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House set to vote on analog TV shutdown delay

The House is set to vote today on delaying the analog TV shutdown until June 12. The original plan was for broadcasters to replace analog TV signals with digital ones by Feb. 17, just two weeks away.
/ Source: The Associated Press

The House is set to vote today on delaying the analog TV shutdown until June 12.

The original plan was for broadcasters to replace analog TV signals with digital ones by Feb. 17, just two weeks away.

The switch would open more spots on the nation's airwaves for public safety agencies and wireless companies.

But the Obama administration and many Democrats say millions of people still aren't ready. Without a digital tuner on their TV, cable or satellite service or a special converter box, all they'd get is static.

Republicans argue the delay would confuse people, burden those waiting for their slice of the airwaves and cost TV stations a lot of money to keep broadcasting in both digital and analog.

Last week's House vote failed to get the required two-thirds majority. A simple majority is required in today's vote.

The Senate has already passed a bill to delay the transition and President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure.