DTV postponement all but certain till June 12, 2009.

The Senate has agreed to the postponed of the switch to digital television in the USA and Puerto Rico from February 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009. The House is expected to approve the measure that the House agreed to later today.

The concerns that some groups in our country have not been able to purchase the digital converters through the government sponsored coupon program has been cited as the contributing factor for the postponement.

The National Association of Broadcasters Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton issued the following the statement:

“NAB supports legislation passed unanimously by the full Senate that moves the DTV deadline to June 12, while providing flexibility to local stations in adjusting to the new date. We are especially appreciative of the tireless efforts of Commerce Committee Chairman Rockefeller and Ranking Member Hutchison in crafting the compromise bill.

“Local broadcasters and our network partners are proud of the unprecedented billion dollar educational effort we have undertaken to ensure that our viewers are prepared for the switch to digital, and we are grateful for policymaker efforts that underscore over-the-air television’s importance in the fabric of American life. The DTV legislation now moves to the House. NAB salutes the leadership of Commerce Committee Chairman Waxman and his colleagues and we look forward to swift passage of this bill.”