Ten Years Ago... Broadcasting, Cable, and The Franchise

BROADCASTING, CABLE AND THE FRANCHISE
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission 3/18/1997, AUTHOR: Chairman Reed Hundt]
Ten years ago, digital broadcast TV was on Reed Hundt's mind, even as he spoke to the National Cable Television Association in New Orleans. He spoke about the powerful franchise local broadcasters own -- the most popular way of delivering the most popular programming. But as the Commission considered rules for the transition to digital television, Chairman Hundt wondered if local broadcasters really wanted digital television licenses. "I'm beginning to wonder if broadcasters really want these DTV licenses," he said. "A cynic would think that broadcasters just don't want someone else to have them." He said that if broadcasters didn't aggressively pursue the switch to digital, they risked their valuable franchise. "The country -- and certainly advertisers," he said "want someone to deliver the Franchise. It is invaluable for many reasons, including promoting the public interest in delivering to everyone everywhere news, information, political debate, educational TV and other public goods." The door was open, Hundt said, for cable to move to the forefront: "To become the true Franchisee for TV in America, with the political and economic and cultural significance that comes with it, you already have a lot going for you: many popular channels with lots of sports, kids programming, and national news; courage and entrepreneurial skill; the pipe that delivers plenty of niche programming; and the potential for interactivity." What was needed was 1) universal access, 2) family-friendly programming and 3) localism.
http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Hundt/spreh716.html