Washington D. C. - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill on Thursday to delay the national transition to digital television to June 12 from February 17. The main concerns behind the decision are that an estimated 20 million mostly poor, elderly and rural households are not technically ready for the congressionally mandated switch.

Efforts to move the transition date to June 12 from February 17 are fueled by worries that an estimated 20 million mostly poor, elderly and rural households are not technically ready for the switch. About 6.5 million households are not ready for the transition, according to the latest data from Nielsen Ratings.

The measure now goes back to the House of Representatives. "The House will have a second chance next week to implement this delay. I am hopeful they will pass this bill so we can send it to President Obama," said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, according to Reuters.

Related Links:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090130/media_nm/us_dtv_congress_2

http://www.dtv.gov/