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Digital TV conversion deadline may be extended
Congress has been in ongoing communication with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) organization about the strong possibly of extending the February 17 deadline for switching from analog to digital television.
Congressman Thune has said that it is at least being discussed about because many Americans still don't understand the process, understand the need for a digital TV receiver, or haven't yet redeemed their coupons for digital converters boxes. Thune went on to say that thinks many South Dakotans will be impacted.
According to recent estimates, over 33 million people in the United States - or about 12 percent of the population - will be affected by the switch from analog to digital TV.
Dusty Johnson, who is the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission chairman, claims that many consumers already have television sets that can handle the digital signal.
If the February 17 date is enforced and not changed, TV viewers who do not have cable television, and if they have TV sets that can't handle digital TV signals will need digital converter or receiver boxes. It impacts only those Americans who are using an antenna or "rabbit ears" to get CBS, NBC, PBS, ABC and - the "full-power" networks being forced to switch to a digital television signal.
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