All fine and good, but the message is actually a lot simpler, IMO. The reason FOTA stations ask for compensation from the MVPDs is because they can. There isn't any downside. MVPDs don't grow money on trees, they simply charge the subscribers. And subscribers are willing to pay, and bitch loudly if the broadcaster's signal isn't there. That's the way business works. Bert -------------------------------- http://www.keepmytv.org/how.asp How Do I Keep My Favorite Shows? Congress provided local TV stations with the right to grant permission for pay TV companies to use their signals in 1992. Before this time, pay TV companies used stations' signals without asking. As part of the process in getting permission from local stations, many pay TV companies also have to compensate local stations for using the signal - just like they compensate cable channels like Discovery, Food Network and The History Channel. Make sense? If a pay TV company won't fairly compensate a local TV station, then that station doesn't allow the company to use its signal. This is covered in more detail in the "Why Would I Lose My Shows" section [below]. However, nearly all pay TV companies and local TV stations are able to come to an agreeable resolution that allows all viewers to see those great broadcast shows. It is a rare occurrence that the pay TV company refuses to give the viewers what they want, BUT if it happens, you have options. You can take one of the following steps to ensure you keep seeing your favorite shows and local news: Option 1: "Not Your Father's" Antenna What's old is new again in a digital world! All stations are now broadcasting in digital, which means the snowy picture some may remember is long gone. Now, viewers can get access to local stations, with crystal clear pictures, just by using the right antenna. You can even get HD channels you may not see on your pay TV system, including shows in HD if you have an HDTV. And the best part is - it's all free - there are no monthly subscription costs, just the one time cost of purchasing an antenna if you do not already own one. Learn more about choosing the right antenna. Option 2: Find a New Pay TV Provider Switch to a different pay TV provider (such as cable, satellite or a telephone company) that has worked with local stations to ensure all viewers have access to their favorite local channels. To find out what other services are available, get online or ask your friends what services they like best. Using an antenna The most economical way to keep watching the great shows and news on your favorite local stations, in the rare event that it is no longer available via your pay TV provider, is a good old fashioned antenna. The type of antenna you need depends on certain factors, including how far you are from the station, where your antenna is located and in which frequency band (VHF or UHF) the station is that you want to watch. To determine which type of antenna will work best for you, enter your address and zip code at www.AntennaWeb.org. This is a helpful resource for finding an antenna that will allow you to continue watching your free, local broadcast channels and all the great shows and local news you love. Why Would I Lose My Shows? If you pay a monthly fee to a television service (like cable, satellite or a telephone company), those companies must get permission from your local stations to use their signal. Congress provided stations with the right to grant permission for pay TV companies to use their signals in 1992. Before this time, pay TV companies used stations' signals without asking. That didn't seem fair. Pay TV companies make billions in profits each year, and sell numerous subscriptions because folks just want to see their basic television channels, like FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC and Univision to name a few. As part of the process in getting permission from local stations, many pay TV companies also have to compensate local stations for using their signal - just like they compensate cable channels like Discovery, Food Network and The History Channel. Make sense? But, as with most industry giants, these pay TV companies would rather use local stations without compensating them. That makes it tough for these local stations to provide all the things you value: *Regular weather and traffic reports *Local news that covers what's happening in your area *All those great shows you like to watch The irony is, while pay TV companies don't want to pay very much for your local stations, that's what viewers want the most - all those great programs. In fact, of the top 200 primetime shows, 197 of them are on broadcast TV, not cable. While channel surfing, viewers may tune into cable shows like "My Monkey Baby" and "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant," but most of the time, viewers are watching the great shows on broadcast television - like "American Idol," "Sunday Night Football," "NCIS", "Dancing with the Stars" and "Don Francisco Presenta." If a pay TV company won't fairly compensate a local TV station, then that station doesn't allow the company to use its signal. Similarly, if you walked into a department store and said, "I'll give you half of what you're asking for that shirt," the store clerk probably wouldn't sell it to you. Luckily, it very rarely comes to this. Most pay TV companies and local TV stations are able to come to an agreement that allows all viewers to see those great broadcast shows; thousands of successful negotiations happen every year. After all, both parties want to keep viewers happy. It is a rare occurrence that the pay TV company refuses to give the viewers what they want, BUT if it happens, you have options. And, it's important to note, viewers who receive their television free through an antenna will never encounter this issue, only viewers who pay monthly to receive television programming through cable, satellite or a telephone company. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.