[EAS] Cable TV Problems

[Adrienne Abbott]

Sean wrote: Why haven't broadcasters and cable systems included the
requirement (for exempting local stations from cable override) when they
negotiate retransmission agreements?  Nothing in the FCC rules prevent cable
systems and broadcasters from reaching an mutual agreement between
themselves.  If its not included in the retransmission agreement, its
because the parties didn't feel it was important enough to make it a make or
break issue.  

Interesting idea...Lacking the local government control over TV franchises,
this could be the next step. Cable companies would have to upgrade their
equipment and get rid of the old, outdated set top boxes and because there
are viewers who don't have any boxes at all, some kind of technology would
have to be developed for them. Our providers apparently don't know how many
old boxes are out there or which subscribers have them...could open a real
can of worms for the cable industry. Our stations just finished negotiating
their new agreements, giving us 3 years to come up with a Plan.
Adrienne 

"Radio burps, it cries, it needs to be fed all the time, it requires
constant attention, but we love it." Jim Aaron WGLN