Cash Grabs

[HIPAR]

Who out there has lost an HD local because your cable company refuses to pay for it in HD? I'm seeing lots of references to stories like these:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/sinclair011207.htm

They don't seem to have a problem with SD carriage. So is this a temporary problem that will go away in 2009 after the DTV transition?

You can bet that every broadcaster providing HDTV is watching how these 'Cash Grabs' are going to play out. Has satellite been hit yet?

If your cable company gives in and pays the price, you better get ready to pay. How much is the Super Bowl in HD worth to you?

--- CHAS

[Nick]

I don't know who is paying whom, and I really couldn't care less, but I am pleased
that I get all six of my JAX HD locals through the local Comcast franchise.

ABC
CBS
NBC
FOX
CW
PBS

[harsh]

They don't seem to have a problem with SD carriage. So is this a temporary problem that will go away in 2009 after the DTV transition?It won't go away as a result of the digital transition.You can bet that every broadcaster providing HDTV is watching how these 'Cash Grabs' are going to play out. Has satellite been hit yet?Both satcasters are facing this scourge. There is a thread dedicated to providing information on where to express your concerns: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=68497

The other gun that the broadcasters are holding to the heads of the distributors is the concept of requiring carriage of all subchannels.