PBS-HD on DBS for eveyone-is this possible?

[mini1]

I was thinking, how hard would it be for DirecTV, Dish Network, and/or Voom to put up a PBS HD feed? They could put up the 24hour national PBS HD channel, which some people already have access to in their area. PBS is different from the rest of the locals/networks because each station is in some way own and operated by PBS, as I could get the PBS national SD digital feed on Dish Network anywere in the US. it says "you MUST be able to receive national PBS". This way everyone could get PBS HD, without a waiver, no matter where you live. it seems like a really good deal for the satellite providers, since everyone qualifies for it. what do you think? :)

[mini1]

anyone? would this work?

[HarryD]

Sure, it would work for me. With only 4 HD channels, D* has a long way to go.

[mini1]

Yes I know it would work for you, but does it brake any laws?

[RJS1111111]

AFAIK, PBS has decided to scramble its Ku-band national feeds, and is now providing access to the (SD and HD?) feeds to satellite viewers who cannot receive a grade B PBS signal OTA. Allowing everyone to view the national feed was hurting the pledge drives of the local PBS stations, even though the programming had been delayed by 24 hours. Instead, they obtained "must carry" status for the local PBS stations in every DMA carried on DBS, still charging the same $1 per month per subscriber, but added to the locals packages. I'm just glad they didn't take away PBS-U as well.

If you were allowed to view the HD national feed, then what motivation would you have to watch the local pledge drives? :grin:

[mini1]

There are no local pedge drives on the PBS-HD channel, as it runs completly different programming than PBS SD, so I still don't see any problem?

[BFG]

yeah I would agree, PBS-HD should be treated like PBS-U and should be a national channel

[RJS1111111]

There are no local pedge drives on the PBS-HD channel, as it runs completly different programming than PBS SD, so I still don't see any problem?
The problem *is* that there are no local pledge drives on PBS HD. So, they want to provide this content to local PBS DTV stations for terrestrial HD broadcast, with the local pledge drive inserted as "breaks".

They are smart enough to know that, given the option, many people will watch the HD program content feed, free of interruptions, and that this would have the negative effect of reducing local PBS station memberships and funding.

[mini1]

But as they have now, there are no pledge drives on the HD channel. So what would be the problem with putting up the HD feed now?

[RJS1111111]

But as they have now, there are no pledge drives on the HD channel. So what would be the problem with putting up the HD feed now?
There are no local pledge drives on the national HD feed, nor would anyone expect to find them there.

The local PBS DTV OTA stations have the option of inserting their local pledge drives, promotions, etc. into their HD OTA broadcasts. PBS wants to restrict access to the national HD feed, so that viewers looking for PBS HD content generally can receive it only OTA from their local PBS station, thus forcing them to at least tune away from the pledge drives when they come on. They are hopeful that local PBS stations can raise more support in this way. No doubt they also believe that HDTV viewers are wealthier on average than SDTV viewers, and thus better able to afford contributing money to their local PBS stations.