scooby2 said:
Unfortunately the greedy corporations such as Clear Channel, Tribune, Sinclair, etc. want to be paid for the right to re-broadcast their channels.
They have a right to be fairly compensated for their programming to be offered on a pay TV service....after all, the networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) do have the highest rated shows. Personally speaking, folks are free to erect an antenna and receive them free of charge; use the public spectrum as it was intended to be used.
According to your analogy, I can freely capture and distribute local broadcast signal to whomever I wish. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way and that is why pay TV services like DBS and Cable must pay for carriage of the broadcast networks. Broadcasters pay to use the public spectrum and must abide my a cornucopia of rules and regulations. If folks don't like it...again, put up an antenna, contact the FCC (regulatory oversight), or move to a more desirable location.
However, I do agree that carriage fees should be moderately priced for the benefit of all. BTW, advertising revenues appear to be drying up that's to the DVR. Broadcasters (Cable programmers as well) must find more creative ways to generate revenue in order to produce high quality shows like CSI, Numb3rs, Invasion, etc. It should be interesting to witness the shakeout of programmers and providers as new technologies emergence and penetrate the home market (DVR, IPTV, Whole Home Networks, place shifting, etc.).