In this economy, the last thing we need is to pay for something that has always been free -- our TV channels.
That’s exactly what’s happening with the ‘digital TV transition.’ Congress will vote TOMORROW on a bill to delay the transition so millions of Americans won’t be forced to pay for TV they once got for free.
Delay the TV transition: Don't leave Americans in the dark!
No doubt you’ve heard and seen a lot about the digital TV transition, slated for Feb. 17. What you may not know, the government has auctioned off the public-owned airwaves that TV broadcasters currently use and will pocket about $19 billion from the sale!
Meanwhile, millions of Americans have to pay out of their own pocket to reconnect their TVs before the old signal goes dark. We know the government is hurting, but it shouldn’t finance the transition on the backs of the elderly and poor who rely on free TV to stay in touch with the world.
The government offered a "coupon" program to help people cover the $50 to $80 cost of a converter box to get the new digital signal. But the government ran out of coupons, and millions are on a waiting list.
Those who applied early got coupons before affordable converter boxes were even on the market, and then their coupon expired. More than 13 million people now hold expired coupons and have been told the expiration date can't be extended.
Tell Congress right now to delay the transition so no one has to pay for free TV.
We're asking Congress to do the digital TV transition right! Delay it until June 12 and fund the coupon program so that millions of Americans especially the elderly and poor can stay connected to emergency alerts, news and information.
Sincerely,
Joel Kelsey
HearUsNow.org
A project of Consumers Union
1101 17th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
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