Obama wants digital TV transition delay

WASHINGTON (AP) - President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting. In a letter to key lawmakers, transition team co-chair John Podesta warned Thursday that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcasts will not be ready.

The incoming administration is pushing for a delay in part, because the Commerce Department has run out of money for the coupons that subsidize digital TV converter boxes for consumers. People who do not have cable or satellite TV or a new TV with a digital tuner will need the converter boxes to keep their analog TVs working.

Obama officials are also concerned that the government is not giving consumers enough help with the TV transition.