I still don't understand how any market can support that many TV stations. I guess it depends on what they do with the other channels as to whether it's a worthwhile endeavor. And who said UDHD had to be OTA?
I'm sure the FCC will take all of that into consideration before doing something that drastic.
Ed's View - UHDTV - See It Soon?
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BobDiaz
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- Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:04 am
LA County is 10 million people, add to that some coverage in Riverside County and Orange County and the total is around 12 to 14 million people. Granted that that are only a few places, like LA, NYC, ... that have this massive a population to support that many stations, but look at Spokane, County, Washington; about 500,000 people. They have 10 broadcast stations (not counting sub-channels).
http://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/Spokane
Why can't a market that's roughly 24 to 28 times the size of Spokane support more channels? Many of the extra DTV channels in the LA area use a common transmitter and share the frequency with 4 to 7 other "stations". These other channels tend to focus on specialty markets, like Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Armenian, Religion, Home Shopping ... My guess is that most buy a feed and just put their advertising into the feed.
I would hope that the FCC would take into account the impact of the Mobile-DTV Technology and not cut back on the TV Bands, but money buys influence in Washington DC. So, it's all a matter of who has more money, the TV Broadcasters or the Cell Phone Companies.
Bob Diaz
http://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/Spokane
Why can't a market that's roughly 24 to 28 times the size of Spokane support more channels? Many of the extra DTV channels in the LA area use a common transmitter and share the frequency with 4 to 7 other "stations". These other channels tend to focus on specialty markets, like Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Armenian, Religion, Home Shopping ... My guess is that most buy a feed and just put their advertising into the feed.
I would hope that the FCC would take into account the impact of the Mobile-DTV Technology and not cut back on the TV Bands, but money buys influence in Washington DC. So, it's all a matter of who has more money, the TV Broadcasters or the Cell Phone Companies.
Bob Diaz
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akirby
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I don't care how many people you have, there are still the same number of national broadcast networks (ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS, PBS, CW, UPN). The rest have to be local independents and there is only so much programming available for those independents and only so much market share.
My point was I don't understand how that many stations can get enough market share to cover the cost of broadcasting, even if they share facilities. I see where multiple foreign languages could make it and I'm guessing that accounts for a lot of the ones in L.A.
National cable channels like FX and TNT can draw from a national audience, but local independent broadcasters only have a shot at a fraction of that audience.
I just can't see where any market could support 30 stations. But I could be wrong.
My point was I don't understand how that many stations can get enough market share to cover the cost of broadcasting, even if they share facilities. I see where multiple foreign languages could make it and I'm guessing that accounts for a lot of the ones in L.A.
National cable channels like FX and TNT can draw from a national audience, but local independent broadcasters only have a shot at a fraction of that audience.
I just can't see where any market could support 30 stations. But I could be wrong.
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BobDiaz
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We can go on and on about this, but I can prove that LA HAS a lot of stations. Greater than 30 if you count the digital AND the LPTV Analog stations.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29
Step 1: Go to the link shown above.
Step 2: Enter a Zip code for an area in LA, California, like 90047 (This area is near Western Blvd. and Imperial Highway.)
Step 3: For "Antenna height (ft AGL):" enter 25 feet.
Step 4: Only count the stations that are within 30 miles or less LOS (Line Of Sight).
I understand that you''re going on gut feel, but the real world data says something different.
Bob Diaz
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29
Step 1: Go to the link shown above.
Step 2: Enter a Zip code for an area in LA, California, like 90047 (This area is near Western Blvd. and Imperial Highway.)
Step 3: For "Antenna height (ft AGL):" enter 25 feet.
Step 4: Only count the stations that are within 30 miles or less LOS (Line Of Sight).
I understand that you''re going on gut feel, but the real world data says something different.
Bob Diaz
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BobDiaz
- Member
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:04 am
Not only do they appear to stay in business a bit more than 1 year after the analog shutdown, but they have survived one of the worst recessions we have seen for some time. It exists that way, even if it's hard to fully understand.
Given the changes in technology and the reduction in equipment costs, I'd say that the "old rules" about limited market for more stations, don't fully apply in a large and diverse specialty market. Well beyond the English speaking market, a Korean broadcast could buy programming from a Korean satellite feed, Japanese the same, Armenian, ...
Granted, the major networks will be limited in any sized market, BUT very small stations seem to survive when they have a clear target market. For example the Korean market broadcasts in Korean and advertising on their channel is for Korean businesses. It's a good deal for the Korean business owner, because they know that the advertising is reaching the kind of people who are the most likely to come into their stores. The small stations offer targeted marketing at a much lower cost than the bigger stations. As I said, it really seems to work even if it's hard to fully understand.
Bob Diaz
Given the changes in technology and the reduction in equipment costs, I'd say that the "old rules" about limited market for more stations, don't fully apply in a large and diverse specialty market. Well beyond the English speaking market, a Korean broadcast could buy programming from a Korean satellite feed, Japanese the same, Armenian, ...
Granted, the major networks will be limited in any sized market, BUT very small stations seem to survive when they have a clear target market. For example the Korean market broadcasts in Korean and advertising on their channel is for Korean businesses. It's a good deal for the Korean business owner, because they know that the advertising is reaching the kind of people who are the most likely to come into their stores. The small stations offer targeted marketing at a much lower cost than the bigger stations. As I said, it really seems to work even if it's hard to fully understand.
Bob Diaz