If you know the how we got to this point you may not agree the locals should get ONE PENNY!
Briefly; The only reason there even is a DMA is so that the local channels are protected from other affiliates competing with them. For that privilege, the local networks have to provide a free signal. If they could not get you a signal, you were (notice were) allowed to get an outside affiliate.
Now the law has changed, if the satellite company provides a network in a DMA you may no longer can get a distant channel from that provider even if you can not get a signal from the affiliate over the air. So now that affiliate is reaching people it did not have before and your ability to choose another network is gone. This is amplified because getting a digital signal is harder than the analog one was in most cases. Just who is benefiting from this? Satellite an cable should be able to carry it for free, as long as the cost is kept minimal. If a provider wants to make a true profit, then they can deal with a cost to carry them.
Add to that, I don't know what some think it costs to use transponder space and broadcast a signal, including just launching a satellite, overhead costs, etc.. but just how much do think Dish or Direct is raking in at a cost of somewhere around $1 a local channel you are paying. If you can't see it and think the networks should be able to charge apparently you have an open wallet. ANY amount now will increase exponentially I can guarantee it yet you still will have to get only that affiliate with no choice. BS to me...... No payment would mean no more being held hostage by the affiliates also. Dish and Direct pretty much already do, but make it mandatory to carry the locals, charging only the minimal it now is, and don't let the networks charge. Their deal in this is no competition for ad dollars, and reaching everyone in the DMA.