Nick
01-13-06, 05:59 AM
Cable going where DBS cannot compete?
by Michael Hopkins mhopkins@mediabiz.com
Two items that should be watched closely by observers of the
pay-TV business, especially within satellite TV circles, show
how important localism continues to be among TV audiences.
With the first, cable's effort to present a more localized
presence is gaining attention throughout one market.
In Denver, Comcast has launched five local television
programs that are airing on its public access channels. The
MSO is spending big on the local content. The Denver Post (http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3390229)
reports that the cable giant is paying $1.5 million to
produce the localized shows through the end of the year.
The Post says Comcast is banking on local programming to give
it an edge in a highly competitive market (in addition to
competing with satellite TV - including Denver-based EchoStar
- Comcast is fighting regional telco Qwest for voice and
broadband customers).
If Denver audiences are receptive, Comcast says it will use
the "MetroBeat" branded shows in other markets.
And with the second, this week News Corp. Chairman Rupert
Murdoch said "local television is going to stay very strong."
To keep up that pace, Fox-owned stations across the country
are expanding the number of hours devoted to local coverage,
he said.
Sure, satellite TV can compete with cable - as well as a
growing telco video business - on price, customer
satisfaction and value. Even DBS can compete with a strong
slate of national programming. But when it comes to the
increasing amount of local content coming from other services,
it will be interesting to see how the small dish can handle
the local programming pressure.
www.SkyReport.com - used with permission
by Michael Hopkins mhopkins@mediabiz.com
Two items that should be watched closely by observers of the
pay-TV business, especially within satellite TV circles, show
how important localism continues to be among TV audiences.
With the first, cable's effort to present a more localized
presence is gaining attention throughout one market.
In Denver, Comcast has launched five local television
programs that are airing on its public access channels. The
MSO is spending big on the local content. The Denver Post (http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3390229)
reports that the cable giant is paying $1.5 million to
produce the localized shows through the end of the year.
The Post says Comcast is banking on local programming to give
it an edge in a highly competitive market (in addition to
competing with satellite TV - including Denver-based EchoStar
- Comcast is fighting regional telco Qwest for voice and
broadband customers).
If Denver audiences are receptive, Comcast says it will use
the "MetroBeat" branded shows in other markets.
And with the second, this week News Corp. Chairman Rupert
Murdoch said "local television is going to stay very strong."
To keep up that pace, Fox-owned stations across the country
are expanding the number of hours devoted to local coverage,
he said.
Sure, satellite TV can compete with cable - as well as a
growing telco video business - on price, customer
satisfaction and value. Even DBS can compete with a strong
slate of national programming. But when it comes to the
increasing amount of local content coming from other services,
it will be interesting to see how the small dish can handle
the local programming pressure.
www.SkyReport.com - used with permission