I see some are still quick to say someone is wrong, when it was only a comment about what could happen if those that you elected to congress modified a law without thinking it all the way through.
However, now for some more opinions...
I'm sure if the networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) were allowed to operate from either 1 or 2 locations in the country (NYC & LA) and broadcast their 1 or 2 signals across the country using repeaters and/or maybe some sort of satellite signal on the TV bands, and not provide any content to the many currently affiliated TV stations across the USA, they would find enough national advertisers to support, sustain, and supplement their current revenues.
This would eliminate a lot of the current local TV stations. You would probably be watching either NYC or LA, and their weather and crime reports via some UHF repeater as if it was a local TV station.
There goes your local sports team as well; when they are playing out of town you would not be able to see them, unless they were playing in NYC or LA. While on the subject of sports, would your team survive if no one showed up for the local games? I suspect attendance would greatly drop if you could just dial up a distant station to watch a home game.
Yes, it's all about economics.
We need to protect the local TV stations which often provide a (revenue making) PUBLIC SERVICE to the local area, and often a regional area via UHF repeater transmitters/licenses.
Yes, we all want more choices, and the TV stations need to stay competitive; but putting them in a corner is not the way for them to survive. It would be nice to be able to sit in the pool in your backyard with your big screen and watch any sport game for free, no matter what part of the country it was playing in. Football use to be a sport, but it is now a money making organization with paid players.
Most of the country (less parts of Southern CA, MS, LA, and WV*) are now in the 21st century. I'm sure eventually, the local affiliates and non-affiliates will need to become more creative to remain in BUSINESS. But in the meantime, (I feel) congress should ensure these stations are not put at a disadvantage until it comes up with or redevelopes a national plan.
Maybe NavyChop, or since ThomasRz mentioned DOD C4I, or others would like to comment on the National Security implications of putting all of the local TV stations out of business?
Just another commentary.
By the way, "I feel strongly both ways!"
(* Based on a recent report that Southern California has taken the lead on being the less educated.

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