Hi Dominick. Thanks so much for looking into this. I honestly had no idea Localtel owned our translators and foolishly thought they were maintained by the government. Shame on me for my ignorance and not thanking a Localtel.
Anyhow, I reached out to the FCC, and they replied on July 16th:
LocalTel voluntarily surrendered their broadcast licenses and there is no federal requirement that all US residents be able to receive broadcast stations because some people live in areas that are too remote and/or sparsely populated to support the economics of providing service, and there are too many sources of interference (like airports, wind farms, etc.) that make reception difficult, if not impossible.
To keep my email address I had to pay for the privilege when I switched cable companies hoping for a better rate. Still, paying $150 for extended basic is unacceptable. It recently went up. I used to at $80 for the bundle and that was good. Now, like the others on fixed income, I can’t afford this and will probably disconnect at the end of this month. Of course, as a senior, I remember watching 4 channels for free and advertisers paid for the programs. Also public service announcements were required in order to keep their licenses. In Dec or Jan, Local Tel was hacked as you know and they could not restore my emails I had saved. I am struggling to see how things are better with more tech. I will write to the FCC and Rep Schrier. Good idea, Cheryl.
Thanks many times over for shining your light on the dark corners and under the rug, Dominick.
Diana Zumini is listed as a member of disGrace City Compound. Makes sense. They can’t give things away when tithing is due. She has been rude on numerous posts. Not a nice person.
These are hard choices for small businesses, especially since cable itself is becoming less popular as streaming services are available. The Roku idea is an excellent idea. Hopefully someone can connect people with an alternative. Best of luck. Sara
"...franchising authorities are required to ensure that access to cable service is not denied to any group of potential residential cable subscribers on the basis of income class." But if Local Tel gave up their broadcast licenses, maybe they are no longer the franchising authorities?
Also, LocalTel needs to invest in a paid Public Relations expert and not use their account representatives to respond to reporter questions. They are making an unpopular action even worse by their responses.
I wonder how much it would cost for a local group to obtain the licenses and make broadcasts available in the area again? If Local Tel could have an informed and helpful spokesperson address these issues, maybe some alternative solutions could be investigated. Why the secrecy? What's the point?
Do local broadcasters of TV channels such as ABC, CBS and NBC get any income from the ad sales?
Yes, local broadcasters of TV channels like ABC, CBS, and NBC generate significant income from ad sales. This revenue stream is often divided into two main categories:
National Advertising: These are ads purchased by large companies that want to reach a broad audience across the country. A portion of the revenue from these ads is shared with the local affiliates.
Local Advertising: This encompasses ads purchased by businesses within the local market. The majority of the revenue from these ads is retained by the local broadcaster.
Local broadcasters also earn income through other means, such as:
Cable and Satellite Fees: Compensation from cable and satellite providers for carrying their channels.
Syndication: Licensing content to other stations for broadcast.
However, ad sales remain a crucial source of income for local broadcasters, particularly local advertising, as it allows them to cater to the specific needs and interests of their viewers within a particular geographic area.
It frustrates me to no end that the owners of Localtel have become literal millionaires off of publicly funded fiber but are un-willing to provide a public service that, I would guess, costs them very little (in relation to their revenue).
Because of this decision, I will be moving my internet service to another provider. Luckily in the valley, we have that option.
Very sad to hear of this lack of communication to the people of our valley who need it the most. I had I~Fiber before it changed to Zipply. I use them for my internet connection, it raised by .50 cents per month to round up to $50.00 a month for the high speed Internet connection. I use an Apple TV for most things. However I think that for seniors (I am one too) and people who are poor the WiFi signal then they can search for the .YouTube Channel, it is free and they have a variety of free channels for news, music, PBS, NBC, CBS, ABC, Democracy Now etc. Just go to the programs you want and click the subscribe button (it is free).
I hope that this helps! What is happening to Seniors and the poor in our valley is not Justice!
Hi Dominick. Thanks so much for looking into this. I honestly had no idea Localtel owned our translators and foolishly thought they were maintained by the government. Shame on me for my ignorance and not thanking a Localtel.
