DTV: A Mess That Could Have Been Avoided

[Commentary] Rather than face criticism from some 5 million US households (and presumed voters) said to be not ready for the Feb. 17 digital TV transition, Congress appears to be prepping broadcasters for any blame game that may come. Here's why: Broadcasters now can make the switchover anytime over a four-month period. After Feb. 17, you the consumer were expected to program your TV or set-top box to rescan all the digital channels. Some of them actually will be moving from their current place on your remote. Now, unless broadcasters in a given area coordinate their switchover, you could conceivably be futzing with 10-20 minute channel scanning numerous times through June. Frustrating? Yes. Confusing? Most definitely. And who are you going to complain to? Your local station might be first on the list. Or maybe you'll call up Best Buy or the TV/set-top box maker to complain things suddenly aren't working. I'd bet few of us would think to call our elected official, though. To make matters worse, the whole reason for the delay—because there's a long waiting list for DTV converter box coupons—isn't cleared up in the slightest. A lot of people (who could request two each) have at least one unused coupon sitting in a drawer somewhere. They expire 90 days after they were issued, and new coupons are then issued to people on a waiting list. Now, anyone who previously requested a coupon can request new ones. Huh? Wasn't the goal to reduce the list of people looking for coupons, not extend it?