For the several months leading up to the mandatory digital television (DTV) changeover.   Every station that broadcasted through airwaves pushed and pushed to make sure everyone has the required conversion box.   It was a little appaling. With countdowns to the exact minute the switchover occured, sometimes even big  scrolling letters stating “This TV is not equipped for the DTV changeover”  God forbid someone goes minutes without their eyes glued to a set.  Moresoe, these broadcasters have another opportunity to sell you a product.  You have  to go out, buy a converter box ( or even better a new DTV ready TV ). The government was generous enough to even gave out some coupons.  Because they assume if you are still using rabit ears to get your half dozen stations, your trashy ass is probably busy scraping what little money it has for child support and that BK Big Fish Transformers have been trying to sell you on each of those channels,and of course they want to make sure that you continue to see your neighborhood go to shit on the 6 oclock news.  ( Where were these subsidies when they required seatbelts be equiped in all motor vehicles? )

It seems like the option to not watch TV, is not really an option.  I wont claim that I don’t watch TV or cable TV, because I do.  I don’t recieve it at home, but it is hardest thing to get away from.  Any time that I do, I feel it is a serious waste of time.  The worst are the news stations.

If you enjoy TV, because yes there are definitely some entertaining shows.  That is okay, simply enjoying something is just about the only reason you should need to do it.  I just think it’s hilarious (and tragic) that you are paying out of pocket for it.

“The internet has shaken up the status-quo for sure. I wonder if the major media companies will come up with any sort of new business models for online content. They have been using the same business model for years”
-David Aslanian

Consider unsubscribing? Blasphemy, I know.  Bare with me a moment. -Think what happens if large markets of people stop purchasing cable TV?  Easily plausible with internet media outlets movements like ‘Hulu‘, the anticipated ‘The Video Bay‘, or less-than-legal-venues like ‘Surf The Channel‘. As more and more consumers realize they are getting a royal screwing, a change in the business model is the only option.  Luckily I think you the viewer would benefit. Keeping your favorite shows, seeing less advertising, as well as them all being subsidised or free. ‘Cause right now you are stuck paying to watch advertisements.

-Keegan
07/10/2009

Links to related reading
Digital TV changeover, the disaster everyone is ignoring
The DTV mandatory digital TV conversion is fucked up
Hulu: so popular it’s killing itself via:Wired