DTV transition headed for possible delay

Many news outlets, including T&MW’s sister publication, Mutichannel News, are reporting that President-Elect Barack Obama wants to delay the February 17 DTV transition because the converter box coupon program has a waiting list. Read the report here. I’m not surprised by this move.

I believe that this whole DTV thing was a scam just to sell of some spectrum. Furthermore, I can’t help but wonder if the outgoing administration purposely selected the February 17 date because its people knew that a new administration would be in place by that date, just four weeks after inauguration day. (I heard that the date was selected because it falls between the Super Bowl and the NCAA basketball tournament.) The incoming administration has far bigger problems to face than the DTV transition, but the transition will directly affect many people all at once and thus it’s rising to the top.

Perhaps my 2006 prediction of an uproar will still come true, just not on the anticipated date.