Anyhow, I reached out to the FCC, and they replied on July 16th:
LocalTel voluntarily surrendered their broadcast licenses and there is no federal requirement that all US residents be able to receive broadcast stations because some people live in areas that are too remote and/or sparsely populated to support the economics of providing service, and there are too many sources of interference (like airports, wind farms, etc.) that make reception difficult, if not impossible.
Thank you! I'll send you a direct message with my email. Can you forward the FCC's email to me?
To keep my email address I had to pay for the privilege when I switched cable companies hoping for a better rate. Still, paying $150 for extended basic is unacceptable. It recently went up. I used to at $80 for the bundle and that was good. Now, like the others on fixed income, I can’t afford this and will probably disconnect at the end of this month. Of course, as a senior, I remember watching 4 channels for free and advertisers paid for the programs. Also public service announcements were required in order to keep their licenses. In Dec or Jan, Local Tel was hacked as you know and they could not restore my emails I had saved. I am struggling to see how things are better with more tech. I will write to the FCC and Rep Schrier. Good idea, Cheryl.
Thanks many times over for shining your light on the dark corners and under the rug, Dominick.
Diana Zumini is listed as a member of disGrace City Compound. Makes sense. They can’t give things away when tithing is due. She has been rude on numerous posts. Not a nice person.
Yes, she's a GCC follower. And in most of my dealings with her, she has been very rude.
How "christ-like"
These are hard choices for small businesses, especially since cable itself is becoming less popular as streaming services are available. The Roku idea is an excellent idea. Hopefully someone can connect people with an alternative. Best of luck. Sara
Seems like the link to GCC and the removal of the free press and television is happening. Keep up the great work you do Dominick!
Found this on the FCC's website:
"...franchising authorities are required to ensure that access to cable service is not denied to any group of potential residential cable subscribers on the basis of income class." But if Local Tel gave up their broadcast licenses, maybe they are no longer the franchising authorities?
Also, LocalTel needs to invest in a paid Public Relations expert and not use their account representatives to respond to reporter questions. They are making an unpopular action even worse by their responses.
I wonder how much it would cost for a local group to obtain the licenses and make broadcasts available in the area again? If Local Tel could have an informed and helpful spokesperson address these issues, maybe some alternative solutions could be investigated. Why the secrecy? What's the point?
Seems this might be relevant (from Bard):
Do local broadcasters of TV channels such as ABC, CBS and NBC get any income from the ad sales?
Yes, local broadcasters of TV channels like ABC, CBS, and NBC generate significant income from ad sales. This revenue stream is often divided into two main categories:
National Advertising: These are ads purchased by large companies that want to reach a broad audience across the country. A portion of the revenue from these ads is shared with the local affiliates.
Local Advertising: This encompasses ads purchased by businesses within the local market. The majority of the revenue from these ads is retained by the local broadcaster.
Local broadcasters also earn income through other means, such as:
Cable and Satellite Fees: Compensation from cable and satellite providers for carrying their channels.
Syndication: Licensing content to other stations for broadcast.
However, ad sales remain a crucial source of income for local broadcasters, particularly local advertising, as it allows them to cater to the specific needs and interests of their viewers within a particular geographic area.
It frustrates me to no end that the owners of Localtel have become literal millionaires off of publicly funded fiber but are un-willing to provide a public service that, I would guess, costs them very little (in relation to their revenue).
Because of this decision, I will be moving my internet service to another provider. Luckily in the valley, we have that option.
Very sad to hear of this lack of communication to the people of our valley who need it the most. I had I~Fiber before it changed to Zipply. I use them for my internet connection, it raised by .50 cents per month to round up to $50.00 a month for the high speed Internet connection. I use an Apple TV for most things. However I think that for seniors (I am one too) and people who are poor the WiFi signal then they can search for the .YouTube Channel, it is free and they have a variety of free channels for news, music, PBS, NBC, CBS, ABC, Democracy Now etc. Just go to the programs you want and click the subscribe button (it is free).
I hope that this helps! What is happening to Seniors and the poor in our valley is not Justice!