Local Broadcasters Shouldn’t Stand in the Way of Online Video

[Commentary] The role of network affiliates in the media industry is a strange one. It would be unfortunate if they stood in the way of the evolving online video marketplace. The major broadcast networks still create some of the most popular programming. But people don't really watch "NBC" or "Fox." They watch a local broadcaster, who might actually be owned by the network itself (like KNBC in Los Angeles) or which might be a separately-owned affiliate (like KING in Seattle). The actual content that is carried by each broadcaster might be different--most of the top programs will be the same, but there will be local programs, different syndicated programs, and so on. This system has been around for a very long time, and it's obviously more complicated than the way cable channels like ESPN or SyFy are distributed. The process by which cable or satellite providers carry local broadcasters is equally complex. A lot of online services are interested in carrying network programming--in fact, some of them want to carry the traditional linear programming stream, and not just provide on-demand access to shows.