vendredi 27 mai 2016

Spectrum Auction, A sad state for the future of OTA

The more I read about the spectrum auction the more concerned I have with the future of OTA TV. Yes, I understand that the repacked channel scenario will allow most markets to keep the majority of channels they currently have. But there WlLL be stations that go off the air due to the auction, especially when being offered a "bribe" of multiple millions of dollars to do so. And there will be more challenges with OTA broadcasts. Channels will be packed closer together meaning neighboring markets will have even more challenges with interference. Some channels will move to VHF frequencies which typically have more challenges with digital broadcast, especially the low band VHF. (yes, VHF can work, but UHF is the preference) Additionally many of the new breed of OTA users have gone with either UHF only antennas, or UHF and VHF high band only antennas. In my market (smaller urban market) we have no VHF stations, and a large neighboring market (Cincinnati, OH), which I also receive, has only one high band VHF station. This means OTA users will potentially have to change out antennas again. Also VHF antennas, particularly low band are much larger than UHF only antennas. It's just all stacked against OTA continuing to be viable or desirable.

I recognize that OTA is a small (but still significant) segment of the market. Depending on what data you care to believe it ranges anywhere from 8% of the market to as high as 20%. The 20% figure is most likely users who use any type of OTA TV reception rather they have a subscription service or not. But I'm a believer that OTA was poised on the cusp of a resurgence. There is no argument that there is renewed interest in OTA TV by those unwilling to shell out the high price of subscription TV. This is especially true as more people become aware of how good OTA TV can be since the digital conversion. I have helped many friends set up an antenna, and most of those with a TiVo. Only one has gone back to pay TV after.

I'm not knocking pay TV (other than the maybe the price and inflexible packages). If you have pay TV and love it, I fully understand, this thread isn't about you. Pay TV is well worth the cost for many if not most people. But there are millions of us (a growing number) who are quite content with what we can get over the air for free. So no need to debate OTA vs Subscription TV. Both have their place. There is still a good market for OTA and it has the potential to grow if given a better opportunity to do so. But with the repack and loss of spectrum that potential is being severely throttled, never to be regained. There is just too much money involved in gobbling up the spectrum so we have unfettered high speed access to Facebook and Twitter (and pay for that access) in every possible nook and cranny of the USA. Yeah, I know there are other uses and an argument on how important they are, but the truth is most of that spectrum is used for less critical uses. Obviously that's a much better use for the spectrum than multiple millions and millions of OTA users.

IMHO I don't see the spectrum auction as being in the best interest of consumers. It's sad, just sad.


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