[opendtv] Re: Here we go again...
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 12:41:05 -0400
Craig Birkmaier wrote:
> Satellite radio has found a marketplace niche, but growth
> has slowed significantly and most surveys suggest that post
> merger growth will be tepid at best.
>
> But this does not stop the NAB from working overtime to
> block the merger, and for the politicians on the sidelines
> to tell the regulators what they should do. THus it comes
> as no surprise that a group of Senators is suggesting that
> the Satcasters be forced to do something akin to what the
> FCC required of TV manufacturers - i.e. force the
> manufacturers of satellite radio receivers to include HD
> radio receivers in their devices.
>
> On the surface this makes sense - the inclusion of an HD
> radio receiver should not add much to the cost of the new
> radios that the merger will require (the systems use
> different modulation, thus existing receivers do not work
> with both). Once again the NAB and their buddies in
> Congress smell the opportunity to prop up broadcasters,
> rather than letting the marketplace decide...
>
> [From] the article: "Consumers deserve the opportunity to
> choose from all of the latest radio technologies, whether
> they listen at home, at the office, or in the car."
But Craig, you are not looking at the reality of what is taking place.
Example 1, TV-related. In an apartment complex (highrise, whatever), the
management grabs the existing FOTA TV distribution network and forces
the tenants to either subcribe to the MVPD on that coax, or hope they
are positioned adequately to receive OTA TV via an indoor antenna.
How is that allowing the marketplace to decide?
Example 2. I buy a GM car. An XM-Radio compatible radio is already
installed (GM has stakes in XM-Radio), but HD Radio tuners are not even
available as an option. How is that allowing the marketplace to decide?
Matter of fact, when the FCC required apartment managers and owners to
allow competition among MVPDs distributed throughout the complex, did
they include availability of FOTA? No. The only stipulation was that the
service could not be exclusive to just one MVPD. So again, how is that
allowing the marketplace to decide?
I don't think the Govt should be in the business of encouraging people
to spend more money than they would otherwise do. The housing meltdown
is proof enough that people will overspend plenty without govt help!
Bert
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