Analog TV broadcasts to end by 2009 [View All]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10563834/

Analog TV broadcasts to end by 2009
Broadcasters get firm date for all-digital transition from Congress

WASHINGTON - It’s still three years away, but there now is a firm date for the transition to all-digital television — the biggest change in the industry since color TV.

Legislation passed by the Senate on Wednesday would require broadcasters to end their traditional analog transmissions by Feb. 17, 2009, and send their signals digitally. Such technology promises super-sharp pictures and better sound.

The plan also would allocate as much as $1.5 billion for a “converter box” program to help people with older, analog TV sets that would lose their signal in the digital era. Consumer advocates say that is not enough money.

The digital deadline was part of a larger budget bill that narrowly passed the Senate. House approval is expected and President Bush praised the Senate vote.