[opendtv] Re: How Do I Keep My Favorite Shows?

  • From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:32:27 -0400

At 10:13 AM -0700 8/19/10, Dale Kelly wrote:
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?

DUH! Folks would watch the stations using FOTA.
Stations would then receive increase AD revenues. (cable is a strong competitor for local add revenues)

Been there done that. The most remarkable thing about TV before cable was that families actually sat down together to watch one of 3-4 programs.

But that horse left the barn a long time ago.

James was correct when he pointed out that cable helped broadcasters increase their audience, which in turn allowed them to charge more for ads. But then cable started to offer alternatives to those 3-4 programs and the world changed. Now, with rare exceptions, less than 40% of the TVs that are being used watch those 3-4 programs, and yes, the MVPDs compete for ad dollars since they too have audiences to deliver to advertisers.

It is not going to happen, but broadcasting would die rather quickly if the MVPDs pulled the plug and broadcasters had to rely on homes with antennas. What is more likely is that the congloms will pull the plug on broadcasters and deal directly with the MVPDs so that they can get their hands on the $20 billion that TV stations still collect each year.

Regards
Craig

By the way, the audience that watches local TV news and weather is rapidly declining as well, despite the fact that these programs reach nearly all U.S. TV homes.





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