If that were true over-the-air television wouldn't exist.
The industry says that auctions could force smaller stations out of business and jeopardize free, over-the-air television.
If not, the broadcasters said, Congress would kill free over-the-air television.
And that, in turn, meant the total death of free over-the-air television.
They said the rules would allow the networks to continue to offer free over-the-air television as well as improve local coverage of news.
"Or, we may find that no, when competing in over-the-air television, shopping doesn't have enough interest."
The movie studios and networks maintain that the rules are necessary to preserve high-quality over-the-air television.
This was the second debate shown nationally on over-the-air television.
"The entire tournament will now be seen on over-the-air free television," he said.
Basketball and baseball indicated their championship games also would remain on "over-the-air" television.