Digital-TV Transition: Now with Optional Transition!
11-Feb, 2009
This post has been categorized in television, standards, and politics. Seriously, run screaming. So, unless you live in a tree or have been trapped under something heavy for the past…oh, 3 years and change, the digital-TV (DTV) transition has been set for February 17 June 12 is now optional on or after February 17 but mandatory before June 12. Nope, that’s not confusing at all. Scarier still, I actually agreed with Republicans on this one.
So Congress approved the delay of the digital-TV transition and now it sits on Obama’s desk, who is likely to sign it. But don’t fret! There’s still time to convince him otherwise (feedback form). I wonder just how many “This is b*llsh*t!” comments it will take for President O to change his mind. I’m thinking a lot. My comment? “This is b*llsh*t.” I didn’t feel an exclamation point was justified.
My wife and I do not subscribe to a cable TV service; we just don’t feel like paying a shedload of money for 137 channels when only 5 actually have programs worth watching. So, we do the whole Mac Mini/connect to LCD/Hulu/Netflix Streaming/YouTube thang and only pay for an Internet connection. And don’t think I haven’t called up my cable company’s marketing department and demanded à la carte channel selection from my cable service…because I have.
Why the delay? What say you, oh noble Democrats? Americans are confused! We’re not ready! From the NYT article:
Some unlucky folks, who actually know what to do with their “thingies,” are SOL because we also ran out of flippin’ coupons…oh the humanity! This is TV, m’kay, not air. How many will actually be affected? According to Snider’s Ars Technica article:
Six percent? That’s it? So, all this money is being spent so that the 6% can continue to watch reruns of the Andy Griffith Show and Mash on their 17-year old boob-tubes? I honestly think the people who haven’t made the switch to DTV yet simply can’t lift their old TVs. Don’t worry about all of the money that will be lost; never mind the bastard electronics stores milking everyone’s confusion like the proverbial cow with rabbit-ears. It comes down to this: make the switch and end it. The delay will cause more harm than good. Why build up the PR for this thing for 3 years and then, weeks before the big date…”eh, let’s blow this thing off until the Spring. The weather is better in June, so maybe then we’ll get better reception.”
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11-Feb, 2009 at 10:01 pm
But my friend, you forget. Even at 6%, that’s still a lot of people. Those are the six percent that are actually influenced by what they hear/are fed from their tv sets.
If those people don’t have television how would the world survive? American Idol would go off the air due to lack of viewers. Walmart commercials would be wasted. The enconomu would stumble. Where would I hear the news? I’d miss Kung Fu. (which worked wonders for Peter when he was hooking up with that waitress from Chochski’s) I’d miss learning about the shamwow.
I’d lose it.
But, really? I’ve been ready for this since last fall.
12-Feb, 2009 at 9:56 am
@DeShawn You make an excellent point. Although 6% is quite a few households, it was Mr. Spock who said, “The needs of the many … outweigh the needs of the few … or the one.” In this case, however, it seems the needs of the few are being catered to. You’re right about one thing, though. No one can resist Ryan Seacrest in yellow.
15-Mar, 2009 at 6:00 am
I watch five channels. Five. Fox Soccer, Fox (NOT for that shitty over-rated karaoke show), Science, Discovery, and Comedy Central. Good thing I actually get over 300 channels. I would hate to think I’m wasting bandwidth…
18-Mar, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Yep. We watched Fox Soccer Channel, History, Discovery, TBS (my lady friend enjoys Everybody Loves Raymond), and Comedy Central…that’s it. I call my cable provider every month and ask if they provide à la carte service yet. Them, “No. We’ll call you when we do.” Me, “K, your not getting my money then. Buh-bye.”