The U.S. of A. is getting closer and closer to the day where you turn on your old trusty analog television and you get greeted by snow.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a compromise agreement, 212-206, to complete the digital television transition by Feb. 17, 2009.

The compromise, which is part of a larger budget package, is scheduled to go before the Senate this afternoon, but the outcome there is uncertain.

The package approved in the House vote also would allocate up to $1.5 billion to help consumers that rely on over-the-air broadcasts purchase digital converter boxes to view the new signals on their analog television equipment.

I don’t think us Canucks are anywhere near to doing something like this. Those American senators really want that spectrum back!

TWICE - House Approves DTV Compromise