FCC Chairman does not want to delay DTV conversion

January 11, 2009 – 8:44 pm – No Comment

In previous posts, I’ve said that many organizations have written Congress to asking to delay the digital television conversion that is set to take place February 17. However, FCC chairman Kevin Martin doesn’t support a delay citing confusion.

In an interview at the International Consumer Electronics Show here, FCC chairman Kevin Martin said it’s important to make sure that the converter box subsidy program gets back on track, but that doesn’t mean delaying the analog turnoff is necessary.

“There are options they can do without having to delay to get coupons flowing immediately,” Martin said. Congress could give the program additional funding, or eliminate the 90-day expiration deadline on the coupons, he said.

“I’m concerned about a delay in the sense that if you can solve that issue other ways, a delay has actually the potential to confuse consumers,” said Martin, a Republican. “All of our messaging has been about Feb. 17 — not just ours — the industry’s.” – AP

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