Nielsen: 5.7 percent of U.S. households not ready for DTV

About 6.5 million homes would see static on their TVs if the analog shutoff date was today, according to Nielsen—a figure that's actually down from 7.8 million homes last month. Meanwhile, the Senate is reportedly close to a deal that would delay the DTV transition until June.

Check out our guide to the DTV transition—including details on what you need to be ready—right here.

The DTV readiness survey from The Nielsen Company reports that as of now, the Hartford-New Haven, Connecticut area is the most prepared for the February 17 analog TV shutoff (well, that's the date for now, anyway), with only 1.76 percent of homes without a TV capable of receiving digital TV transmissions. Among other markets with 97 percent or better DTV readiness: Atlanta, Philly, Boston, New York, and West Palm Beach, Florida.

So, which markets are the least ready for DTV? At the bottom of the list is Albuquerque-Santa Fe, New Mexico, with 12.24 percent of homes unprepared for the switch. Also near the bottom: Dallas-Ft. Worth (10.21 percent unprepared), Houston (9.95 percent), Tulsa (9.53 percent), and Portland, Oregon (9.08 percent).

A few other notes: You know that video of the bumbling senior citizen trying to hook up her DTV converter box? Well, it might be good for a cheap laugh, but the truth is that 96 percent of households with viewers over 55 are ready for the switch. Indeed, turns out the young'uns are far more clueless, with 8.8 percent of those 35-and-younger households—more than double the number of seniors—unprepared for the transition.

The bottom line, though, is that 94.3 percent of U.S. households are, as of today, ready for the DTV switch. Just a thought.

Meanwhile ... a Senate bill that would push back the DTV transition from Feb. 17 to June 12 appears to be gaining traction.

The AP reports that Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., says he's reached an agreement with Republicans, who argue that moving the deadline would just add to the confusion and that some local TV stations have already started taking down their analog equipment.

The compromise: TV stations would be allowed to make the switch to digital earlier than June 12, if they so choose.

Rockefeller's bill could go before the Senate next week; if passed, it would then face a vote in the House. Meanwhile, a similar DTV delay bill in the House (proposed by California Rep. Henry Waxman) looks to be on the back burner for now.

Related:
6.5 Million U.S. Homes Unready For Digital TV Transition [Nielsen Wire]
Senate nears deal to delay digital TV transition [AP]
DTV transition guide [Yahoo! Tech]