[opendtv] Re: As analog shutdown nears, antenna reality emerges

  • From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:54:13 -0400

At 10:33 AM -0700 6/13/08, dan.grimes@xxxxxxxx wrote:

Craig:
Do the locally owned, independent broadcasters want people to go over to a multi-channel service, or just the networks and O&Os? Does it make a difference if the broadcaster is not affiliated with a major network versus independently owned stations that are affiliated with a major network (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Sinclair, any others?) 

I would assume the LPTV stations do not want to lose FOTA.

Dan
There are several levels to this answer that correspond to the level of success the broadcasters you mention currently are enjoying, as it relates to their relationship with cable and DBS.
For commercial network affiliate broadcasters the answer is they would prefer to see viewers move to cable and DBS so that they can collect higher retransmission consent fees.
For independent broadcasters the answer could be mixed. They generally do not have as much leverage to demand high retrans consent fees, but anything they can get goes straight to the bottom line. They may get a higher percentage of OTA viewers today, simply because of the limited choice available to OTA viewers. So pushing viewers to cable might actually hurt them, as the viewers would have more choices.
For LPTV FOTA is their lifeline. Only a handful get cable carriage. That said, if they could get cable carriage it would help them immensely, as 85% of homes don't know they exist. 

Regards
Craig



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