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If that's true, DirecTV and Ecostar (Dish Network) will be forced to merge to solve bandwidth issues. Even at that point, they will have to launch a bunch of satellites. Cable systems are probably in trouble as well.



Well, You'll notice that Justin said broadcast. Cable companies aren't broadcasting their chanels. What Justin is talking about is the FCC's mandate to give up the current spectrum and migrate to new spectrum designated for digital broadcasts. This issue is far to complex for me to understand half of. Eseentially, no one thinks it's gonna happen in the time frame orginally given. (everyone in the US buy new televisions within 5 years? Sony just doesn't have the lobbyists in washington to pull that one off). It's also beleived that instead of offering HD content, stations are instead going to opt for broadcasting multiple different low res channels -- something which the FCC forgot to prohibit in their rush towards high definition.

It's all a mess. I've got to say I loved watching the olympics in HD at my lunchtime pizza place in berkeley, so I can't wait for it to all come down in price...

Matthew