[opendtv] Re: 20040503 Mark's Monday Memo
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 14:49:25 -0400
> >1. If analog OTA were shut off, how many households would
> >*actually* remain disenfranchised? Point being, I believe that
> >way over 94.7 percent of households have access to one form of
> >TV or other, even if analog OTA were shut off. If nothing else,
> >STBs could be provided to low income households at a huge
> >discount *if* these households don't already subscribe to cable
> >or DBS.
> >
> As I've noted previously, after 9/11, when all NY stations
> remained on
> cable and satellite but only WCBS-TV stayed on the air,
> WCBS-TV ratings
> skyrocketed, and the others fell. Now that the others are
> back on the
> air, WCBS is back where it was.
>
> Draw your own conclusions about the value of OTA in the
> nation's largest market.
All you're saying is that many people do use OTA TV service.
The question is, how many of these would remain without TV
if analog were shut off? This is the Berlin experience: shut
off analog, and people do what it takes to receive TV. They
don't go without TV. That's the conclusion I draw.
> >2. Since telephone service is characterized as a lifeline
> >service, and the telcos are required provide the level of
> >system availability that such a service implies, does it even
> >make sense to compare the two? You don't need a TV set for
> >any emergency information. All you need is a $15 clock radio
> >(or whatever they're going for these days).
> >
> With TV in 98% of households, it seems to be the preferred
> way to notify people of emergencies.
>
> Again, draw your own conclusions.
I would wager that over 98 percent of households own a radio,
and that virtually 100 percent of cars sold have a standard
radio. The conclusion I draw is that people rely on radio
more than TV for the sort of emergency information one *might*
compare with the lifeline telephone service. Especially
because not many TVs are battery powered, as many radios and
the telephone service are.
Bert
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