In a sudden and unexpected move, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is lobbying the Obama administration to further delay the digital television changeover, which is currently scheduled to take effect June 12.

In a press release handed down this morning, NAB chief executive Dennis J. Rohr is asking the President to “strongly consider” moving the DTV migration date to October of this year. Rohr cited a number of reasons for the further delay, not the least of which being the fact that, in his words, television in the summer is usually a “barren wasteland of banality,” and that “no one will give a rat’s ass in June what is happening to their TVs when they would rather be outside enjoying summer.”

Rohr asserts that millions of people will simply let the June 12 deadline pass and suddenly find themselves without indoor entertainment once football season and the new fall television lineup begins. The effect on ratings could be devastating.

“We would prefer an October cutover date, as people will be entrenched in NFL and the new shows,” added Rohr. “Let them return to their TV addiction in the fall, and then we’ll set the hook. They won’t have any choice then, he he.”

No word from the President as to whether he will consider the move, though sources in the White House say it would be a long shot, at best, as it would also require Congressional approval.