House Opposes DTV Delay

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Just two days after gaining the support of the Senate, the bill to delay the analogue switch-off in the U.S. has been voted down by the House.

House Republicans led the defeat of the bill in a 258-168 vote, arguing that a four-month delay would further confuse consumers, burden wireless companies anxious to tap into the freed-up spectrum, and create further costs for TV stations that would have to continue broadcasting in both formats.

The Senate agreed to pushing back the February 17 transition following concerns that many Americans were not ready, especially the elderly and those in lower-income homes, with the program subsidizing the cost of converter boxes already out of money. Nielsen estimates that about 6.5 million homes would lose access to TV signals if the switch were to happen today. Reports indicate, however, that the bill still has a chance of passing, with the House likely to revisit the measure next week. The House Commerce Committee Chairman, Henry Waxman, is said to be working with President Barack Obama and other administration members on the next step. "A clear majority in Congress supports postponing the transition and providing assistance to the millions of households that are unprepared," he is quoted as saying.