Posted on 12/23/2007 7:58:52 PM PST by Libloather
Border broadcasters fret over digital switch
Free stations in Mexico may mean many viewers won't convert sets
By SUZANNE GAMBOA
Associated Press
Dec. 21, 2007, 11:39PM
WASHINGTON — Broadcasters along the U.S.-Mexico border fear they will be at a competitive disadvantage when the U.S. switches to digital television in 2009 because residents can still pick up Mexican stations on old TVs.
On Feb. 18, 2009, tens of millions of televisions that are not equipped to receive digital signals will no longer be able to receive programming. People in the U.S. with old televisions will have to buy converter boxes or subscribe to cable or a satellite service to get programming.
But along the U.S.-Mexico border, Americans with old sets still can get free Mexican stations, and U.S. broadcasters fear they will choose not to convert to digital sets, costing them viewers.
"The U.S. is cutting off all analog broadcasting. Mexico is not," said Barry Friedman, a lobbyist who represents the Spanish-language broadcasters in South and West Texas. "Mexico will continue to transmit an analog signal receivable by everyone who hasn't got rid of their old analog set. That will provide a competitive advantage to the Mexican stations."
Like their Mexican counterparts, U.S. Spanish-language stations offer news in Spanish that usually includes more coverage of Spanish-speaking countries than regular stations. They also offer Spanish-language soap operas known as telenovelas, soccer games and comedies.
Last August, the Nielsen Co. announced it would measure viewership of Hispanic networks as it does for non-Hispanic networks.
Nielsen said Hispanic viewers in the U.S. have risen from 22.2 million, or 9 percent, of the U.S. population in 1992-1993 to 38.9 million, or 14 percent, of the population in 2005-2006.
Advertising spending on Spanish-language television had grown from $1.8 billion in 2001 to nearly $3.1 billion in 2006, Nielsen said.
Along the border, Mexican viewers also receive U.S. stations. But Mexico has no plans to switch to digital, so those viewers will be unable to get the U.S. stations following the digital transition.
Border broadcasters are hoping for relief through legislation filed by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., on Friday.
The legislation allows stations serving communities within 50 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border to continue broadcasting an analog signal for five years if given permission by the FCC. That would affect companies with stations in Laredo, McAllen and El Paso, and those in the broadcasting region between Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif.
Shoot your television
Absolutely. MexiTV always has jaw-dropping hot babes.
On almost every channel all the time.
Me too.
But that’s okay. Not much worth watching anyway.
I’d rather read a book or hang out here.
Mexicans drive through my neighborhood and pick through our “trash” on “heavy trash day” here in Sancuario del Houston. When the local broadcasters switch completely to HD in 2009, I’m throwing my analog TVs away, minus the main copper parts. Let them take them back to Mexico thinking they scored bonus from a gringo. They’ll just be hauling away trash.
The TV market will follow those who spend money on new TVs and new TV services, not those who don't.
Note to self: Jorge Arbusto's estimates of 12 million illegal aliens in America is a lie.
People in the U.S. with old televisions will have to buy converter boxes or subscribe to cable or a satellite service to get programming.
But along the U.S.-Mexico border, Americans with old sets still can get free Mexican stations, and U.S. broadcasters fear they will choose not to convert to digital sets, costing them viewers.
The bottom line is legislating away free channels, then focing a captive audience to pay higher prices for digital/satellite/cable TV, and now they don't want the competition...It's all about them
Thank the great electron inthe sky for FTA stations! /rant
T & A
Should all the Detroit broadcasters be exempt? What about Buffalo?
I had cable and went back to rabbit ears. Never missed the cable. I will have to get a converter box to watch the local news. Thats all I watch anyway unless its on a DVD. I bet if you ran a poll here, many folks have old TV's and no cable.
My oh my I wonder why???
Watching the TV shows Americans won’t watch...
Analog vs. Digital—it’s not just about the technology, or the business model—it’s about gatekeeping control and the ability to truly ‘track’ viewers like never before.
Meanwhile...
TANSTAAFL.
There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.
Remember that....follow the money. If it’s YOUR money, hold onto it better....
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