Here in WI we're supposedly close to losing 11 Fox Cable channels due to fee increase demands by the distributor that thus far our local cable company (Time-Warner) has refused to pay.
New York and some other markets (3.1 million people in total) just lost several networks including the Food Network for the same reason.
I read a story a few days ago that the purchase of NBC by Comcast is the start of a move in which there will no longer be free tv broadcast over the airwaves. The networks aren't making enough money via ad revenue and feel they MUST charge for their content.
Now here's my question. Why is it that they're not re-evaluating corporate salaries? Or even what they pay actors and actresses and others involved in producing television shows? Does the star of a hit sitcom REALLY need to make a million dollars per episode?
Why is it the guy working 40 hours a week and struggling to get by needs to cough up the difference while these "celebrities" just keep leading the high life?
I'm getting closer and closer to being like JD and dropping cable.
The only way we'll ever get these guys to face reality and change their business model in a way that we can ALL live with is if it gets to the point where nobody is watching their shows regardless of where they're being broadcast.
Ok. First rant of 2010 is over. The soap box is going back in the closet.