It's Too Early For Cash-For-Spectrum

[Commentary] Broadcasters just aren't ready to give up control of their own distribution and become, in essence, local cable programming services. They point out that millions of homes still rely on getting TV off antennas, and many of them haven't gotten over the trauma of moving from analog to digital in June. The broadcasters also feel that they would be giving up on the potential of digital — multicasting, mobile video and things yet unknown — after having just spent a bundle to upgrade their transmission facilities to digital. Broadcasters are particularly keen on mobile video. And to show the world they are, they made a big deal last Friday of the fact that the ATSC had finally voted out a final standard for it, even though that has been a fait accompli for some time. Universal wireless broadband access is a wonderful idea, but mobile video as envisioned by the broadcasters is too. Jessell looks forward to the day — and it may come within the next year or two — when he can tune into any TV station in New York on his cell phone no matter where he is -- for free. And although the Federal Communications Commission may dangle a spectrum-for-cash deal, it could easily be trumped by Congress. A lot of people, especially those who believe broadcasters have shirked their public service responsibilities, hate the idea of broadcasters being able to cash in on the public airwaves.