Dear Senator Boxer, Derrick Brent (Telecom Counsel) and Staff,
I'm writing you in regards to a persistent violation pertaining to the lack of DTV (Digital Television) OTA (Over The Air) textual content imbedded in OTA terrestrial broadcaster's stream.
I'm sure you're asking, what does all this mean?
Simply put, subscribers (perhaps, even you) to DBS services (DirecTV/Dish Network) who elect to capture their local television DTV signals OTA, via an indoor or outdoor antenna (with no subscription to local-into-local services from the DBS providers), passing the OTA terrestrial antenna feed through through their DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) providers STBs (Set Top Box) to be present on their TV sets, are at a clear distinct disadvantage.
Why?
The Off-Air/OTA DTV broadcaster includes within its broadcast stream, program identification, viewer appropriateness rating, program synopsis, station scheduling as well as other textual content. Both DirecTV and Dish Network are willfully and intentionally subverting, withholding, eliminating, and simply do not accommodate of the textual information. This leaves the consumer/viewer unable to make viewership decisions, nor be informed, nor utilize 'V-Chip' technology mandated by the FCC to prevent unauthorized viewing of inappropriate program content of all OTA, Cable, DBS, etc., content by children and others.
I don't believe such dodgy behavior, by BOTH DirecTV and Dish, is considered in the public's interest nor by the FCC. Recently, in the latter part of 2007, the FCC proposed fines of $7.4 million dollars for a manufacture who willfully omitted 'V-Chip' technology in sets for violating its rules prohibiting the interstate shipment of sets without DTV V-Chip technology*. DirecTV and Dish Network, both are violating the same statutes with their STBs. *(source: FCC proposes $7.74 million forfeiture for violation of DTV V-Chip rule)
Why are the DBS providers not passing this information on through their STBs?
For monetary gain. By not providing the OTA DTV broadcasters program stream of identification, viewer appropriateness rating, program synopsis, station scheduling as well as other textual content, DBS providers want consumers to pay for local-into-local services, an additional charge of (Dish, at present) $5.99 per month. This brings in million upon millions of dollars each month in additional revenue to DBS providers while clearly subverting the FCC's mandated 'V-Chip' technology. These actions are clearly intent on subverting the protection of children and others from inappropriate content programming for monetary gain.
Why not pay simply pay the $5.99 per month for access to local-into-local services to the DBS providers?
Dish doesn't provide PBS HD in local markets. Furthermore, Why should anyone pay for a handful channels from DBS providers when there are typically 4 to 5 times more in a given market, and if you the have the ability to capture and view those channels with an antenna (presently, I have 21 channels in my market)?
I've attempted over the years to seek compliance from Dish Network on this issue, but it continually falls on deaf ears.
Without question, I believe this is a loop hole that must be addressed by the FCC and closed.
Since you are active on telecommunications issues, as you sit on the Senate Commerce Committee, I feel you're best suited to address this matter, as it is essential in not only serving your constituents, but our nation as well.
Without a directive that mandates DBS providers who provide STBs which have the ability to receive OTA signals requiring them to provide DTV textual content, viewers are ill informed and DBS providers are violating 'V-Chip' technology, regardless of the potential harm to children and others from inappropriate content, etc.
Please, Senator Boxer, will you and your staff join me in requesting the FCC address this issue since DirecTV and Dish are unwilling?
I look forward to your response and wish to thank you, in advance, for your time and consideration in this matter. I would also wish to thank you and your staff for their continued work and support for our nation, and the world at large.
Most Sincerely,
X
I'm writing you in regards to a persistent violation pertaining to the lack of DTV (Digital Television) OTA (Over The Air) textual content imbedded in OTA terrestrial broadcaster's stream.
I'm sure you're asking, what does all this mean?
Simply put, subscribers (perhaps, even you) to DBS services (DirecTV/Dish Network) who elect to capture their local television DTV signals OTA, via an indoor or outdoor antenna (with no subscription to local-into-local services from the DBS providers), passing the OTA terrestrial antenna feed through through their DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) providers STBs (Set Top Box) to be present on their TV sets, are at a clear distinct disadvantage.
Why?
The Off-Air/OTA DTV broadcaster includes within its broadcast stream, program identification, viewer appropriateness rating, program synopsis, station scheduling as well as other textual content. Both DirecTV and Dish Network are willfully and intentionally subverting, withholding, eliminating, and simply do not accommodate of the textual information. This leaves the consumer/viewer unable to make viewership decisions, nor be informed, nor utilize 'V-Chip' technology mandated by the FCC to prevent unauthorized viewing of inappropriate program content of all OTA, Cable, DBS, etc., content by children and others.
I don't believe such dodgy behavior, by BOTH DirecTV and Dish, is considered in the public's interest nor by the FCC. Recently, in the latter part of 2007, the FCC proposed fines of $7.4 million dollars for a manufacture who willfully omitted 'V-Chip' technology in sets for violating its rules prohibiting the interstate shipment of sets without DTV V-Chip technology*. DirecTV and Dish Network, both are violating the same statutes with their STBs. *(source: FCC proposes $7.74 million forfeiture for violation of DTV V-Chip rule)
Why are the DBS providers not passing this information on through their STBs?
For monetary gain. By not providing the OTA DTV broadcasters program stream of identification, viewer appropriateness rating, program synopsis, station scheduling as well as other textual content, DBS providers want consumers to pay for local-into-local services, an additional charge of (Dish, at present) $5.99 per month. This brings in million upon millions of dollars each month in additional revenue to DBS providers while clearly subverting the FCC's mandated 'V-Chip' technology. These actions are clearly intent on subverting the protection of children and others from inappropriate content programming for monetary gain.
Why not pay simply pay the $5.99 per month for access to local-into-local services to the DBS providers?
Dish doesn't provide PBS HD in local markets. Furthermore, Why should anyone pay for a handful channels from DBS providers when there are typically 4 to 5 times more in a given market, and if you the have the ability to capture and view those channels with an antenna (presently, I have 21 channels in my market)?
I've attempted over the years to seek compliance from Dish Network on this issue, but it continually falls on deaf ears.
Without question, I believe this is a loop hole that must be addressed by the FCC and closed.
Since you are active on telecommunications issues, as you sit on the Senate Commerce Committee, I feel you're best suited to address this matter, as it is essential in not only serving your constituents, but our nation as well.
Without a directive that mandates DBS providers who provide STBs which have the ability to receive OTA signals requiring them to provide DTV textual content, viewers are ill informed and DBS providers are violating 'V-Chip' technology, regardless of the potential harm to children and others from inappropriate content, etc.
Please, Senator Boxer, will you and your staff join me in requesting the FCC address this issue since DirecTV and Dish are unwilling?
I look forward to your response and wish to thank you, in advance, for your time and consideration in this matter. I would also wish to thank you and your staff for their continued work and support for our nation, and the world at large.
Most Sincerely,
X
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