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.