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Yes. Assuming they think they can explain their actions to all the commercial advertisers that paid for time slots in specified viewing timeframes and dates for contracted lengths. If they can swing it and convince the sponsors that going off the over-the-air broadcast frequencies to another area entirely, that is entirely within their prerogative.

I don't get it. I get local stations via cable now. No one in my area is still on antenna. The signal's lousy. And I don't see those old TV antenna on all the houses and buildings in the city, they're mostly on cable now too... not because they have to be, but because people want cable for the additional channels. Those still on broadcast signals have to be few. So what's the difference between being a local cable station and being a local broadcast station?

I think the time of broadcast TV reception is already over.

I don't get it. I get local stations via cable now. No one in my area is still on antenna. The signal's lousy.

You receive local stations via cable because they are *Local Stations*, and people in your area are interested in their programming. Because people demand it, your cable provider puts their signal on the lineup. But do not forget that there are MANY people much closer to that/those transmission tower(s) that receive that/those local channels FOR FREE. Because they can receive the signal at no cost, far more people are willing to watch the programming provided -which makes for a much larger advertising clientelle and prospective market for the sponsors.

And I don't see those old TV antenna on all the houses and buildings in the city, they're mostly on cable now too... not because they have to be, but because people want cable for the additional channels.

People want cable for two reasons; better signal quality -and as you mentioned, for channels not available on the regular BTV spectrums. If you have no interest in CNN, CMT, COURT TV, or The Food Channel (among others), half of the reason you would want to switch to cable or satellite TV is already of no importance. If you live within close enough proximity to the local stations that you can receive a decent (or at least semi-viewable for the programs you enjoy) signal FOR FREE, why would you want to squander part of your hard-earned wages on an unnecessary expenditure?

Then there are those who CAN NOT AFFORD cable or satellite television costs. They too make up part of the customer base in any populace, and no businessman worth his salt turns away a potential client if he has a chance to make a profit from a new sale.

So what's the difference between being a local cable station and being a local broadcast station?

In a nutshell; a 'cable' station can reach only 'cable' suscribers. A commercial BTV Station has the potential to reach *EVERYONE*.

(that can put up a piece of wire high enough to capture the free signal out of the air) :p