Some of it is pure greed. But I think another big factor contributing to this is actually the customers.
Given that corporations like that are legally obligated to make the decisions that would maximize shareholder value, I think we can safely say the root cause is exclusively the customers and typical consumer behaviors. One of the smartest things these cable companies did is diversify their operations, adding vertical integration into production studios and television networks, and into broadband service. That way, no matter which way consumers move, they'll be there to capitalize on whatever additional discretionary income comes out of the customer's move. This is precisely what you are taught in management programs with regard to responding to inevitable commoditization of core offerings.
My problem is that we are sitting in an OTA dead zone for some reason. In spite of living in the middle of the city and within walking distance to the TV studio, I can't get squat over the air. In my remote mountain cabin, I get 15 or so channels over the air. Go figure.
This is just going to get worse. The plans now are to go ahead with the FCC repack, which will cram the existing OTA broadcast stations more tightly together. This will increase cross-station interference (no more than 2% they promise). It will also mean that the opportunity to start up a new station will be far more limited, especially in places where there is the greatest diversity of interests. I haven't gone over the plan with a fine-toothed comb yet, but the seven phase plan inevitably will involve some minor (voluntary, on the part of the station,
not the viewers!) reduction in power for some stations. And, of course, a seven phase plan means that six times OTA equipment will need to re-find stations.
Are you sure about DSL being too slow?
Everything is relative. Downscale video far enough, and 56K baud would be "enough".
CBS is going to offer the new version of Star Trek later this year and I understand it will only be available via the Internet subscription service. As much as I would like to see it, I am debating if I want to buy their service for just one show. I don't want to encourage this type of behavior.
Except that some of the best programs of the last two years have come from such services (Netflix and Amazon). Hulu also is now offering original programming. If streaming becomes the "answer" then streaming will be transformed by that into precisely what folks were running away from when they ran to streaming.
I think CBS All Access has the biggest challenge to overcome, though. First, they're starting off with very little exclusive programming: Right now, just the Good Wife spinoff. Later, they'll offer the new Star Trek series, but it'll probably be the only exclusive offering at that time. That's simply not enough to compete with Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. Perhaps they'll realize that, but if they do it means transferring more of their best content away from their OTA network, filling more of the free airwaves with cheap reality programming, so as to make their over-the-top fee-based service more attractive. That does seem like a likely scenario.
And besides who knows how good it will be. The recent incarnation of SuperGirl is turning out to be a huge disappointment, unless one is into relationship issues of all sorts, IMHO.
What's wrong with interpersonal relationships as a source of drama for television programs?
