[opendtv] Re: How Do I Keep My Favorite Shows?
- From: "James Cole" <colejd@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:56:24 -0400
I find the message a bit miss leading with a good slant to the group that
runs the website, NAB. (That's why it's there, right?)
One can read between many other lines here.
1. If I receive the FOTA signals via cable or any other MVPD, then I am
supporting the local weather and news. If I am receiving the signal via
antenna, then I am leaching on the backs of those who pay for cable.
2. If the MVPD did not exist, and paid for the right to carry its signal,
then there would be no local weather or news. Otherwise, how would the local
station generate money to pay for programming prior to 1992?
I find the spin factor of this article(?) fun. The facts start with...
1. CATV started because OTA could not reach many people on the other side
of the mountains or that were too far away. Stations were gleeful, more
viewers = more ad money
2. When cable became the primary delivery option in the homes of many
potential viewers, the station owners were demanding carriage.
3. When stations realized that cable programming was beginning to rob them
of their ad dollars in lost viewers, they wanted compensation.
I'll bet dollars to donuts, that if Cablevision did not renew and dropped
ABC from NYC, it would suffer a short time backlash, but ABC would lose the
most and come crawling back with a Must Carry order.
This article does not mention the right for the stations to demand Must
Carry or channel placement (kind of moot with PSIP now). I guess that would
add another line the reader could read between.
In my opinion, if the FOTA station wants compensation, then they should be
able to be placed in a tiered lineup (B2, Digital Starter) like that of MTV,
Discovery, and History, not in the broadcast tier.
I understand the fear that the NAB has, it's called self preservation.
But the analogy of asking the clerk for the shirt at half price is just way
off. If I follow the thought process and the clerk would not sell it to me,
then I can skip the middle-man and get it free, straight from the
manufacture?
-----Original Message-----
From: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Manfredi, Albert E
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 5:17 PM
To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [opendtv] How Do I Keep My Favorite Shows?
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.
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