RY>>> At some point Networks are going to realise that they can drop
 RY>>> the affilliate system entirely, and go to cable/satellite only,
 RY>>> not lose a lot of customers, and not have to share the revenues
 RY>>> with the local stations... The locals can fill the time slots
 RY>>> with syndicated programming, of course. It's only a matter of
 RY>>> time..

 DC>> What I'm thinking is of the loss of national news at the local
 DC>> level. Not everyone has cable.

 SC> That is what I'm thinking too since I don't have cable. Would that
 SC> mean I wouldn't be able to watch Nightline and shows like that? Those
 SC> are my favorites after L & Os.

If they were to do that that's pretty much the idea. Last I heard, about 80%
of the country has cable, but those of us who only have bunny-ears might take
the hit in favor of revenues

At present though, there's no real talk about going this route. I simply see
it looming on the horizon..

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