On Mon, 20 May 2013 14:13:00 -0700 (PDT), klem kedidelhopper
wrote:

I have heard from sources, (perhaps not reliable ones) that there has
been talk of phasing out OTA broadcasts in the United States.
Switching just about everything to UHF and making all our tuners
useless was bad enough but this would be the ultimate slap. Has anyone
heard anything to this effect? Lenny
I've seen some articles on it. There are several pieces of
information that explain the rumors.

1. The old distribution model for TV programming is seriously broken.
50 years ago OTA was the only way you got TV. And if you weren't in
front of the TV when 'The Jackie Gleason Show' was broadcast, you
wouldn't have another chance to see it. Likewise, you probably
watched the commercials. Between reruns, cable TV, VCRs, Satellite,
DVRs, Internet, and DVDs, you may be able to watch your favite show
without seeing a single commercial. And the commercials subsidized
OTA broadcasts as well as production costs.

2. Currently only 15% of TV viewers get TV OTA.

3. Rupert Murdoch (News Corp) has reportedly talked of selling all
FOX broadcast stations. Note that that would presumably push viewers
to either cable (some owned by News Corp) or Dish (owned by News
Corp).

4. A number of the articles I have seen are from stock analysts and
others who stand t benefit if they can anticipate the next big bubble.

PlainBill