ABC's Iger says auction could kill free TV. (Robert Iger, auction of digital TV spectrum)(Brief Article)

Broadcasting & Cable, February, 1996 by Stern, Christopher

CapCities/ABC President Robert Igor told a group of Washington communications lawyers last week that the broadcasting industry may not survive if Congress decides to auction spectrum now set aside for the transition to digital television. "A government spectrum auction could inadvertently end up eliminating the sole free local video service--and guarantee allocation of the spectrum only to services that viewers would pay for," said Igor to the Federal Communications Bar Association Thursday.

Broadcasters maintain they cannot afford to purchase digital spectrum at an auction and continue to offer free television. Others, including President Clinton's top economist Joseph Stiglitz, have stated that advertiser-supported television always will be a viable...

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