Concerned about the DTV transition, the Senate today passed legislation that would allow TV stations to continue broadcasting analog signals for 30 days after the current Feb. 17 cut-off date so they can provide information about the transition and public safety.

The legislation was introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) and co-sponsored by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).

Rockefeller argued that the grace periord is badly needed.

"While there are claims that hundreds of millions of private sector dollars have been spent making Americans aware of the DTV transition, it seems that most Americans have no idea what it really is even if they have heard of it," the senator said.

"The recent DTV transition test market of Wilmington, North Carolina demonstrated that even with extraordinary levels of outreach, some still did not know anything about the DTV transition."

Hutchison called the legislation an "important safety net."

"By allowing information to be broadcast for 30 days after the transition takes place, consumers who do not yet receive digital television signals will have access to important public safety announcements and information during a critical time period after the transition date," she said.

A companion bill is pending in the House, but, according to B&C, it is not expected to move until the week of Dec. 8, when the House is scheduled to return from the Thanksgiving break.