2007 DTV Transition Date Looking More Likely

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are apparently warming up to the nation's broadcasters' position that a Dec. 31, 2006 deadline for the transition to digital TV is too soon, and an extension of that deadline for another year is looking increasingly likely. Congressman Joe Barton, the chairman of the House Commerce Committee and the most vocal supporter of a hard deadline at the end of '06, plans to introduce legislation soon governing the DTV transition, but will negotiate with other members of his committee before deciding when the deadline should be. Multichannel News reports that many members of Congress consider the DTV transition to be a high priority and vow that it will be dealt with this year.