DTV delay delayed for now

The four-month delay in the digital TV transition endorsed by the Senate just days ago failed to pass a vote in the House of Representatives. The proposal to delay the switch from Feb. 17 to June 12, which emerged at the request of President Obama amid problems in the coupon program due to a lack of funding, was defeated in the House by a vote of 258-168, despite the likelihood that up to 6.5 million households aren't ready for the switch.

However, House Telecommunications Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher said it is likely that the defeat is only temporary, and that the House likely will pass the measure as soon as next week. Yet, another vote is not a sure thing, and the timing may give various members an opportunity to re-evaluate their stances.

A DTV delay would postpone the opportunity for telco owners of spectrum now occupied by broadcasters to use that spectrum, but it arguably would provide more opportunity for those telcos to woo a few of the 6.5 million unwashed to become customers of their own TV services.

For more:
- The Los Angeles Times has this story

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The Senate unanimously supported a DTV delay

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