Digital Satellite Providers To Carry Local Broadcast Signals?

Ever since satellite delivery of television broadcast signals became a reality satellite providers have wanted to carry local television broadcast signals. Now, in 1999, lawmakers are expected to push legislation that will do exactly that, thus removing one of satelliteís biggest drawbacks to cable. This could turn DirecTV, the leading satellite service, into a full service digital television powerhouse with the capability to broadcast HDTV programming. As such, the cable industry will face its stiffest competition ever. While cable channels collect both advertising and subscriber fees, pressure is mounting as more choices and the Internet further fragment viewership. At the same time, cable operators face huge costs in delivering new services such as high-speed Internet, telephone and digital television.With such change inevitable, the choices available to home theatre enthusiasts will be mind boggling as the entertainment industry soon enters the millennium.