Tech upstarts threaten TV broadcast model

[Valin]

Townhall/Reuters:

Liana B. Baker and Ronald Grover

4/7/13

 

(Reuters) - Two fledgling technologies could dramatically reshape the $60 billion-a-year television broadcast industry as they challenge the business model that has helped keep broadcasters on the lucrative end of the media spectrum.

On April 1, a U.S. appeals court rejected a petition by the major broadcasters including Comcast's NBC, News Corp's FOX, Disney's ABC and CBS, to stop a service called Aereo, which offers a cut-rate TV subscription for consumers by capturing broadcast signals over thousands of antennas at one time.

 

It was the second time in recent months that TV broadcasters failed to block a new technology that undercuts revenue they generate for their television shows.

In November, a California court struck down Fox's request to ban Dish Network's ad-eliminating video recording device called the Hopper.

 

(Snip)

 

The most touted feature of the Hopper makes TV commercials disappear completely when watching recorded prime-time broadcast television, unlike prior DVRs and other devices that require the viewer to fast forward through ads.

Aereo could cut the numbers of people who need or want a more expensive cable video subscription, which would eat into the $3 billion in so-called "retransmission fees" that research firm SNL Kagan says broadcasters get from cable and satellite systems, based on the number of their subscribers.

 

(Snip)

 

 

Welcome to the XXIst century

[Pepper]

What is this broadcast TV of which you speaketh, @Valin ?

[Valin]

What is this broadcast TV of which you speaketh, @Valin ?

 

Can't say, have not watched TV since it went digital.

Know what? Don't miss it.

The Net OTOH is a different thing all together. My lifeline to the outside world.