the Feb. 17 date, but there are other options besides delaying the date, Martin said, including removing funding restrictions imposed by the Anti-Deficiency Act and lifting the 90-day expiration date on the $40 converter box coupons.
Post a Comment