Part 7/12:
These efforts are framed as protecting local advertising revenues and supporting local news. However, critics argue this strategy is primarily intended to give broadcasters more leverage to inflate retransmission fees, which are ultimately passed on to consumers. This could mean ongoing price hikes for streaming services and more restrictions on over-the-air TV, including efforts to limit the ability to record or stream broadcast content via the new ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard—a move seen as an attempt to steer viewers back toward cable and satellite containers for retransmission revenue.