[opendtv] Re: A MUST READ - Genachowski Hires A Broadcast TV Hitman
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:55:50 -0500
Thanks for posting these opinion pieces Mark!
I had read the Jessell editorial, and heard about the Benjamin essay,
but had not read it.
It should come as no surprise that broadcasters have once again
become the target of those who claim they can offer the public
services that will be valued more highly. This was at the root of the
DTV transition in the '80s and helped guide the poor decisions
regarding the ATSC standard.
While Mark and others may not agree with the opinions expressed in
the Benjamin essay, I would suggest that it is a rather good analysis
of the issues that are on the table here. Clearly the strength of
broadcasting has been based on its cozy relationship with the
politicians. Benjamin is pragmatic about this reality, noting that it
would take "an Act of Congress" to clear broadcasters from their
valuable beachfront property. This is not a likely outcome.
I do not want to see TV broadcasting disappear from the American
landscape, but I do want a broadcast system that the public will
actually use, and I believe such a system can be created in a
fraction of the spectrum now occupied by broadcasters. I also believe
that broadcasters can play an important role in delivering popular
bits to multicast audiences, leveraging the new back channels that
will be created in spectrum recovered for broadband.
As for hastening the demise of broadcasting as we know it, there is a
simple solution.
Eliminate retransmission consent. If broadcasters could survive for
five decades based on the revenues they derived from advertising -
and it is worth noting that broadcasters in the UK, New Zealand and
Australia have figured out how to deliver a FOTA multichannel service
- then why do they need subscriber fees?
If the service is free with an ATSC receiver, why should I pay a
subscriber fee when the cable company gives up some of their
bandwidth to deliver it to me?
The MVPDs are just a bit behind the curve, relative to broadcasters,
in terms of their eventual extinction. Consumers are not just giving
up on broadcasting, they are dropping MVPD subscription too. What we
are watching as broadcasters step up their demands for retrans
consent payments is simply the natural progression to maximize
profits before consumers cut and run.
Regards
Craig
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