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Putting the TV Broadcast Spectrum to Better Use?

Posted by Cliff on from the replacing-the-traditional-'airwaves'-with-something-better dept.

KoshClassic asks: "Recently, on the NPR show All Things Considered, an interview was broadcast with Thomas Hazlett, formerly the chief economist of the FCC. Although short on details, Mr. Hazlett raises the point that, with the high penetration rate of cable / satellite TV into American homes, broadcasting television over the air has (or soon will) become superfulous and that this portion of the radio spectrum could be better utilized for other purposes. What do Slashdot readers think of this idea and, for those who agree, what alternative uses of the broadcast spectrum would you like to see?"

8 of 772 comments (clear)

  1. How about disbanding the FCC? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    The airwaves aren't really public property; they're useless without transmitters and the transmitters themselves are and should remain private property.

  2. i have karma to burn... by eyeball · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    free pr0n

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    2B1ASK1
  3. Re:Not everyone can afford cable.... by Jaguar777 · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    what do the people who can't afford cable do then? For quite a lot of people who work on minumum wage/on welfare, etc., the minimum package cost of satellite or cable is still too expensive.

    1) They don't watch TV.
    2) They read lots of books instead.
    3) They become smarter than the vegetables sitting on the couch watching TV.
    4) They get out of min wage/welfare and make more money than the vegetables.
    5) They spend the money they made on Cable and get trapped along with the rest of the vegetables.

    See, it all works out in the end.

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    Maybe you should educate the morons of tomorrow so they'll stop believing the leaders of tomorrow. - Dogbert
  4. Re:The answer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Do you think this pr0n addiction of yours has anything to do with your hatred of religion that you demonstrated the other day?

    Maybe those negative feelings that you have are really guilt?

  5. Re:Not everyone can afford cable.... by Rude+Turnip · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Get on the free, local senior citizen's bus that drives around town and socialize, volunteer, etc. I'll feel a little better about paying social security taxes if they're contributing to society.

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    Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
  6. FFFCCP! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    Horay! You win a:

    First FUCK THE FCC Post!

  7. Re:wireless internet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    I all seriousness, are you guys that excited to buy more gadgets that you would deny the public access to free public television??

    Well, uh, yea. Hell, if it meant we could get rid of commercials on cable television while we're at it I'd also be willing to let the government hunt down and kill homeless people too. Never underestimate the excitement generated by gadgetry.

  8. Re:Obviously... by StikyPad · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I don't know what rural viewers you're speaking of, but the ratio of satellite dishes to rednecks is a minimum of 1:1 in all the rural areas I've lived in or travelled through.

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