Chris Blount
04-02-04, 06:41 AM
Lawmakers brought up the idea of delivering distant digital networks to consumers, known as the proposed digital white area, during a hearing concerning renewal of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act Thursday.
Those testifying on behalf of the satellite TV business said they would be willing to sit down with broadcasters to work out some sort of deal concerning the digital white area idea. EchoStar's David Moskowitz said the idea "has enormous merit."
As expected, broadcasters are not happy with the idea.
Robert Lee, president and general manager of WDBJ in Roanoake, Va., and representing the National Association of Broadcasters at the hearing, called the digital white area proposal "wrong-headed."
"Broadcasters have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to launch digital TV," Lee said. "If you're a local station owner, why on Earth would you want to allow viewers to watch a station that's in New York?"
Some have proposed allowing satellite TV companies to deliver a feed of digital network programming to consumers who don't have access to local digital TV. They suggested such a move would help speed the digital TV transition, compelling consumers to buy DTV sets and encouraging stations to transition from analog to digital signals.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)
Those testifying on behalf of the satellite TV business said they would be willing to sit down with broadcasters to work out some sort of deal concerning the digital white area idea. EchoStar's David Moskowitz said the idea "has enormous merit."
As expected, broadcasters are not happy with the idea.
Robert Lee, president and general manager of WDBJ in Roanoake, Va., and representing the National Association of Broadcasters at the hearing, called the digital white area proposal "wrong-headed."
"Broadcasters have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to launch digital TV," Lee said. "If you're a local station owner, why on Earth would you want to allow viewers to watch a station that's in New York?"
Some have proposed allowing satellite TV companies to deliver a feed of digital network programming to consumers who don't have access to local digital TV. They suggested such a move would help speed the digital TV transition, compelling consumers to buy DTV sets and encouraging stations to transition from analog to digital signals.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)