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No Business Case for HDTV?

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the dire-just-means-higher-prices-for-consumers dept.

Lev13than writes "The head of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation argues that there is no business model for HDTV. Speaking at a regulatory hearing being held by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), CBC president Robert Rabinovitch noted that 'There's no evidence either in Canada or the United States that we have found for advertisers willing to pay a premium for a program that's in HD.' In order to cope with infrastructure and programming costs that are roughly 25 per cent higher, Rabinovitch proposes that the CBC start charging cable and satellite companies to carry their signal, and to limit over-the-air transmission. HDTV — good for Best Buy, bad for broadcasters?"

4 of 525 comments (clear)

  1. CBC hasn't got the right... by topham · · Score: 0, Troll


    The only money the CBC makes is on the backs of the Canadian Tax payer; in the unlikely event they actually have a show that makes money they cancel it.

    If it wins awards, but doesn't win over advertisers they run it for years. All 3 audience members appreciate it.

    CBC is nothing but a profiteering organization. They aren't about producing good television, they are about justifying their existence and salaries.

  2. Re:No business case for TV by Dorceon · · Score: 1, Troll

    There's no business case for theft.

    --
    What sound do people on rollercoasters make? Hint: it's not Xbox 360.
  3. The Australian Business Case by robbak · · Score: 0, Troll

    In Australia, the business case for HDTV was all too clear: The networks and other big businesses wanted to tie up the bandwidth. SDTV would have allowed room for many small 'indie' channels, and, even more damaging, widespread wireless broadband at very low cost. So they argued, and got, HDTV, which no one uses, and we are stuck with the muck that they serve up.

    --
    Prediction for end of Universe #42: Fencepost error in Quantum_bogosort.cpp
  4. Competition by pete-classic · · Score: 0, Troll

    How about "remaining competitive" for a business case?

    Nothing screams, "We're a monopoly" like pleas of "we can't give the customer what he wants!"

    -Peter