No Digital TV??

By Lea Tyrrell

The economic crisis is being felt in almost every aspect of our lives, and now it's even

threatening to mess with our television.

On February 17th, the nation's broadcasters are scheduled to stop transmitting in analog in favor of digital.  No doubt by now you've seen one of the numerous public service announcements reminding you constantly of the big changeover.  The government's actually been warning us about it since 2005.   That's when Congress approved the digital shift.  It frees up chunks of wireless spectrum to be used for emergency response networks and commercial services.  By auctioning off this spectrum, the government has raised about $19 billion. 

The change is a big deal that could negatively affect millions of people.  It's estimated that as many as 8 million U-S households that rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air channels could be blacked out.

But the Commerce Department has RUN OUT OF MONEY for coupons to subsidize digital converter boxes.  If you don't have cable or satellite service or a TV with a digital tuner you'll need a converter box to get a picture on an old analog set.  Some people may even need a special antenna to go along with that converter box, and critics complain the government is not doing anything to subsidize the antenna which could cost between $75 and $150.

So now the incoming Obama administration is calling for Congress to DELAY the February 17th analog shutoff!  Plus the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission believes the government isn't  prepared for the transition and the avalanche of help that's going to be needed once the changeover takes place.  Many experts believe the viewing public is not properly educated about the switch and how it might affect them, and won't realize it until AFTER they turn on their TV sets next month and find out they have no picture.

The good news is that won't be a problem for you.  As long as you have Cablevision service, you will be unaffected by the change whenever it takes place.  Whether it's from a digital cable box or even just a cable TV wire plugged into the back of your television, you'll continue to enjoy your favorite television programs, including News 12, without interruption.