Who's surprised that the DTV transition is already floundering? Anyone? Well, definitely not me. To start, we all know that with the transition, all of that spectrum will be freed up, so the FCC has been testing prototypes of those "white space devices" designed to sense spectrum use to avoid introducing co- and adjacent-channel TV band interference. The big news? The most recent prototype submitted to the FCC from Microsoft unexpectedly shut down. So, I'm torn on this issue. Sure, it's reasonable to make use of spectrum that's going to be freed up. On the other hand, I very much agree with MSTV and the NAB that if there is not 100% assurance that these new unlicensed devices won't interfere with the existing signals, they should be greatly restricted. I think that the importance of an unhindered emergency report or breaking news story is quite a bit more than the convenience of a wireless "hot spot," though I can't say that everyone agrees -- obviously not the consumer electronics producers.

 What's more, again consumer electronics companies are clashing w/ the broadcasting industry. The Community Broadcasters Association has petitioned an appeals court to stop the distribution of DTV converter boxes that are part of the NTIA's converter box program. Why would they do that? The government just spent a lot of money to distribute coupons that would cover the cost of these converter boxes so no one will be left "in the dark" come the transition. Well, these boxes are being distributed w/out the ability to receive over-the-air signals, which would effectively cut off the public from the LPTV, Class A and TV translator stations. Now, the CEA and the CBA are pointing fingers, looking for someone to blame. Whatever, the problem has been identified -- it's time to get it fixed, or the transition really will turn out to be the debacle that so many are already claiming that it is.

Another clear example why I do not want a socialized Government...  But its probably more complicated than that; in other words, this was probably done on purpose in attempts to drive more people to dependance upon Paid TV, rather than free OTA TV.  Once people learn that DTV gives them quality Signal and more stations (and they have DVD [free at your local library] or downloadable rentals), why would they want to pay Satellite or Cable rates any longer?  But in the hiatus of this transition, this "blunder" serves Pay TV well...