[opendtv] Re: Broadcasters Nix Low-Power DTS Proposal
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 06:52:44 -0500
At 9:07 PM -0800 2/3/10, Dale Kelly wrote:
Oh if only it were so simple as investing in new transmitters......
In addition to that new transmitter, coupled with a requirement to
continue operating the old transmitter for several years, many
stations had to virtually duplicate the entire transmission facility
by doubling studio to transmitter link capacity, enlarging or
constructing new transmitter buildings, adding either new or
upgrading towers and upgrading utility power and emergency generator
plants.
To cap that off, the major investment in new transmitting antenna
and transmission line was often staggering (many of these upgrades
on towers as tall as 2000ft!).
We're talking Millions....
And we are also talking about an industry with annual revenues in
excess of $15 Billion per year, with many stations operating with
profit margins above 20% and MOST above 10%. In other words, all of
this stuff has already been paid for, except perhaps at highly
leveraged station groups.
Add to this the new revenue streams from retransmission consent and
the picture does not look so bleak.
Now consider the possibility that stations could off-load the
operation of the utility, including the power bill, and the
possibility that the telcos would pay billions for another 100 MHz of
beach front spectrum.
The Broadband Taskforce has alluded to the possibility that some
broadcasters might take the money (for their spectrum) and run. What
if the money was used to buy and redeploy all of the transmission
assets owned by all broadcasters in the country? What if you ended up
with a new transmission infrastructure that improved coverage and was
paid for via retransmission consent fees?
Regards
Craig
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