[opendtv] Re: Two articles about sticking it to the TV consumer
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 09:59:44 -0500
Craig Birkmaier wrote:
>> Anyway, the reality is, the OTA nets are at a distinct
>> disadvantage, thanks to archaic regs that only they need
>> to adhere to.
>
> No Bert. They are not at a disadvantage. They control 90%
> of what we watch, and most of that is NOT the content they
> produce for their OTA networks.
Allbritton Communications and Sinclair, for example, do not control 90 percent
of what we watch. I think you are talking about the congloms.
I'll admit, I've often suggested that the congloms should be allowed to own
their own nationwide OTA network if they so choose. But I also say that someone
else should also be allowed to, and then carry whatever content they can afford
on that OTA network. If they can make the business model work, with ad revenues
and with lower infrastructure cost than the MVPDs, then I don't see how the
congloms can complain.
No one is forcing the MVPDs to a restricted footprint, are they? Is DirecTV
limited to covering no more than 39 percent of the US? Or Comcast? Do they also
have local restrictions within each market that further fragment them as
nationwide distribution pipes? If it were so limited, just how much would that
change your equation about the interest the congloms have in using the MVPDs?
> They will make substantially more money when they shut down
> transmitters and deal direct with the MVPDs.
That's only true because the rules are unfair. The rules can be changed. Who
knows? With this activist FCC and the political incorrectness of forcing "the
poor and disenfranchised" on subscription services, anything can happen.
Also, in your response to Dan, you are suggesting that the congloms will price
themselves out of the game, and that small scale productions will take their
place. I find it truly hard to believe that everyone will be satisfied watching
YouTube videos for their staple TV entertainment.
Bert
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