DTV and Small Markets/DTV editorial

[Kevin Arnold]

Interesting stuff. In an article in USA Today the plight of small market stations transition to DTV is analyzed.
"The FCC has gotten 193 hardship requests but says it doesn't track them by market size, so it could not say whether small stations dominate the list.

In another easing of the burden, the FCC cut the requirement that a station transmit digital signals to everyone in its current broadcast territory. That lets small stations with big areas install low-power transmitters that reach homes just in their immediate home city.

"That downscales a number of items needed for the investment," says Dale Mowry, vice president of transmission systems for Harris, which supplies about two-thirds of the market for DTV transmission equipment. "A station can get on the air with a digital signal for as little as $160,000."

There is disagreement in the industry, however, over whether that's a smart investment in the long run. Mowry says it is. He thinks most of the equipment can still be used later when the FCC sets a date for stations to raise power to reach everybody."

Here is the link. http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2002/07/17/digital-tv.htm

And further in a great editorial from Broadcast Engineering
"To seize the initiative, broadcast station managers must first admit that digital is the way of the future. You're either in or out, and the price to stay is investment in your plant. If you, station manager/owner, aren't willing to invest in the future of your business by purchasing the needed technology, then please immediately sell your station to someone who will. There are millions of viewers who don't want cable and will be loyal if you'll only deliver a high quality service to them.

The majority of viewers are not going to be buying new $3000 HDTV sets anytime soon, no matter what CEA says. That means the DTV transition could drag out for the next 15 years until old TV sets get replaced. We need a quicker solution. This requires broadcasters to act now and build new program streams.

If you're not a GM, then tape this editorial to their office door and run. Let me take the blame for telling them to get off their financial backside and either buy in or get out of broadcasting. I for one am fed up with their whining and moaning as they drive their BMW or Lexus to the bank with the latest deposits. These folks need to either get on with the DTV transition or get out of the business. Their duplicity is grating on my nerves."
Full editorial found here http://broadcastengineering.com/ar/broadcasting_opportunity_missed/index.htm

So finally someone with common sense. Read the whole articles-they're good.

[Matt Heebner]

We DEFINITLY need more articles like that written. As my good 'ol grandfather used to say...."Sh*t or get off the pot!

Matt