Schumer wants extension of TV coupons
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer is asking the government to give people more time to buy new television equipment for the switchover to digital signals in three months.
Schumer, D-N.Y., said the current program offering $40 coupons to people who want to buy new digital equipment has a problem: the coupons expire 90 days after the person receives them.
The senator wants the Federal Communications Commission to extend the deadline to give people more time to adjust and buy the equipment.
On February 17 -- three months from now -- old-fashioned antenna televisions will go blank because they won't be able to get the new signals broadcast digitally.
The change does not effect televisions hooked up to cable or satellite dishes.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
