[LINK] digital TV conversion - psychology of the consumer

[Marghanita da Cruz]

Rick Welykochy wrote:
> Jan Whitaker wrote:
> 
>> there must be a lot of programming from the hundreds of cable stations 
>> in the US that aren't being shown here that could be.
>>
>> why are we deprived?
> 
> Of course those specialised cable channels in North America are funded
> by subscription.
> 
> BTW: Has anyone seen free-to-air in use in Canada or the USA in the past,
> say, fifteen years? I cannot recall seeing it. *Everyone* seems to
> have cable, even if to watch the CBC and PBS.
> 
> Cable has failed in Australia, probably for several reasons: the cost
> is outrageous for what you get and the culture is different. Aussies
> actually spend more time outdoors than North Americans.
> 
<snip>

Cable was a legacy technology when it was installed in Australia. However, the 
powers that be, I think labor at the time, thought we have to have what everyone 
else had.

We could and I think do have subscription/pay via wireless. And I would guess 
some people subscribe to Satellite subscription services. [Howard, does MythTV 
support this?]

DVB-H looks interesting.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-H>

To put this all in the best possible light - the Government has an obligation to 
protect the value of the spectrum/existing business interests. In the worst 
possible light they are opting for the status quo in Media.

My recollection of Cable TV in Toronto in 1989, is a heap of stations dedicated 
to Star Trek & Doctor Who - can't remember if it was one station each.

Sports fans do subscribe to Foxtel cable.

Marghanita
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://www.ramin.com.au
Phone: 0414 869202