• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

RipCordless

A pop-culture consumer who keeps it, by design, in the shallow end of the pool.

  • Home
  • Quotes
  • Guide to Surviving Comic Con
  • FIFA Career Mode
    • FIFA 19
  • Contact Me

Digital Transition

Digital Mayhem Continues

Feb 12, 2009 by Rip

With the flick of a switch (metaphorically, of course), the U.S. was supposed to join the other technologically advanced countries of the world and begin broadcasting television in an all-digital format. However, our government, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to delay the original February 17, 2009, switch-over date until mid-June, 2009. There was so much acrimony over changing the date, the government made it optional. Perfect. If people weren’t confused before…

Why the fuss, Max? I’ll tell you why. This just doesn’t add up. Nielsen estimates around 6.5 million viewers would be without TV if the switch happened on the original schedule. Our current administration thinks there will be a disparate impact upon those who haven’t had a chance to get the converter box coupon. There may be such fallout but if the government thinks delaying the program will change that number proportionally, then they are grossly mistaken.

Beyond the impact to a small demographic, TV stations are now painted into a corner. After spending millions of dollars to ensure they can broadcast on the digital spectrum come February 17th, stations are now given a choice of sorts. To continue broadcasting on the analog frequencies, thus changing their intended plans, stations will be required to pay thousands per day to hold out until June. On the other hand, they can switch now, save themselves some money but look like they don’t care about those who aren’t prepared. In other words, the government has suddenly pulled the ultimate switch, dodging the pressure of forcing the change, and laying the blame squarely upon the local affiliates. What a ridiculous set of circumstances.

I think this fix is pretty simple. We should change over in February. We should continue to fund the coupon program and get that back into shape as quickly as possible. Part of fixing that program requires a recall of sorts, bringing back all the unused and expired coupons. Oh, and just so you know, owners of coupons are not allowed to profiteer from selling those coupons. I’m not sure what agency will be responsible for monitoring those transactions on eBay and Craigs List but perhaps the IRS have some spare time this April? Maybe not. Once the coupon program is re-funded, the transition continues. Do you really think all 6.5 million people will take significant steps towards fixing their circumstances? I’m guessing, come June, the numbers will look similar so what will be the excuse then?

Filed Under: Life Rant, Tech Tagged With: Digital Transition, TV

Primary Sidebar

// about rip

Raconteur. Mediator. Gamer. Dilettante. Deliberative. Nerd. Serious world, not so serious here. “No word from Fenchurch today,” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

// TWITTER

Unable to load Tweets

Follow

page two

  • Sea of Thieves Shows Promise

    Sea of Thieves Shows Promise

    I recently joined others in adventuring my way through the Sea of Thieves (Panic, 2018) closed beta. Participation …
  • Drama Sucks

    Drama Sucks

    What happens when drama arrives in an unexpected environment? If you are drama-averse, what is …
  • Has Destiny 2 Lost Its Way?

    Has Destiny 2 Lost Its Way?

    We’ve all played video games which didn’t quite hit the mark. Back in the day, …
  • Destiny 2 Xbox is Down

    Destiny 2 Xbox is Down

    I boxed myself into an odd gaming corner lately, probably the result of unintended circumstance. …
  • Liverpool Set for Defensive Problems

    Liverpool Set for Defensive Problems

    Well, shit. The Premier League summer transfer window has slammed shut and Virgil Van Dijk …
  • Destiny 2 (PC) is Staggeringly Good

    Destiny 2 (PC) is Staggeringly Good

    Bungie finally released the Destiny 2 (PC) beta this week and have I’ve been impressed. …
  • Xbox One X: Project Scorpio

    Xbox One X: Project Scorpio

    Gaming console choices have become more complex over the last few years. The original dominance …

// page three +

Footer

// Why?

Before I answer why, let’s talk about the rules. Here, I chatter about unimportant things. I stay in the shallow end of the pool, speculating on pop culture fascination, the journey of Liverpool FC, while offering an opinion or two on gaming. Why? Because I enjoy the written word. There is both a precision and also freedom with its balance, flow, and elegance. And this corner of the Internet offers a place to dabble in topics which avoid anything with a fuse.

Tags

Liverpool FCKloppGamingLFCXbox OneComic ConWindows 7TVgolfPremier LeagueTechnologySchooliPhone 4iPhoneH1N1Breaking BadAT&TNikonNewsGadgetEnglandDrivingConspiracyComputer ScienceCamera

// LOGIN

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...