[opendtv] Re: 20040503 Mark's Monday Memo
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 16:55:07 -0400
At 2:38 PM -0400 5/5/04, Mark Schubin wrote:
>Draw your own conclusions about the value of OTA in the nation's largest
>market.
It is clearly important. I still see more antennas in the suburbs of
NewYork than in most other cities I visit (although there is no way
to know if they are being used).
Mark also observed that in the aftermath of 911 many people were
concerned about staying in their homes. I remember his reports about
all of the people out in the streets watching portable TVs.
This suggests that portability may continue to be important in the
future, even more so when electric power and wired communications
lines are out of service.
>
>>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.
>
There is a huge difference between the meaning of "lifeline" as it is
applied to telephone service and to broadcasts with emergency
information for the public. It is difficult to call an ambulance with
your radio or TV.
I am not challenging Mark's 98% figure for TV penetration, but I sure
would like to know the percentage of U.S. homes that choose not to
watch TV at all, and those who only bring out the TV with rabbit ears
during an emergency.
Regards
Craig
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