Digital TV: Switchover delayed 4 months ($650m in "stimulus" money)

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

So...exactly how is giving people rebates for HD Television converters that have been announced and available for the past year+ going to stimulate the economy? Shit, I ordered a coupon and got it pretty quick a while ago.



http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/business/media/05digital.html?ref=business

Broadcasters were scheduled to end analog broadcasts on Feb. 17. Once the broadcasts stop, the valuable analog spectrum will be used by wireless companies and public safety agencies. Verizon and AT&T, for instance, paid billions for access to the spectrum and are waiting to introduce new products using it.

Wouldn't FREEING the airwaves for Verizon and AT&T stimulate the economy more than passing out coupons for an expiration date that's been well publicized and long-standing?

Yes, because delaying technology always stimulates the economy, right?

 

[maxiep]

Delaying the switchover is the epitome of what's wrong with this country. If you lose your TV until you get off your ass to get a box, that's tough luck. If you have to spend $40 more to watch TV because you can't get a coupon, that's tough luck too. It IS possible to live without television.

 

[PapaG]

I've read that some stations are seeing if they can ignore this delay since it apparently will cost stations $$$.

This Congress is so messed up. I've never seen anything like it.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

Delaying the switchover is the epitome of what's wrong with this country. If you lose your TV until you get off your ass to get a box, that's tough luck. If you have to spend $40 more to watch TV because you can't get a coupon, that's tough luck too. It IS possible to live without television.

I agree. If you haven't by now, chances are, you won't. TV is not essential, this is ridiculous and is shameful if its part of any kind of program meant to stimulate the economy.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

I've read that some stations are seeing if they can ignore this delay since it apparently will cost stations $$$.

This Congress is so messed up. I've never seen anything like it.

Its really quite insane how wasteful this spending is. First the rushed bank bailouts, then the auto bailout then this stimulus package that doesn't stimulate anything!

I'm probably forgetting a few. Bet you already forgot about the auto bailout.

 

[BalancedMan]

Can you believe how much they've spent on this with air time? Who uses bunny ears anymore? Everyone has cable or satellite. Claiming "millions of people will be affected". I don't buy it for a second. I just don't get the hype. It doesn't deserve to make that big of a deal. If you're TV stops working, go ask a neighbor or co-worker and they'll probably know about it because they've been harassing us for the past couple of YEARS about this issue.

LAME.

 

[THE HCP]

I could never live without my TV!

 

[Dumpy]

The DTV transition delay has nothing to do with the stimulus bill. They are completely different issues. There is an item in the bill for more money to be allocated to the converter box coupons. The problem is that people who don't need the coupons nevertheless have requested them. The number of coupons have run out as a result, and more are needed. Due to the anti-deficiency act, the government cannot simply print up more coupons under the "assumption" that some percentage will not be used. There has to be enough funds already allocated to cover all the coupons. Thus, even though more money needs to be allocated to the program, it won't be used and at some point will be returned to the U.S. Treasury. It is an accounting exercise which is necessary under U.S. Law.

The people in danger of losing their television signal are precisely the same demographic that isn't as likely to be aware of the switchover: the elderly, indigent, immigrants, and non-English speakers.

 

[barfo]

The DTV transition delay has nothing to do with the stimulus bill. They are completely different issues. There is an item in the bill for more money to be allocated to the converter box coupons. The problem is that people who don't need the coupons nevertheless have requested them. The number of coupons have run out as a result, and more are needed. Due to the anti-deficiency act, the government cannot simply print up more coupons under the "assumption" that some percentage will not be used. There has to be enough funds already allocated to cover all the coupons. Thus, even though more money needs to be allocated to the program, it won't be used and at some point will be returned to the U.S. Treasury. It is an accounting exercise which is necessary under U.S. Law.

How can we enjoy a nice uninformed rant if you are going to go and post relevant information?

barfo

 

[Dumpy]

Well, you could always rant about how Congress should simply pass a bill waiving the ADA for this purpose instead.

 

[Dumpy]

Or you could rant about the idiots who requested the coupons even though they have cable or satellite TV and don't need converter boxes. They're a good target.

 

[Paxil]

So AgentDrazenPetrovic... you have an analog TV and are watching TV with rabbit ears or something? Just curious you would need that coupon for the converter. I would guestimate that a very large percentage of the people that grabbed those coupons either had no need for them whatsoever or will never use them or the converter box they receive... most likely because they didn't need it because they have cable, direcTV Dish Verizon FiOS or whatever.

