Just for the heck of it, I once again attempted to tune my television to the local station. I was greeted by a fuzzy screen with indiscernible images, static and “ghosts,” as the images used to be called decades ago.
The attempt was in response to the knowledge we will more than likely lose our network stations on Dec. 1 due to the fact we subscribe to the Dish Network satellite service, which is owned by Echostar.
The disruption in service is due to a federal court ruling against Echostar for violating copyright law by offering programming to customers who can get network feeds with an antenna.
More than 34,000 West Virginia customers of the satellite provider will lose their ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX feeds after Nov. 30 unless federal legislation introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., can be pushed quickly through Congress.
lll
As a satellite subscriber for more than a decade, the looming loss of network stations underscores years of frustration regarding network availability via satellite. But first, it’s important to note why we became satellite subscribers in the beginning.
Living in a rural area of Mercer County, I grew up watching a blurry Channel 6 and, on clear days, an even foggier Channel 4.
Due to the location of our home on the side of a very large mountain, we were unable to pick up the stations through “rabbit ears,” as was the norm at the time. Instead, my father had a extremely large antenna at the top of the mountain, which was connected to the televisions inside the house through no less than 600 feet of “ladder wire” strung through the heavy forest.
It was not a reliable system. Every time a thunderstorm passed through the region we lost TV. Every time the winds kicked up we lost TV. Every time a branch fell off a tree and hit the wire we lost TV.
“Walking the line” to find the problem with the television was a weekly ritual for me and my siblings.
When cable came into the region, it was a wonderful option — but not for us. Living far off the “main line,” we would have had to pay a hefty extra cost to run the cable to our house.
When the small-dish satellite service became available in the region in the 1990s it was a dream come true. My husband and I were recently married but still living close to the “old homeplace.” We hooked up to the service, as did my parents.
At this time we subscribed to another satellite service, but we were quickly informed of the caveat regarding network television stations. If a local network affiliate broadcast in the market where customers lived, then they had to have a waiver from these affiliates to allow purchase of the network from another area.
We were quickly able to obtain the needed waivers from WOAY in Oak Hill and the FOX station (now CBS 59) in Ghent, and were able to purchase ABC and FOX through our satellite provider. The station affiliates were in the New York area, but it didn’t matter to us. Other than variations in daytime shows and local news, the programming was virtually the same.
However, like many, many other satellite customers in the area, we were unable to get a waiver from WVVA. We were told every household in Mercer County could pick up the station with an antenna.
Untrue.
At our house we simply chose to ignore NBC. But my mother enjoyed daytime television and, after my father died, my husband struggled to get her a clear picture.
Having been removed long ago, the old antenna on the mountaintop was no longer an option. Plus, we all felt it was ridiculous to have such a 1950s-type hookup in this current age of technology.
So we purchased the most expensive antenna available and the husband, much braver than I, climbed to the top of her four-story home to place it in the tallest spot available. After the time, terror and expense, Mom was still unable to pick up a clear picture on Channel 6.
My husband and I now live in the house and the situation remains the same.
lll
I never understood the argument that allows for-profit television stations to have a monopoly on a region. It would seem that if customers wanted to purchase a network from an affiliate in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, they should have the option.
I often hear the argument that local television stations are vital in case of emergency situations. A decade ago, I may have bought into that — but not now. Are we forgetting about radio, the Internet, police scanners, cell phones and the numerous other technological gadgets that allow instant access to vital news?
Yes, local television feeds are “free,” but so is local radio. And, again, if a resident can not pick up the feed, how useful is it?
Newspapers, like local TV stations, are news sources. What would be the reaction if government legislation allowed these publications the same type of monopoly?
For example, what if residents of Mercer County were only allowed to buy the Bluefield Daily Telegraph and not the Charleston Gazette, New York Times, Washington Post or Roanoke Times?
Readers would likely scream and shout — and with good reason.
It’s called freedom of choice.
I’ve heard the assertion local stations could not compete if they did not have this monopoly. Try selling that argument to small newspapers who face this competition daily, and Mom-and-Pop stores that have had to go head-to-head with retail giants like Wal-Mart.
While Congress may now be attempting a quick fix to allow residents of rural areas to keep their network television, it’s highly unlikely this legislation will be passed in time to prevent a disruption of service.
When that happens we’ll simply tune in to the myriad of “cable” channels for entertainment and news programming. And I have no doubt we’ll discover alternative networks we’ll continue to watch when, or if, we see a return of ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX.
As this conflict over programming availability for satellite customers escalates in coming weeks, network stations may soon realize they won the battle — but it ultimately cost them the war.
Samantha Perry is managing editor of the Daily Telegraph. Contact her at sperry@bdtonline.com.
Columns
November 27, 2006
Odyssey of frustrating satellite TV programming faces uncertain future Nov. 30
- Columns
-
- More business-like habits in Washington might rescue the country
-
Doppler Effect puts proper prospective on the changes that come with age
- Drive-ins, baby names, snakes, more
-
Campfires, cut-offs and river rapids highlight mini vacations of long ago
- Mustaches, baby names and more
- Celebratory events slated in Kimball
- Another year end day at our school in our town brings back special memories
- Response to graduation debate
-
Sometimes it is best not to help a total stranger when she is asking for money
-
A tale of two parking garages, one flea market and a ‘Mountain Mall’
- More Columns Headlines
