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Local TV Stations Could Go Off the Air

Networks consider jumping straight to cable

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 10, 2009 1:53 PM CST
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(Newser) – For decades, local TV stations ruled the airwaves and were treated with deference by the likes of ABC, CBS, and NBC, which needed them to reach their audiences. But as the recession has pummeled advertising revenue, most have been forced to make drastic cuts, and the networks are contemplating doing the unthinkable: ditching the airwaves for cable, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Cable has the advantage of raking in sustaining subscriber fees even when ad revenues tank. In December, CEO Les Moonves called moving CBS to cable “a very interesting proposition,” while NBC’s Jeff Zucker said the entire broadcast TV model had to change. Eventually, one of the networks "will make a break,” said a former NBC and current Time Warner exec. “One of them will try to make a go as a cable network.”

Soon at least one network will try turning off the broadcast signals, a Time Warner exec predicts.
Soon at least one network will try turning off the broadcast signals, a Time Warner exec predicts.   (Shutterstock)
Broadcasting through networks may be on its way out.
Broadcasting through networks may be on its way out.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Newser001
Feb 10, 2009 5:06 AM CST
Anybody have a "Wall Street Journal' account? If so, would you kindly cut and paste the article here. The link does not lead to the article. Instead, to a dead spot with user account status. Many Thanks...
bacimom
Feb 10, 2009 3:01 AM CST
Maybe someday broadcast will get the idea to not have a Fall season until after the World Series, not try to launch new shows during a presidential race, not show continuing storied dramas on Sunday evenings when ballgames throw off the timing, not give highly rated niche shows the boot because the ratings don't win their time slot when there is nothing better to replace them. All the broadcast channels after cable sister sites they can move much missed shows to. Then they can fill the free airways with reality crap which no one will have worry about paying for cable to not watch.

Cable's not 'recession proof'
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television • NBC • CBS • advertising • cable TV • Jeff Zucker • Leslie Moonves • broadcasting • local TV stations • network television

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