I have had TVs hooked up to UHF in the past... but it was to my HD TVs and I was using the HD signal only.

 

[maxiep]

The DTV transition delay has nothing to do with the stimulus bill. They are completely different issues. There is an item in the bill for more money to be allocated to the converter box coupons. The problem is that people who don't need the coupons nevertheless have requested them. The number of coupons have run out as a result, and more are needed. Due to the anti-deficiency act, the government cannot simply print up more coupons under the "assumption" that some percentage will not be used. There has to be enough funds already allocated to cover all the coupons. Thus, even though more money needs to be allocated to the program, it won't be used and at some point will be returned to the U.S. Treasury. It is an accounting exercise which is necessary under U.S. Law.

The people in danger of losing their television signal are precisely the same demographic that isn't as likely to be aware of the switchover: the elderly, indigent, immigrants, and non-English speakers.

Actually, reports are that the elderly have been on this thing like white on rice. Just like they show up early to vote, they've been set for a while. Regardless, at some point we have to stop coddling people and just say, "Tough shit. You're going to have to pay the extra $40 if you want television." Exactly why are we reimbursing people for television anyway? It's not a requirement of life.

 

[maxiep]

Well, you could always rant about how Congress should simply pass a bill waiving the ADA for this purpose instead.

ADA should be stricken for other reasons. When it comes to commercial properties, it's a complete scam.

 

[maxiep]

Or you could rant about the idiots who requested the coupons even though they have cable or satellite TV and don't need converter boxes. They're a good target.

They saw an opportunity to make money by buying these things with the coupon, selling them and pocketing the $40 as profit. If you're going to write a rule so flawed that anyone could see the angle for abuse, then you deserve what you get. Yet, we're supposed to trust our economy to people who make rules like these.

 

[barfo]

ADA should be stricken for other reasons. When it comes to commercial properties, it's a complete scam.

Are you sure you guys are talking about the same ADA?

barfo

 

[barfo]

They saw an opportunity to make money by buying these things with the coupon, selling them and pocketing the $40 as profit. If you're going to write a rule so flawed that anyone could see the angle for abuse, then you deserve what you get. Yet, we're supposed to trust our economy to people who make rules like these.

No, we voted those people out of office.

barfo

 

[maxiep]

No, we voted those people out of office.

barfo

You can't vote out the permanent government. It wears short-sleeve dress shirts and clip on ties. It lives on exterting whatever power it has in the most petty of fashions., and it's constantly looking to expand it.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

So AgentDrazenPetrovic... you have an analog TV and are watching TV with rabbit ears or something? Just curious you would need that coupon for the converter. I would guestimate that a very large percentage of the people that grabbed those coupons either had no need for them whatsoever or will never use them or the converter box they receive... most likely because they didn't need it because they have cable, direcTV Dish Verizon FiOS or whatever.

I have had TVs hooked up to UHF in the past... but it was to my HD TVs and I was using the HD signal only.

My parents don't (or didn't) have cable at our house in Oregon last year. I got a converter box for my bedroom. The thing is, I requested them as soon as they became availble and it came in a few short weeks.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

The DTV transition delay has nothing to do with the stimulus bill. They are completely different issues. There is an item in the bill for more money to be allocated to the converter box coupons. The problem is that people who don't need the coupons nevertheless have requested them. The number of coupons have run out as a result, and more are needed. Due to the anti-deficiency act, the government cannot simply print up more coupons under the "assumption" that some percentage will not be used. There has to be enough funds already allocated to cover all the coupons. Thus, even though more money needs to be allocated to the program, it won't be used and at some point will be returned to the U.S. Treasury. It is an accounting exercise which is necessary under U.S. Law.

The people in danger of losing their television signal are precisely the same demographic that isn't as likely to be aware of the switchover: the elderly, indigent, immigrants, and non-English speakers.

The coupons have an expiration date. There were warnings that there was NOT an infinite supply of coupons to be had.

If you lose your signal, tough shit. You'll live without TV. You can ask anyone else what's going on, they'll say you have to spend $60 to buy a converter, problem solved. Big whoop. Not worth allocating $650 million dollars and holding up the freeing of the analog spectrum.