Advertisers will pay enormous premiums for that kind of access, and they are going to get their chance. Almost no local stations produce much content other than newscasts, and many independent, Fox, WB, and UPN affiliates don't even do that. The answer is, Nothing. Local TV stations will be going off the air by the hundreds within 10 years. Even their syndicated programs, such as Oprah and Entertainment Tonight , will be wirecasting, leaving gaping holes in the local station schedule.
Content is king.
If you have none, don't even bother signing on. If content is king, the queen has got to be branding. They will regret it. HDTV sets are expensive. Sure, prices may eventually drop.