[opendtv] Re: FCC Eliminates Simulcast Rules
- From: Tom Barry <trbarry@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 09 Sep 2004 09:36:58 -0400
Craig Birkmaier wrote:
> The ONLY use of the DTV spectrum for something new seems to be
> related to the efforts of USDTV, which is using portions of the
> Digital channels to deliver unique programming that would not
> otherwise be available OTA.
Craig -
I subscribe to only limited basic cable service and thus do not pay for
or get Fox News or CNN. So I am starting to like the ABC News Now
channel that ABC is now testing as a free sub-channel on OTA digital TV.
Currently it is mostly election coverage but there is no reason it
could not evolve to be a fully advertising supported competitor to those
2 news channels. If so I will likely be a regular viewer.
I think that qualifies as something new (and useful).
- Tom
> At 5:15 PM -0400 9/7/04, Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
>
>>John Shutt wrote:
>>
>>
>>> The FCC, in it's second periodic review of the Digital
>>> Television transition, has eliminated the rules requiring
>>> simulcasting the programming on a station's analog channel
>>> on it's digital channel.
>>
>>Because they have seen no evidence of OTA broadcasters using
>>their two channels as independent program streams for
>>increased revenues. And because they have evidence of the
>>simulcast rule "impeding the distribution of HD content to
>>broadcasters"? I don't get that last part.
>>
>>Not sure what this is about, but it doesn't seem like carte
>>blanche for broadcasters to use their transitional extra
>>6 MHz as just more spectrum. If they do, it looks like the
>>FCC will clamp down again. My sense of this is that the FCC
>>likes to abolish rules that seem to be unnecessary.
>>
>
>
> Hmmmmm... sticking my head out now that the trees have stopped blowing...over.
>
> 21 posts about a theoretical change in meaningless rules...
>
> Let's see if I understand this.
>
> The FCC initially speculated that it would be necessary to require
> broadcasters to simulcast, in order to expedite the DTV transition.
> It turned out that that it didn't matter.
>
> The reality is that there is STILL no meaningful audience for OTA DTV
> broadcasts, whether they are SD or HD, simulcast or unique
> programming. Carriage of the same programming as the analog channel
> is routine in most markets. This is a no-brainer. Why would they pay
> for additional program streams that nobody is watching?
>
> As for using the spectrum to produce additional revenues, there is a
> minor problem. You need a measurable audience to sell advertising in
> these programs. Other than some "beauty shot" demo reels, there is
> virtually no unique programming being carried on the Digital channels.
>
> The ONLY use of the DTV spectrum for something new seems to be
> related to the efforts of USDTV, which is using portions of the
> Digital channels to deliver unique programming that would not
> otherwise be available OTA.
>
> As usual, the bottom line remains the same...this transition is
> REALLY all about protecting the NTSC franchise. Everything else pales
> in significance.
>
> Regards
> Craig
>
> P.S. If the broadcasters and the FCC were really serious about the
> transition they would require full power carriage of the main
> programming of the station on the digital channel and letterbox
> carriage of widescreen programming on the analog channel. That is,
> they would make the DTV product more desirable than the old analog
> product.
>
>
>
>
>
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