Originally posted by Mike123abc
That is the dirty little secret of LIL to all DMAs. Many of the smaller DMA do not have all the networks. Even mine at roughly 145 does not have WB and UPN is a class-A... it may or may not be picked up by LIL. PBS is also a repeater. My bill for locals could be:
Locals + Superstations + PBS or about 13 bucks a month, DMAs without the big 4 probably will have to buy distants also at 1.50 each.
So, in effect smaller DMAs will end up paying more than large DMA even with "national pricing" or single rate card.
Well, what about DMA's that don't even have the big 3??? For example, Terre Haute, IN, which is 145, (Wichita Falls is actually 141) doesn't have an ABC affiliate. Of course, the cable co. there "imports" ABC from Indy. BUT, they also are being required to black out any "syndicated" programming from that Indy ABC that also might happen to be shown on the Terre Haute locals.
NOW, if you look at the current DBS rules, DBS CANNOT import ANY other stations into a DMA from even adjacent DMA's, even if a network is NOT carried by any local stations. So, under current rules, if either DBS provider was to put up Terre Haute, they could NOT carry ANY ABC channel w/out going thru the formality of waivers.
We have the same problem on the OTHER side of the state - in the Quincy DMA (163) they don't have a local ABC, either & the cable co. usually import it from Kirksville, MO.
Bottom line - the rules regarding LIL are going to have to be revised before the reality of ALL 210 DMA's with FULL network coverage will happen.
