Multicast must-carry
There’s a suspicion that no one really cares about high-definition TV. That’s why broadcasters are planning more local news, more local weather, more local sports, educational and children’s programming – more of everything – in standard-definition. But not without assurances that cable systems will carry the additional channels. Cable systems were built with private capital. And the cable industry is facing a competitive onslaught from the likes of DIRECTV, DISH Network and now SBC, Verizon and others. Yet they would have to allocate up to 6 channels to each local broadcaster if Congress mandates multicast must-carry. The justification for even the current level of must-carry is eroding. Expanding the requirement would simply restrain investment and innovation that much further. If Read More ›