Keep Free TV Free?

DustoMan

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Apr 9, 2010
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Sparta, Wisconsin, United States
My dad just called me to ask about these commercials he's been seeing that point you to this website:

Keep Free TV Free

The site just tells you to contact your state representative, but doesn't really tell you any real information on what this awareness campaign is about. Is there any truth to this? What's it all about?
 
Is there any truth to this? What's it all about?
I'm guessing it is a campaign by the NAB to allow affiliates to charge more to sell their channels to cable and satellite.

The FCC doesn't appear to be moving to scavenge the remaining frequencies.
 
Why would you contact your state representative about a matter regulated by the Feds?
 
It, typical of the NAB, is disgustingly inaccurate. The proposal in no way will change how anyone using an antenna only receives TV.
 
Who expects a lobby organization to play fair and balanced? It's their job to aggressively promote the interests of the guy who pays their salary.
 
From TVTECH way back in JAN 2010

Broadcasters Begin Airing Spots Promoting Free TV

01.08.2010




The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has produced a TV spot informing viewers of discussions in Washington that could limit free, over-the-air broadcast television. The 30-second spot, produced in English and Spanish, was distributed via satellite in late December and has been airing on local stations this month. The TV spot comes on the heels of several third-party filings submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) calling for the reallocation of broadcast spectrum for new wireless broadband devices.

“Following NAB’s historic campaign to educate Americans on the benefits of the government-mandated digital TV transition, we feel it is equally important to ensure our viewers are aware of proposals in Washington now aimed at limiting free and local DTV service,” said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton. “We remain committed to a dialogue with policymakers and legislators on how to best serve the needs of the American people for fast Internet access without jeopardizing digital TV’s promised potential for millions of TV viewers.”

The full script of the 30 second spot reads:


“It’s our connection to our community. It’s our lifeline to the emergency information we need. It’s a free service that provides free entertainment.

“But one day soon, it could be taken away. There’s a movement among special interest groups to limit free antenna TV, and millions of Americans who depend on it would lose out.

“Always free, always local. Let’s tell Congress to keep free antenna TV as part of our communications future.”

The English and Spanish-language spot, provided to stations in both high-definition and standard-definition quality, can be viewed online in WMV format.
 
If this IS from the NAB for local affiliates, its the same NAB that says to Congress and the recording industry, "It's okay to make radio stations pay artists to promote their music IF AND ONLY IF you mandate FM chips in cellphones." Sorry, NAB.....FM chips in phones do a DISservice to radio by being so poor of reception and quality, you don't speak for me as a radio station owner on the music issue, and...you're playing favorites if you're trying to save over the air TV from spectrum reallocation while you allow radio to get sucked dry. "Always local?" Has the NAB looked at TV lately? I don't think so....and then there's what the "digital revolution" did to take people out of service areas for(local) TV! Blame the FCC for all of the above, and the NAB for misrepresenting to the end consumer what REALLY happens.

Oh, someone just took away my soapbox. I'm finished. For now.
 
i heard something about this. so if they are going to reband dtv, does this mean we are either not going to have OTA DTV? or it will be on a different bamd making existing tuners obsolete?
 
i heard something about this. so if they are going to reband dtv, does this mean we are either not going to have OTA DTV?
The idea is that what isn't being used will be auctioned off. For example, many markets aren't actively using VHF low anymore.
 

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