Broadcasters oppose digital TV delay

NEW YORK, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A proposed delay in the planned February switchover to digital over-the-air television could be costly and confuse viewers, industry players say.

Trade groups and some television executives say the delay could hit local TV stations with unexpected costs and hinder the efforts of electronics retailers and cable companies to win new customers, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.

Consumer advocates are pushing for a delay in the switchover until Congress more fully funds a coupon program designed to help consumers purchase converter boxes -- about 1.35 million people are on a waiting list for coupons -- and U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is supporting the delay, the newspaper said.

Some TV station owners say they oppose holding off because they have invested heavily in promoting the current date and contend there will always be some unprepared viewers.

Consumer electronics retailers also oppose a delay. Stacey Widlitz, a retail research analyst at Pali Capital, told the Journal a delay also could mean lost sales of digital TV sets and converter boxes for the retailers, some of whom are counting on those sales at a time of generally depressed consumer activity.