SB 119 would ban school districts from entering into exclusive broadcasting (read "sports broadcasting") contracts with a local broadcaster or newspaper. A coalition of broadcasters and newspapers are asking the legislature to bar these exclusive contracts for regular-season high school sports.
Do we really need our legislators deciding this issue? Are local school boards not competent to determine what is best for their district? Isn't this just a end run by broadcasters and newspapers in certain communities who do not want to pay up for the right to valuable programming?
As an advertiser, I have to make decisions every day about whether an advertising source offers a value commensurate with the cost involved. I might think a source has value, but if it doesn't justify the price, I do not advertise there. It's not rocket science. It's a business decision that every business makes every day. Broadcasters and newspapers need to make a business decision.
If a school district decides to grant exclusivity, we will find out very quickly what the value of this programming really is. While some of the larger schools districts may have an asset, smaller school districts may find that they should have to pay to have their games broadcast. Many radio stations are doing a public service by broadcasting smaller schools games. Many advertisers are supplementing those services with little to no value in return.
Message to the broadcasters and newspapers in South Dakota: If you want the programming, bid more money. Quit whining and crying about not having access. You have the opportunity for access, what you do with it is up to you. Warning: If you pay too much, you will have to ask too much for advertising on your programming. Advertisers may see fit to take a pass on your programming. It's a business decision.
To South Dakota legislators: Please don't show your hypocrisy. You cannot be for "local control" and "less government" and support this ban. This is a local control issue. We do not need you to stick your nose into our school district's business. If our local school board makes bad decisions, they will have to face the electorate. That is how the system works. I know you are all brilliant, but you do not know what is best for the Chamberlain School District! I trust my local board of education to make this decision. BUTT OUT!!
To South Dakota school boards: Be careful as you make this decision. You may make money on this programming but you may lose the support of broadcasters, newspapers and businesses that make many, many contributions (not just monetary) to your schools.
To supporters of SB 119: Why is not acceptable for the school districts to grant exclusive rights to their events but it is perfectly fine to grant the South Dakota High School Activities Association exclusivity for the TV broadcast rights?
Message to all: Please keep the money-hungry, power-grabbing, self-serving South Dakota High School Activities Association as far away from this issue as possible. If you think you have a problem now, get them involved. You will really have a problem then!
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