Re: Nail in streaming's coffin

[Chuckigo@aol.com]

Bob asked/wrote:
>>But they think they can find a way to put a stream on
the Net without ads, which would enable them to get by
the AFTRA rules.<<

Bob,
   yeah, they can simply feed the web the
same way that they feed their Howie affiliates:  send 
all local down program, and then send the *net* feed 
down audition.  and many of the new consoles have added 
a third programming buss (on the Greater Media editions 
labeled "utility")  if you're only feeding down the 
originating program material, and not feeding any spots 
out over the web, then the AFTRA thing would be moot.  
however, if you're not streaming any spots down, then 
the broadcast-for-profit thing becomes moot.
AFTRA is shooting themselves in the foot on this one.  
as a member of AFTRA, i understand their position on 
the residuals aspect.  as an AFTRA member who never got 
nor asked for more than scale on any commerical 
venture, scale can be a good thing.  ($50 for a :10 
insert in a TV spot in 1982.  times 27 TV stations on 
the distribution loop.  damn good ten seconds, let me 
tell you!)  however, the union will wind up doing its 
own members harm.  tomorrow's syndicated shows are the 
ones that are out there on the web, attracting a loyal, 
out-of-market following.  no web distribution means no 
sydie deal down the road.  i'm sure that the membership 
will, if they've not already, wake up to this fact and 
make this point concession number one on the next round 
of talks.  for the record:  my AFTRA membership is not 
*active*.  i am a member, on the inactive roster.
 Howie did rail against the union and its *greed*.  he, 
however, is not covered by a union minimum scale 
salary, so rail he can.  well, at least until he's 
lookin' for that next union-scale gig.

- -Chuck (not webcasting right now anyway) Igo