(10-07-2019 04:21 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(10-07-2019 12:20 PM)LUSportsFan Wrote:  Someone else has probably already mentioned this elsewhere, but if any of the streaming providers lose access to local channels in the future, the not-for-profit service locast.org might be the answer if you live in one of the DMA's where locast.org transmits the signal. The service is free except for any donations you might want to make. You can use the locast.org app on your Roku and other devices to access the service. Set up is easy requiring an initial setup of an account. Once you have completed the process, locast.org uses your location to determine if you are in one of the serviced DMA's and then provides a channel listing.

I have a digital antenna which receives signals from the area north and south of me, but at least one of the major channels is not available to me due to line of site issues. Locast gets around that.

Here's a link showing the markets currently supported. https://www.locast.org/markets/ In some instances, the area covered is extensive. For example almost all of South Dakota and well over 1/2 of Colorado are in service areas.

This sounds like a previous company who’s name I forget that tried this also. As long as location pays the local station it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Otherwise they’ll be sued like the others and disappear.

It looks like there already is a lawsuit. Here's a link to a Consumer Reports article about the issue dated July 31, 2019. https://www.consumerreports.org/tv-servi...adcasters/

According to the article, the difference this time is that locast is a nonprofit. They contend that they are operating under a Congressional exception which allows a nonprofit to rebroadcast as long as the nonprofit receives "no direct or commercial advantage". Below is an extract from locast.org's knowledge base about the question "How does Locast.org comply with copyright?"

Quote:...Any “non-profit organization” could make a “secondary transmission” of a local broadcast signal, provided the non-profit did not receive any “direct or indirect commercial advantage” and either offered the signal for free or for a fee “necessary to defray the actual and reasonable costs” of providing the service. 17 U.S.C. 111(a)(5)...

https://helpcenter.locast.org/portal/kb/...-copyright

Locast.org recently filed a countersuit against the networks. https://fox17online.com/2019/09/27/non-p...x-and-nbc/

It will be interesting follow.