Digital Transition on Hold for Some Stations

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The switch to digital television is being delayed for many TV stations, giving you more time to get ready.

Plus some of those "going out of business sales" may not be as good as advertised.

All you procrastinators have been given a bit of a reprieve. The government has decided to push back the digital changeover until June 12 although TV stations are still allowed to switch to all digital on February 17 if they choose. So, for those of you that haven't gotten around to buying a convert box, you have a bit more time.

Use this extra time to apply for your $40 coupons. You can request them online or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009. The NTIA, the agency handling the coupon program, is accepting coupon requests but you'll go on a waiting list while they sort out how many more coupons they can issue.

Remember, if you have cable or satellite service for your TV you don't have to do anything, your older TVs will continue to work.

On a similar note, I saw for the first time this past weekend a small digital TV that has rechargeable batteries for under $100. It is a small screen TV and among other things its good for when the power goes out - just remember to keep the batteries charged.

Lastly, be careful when shopping at "going out of business sales." Just because a store is going out of business doesn't necessarily mean they are "giving away the merchandise" with spectacular deals. There have been several articles in the retail trade press about Circuit City's going out of business sale and how there weren't many bargains. But even so, almost one third of their inventory has been sold in the past few weeks. The stores may close earlier than expected due to the high volume of purchasing. Know what you are buying and do your research as to what the regular price should be and determine what price something needs to be to be a value to you. Don't buy on impulse, you can't return something you bought at a store closing sale. Shop smart.

NEWS 9 will go ahead and change over on February 17 at 1 p.m.