Quote:
Originally Posted by bull3964 /forum/post/18704436
You can't always get a local package. Some friends I have subscribe to FIOS internet but would be fine with just the local stations so they wouldn't have to screw with an antenna. However, both Verizon and Comcast told them that they can't offer them a local station only package because they were "in a competitive area." I'm not 100% sure what that means...
I've been mentioning this a lot recently. While it has been the case since 1992 that there has been effective competition for
expanded basic service all over the country, and therefore the authorities have stricken the regulations regarding how that service will be provided and for what price (something that would be applicable if the companies were monopolies, which they're not). What evidently has precluded effective competition for the provision of
local channels is the fact that authorities waived the requirement for satellite service providers to offer them, thereby removing two competitors from the equation. Well, now things have changed... mostly the satellite service providers have started providing local channels, and of course, FiOS and U-Verse are offering service in some areas.
As a result, the authorities are acknowledging how effective competition even for the provision of
local channels is being realized in more and more communities. I've seen a dozen FCC press releases in the last few weeks, some outlining another dozen or two communities were there is now effective competition for limited basic service, as there has been for all other cable television services for years. (Another few releases released on Thursday, including DA-10-972A1.) With the realization of effective competition for limited basic service, regulations are inappropriate, and so each company can decide for themselves how much to charge for each service. They still have to provide them on the lowest tier of service (something that satellite is still exempted from), but the expanded basic can be the lowest tier of service in those communities where there effective competition now for
both expanded basic
and local channels. And, of course, the CSR can't offer you a package that isn't available in a specific area.
So consumers have gotten what they've wanted... effective competition for
all subscription television service, cable and local channels. Perhaps this falls into the category of "careful what you wish for"? Because from what you're saying, provision of local channels is so worthless to service providers that once they have the option not to offer it, they take that option.