As per their norm, the C.E.A. and the N.A.B. continue to trade jabs. And as is par for us, the citizenry continues to sit back and watch the fight on our monitors--rather than become a part of the process and get it fixed.
So, in the past couple of days Consumer's Union (Consumer Reports) and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) have announced that up to 80 million of our Toob thingies are NOT CONNECTED to Cable or Digital Broadcast Satellites.
The National Association of Broadcasters, led by Eddie (If it's Fritts, you can't commit!) Fritts has had a field day with this information and manages whine about the transition yet again (as they sit on what could be over a hundred billion dollars worth of spectrum in the VHF region.)
Gary (Pimpin' the boxes and wires) Shapiro and the C.E.A. find those consumer organization numbers questionable (and stand by their 13 percent number as those that will be effected by the Analog Shutoff.) From this view; out of 300 million or so in the U.S.; we have 39 million people who would take a hit when the N.T.S.C. broadcasts go down. [Not everyone has a TeeVee or wants one, but you get the point.]
It is fair to guess that there's a number in between (those given by two sides) that is closer to the truth. Many people are connected to the Cable-Co's -or- Dish/DirecTV and still have an antenna if their home is in reach of the signal. Many others can't afford cable or sat, and require Over-The-Air as their only broadcast medium. And lastly, it is probable that fifty percent of those with cable/sat consider any form of antenna passé and for those other people. [Sheesh.]
They are arguing about these numbers?
Why the hell does it matter whose figures are correct? Either way--if it is 39 million people and thirteen points or 80 million and 27 percent of the country-- the number is moot. Any corporate chieftain who lost 13 or 27 percent of his/her market in one-fell-swoop would be out on an ass-cheek. Period. They'd be a frigging laughingstock. And probably/rightfully sued by the company shareholders, at the very minimum.
It is obvious that we need to do something more, and damned soon. In their normal chickenshit manner, legislators don't want to take this problem issue and suggest that we just fix it. Instead, they use their current favorite well-flogged-horse.... Surprise! You guessed it! Terrorism. Thus Congress continues to pretend that 'Homeland Security' is an issue they can link to the DTV transition.
Their slightly-demented-point? Some of the casualties on 9/11 were a direct result of not getting the broadcaster's fat assets off of the VHF region (and into a smaller chunk of the UHF spectrum.) This because we didn't have a working crystal ball and have better communications infrastructure in place on that date?
Budgeteers loudly trumpet that we are losing 100 to 200 billion dollars in Spectrum Auction monies in the meantime. [Others say 9 to 30 Billion if we keep a big chunk of the bandwidth for setting up new freqs for the Police, Fire, Military, et al.]
Of late there are some that are suggesting that we subsidize those whose televisions would go dark in another 549 days. Estimated cost? Four Billion Dollars U.S.
OK. Fair enough. We paid for dams that generate power. America has built Interstate highways, put up
telephone cables, and had the Army Corps of Engineers pour cement for bridges so that all could use them. Infrastruture is all well and good. We've insanely-subsidized the C.E.A. and the National Association of broadcasters out of OUR pockets for nearly ten years of analog to digital transition so far....
What the heck is another 4B if we stand to earn 100 Billion in bandwidth auction?
It sure would make Eddie Fritts (on your right. Isn't that a face that screams compassion and frugality?) and his broadcasters happy.
Wait. That's the downside.
Is there upside?
It would be equitable to offer a fifty-dollar tax-break for those that can afford a fifty-dollar tuner (we've done stranger things.) For the rest who live under a certain median income, we could toss them a coupon back with their tax refund, and then they could collect a tuner as well. No one falls through the digital crack that way.
That said, if Congress had the 'nads to stand up to the broadcasters and electronics manufacturers, we'd go ahead and quickly recoup those monies by closing 4B in tax loopholes for the NAB members and CEA companies. That's the least they could do to keep it off the backs of the taxpayers in the long-run.
If Congress had the 'nads...
Oops. My bad. I'm a dumbass. Ignore that part.
It is wonderful that HDNet is covering the prelaunch, and launch activities for the shuttle Discovery's return to orbit. Kudos to Mark Cuban. In addition to using 14 HD cameras, they'll have some special shots up their sleeves.
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