Owners of America’s l,700 existing television stations next Feb. 17 get 5,100 more channels—free of charge.
That’s when all existing full-power analog transmissions must convert to a digital broadcast spectrum by order of the Federal Communications Commission.
Mimicking the congressional granting of millions of acres to railroad barons more than a century ago, the FCC’s public rip-off gives filthy rich broadcasters a bonanza worth $80-plus billion.
It also guarantees the broadcast industry’s continued monopoly and control of the public airwaves.
That means access to the main stream of commercial television will be denied to non-rich societal stakeholders for the foreseeable future.
Existing broadcasters don’t know what they’ll do with their newest windfall. Except perhaps ensure that they won’t face any new competition.
Why hasn’t this massive boondoggle become a campaign issue? (3 AUGUST 2008)
