Re: [Swprograms] BBC World in USA

["Richard Cuff" <rdcuff@xxxxxxxxx>]

Unfortunately this is not about to change right away.  Americans have
decided that privately-funded, market-driven media is the model they
prefer - they have voted with their feet and the ballot box.

We have collectively pressured our government to keep marginal tax
rates low, which keeps a tradition of commercial funding in place for
a variety of institutions that, elsewhere, are government-managed.

The good news is that, for many, Big Cable no longer holds the
monopoly it did regarding TV distribution.  If the monopoly were
absolute, no Time Warner cable systems would carry Fox News or MSNBC
because these two services compete for viewers with CNN.  These
companies are smart enough to recognize that half a loaf (i.e.
carrying competing news services to increase subscriber base, even
though your channel has fewer viewers) is better than no loaf (i.e.
restricting access to those services).  Many of us can now obtain our
television through competing  broadband service providers - e.g.
Verizon FIOS.

Part of the way to correct this is to increase demand and visibility
for the service - i.e. telling our friends and neighbors.  TiVo the
program so you can watch it later.  Complain repeatedly to relevant
government officials.  Ask them why they don't regulate cable
companies more strictly.  Be prepared to pay more in taxes to
compensate for the franchise fees ("hush money") these companies pay
to local governments.  Vote the unsympathetic officials out of office.

Educate ourselves and others regarding the ways one can get access to
perspectives such as those on the BBC America newscasts.

Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA


On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:57 PM, John Figliozzi <jfiglio1@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Of course, the behavior of our highly ownership concentrated media is cause
> for great concern.  But since we're in an age when corporate interests reign
> supreme and are allowed to run roughshod over Constitutional rights,
> Congress and the FCC seem not inclined to address the situation at present.
>
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