veeper2006 said:
I really don't see how you can't understand the king's English --- I DON'T GIVE A PEPPER DAMN ABOUT THE NETWORKS -- and for some reason you keep bringing up the isue of network towers/antenna ---- let me make this clear -- there is no antenna on God's green earth that will pick up an over the air signal where I live.
So let me make this simple. You made a statement earlier in this argument:
veeper2006 said:
My arguement is that the governement, through it's regulatory process has in the FCC restricted satellite companies from offering multiple locals. DMA's simply are the boundaries that the FEDS are utilizing. It all boils down to the fact that the local television industry is a monopolistic industry that simply is afraid to compete in an open market for advertising dollars...
The NAB is the problem -- AC Neilson simply runs numbers --- its what the NAB and the FCC do with them that matters -- as long as the local broadcasters keeps shoving money in congress's pocket ---- you can forget ever having multiple locals.
You obviously give a damn about the networks, because you would not have discussed the proposed competition of same-network affiliates in a given area.
veeper2006 said:
Obviously you don't care about anyone's needs other than your own - because it appears you recieve the programming your desire. I just find it incomprehensible that i cannot receive local channels from the NEAREST METROPOLITAIN AREA WHERE I SPEND MY MONEY. And as i have pointed out -- i have cold hard cash and am willing to pay. but because of a monopolistic structure that is bought and paid for by the NAB and protected by the congress --I AM SCREWED...
As am I. I grew up on the DC locals. DirecTV does not offer them. However, I am lucky enough to receive the locals in HD from DC with an antenna.
But there is something you have completely forgotten. There is an important reason why local channels are authorized on a per-market basis: the satellite companies get to cherry-pick the markets they wish to serve. Take your original premise, because the four markets that you can get to in a two hour drive were started at much different times:
Nashville in 2000
Lexington in 2004
Louisville in 2004
Knoxville in 2004
Without both must-carry (which I don't particularly like) and in-market authorizations, a market like Baltimore would not have to be carried by DirecTV, as most of the market could see the DC locals and the extreme northeast of Maryland would be covered by the Philly locals. Would a law be written that simply tramples over the rights given by the network in the affiliate agreement?
So, keep in mind that Bronston, Kentucky is in Pulaski County, which is part of the Lexington market. The laws allow for signficantly-viewed local channels to be rebroadcast. In your county, DirecTV could add the ABC and NBC stations from Knoxville to your local pacakge.
So, you'd be allowed to have two stations outside of the Lexington market, but DirecTV has not added them. It could be that there isn't an agreement with those stations from Knoxville. It could be that the Lexington channels have asked DirecTV not to carry those Knoxville channels. It doesn't preclude the fact that DirecTV can carry two stations from Knoxville into Pulaski County, according to the law.
veeper2006 said:
ALSO YOU SHOULD LOOK AT THIS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OR RADIO --- FUNNY I CAN LISTEN TO A SIGNAL OUT OF CHICAGO --- BUT SINCE THIS IS TV -- THE NAB AND CONGRESS SAY IT'S A NO NO -- AND DON'T TELL ME THAT TECHNOLOGICALLY IT CAN'T BE DONE -- BECAUSE IT CAN.
And radio programs don't carry the same exclusivity that has been negotiated between the network and their affiliate. Much different scenario.
veeper2006 said:
You seem determined to try and "explain" the law -- what you fail to see is that I have more amibtious goals -- I am out to change UNFAIR LAWS.
Fine. I am happy to see people take an interest in fixing a legal wrong. However, you need to understand how the law works before you spout off how unfair it is. Ask the people in Columbus, GA or Montgomery, AL, where DirecTV doesn't offer local channels how fair it would be if you can get locals from four markets while they cannot get any.