So, it "looks like" the FCC is proposing something that has been required by law since 1992? (Note the passive voice hiding a misreading.) I think the FCC is better off following the Communications Act rather than proposing rules in violation of it. The way that "a consumer" can opt out of paying for broadcast signals on cable is to opt for satellite, where the broadcast channels are optional. Kinda funny that more than 96% of dbs customers opt for local into local, and should I point out that local into local SUPERCHARGED DBS subscriptions? I concede this situation creates an unfair playing field vis a vis cable and DBS. The solution is to make both ala-carte. What's funny is how that will kill the cable model. So, cable firms, please push for not being required to carry ota signals, and the most likely outcome (See Commissioner J. Adelstein's comments on this topic) will be cable ala carte. John Willkie -----Mensaje original----- De: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] En nombre de Craig Birkmaier Enviado el: Monday, July 30, 2007 1:58 PM Para: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Asunto: [opendtv] Re: NAB, MSTV applaud FCC must-carry proposal for DTV transition At 10:17 AM -0400 7/29/07, Tom Barry wrote: >Or do it that way only for must-carry stations. Under retrans >consent broadcasters and cablcos can probably negotiate other >arrangements anyway. Or is that what the FCC is talking about? > > It looks like the FCC is proposing that cable companies must provide broadcast signals to every subscriber. This includes non-impaired versions of the digital signals for those who subscribe to the digital tier, and one of the following for existing analog subs: 1. continued carriage of an NTSC quality version of the station on the analog tier (i.e dual carriage) OR 2. carriage only on the digital tier if the cable company provides all subscribers with a digital STB. There is no way a consumer can opt out of receiving the broadcast stations, and therefore paying for them as well, since the cable guys will pass through any retrans consent fees. Station can use retransmission consent to negotiate carriage deals that extend beyond what the FCC will require. Thus a station can negotiate for carriage in analog and carriage of any sub-channels. Regards Craig ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.