In a surprise move that sent shock waves through the CES crowd, Obama announced a delay in the Digital Transition switch. On February 17th, the analog television signal was supposed to be turned off and this date was set in stone. The entire CE Industry was working towards this date, but Obama has put cancelled it. There’s been no new proposed date for the switchover. Manufacturers were hoping that the switch over would prompt consumers to purchase more new televisions this spring. But with the economy in it’s current state, this move doesn’t surprise me. And it was a recipe for disaster anyway. Hopefully, we’ll get more info in the next few days.
Update
So the postponement isn’t official yet. It’s just a request from the Obama camp, so it’s almost a done deal. They want to push it back until June. The CEA and Manufacturers have already spent almost a billion dollars to advertise the switch date as Feb. 17.
I really don’t know why he has to stick his nose into this? He wanted Change and Progress, but this is delaying Change. Just don’t get it.