An effort to delay the impending switch to digital TV signals got a boost Thursday night after Senate Republicans agreed to a plan that would push the transition to June 12.

GOP members were initially hesitant to support the delay, blocking consideration of the legislation when it was introduced on January 16. After a little negotiation and some amendments to the bill, however, Republicans are now on board.

"I had serious concerns about shifting the digital television transition without a sound plan to inform consumers or address the converter box coupon shortage," Sen. Hutchison, a Texas Republican and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, said in a statement. "I am pleased that Chairman Rockefeller worked with me to address many of the concerns with the early proposals."

Democratic senators Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota last week announced plans for a bill that would push the switch from analog to digital TV signals from February 17 to June 12.

Broadcast stations are federally mandated to make this change next month in order to free up spectrum for public safety and other uses. But concerns about funding, consumer education, and execution have prompted members of Congress--and the Obama administration--to request a delay.

Detractors, like former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin, argued that changing the date would cause consumer confusion.

Under the deal reached Thursday, the Rockefeller bill--dubbed the DTV Delay Act --retains the June 12 turnover date, but allows stations to switch to digital signals before that date. In the event that a station does switch early, the vacant spectrum will be made available to public safety officials.

Meanwhile, the bill also allows consumers with expired, government-issued converter box coupons to apply for replacement coupons. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is providing two $40 converter box coupons to anyone who wants them, but consumers were running into problems because these coupons expire and cannot be replaced.

The bill also extends the deadline to apply for a coupon from March 31 to July 31.

"The way I see it, right now we have a choice: we can do the DTV transition right, or we can do it wrong," Sen. Rockefeller said in a statement. "But the shameful truth is that we...are only weeks away from doing it dreadfully wrong--and leaving consumers with the consequences."

Rockefeller stressed that the bill "is not perfect, but it represents a turning point--a start."

"Senator Rockefeller's personal commitment to me to not seek another delay provides needed certainty to bring this transition to a conclusion," Sen. Hutchinson said. "Significant challenges remain, however, and I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure a smooth transition."

The Senate is expected to vote on the DTV Delay Act next week.

"Barring unforeseen emergencies, we should not have another delay," Rockefeller said.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman delayed House consideration of a DTV delay bill earlier this week after the Senate's initial block. A Waxman spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment about when his committee might reconsider the legislation.