rmlumley.com

“President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting, arguing that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air channels won’t be ready. – The Associated Press

Why?  I know the argument is that people (mainly the elderly, the poor and those who live in rural areas) aren’t ready for the switch.  The other argument is that the coupon system doesn’t have enough funding to give people their $40 voucher for the transition box.  Still, I disagree with pushing the deadline back.

People have had plenty of time to prepare for this switchover

Congress approved this switchover in 2005.  That means people have had over three years to either buy an HD TV (which is an expensive option, I agree) or get a converter box.  A converter box is around $50, so this isn’t a very expensive purchase.  Plus, there is a $40 voucher, so most of it is being paid by the government.  So, we are talking $10.  That’s probably the price of a Dale Earnhardt shirt.

Why switch it off entirely on February 17?  Why not gradually decrease the signal?

Perhaps this is impossible, but why are the networks having a hard deadline?  Why don’t they just start decreasing the signal strength on February 17?  Drop the strength to 95%, and decrease another 5% every two weeks.  That way, people will slowly see their reception decline instead of waking up one morning to a blank screen.  So, people who refuse to switch will see reasons why they should once their picture quality decreases until the signal completely drops off.

The economic hardship argument carries no weight.

I understand that times are tough and we are in the middle of an economic crisis, but we are talking about television here.  If you cannot afford a transition box or your $40 voucher won’t arrive in time, then wait.  What are people missing on television that’s of any value that they couldn’t hear over the radio?  I don’t see any argument where having a television signal is a necessity.

Why is the government even offering vouchers?

Seriously, it’s television. Do the Arts & Culture of this country suffer if people miss the season premiere of American Idol?  Is it a National Security issue when Grissom leaves CSI?  Is Extreme Makeover that important to American morale?  Is Oprah really that powerful?

Let’s just ride it out until February 17, I think am confident that America will make it thru this transition.