Congress has just put its foot down on when the final switch from analog to digital will occur for TV broadcasts in the United States.  The government will also step in and help pay for converter boxes if families can't afford them so that they may continue to use their antiquated TVs:

The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday approved legislation to complete the U.S. transition to new, higher-quality digital television by February 17, 2009, and to help consumers pay for the equipment needed to ensure their old televisions do not go dark.

Under a deal negotiated by Republicans in the House and Senate, up to $1.5 billion would be available to help some people buy converter boxes to keep their old, analog-signal televisions working when the transition is finished.