Washington - Sen. John Rockefeller (D-WV), the incoming chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, on Thursday introduced a bill that would delay by three months the nation's transition to digital TV broadcasting, arguing that more time is needed to educate and prepare consumers.

While the current date set by Congress for the switchover is Feb. 17, a $1.34 billion program to help consumers purchase TV adapters with coupons has run out of funds.

"The outgoing Bush Administration has mismanaged this initiative and President-elect Obama has asked Congress to delay the date of the transition. Over two million Americans are waiting to receive a coupon to help them offset the cost of equipment that will help them manage the transition -- millions more don't have the proper information they need," Rockefeller said.

While Obama favors a delay, House Democrats have proposed adding $650 million to the coupon program; the Bush administration, which opposes a delay, has advocated for providing an additional $250 million to the coupon fund.

Related Links:
http://rockefeller.senate.gov/press/record.cfm?id=306824&

http://uk.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUKN15227220090116