[opendtv] Re: FCC Eliminates Simulcast Rules
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "OpenDTV (E-mail)" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2004 19:27:02 -0400
Craig Birkmaier wrote:
> > And since I'm not willing to pay, unless and until
> > all other options go away, then each of the media
> > giants can only tempt my eyeballs with *one*
> > program stream, as things are today with analog.
>
> Not true. As I explained, you have more choice than
> that today. There are several independent stations in
> your market which primarily program off-network
> re-runs.
I don't think so. We have the ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, WB,
and UPN channels, from Wash and Balt/Annapolis, we
have Telefutura, and a couple of independents who
broadcast foreign programs often, from various
countries. PBS comes in several flavors, including
from Howard University. In any event, there are
smaller markets such as yours, where OTA choice is
much less.
Didn't you just finish saying that the conglomerates
had to buy up other media outlets in order not to
lose their audience on cable systems? If that's in
fact what the dynamic was, i.e. if indeed the media
giants didn't appreciate at first that people would
migrate to a medium that gave them more choice (seems
incredibly hard for me to believe!!), then by now
they should have gotten the message.
Consistency says that cable is a success thanks to
the extra choice it offers, and that the same would
apply to an OTA scheme. To a lesser extent, since we
are such a "more is more" society.
So again, the network that first uses multicasting
intelligently can expect the same sort of benefit
cable systems enjoyed.
> > Instead, if ABC, for example, offered me two or
> > three FTA streams, while NBC and CBS only offered
> > me one, I would be two or three times more likely
> > to watch something from ABC as I am now.
>
> Prove it. This requires a leap of faith. It suggests
> that the content in these additional channels is at
> least as appealing as the content on the main
> network feeds.
The proof you already gave, since you claimed that
the conglomerates bought out the other cable media
outlets for this reason. I don't need to prove what
you have already explained happened. If some cable
users find stuff more appealing than the main
stream of the major networks, how can you justify
coming to a differenbt conclusion for OTA viewers?
> It takes millions of homes with the ability to
> receive these new digital multiplexes. For some
> reason, the politicians seem to be most worried
> about the last 15%, who may not have the means to
> upgrade their existing receivers.
First of all, I consider that to be political grand
standing. Anyone able to afford a TV at all, and
able to pay an electric bill, can afford a $76
STB.
Secondly, that political grand-standing was also
evident in Berlin, and didn't prevent the system
from becoming a success. All it took was one
simple action: shut off analog. That will work
here too. Any other change, e.g. changing the
affiliate model, might help. I just don't see
that it's mandatory, as you do.
Bert
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