The Senate on Monday voted unanimously to postpone the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting by four months to June 12—setting the stage for Congress to follow suit. At press time, the House of Representatives announced it will take "emergency action on the matter.     T

he Obama administration and Democrats in Congress have been pushing for a delay amid growing concerns that too many Americans—particularly low-income and elderly viewers— won't be ready for the currently scheduled Feb. 17 changeover.The Nielsen Co. estimates that more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog television sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals could see their TV sets go dark next month if the transition is not postponed.     President Barack Obama earlier this month called for the transition date to be postponed after the Commerce Department hit a $1.34 billion funding limit for government coupons that consumers may use to help pay for digital TV converter boxes. The boxes, which generally cost between $40 and $80 each and can be purchased without a coupon, translate digital signals back into analog ones for older TVs. consumers who subscribe to cable or satellite TV service or who own a TV with a digital tuner will not lose reception.    

Republicans in both the House and Senate have raised concerns that a delay would confuse consumers, burden wireless companies and public safety agencies waiting for the airwaves that will be vacated and create added costs for television stations that would have to continue broadcasting both analog and digital signals.    

Paula Kerger, president and CEO of the Public Broadcasting Service, estimates that delaying the digital TV transition to June 12 would cost public broadcasters $22 million.