Posted on 10/29/2024 6:51:14 AM PDT by TigerClaws
The major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) operate on free licenses of public spectrum in exchange for requirements to serve the public interest. They no longer do, and this is an obsolete model anyway. The spectrum should be auctioned off, with the proceeds used to pay down the national debt. Of course, the networks can bid on the spectrum, and they will win if broadcast networks are still the most highly valued use.
What’s more likely to happen is that valuable spectrum will be reapportioned to the next generation of wireless applications, unleashing many more interesting options for consumers and businesses. The networks can continue to operate on cable, like hundreds of other redundant channels.
Trump mentioned this briefly during the Rogan interview.
My understanding is that individual stations actually get the licenses, not the networks.
The networks then negotiate business relationships with the individual stations.
“My understanding is that individual stations actually get the licenses, not the networks.
The networks then negotiate business relationships with the individual stations.”
You are correct, there are a number of local stations that are owned by the networks but the majority are just “affiliates”
Eg. When Fox first won rights to the NFL a number of stations changed there affiliation to be able to show NFL games.
the proceeds used to pay down the national debt.
It is to laugh.
The major broadcast networks should sit on the fence and get fined when they step off it
The FCC licenses of ABC, CBS, and NBC should be forfeited for their giving aid and comfort to the domestic and foreign enemies of the United States, which has been going on since at least Walter Cronkite.
Yes, all 3 have broken the FCC laws, auction them off.
See “network owned and operated stations”
Remember—licenses are held by local stations.
The networks do own a few of the larger stations but even in those cases it is the local subsidiary that has the license.
I have no problem with auctioning off local licenses—but the only way to get back at the networks is to ban them from making business arrangements with local television stations—regardless of whether there is an auction or not.
Unless you manage to get tens of trillions of dollars per license, this is a useless idea. It's like saying you can rebuild a beach with one bucket of sand.
“The FCC licenses of ABC, CBS, and NBC should be forfeited ... “
FCC does not license ABC, CBS and NBC.
Again?
Didn’t Clinton do this as a cheap one-time budget-balancing trick?
How many times must something be ‘auctioned off’ before people realize it’s just another scam?
So what then a Soros funded organization then owns all those licenses? Great idea. 👍🏻
The networks own stations in NYC, LA, and Chicago and other major cities. They are subject to FCC laws if they own stations.
“The networks own stations in NYC, LA, and Chicago and other major cities. They are subject to FCC laws if they own stations.”
The stations, not the networks.
I just researched this and it appears you are correct.
The major networks can get by with anything they want to. Spouting propaganda heavily in favor of one political party is not in the general public interest, yet they have been doing it for decades.
The only ones that can be punished are the affiliated stations passing the fake news on to the public.
This needs to be changed. The major networks need to be held accountable for their content.
It’s like selling drugs. The networks are like the cartels producing the drugs, only they produce lies. The TV stations are like the drug dealers passing the drugs on to users. Only the TV stations are passing the lies on to viewers. Going after the drug dealers or TV stations will not stop the problems. The head of the snake needs to be cut off.
Everything is on cable or streaming right now. It is all protected by the 1st Amendment.
If you don’t like it, start your own podcast, and broadcast your opinions to millions of listeners.
What, nobody wants to listen to your views? Well, nobody said it was easy.....
Interesting. One of those things that are legacy and go under the radar. There’s no ‘public good’ here any longer, if there ever was.
I’d certainly agree there’s much better use of the spectrum at this point.
>> Seems like a good idea.
Not if Soros buys
Exactly my thought!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.