[mythtv-users] End of OTA?

[Another Sillyname]

I have to say I'm always horrified when I look at the North American TV
distribution market as against the UK.

In the UK we (mostly) have a genuine national free service via DVB-T(2),
that provides a substantial number of decent channels, some cr*ppy filler
channels and a fair few radio stations. Admittedly we don't get as much
free sport as I'd like, but you don't have to pay any monthly subscriber
fee to watch these services, you do have to pay an annual TV licence fee
that covers a property so even if you have 30 receivers in the property
you're still good to go.  For phone and fast fibre optic broadband service
I pay about $35 pm and my mobile (cellphone) service costs me about $30 per
month but on two phones and with unlimited internet on both (giffgaff).

I've lived in NY and the West Coast and was horrified that even 10 years
ago in NY they wanted $120 pm just for phone and basic cable service
(admittedly more channels then the UK, but honestly a LOT more filler
channels) and my cell provider wanted a further $100 pm just for one line.

I always get a wry smile when people talk about competition in the American
cable and phone market when my own experience is more often then not that
in reality what you really have is local monopolies that scr*w you through
the floor (I used to love getting my monthly bills with all the fees,
surcharges and taxes added on that no-one in the billing department could
explain).

Ho Hum....rant over!






On 8 September 2014 16:21, R. G. Newbury <newbury at mandamus.org> wrote:

> On 06/09/14 11:02 PM, Ian Evans wrote:
>
>>
>> The CRTC in Canada is contemplating allowing the broadcasters to end OTA
>> as well, Unlike the US, where there's a cap, most of the OTA stations
>> here are owned by cable and sat companies.
>>
>
> Not quite: the CRTC tossed out a proposal which would cut the basic
> cable/sat service down to Canadian OTA channels plus some multi-culti
> happy-clappy must carry stuff, and make everything else pick-n-pay.
> US services would not be carried in the basic service.
>
> This seems to be an instance of regulatory capture by
> Bell/Cogeco/Rogers/Shaw/Videotron, as they would benefit by switching US
> networks from 'must-carry' to 'pay-up'.
>
> Hearings begin soon. More detail from this cbc report. The last line is
> the telling point. Thank $deity I get good OTA service from Buffalo.
>
>
> ******************
> In a discussion paper released two weeks ago, the CRTC proposed the
> creation of a small basic package of channels.
>
> It would include local TV stations including CBC, educational channels,
> the provincial legislature and APTN (Aboriginal People's TV Network). U.S.
> channels such as ABC, NBC and CBS would no longer be part of the basic
> cable or satellite service. The package would cost between $20 and $30 per
> month.
>
> By comparison, basic cable from Rogers currently consists of 192 channels
> and costs about $40 per month. That package includes dozens of radio
> stations, digital music and third language channels. Rogers is similar to
> other major television providers, which also offer basic packages stuffed
> with digital music and other add-ons.
>
> What the CRTC is now suggesting is that consumers pay for the distribution
> of television, the pipes that bring it to your home, and a few local
> channels, many of which don't get fees from subscribers. Everything else
> would be optional. You would pick and pay for the channels you want.
>
> But while the CRTC has suggested a price for basic cable, it hasn't
> mandated a price for the à la carte options.
> ******************
>
>
>
> --
>              R. Geoffrey Newbury
>
>
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