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FCC: Local TV and radio stations don't need local studios
The FCC is scrapping the decades-old rule requiring local TV and radio stations to maintain a studio in or near the communities they serve. Critics claim the move will benefit media conglomerates seeking consolidation, and diminish the quality of local reporting. "Technology allows broadcast stations to produce local news even without a nearby studio," said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.
fuboTV recruits CBS to take on cordcutter rivals
Folks generally cut the cable cord to save money, but fragmentation means you might have to subscribe to more than one service. Case in point is fuboTV, which focused on international soccer (football, for our international readers), but not much else, when it launched a $10 monthly service in 2015. To attract a broader audience, it later introduced a $35 Premier bundle with more regular TV channels. As part of that, fuboTV has now gone live with CBS, making it a viable rival to services like DirecTV and Sling TV.
CBS deal makes it easier to get local TV via streaming
The rapid decline in cable subscribers is killing local TV stations that provide regional news and other programming to viewers in small markets. Now, CBS has struck a deal with its affiliate board that will get live streams from stations like WCBS-TV in New York on digital platforms like Hulu, YouTube TV and CBS All Access. That'll allow subscribers who want to do "skinny bundles" of select channels to see local programming on top of CBS shows like NCIS and 60 Minutes.
Dish Network launches new local high-def stations too
Not to be outdone by DirecTV, Dish Network is launching eleven new local high-def markets. This role call includes Dallas, Houston, Miami, Phoenix, Portland, Ore. Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Spokane. These new markets brings Dish Networks local station count to 24; the same as DirecTV. We aren't about to get into the classic DirecTV/Dish Network argument, but whoever wins this local HD battle will walk away with the title as "America's HD Leader."[thanks for the tip Nick]
