As the United States finally completes its digital transition after months of delay and confusion, retailers hope the DTV transition will help increase sales of small TVs.
Millions of Americans are expected to head out in search of new TVs to replace the now useless analog TVs in secondary rooms. Due to the economy and lower price of smaller HDTVs, it's more logical consumers will look for them as opposed to larger, more expensive TVs, analysts predict.
"Those are good candidates for over-the-air digital televisions," NPD Group department director Ross Rubin said in an interview with Reuters.
The final transition to DTV has taken more than 13 years and $2 billion dollars to finally complete, with the federal government increasing pressure for the switch to take place since 2005.
.jpg)
The DTV transition has already helped some manufacturers and retailers, with the U.S. issuing 59 million vouchers worth $40 to help American TV owners by a converter box. Analysts believe only 30 million vouchers have been claimed, which will ensure sales will be good until the vouchers expire in 90 days.
Comcast and Time Warner are expected to see an increase in subscribers now that so many people will be forced to get either cable or satellite TV service. Struggling electronics store Radioshack also has been given a brief reprieve now that consumers have been purchasing converter boxes and may now be interested in purchasing digital TVs.
At least 1,000 TV stations across the country will leave behind analog broadcast signals today, with quite a few broadcasters making the switch voluntarily weeks or months before the deadline. President Obama warned earlier in the week there would be no more delays, and it's up to Americans to be prepared.
