[RTC List] KEET-WORLD

[William Van Hefner]

It's pretty simple. Not only does Suddenlink not make any money from KEET
programming (they can't insert their own commercials during programming,
because PBS has no commercial slots), but Suddenlink actually has to pay
KEET for their programming content, due to a deal struck between the
networks, FCC and the National Association of Broadcasters. It's pretty
crazy when you think about it. Anyone with an outside antenna can get the
signal for free, but cable companies (and cable TV subscribers) have to
pay the local TV stations programming fees to receive programming. That's
yet another reason why transmitter coverage is so crappy around here. TV
stations would rather have you get your signal from cable than
over-the-air, because they make more money that way. Even PBS.

In any event, cable companies would rather put programming on the lower
channels (which are watched much more than higher numbered channels) that
help generate revenue for them. They are allowed to insert local ads on
most of the channels you will find on basic cable, which makes them a lot
of extra money. Channels that COST them money are moved as far away as
possible from the lower channels. The FCC does not require cable companies
to carry secondary DTV channels on "basic cable" (or carry them at all,
for that matter). So, the cable companies can stick the programming
anywhere they want.

As for why you are not getting reception, it could be a number of things.
Make sure that you are using the TV configuration for cable channels and
not over-the-air channels first. Also, because line loss can be worse at
higher frequencies, the signal may be too weak for your scanner to detect.
Try tuning the channel manually to see if that works. If all else fails,
try contacting repair at the cable company.


-- 
William Van Hefner - President
Vantek Communications, Inc.
e-mail: vantek at humboldtonline.com