Cablevision Pushing For Retrans Reform

Let's see if they put their money where their mouth is.

Will a Cablevision subscriber be able to pick and choose their own channel packages for true cost savings? I did not think so.

Will they allow other cable/satellite operators to pick and choose single channels among many channels that Cablevision owns? I did not think so.

This retransmission copyright crap should be changed where the TV Stations are forced to pay cable companies to carry their signal. There are many broadcast channels that have a very small audience and waste valuable space on the cable system.

ESPN would be the first channel I'd drop. And anything with "Disney" in the name would be next.

And if that happens, there will be a lot less channels to watch.

These are all good ideas. Especially forcing publication of the rates demanded by the broadcasters.

That might not necessarily be true.. as part of their agreements you now can watch most of ESPN via PC or smartphone. You're getting added value for your $6/mo.

I would imagine that the only "retrans reform" that any cable company would support would simply shift the dollars from the content provider back to the cable company. From a customer perspective it won't make any difference because the cable bill will still be the same.

I hope that the trend of people simply cutting the cord at higher cable TV rates continues... it will be a great day when the mere threat of canceling service, as opposed to threatening to switch to a different provider, will force cable TV rates to get back down to something reasonable.

Here's the problem. Some of the most popular shows are on cable. And sure you can buy current season episodes on Itunes and Amazon, but they want $3 for HD even on 30 minute sitcoms. Well hell might as well keep cable at those prices. Also things like playoffs in NBA, NHL and MLB are on cable.

1. I'm sure there are a good number of cable subscribers that could simply install a small antenna somewhere and receive the OTA stations with minimal effort and good signal quality. It's not like the old days where you had snowy pictures and fiddled with rabbit ears for an hour for one channel. If the broadcast stations don't want their shows on cable or want high retrans fees, I'll just use my built in ATSC tuner.

2. CV can't turn around and hold back their HD stations from Verizon while crying about someone else. They got into the phone game but Verizon can't say pay up if you want to use our phone lines. The contracts should be identical for what CV offers TWC, Directv, etc.

3. If there was a good technical way to achieve this, here would be the ultimate solution: CV installs local antennas on their poles and provides ATSC tuners in their boxes. Piggyback the signals on the coax to the boxes and let the box switch off between their cable network and the OTA stations. CV no longer has to pay the retrans fees and everyone gets clear digital TV.

The sooner everyone ends their greedy ways, they can all come up with a win-win situation.

3. If there was a good technical way to achieve this, here would be the ultimate solution: CV installs local antennas on their poles and provides ATSC tuners in their boxes. Piggyback the signals on the coax to the boxes and let the box switch off between their cable network and the OTA stations. CV no longer has to pay the retrans fees and everyone gets clear digital TV.

Right now we have 400 channels because we pay for all of it, but if/when you can select only the channels you want, you may find a lot less to select from.