Back To The Switch

This is surprising: The House killed a bill that would have delayed the nation's switch to digital television until June.

And as somebody who works in TV, I'm glad. Here's why.

First, four months of delay means four more months telling people that the switch is still coming after we've built up February 17 as the big day. We've had more than a year to prepare. Actually, more than three years. Let's get it done.

Second, running our analog transmitter four more months at KOLD is going to cost us thousands of dollars for electricity we don't want to spend. We need that money in this economy.

Third, America's TV stations shouldn't have to pay for government -- or "gub-mint" as they say in Arizona -- inability to get enough DTV coupons out. It's clear the "gub-mint" didn't budget enough. And the "gub-mint" is the entity forcing us to make this switch in the first place.

When TV transitioned to color in the 1960's, the "gub-mint" didn't set a deadline for all stations to switch. It didn't force people to buy color TV's. When the FCC added UHF frequencies to TV, it didn't force stations to move up the dial or make people buy converter boxes -- although it did force new TV's to include a UHF dial (how many of you remember old TV's with two channel knobs?)

But the "gub-mint" is forcing this switch to reclaim frequencies, we're told, for new wireless services -- which can include cell phones, police radios, and broadband Internet devices. My question is why providers of those services can't work with the spectrum they already have. If they need more, why not just lop off another chunk of the UHF band? The FCC has already taken channels 70-83 away. The DTV transition already calls for taking another block.

And here's the biggest problem of all. People who are buying coverter boxes and outdoor antennas to get digital TV still aren't getting all the channels! Many times, the problem isn't the signal but the antenna people are using.

But we can't go back now. Thanks, "gub-mint."

More answers to your DTV questions
PC World's FAQ on DTV