04 February 2009

reversal: S.352 dtv delay act passes after all

UPDATE: kalb says that they are going ahead with switching to dtv on 17 february 2009. [vid of announcement]

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bill to postpone the dtv transition date from 17 february to 12 june 2009 was passed by the house today.

beta news pointed out on 27 january that:
[S.352] specifically allows US broadcasters to throw their own switches at any time they see fit in the interim.

"Nothing in this Act is intended to prevent a licensee of a television broadcast station from terminating the broadcasting of such station's analog television signal (and continuing to broadcast exclusively in the digital television service) prior to the date established by law," reads the text of S. 328

The National Association of Broadcasters, which had earlier expressed its preference that the February 17 date be kept, now supports the Delay Act because it enables broadcasters to make the switch at any time between mid-February and mid-June. ~ read more
S.352 passed the senate, by unanimous consent, on 29 january 2009.

national association of broadcasters press release
excerpt:
NAB Pledges to Help Americans Prepare for New Digital TV Transition Date
February 4, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) today welcomed the House passage of legislation that will extend the deadline for the historic transition to digital television (DTV) to June 12. The U.S. Senate unanimously approved last week its version of the "DTV Delay" bill, which is expected to be signed into law by the president in the coming days.

"The legislation passed by Congress provides more time for Americans to prepare for the DTV transition and will allow more time for the government to fix the coupon program.

We appreciate members of Congress for their leadership and swift action in ensuring viewers get continued access to free, over-the-air television," said NAB President and CEO David Rehr. "America's broadcasters, which have spent the past decade preparing for this historic transition, are ready to make a successful switch."

Last week, NAB issued a statement in support of an extension, which continues to provide stations the flexibility to transition ahead of the June 12 deadline, consistent with Federal Communications Commission rules. ~ read more
264 - 158
with 10 not voting
yeas
anh cao - originally voted nay on S.328
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nays
charles boustany
bill cassidy
john fleming
charlie melancon
steve scalise
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not voting
rodney alexander
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GovTrack.us. S. 352--111st Congress (2009): DTV Delay Act, GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation) (accessed Feb 4, 2009)

Because the U.S. Congress posts most legislative information online one legislative day after events occur, GovTrack is usually one legislative day behind.