Re: Who remembers how bad analogue television was?

On 3/11/2025 1:03 PM, Joerg wrote:

On 2/26/25 10:04 PM, Don Y wrote:

On 2/26/2025 9:52 PM, Sylvia Else wrote:

Leave aside the ghosting, which could largely be addressed by having a decent antenna.

>
Analog television had two distinct issues:  one was multipath problems
(bummer), the other was that you COULD eek a signal out of the ether,
even a bad one (contrast to digital which is essentially "all or nothing")

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 That's exactly the problem. I told one station manager that it would be a mistake to go full digital (well, the government made them) and even more of a mistake to give up their VHF channel without a fight. That it would erode viewership in the fringe areas, hence for people with more disposable income, who will migrate to the Internet, resulting in advertising income to drop, which will lead to painful staff cuts.
 He didn't believe me. And then pretty much all that happened.

I don't have much sympathy for broadcasters.  The quality of content
has fallen as the number of *available* broadcast channels has
risen.  I think we have *50* channels -- and there's STILL "nothing
on".  (we make extensive use of the public library's DVD collection)
"Local news" being the one thing you would think a broadcaster could
offer value.  Yet, they waste the bandwidth showing talking heads
instead of (visual) material that could enhance the issues they are
discussing.  E.g., why do I need to see a talking head instead of
something -- ANYTHING -- that might better explain the issue
being discussed?
"The wildfire in east bumphuck has now grown to 30,000 acres..."
Would it KILL you to show a MAP on the screen so we know WHERE
east bumphuck is located?  How does looking at a reporter's
face add value?  How does it justify the use of the public
airwaves when the *content* could be easily fit into the bandwidth
of an AM radio station??
Do we need to get the weather forecast in 30 second pieces, spread
over a 30 minute broadcast?
I can't understand why no one has replaced The Newsroom with
AI generated content and a modern version of Maxx Headroom.
Think of all the salaries to be saved (and less reliance on
commercial interruptions).  "Hair and wardrobe provided by
Joe Bloe..."
It's just so much easier -- and takes less time -- to visit a few
web sites for news and weather.  And, (any) another service for
entertainment content.