Verizon CEO joins AT&T in backing digital TV delay -- as long as it's short

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 19th 2009 at 6:32PM

After initially opposing the Obama administration / Jay Rockefeller digital TV delay -- pushing the analog TV shutoff date back from February 17 to June 12 -- Verizon CEO Ivan Seiderberg has jumped on board with competitor AT&T in support of the plan. Considering Verizon just dropped $9.63 billion on the soon / not-so-soon to be vacated airwaves for its 4G wireless rollout this is an interesting position to take, but it appears that as long as the delay is a mere 115 days he can join AT&T ($7 billion or so invested) in waiting for the DTV converter coupon program to work itself out. Of course, if anyone wants to take advantage of the extra time to subscribe to FiOS or U-verse, we're sure that wouldn't be problem either.

Filed under: Industry, OTA

Tags: 2009, analog shutoff, AnalogShutoff, att, delay, digital tv, DigitalTv, dtv, obama, postpone, rockefeller, spectrum auction, SpectrumAuction, transition, verizon

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highest Ranked

Slappy Wag @ Jan 19th 2009 6:55PM

Why... why... WHY AUGHHHHHH!!! Just get it over with already.

When will people get it through their thick skulls that TV is not a right?

Neutral

Dan @ Jan 19th 2009 7:01PM

Why not have the ultimate analog shut off for one day? Just see how chaotic it will be? Or better yet, only delay 30 days and less. If it weren't for being able to receive CBC from across the border, I'd already be on DirecTV. Therefore, I'm stuck with scamcast and I want my 33 extra HDs sooner not later!

Neutral

shawn @ Jan 19th 2009 7:11PM

its not gonna be delayed no matter what the big wigs want..too much money has been put into this turnover..for them to delay this now would be a huge mistake...if people are not ready then thats too bad,then grandma will have to watch her puzzles

Neutral

gt1racer47 @ Jan 19th 2009 7:11PM

Just keep the Day as is, (the people who switched to digital already will be most effected to this delay including me)

Don't promise a cut date if it's never going to happen! everyone will be ready on the 17th so don't panic Verizon and ATT

Highly Ranked

MI @ Jan 19th 2009 8:09PM

Yea, listen to AT&T not the people who you're supposed to be representing...

The fact is the people obama is worried about will never be ready until they don't have any other option. You'll do them a favor by sticking to the original date: 1) as I said they will actually do what they have to do to get their TV working again, and 2) until they do, people will feel sorry for them. OTA TV and pity, it doesn't get any better.

Highly Ranked

Marrvia @ Jan 19th 2009 11:01PM

This is stupid. This needs to be done with already. They have been playing commercials, having news segments, etc. on this for well over a year. Everyone should be informed by now. If not, these people obviously don't watch that much tv anyway, so who cares. Delaying this a few months, only delays the incompetent people from being surprised by this for a few months. Everyone who doesn't know by now isn't going to even think about it until it happens.

I think the only reason Obama wants it delayed is because he thinks that a bunch of retarded rednecks in the south who don't know about this are going to think that he is the one responsible for them having no TV, since this is happening in such a short time after he is sworn in. He is probably correct in thinking this.

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