[opendtv] Re: FCC Eliminates Simulcast Rules
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2004 08:53:03 -0400
At 5:15 PM -0400 9/7/04, Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
>John Shutt wrote:
>
>> The FCC, in it's second periodic review of the Digital
>> Television transition, has eliminated the rules requiring
>> simulcasting the programming on a station's analog channel
>> on it's digital channel.
>
>Because they have seen no evidence of OTA broadcasters using
>their two channels as independent program streams for
>increased revenues. And because they have evidence of the
>simulcast rule "impeding the distribution of HD content to
>broadcasters"? I don't get that last part.
>
>Not sure what this is about, but it doesn't seem like carte
>blanche for broadcasters to use their transitional extra
>6 MHz as just more spectrum. If they do, it looks like the
>FCC will clamp down again. My sense of this is that the FCC
>likes to abolish rules that seem to be unnecessary.
>
Hmmmmm... sticking my head out now that the trees have stopped blowing...over.
21 posts about a theoretical change in meaningless rules...
Let's see if I understand this.
The FCC initially speculated that it would be necessary to require
broadcasters to simulcast, in order to expedite the DTV transition.
It turned out that that it didn't matter.
The reality is that there is STILL no meaningful audience for OTA DTV
broadcasts, whether they are SD or HD, simulcast or unique
programming. Carriage of the same programming as the analog channel
is routine in most markets. This is a no-brainer. Why would they pay
for additional program streams that nobody is watching?
As for using the spectrum to produce additional revenues, there is a
minor problem. You need a measurable audience to sell advertising in
these programs. Other than some "beauty shot" demo reels, there is
virtually no unique programming being carried on the Digital channels.
The ONLY use of the DTV spectrum for something new seems to be
related to the efforts of USDTV, which is using portions of the
Digital channels to deliver unique programming that would not
otherwise be available OTA.
As usual, the bottom line remains the same...this transition is
REALLY all about protecting the NTSC franchise. Everything else pales
in significance.
Regards
Craig
P.S. If the broadcasters and the FCC were really serious about the
transition they would require full power carriage of the main
programming of the station on the digital channel and letterbox
carriage of widescreen programming on the analog channel. That is,
they would make the DTV product more desirable than the old analog
product.
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