The Obama administration has reportedly called on Congress to delay the broadcaster switch from analog to digital television.

"With coupons unavailable, support and education insufficient, and the most vulnerable Americans exposed, I urge you to consider a change to the legislatively-mandated analog cutoff date," John Podesta, co-chair of the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team wrote in the letter to DTV leaders, which was provided to The Washington Post.

By law, broadcasters must switch from analog to digital signals by February 17, 2009 in order to free up the airwaves for public safety use. The government has funded an outreach effort and is providing two $40 converter box coupons to any American that wants them, but the National Telecommunications & Information Administration recently said that it might need an additional $330 million to satisfy all the coupon requests.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also warned about a possible loss of service known as the "digital cliff."

The Obama letter went out the same day that the Consumers Union also asked Congress, Obama, and President Bush to delay the DTV transition.

"Congress should consider delaying the digital transition so the significant flaws in the converter box coupon program can be adequately addressed and sufficient local assistance put in place to help millions of consumers who are being forced navigate this transition," the group wrote in its letter.

Rep. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat and one of the letter's recipients, said that delaying the transition would involve "significant logistical challenges" but "the prospect of leaving millions of consumers in the dark requires Congress to immediately consider the feasibility of the President-elect's proposal."

Markey blamed the Bush administration for providing "insufficient notice to address this critical problem on anything other than an emergency basis."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, echoed Markey's sentiments. "While the digital TV transition should happen, a delay is necessary to make up for the lack of preparation on the part of the current Administration," she said in a statement.

The National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), which has funded a DTV outreach campaign of its own, was not thrilled by the suggestion but said it would abide by any mandate handed down.

"The cable industry is working hard to support the broadcasters' transition to digital TV. Our total focus has been and continues to be on ensuring that the transition is seamless for our customers, and that all Americans are aware of any steps they need to take to address the transition," Kyle McSlarrow, president and CEO of NCTA, said in a statement. "If the transition date is moved, cable companies will continue to work as hard as they can to help Americans achieve a smooth DTV transition."