Satellite providers Echostar and DirecTV have issued statements to the FCC saying they may not be able to switch all local signals to digital by the government-mandated 2009 change-over.

A law passed earlier this decade calls for all analog TV signals to be cut off after February 17, 2009.  Over the past couple years, all local TV stations have begun broadcasting in both analog and digital formats.

However, Echostar and DirecTV still rely only on the analog signals for many of their local markets.  Now the two satcasters say they may not be able to change all of these signals in time, which could result in millions of paying subscribers without access to their local channels.

Over 1,000 satellite stations are still relying on an analog signal.  "Given the magnitude of the switch-over...even conducting the transition over a matter of many months would be a substantial hurdle," said Echostar, adding, "there is not sufficient manpower for such a mammoth task," reports TV Predictions.

Cable companies have a less daunting task.  According to the satellite providers, cable providers each only need to switch around a dozen stations.

The two satellite companies are asking the FCC to push back its early 2009 deadline.

This HDTV thing came out of no where

Sep 05, 2007 05:19     

Wow, I mean, this whole HDTV thing came out of no where. Why just last week I saw people buying SDTVs and suddenly they come out with this HDTV thing, and then they say they want to cut off HDTV. Man! It's like we only had three days to plan this. Oh sure, nevermind this has been in one form or another since the late 80s, and nevermind the fact that most of the stations they need to transistion have been broadcasting for years, and nevermind the the cut off date should have already happened but that it's been extended for years. If these guys want to wait till the last minute to avoid spending money for as long as possible, it's their own fault. Now they can officially buy a clue and pay for it at full market price.

GZ report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Was there ever any doubt...

Sep 05, 2007 06:30     

that it would be delayed again? They can push it back as long as they like. Normal people won't benefit anything from the end of analog TV - it's just something the government is doing to give itself free money. If they can print up $500 billion in counterfeit money for Iraq and Halliburton, they may as well keep analog TV running awhile longer, until there is actually no need for it.
Edward report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Never any doubt

Sep 05, 2007 07:53     

I did a report on this a couple of years ago (after having known about it for a few years of course). The report concluded that the date would inch closer and closer and then at the last minute an onslaught of legal action would fire up and cause a postponement until the suits could be settled (with the providers/FCC, etc), thus giving the providers enough time to play catch up. Not saying it's right, it's just how it is. I'm also dreading the the onslaught of consumer complaints that come from the less technological savvy who are still using 20 year old TVs that won't be able to recieve these signals unless someone comes to their door and hooks up a receiver box for them for free.

Nick B report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Well done Edward...

Sep 05, 2007 08:09     

You managed to link the Iraq war and Halliburton to digital tv. It's a conspiracy I tell you! Now, where's my tinfoil hat?
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Digital TV != HDTV

Sep 05, 2007 08:29     

I see so many people mix these two like they are the same. Digital TV is a type of broadcast signal. HDTV is a type of TV display or more specifically TV resolution. Does the source have to broadcast HDTV video, YES but they do that over a "digital" signal. You can also broadcast SDTV over a digital signal the only magic required is that your TV has a digital tuner built in. Every TV sold in the US as of May of this year is required to have a digital tuner. For the 2009 digital switch over you ARE NOT required to have an HDTV. In 2009 if you don't have an HDTV and your TV has a digital tuner you DO NOT need a converter box. Both the 2009 requires HD and/or converter box are common myths that only god know how they got started.

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RE: This HDTV thing came out of no where

Sep 05, 2007 08:36     

You're confusing HDTVSDTV with digitalanalog. Digital broadcasts have nothing to do with HD resolution. Digital broadcasts MAY broadcast in HD, but it's not a requirement or part of the spec. You will still be able to use your old TV to watch your local broadcasts, you'll just need a digital antenna uner, which they said will be cheap or free or something to that effect.
Chris report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Not all local TV is digital YET!

Sep 05, 2007 09:50     

In my area, only about 1/2 the analog stations are broadcasting any form of digital signal to date. Those that are do have a lot of good content. I get almost 50 digital stations, almost makes cable not worth it anymore. We've got a long way to go before Feb 17th 2009 tho. I'm gonna hate throwing out my old trustworthy little handheld TV :( That thing was awesome when the power went out during storms. I do think that digital TV is WAY overdue. I used to watch fuzzy TV at a relative's house years ago. Wonder what that picture would have been like in digital format. No more antenna spinners to pick-up what little signal there was. That was a big pain. I have one friend that lives very "rural" and uses satellite. We hooked up a digital TV (big DLP type) and the old antenna and WOW a TON of channels came through very clear, were before almost nothing come through analog. They'll stick with satellite though, still can't get HBO on over-the-air :)

Narg report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

it's not like they found out about it today

Sep 05, 2007 16:18     

they better get start working on it :)
dish report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Echo could use it's some of it's dealer base

Sep 06, 2007 17:50     

Echo could use it's some of it's dealer base to get the local equipment installed. I am a dealer and could easily install the replacement equipment, then work with the headend engineers to get it running smoothly. I have RF experience, dating back to 1982 when I workded for M/A-Com Telecommunications Div, Germantown, MD which gave birth to DirecTV, as Hughes Network Systems, and VideoCipher II by the Linkabit Division in California. I have a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering Technology.

Ronald J Leckfor report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

So....even the DBS companies want to wait until the...

Sep 08, 2007 12:56     

So....even the DBS companies want to wait until the last minute to do anything! Add to the consumers, the HOAs, the building owners, the stations, and the Cable companies....boy, we're gonna have a huge mess. And, once we push the deadline back, we can forget it until the next one rolls around. Then, postpone it again. And, again. And, again.
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