All of these guys are also heavily involved in cable (owning multiple cable channels), so things might not be as dire as you think.
What is interesting (and getting missed, imho) is how the digital change will eventually bury cable. Broadcast TV (ironicly) is going to end up outlasting cable.
Go to zap2it.com, put in your zip code, click TV, then select broadcast (antenna) as your provider. You’ll be amazed at how many channels you never even heard of are being broadcast in your area. And it is all because of subchanneling.
Digital allows over the air broadcasters to send out multiple channels on a single signal. So instead of channel 2, you have 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4...2-30. Yea, I have one broadcaster in my area that is sending out 30 seperate channels on a single transmission. Sure, most of it is junk, but so was most of the stuff on cable when it started.
There is only one station in my area that is broadcasting a single channel. I assume it is because once you are broadcasting one channel, the additional cost to broadcast another subchannel on that signal is essentially $0.00. With 10 broadcasters currently in my area, I wouldn’t be surprised to one day have at least 100 free, over the air channels available.
With free broadcast channels on one end, and internet TV/media on the other end, the guy in the middle getting squeezed out is going to be pay cable/satellite TV.
Go to zap2it.com, put in your zip code, click TV, then select broadcast (antenna) as your provider. You’ll be amazed at how many channels you never even heard of are being broadcast in your area. And it is all because of subchanneling.
Digital allows over the air broadcasters to send out multiple channels on a single signal. So instead of channel 2, you have 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4...2-30. Yea, I have one broadcaster in my area that is sending out 30 seperate channels on a single transmission. Sure, most of it is junk, but so was most of the stuff on cable when it started.
I surmise that we're in the elite minority, Brookhaven. :-(
Aside from FNC and ESPN, all of my viewing is done over-the-air. Although I don't watch much television, the choices one gets with a proper antenna are astounding. Plus, the visual quality via broadcast is better since we don't get the compression and artifacts from pay TV providers.
Most of my enjoyment comes from the subchannels in the Dallas area, such as RTV (``Retro Television'') with some great classic shows not available elsewhere and ``This TV'', with a lineup of movies and shows such as ``The Outer Limits''. All of this is free after a small initial investment in a good antenna.