In the final analysis, it may be easier to understand the science of satellite technology than to understand the politics of satellite technology.

The latter, however has been the crash course for local TV watchers who rely on satellite technology to bring them their daily dose of the tube. Last fall, they got the news that Portland’s local stations would no longer be available to them because Grant County is in the Boise, Idaho market. The reasons seemed like something out of “1984,” only with the private media-ratings giant, Nielsen, as the literary “Big Brother.” This brother apparently is the key to who we watch, and even state jurisdictional lines don’t matter. From there, the questions multiplied like commercials in a sitcom.

In the past couple of months, it’s taken the persistence of a few Grant County citizens, inquiries from the media and the staff of at least one U.S. Senate office to get some answers. One answer was simple: a communications breakdown of some sort allowed satellite TV providers to keep using an outdated map, even though Nielsen had updated its maps to show Baker County in the Portland market as early as 2004. The solution was more difficult, since the providers agree to provide certain signals for a specific period, with the current one locked in until 2009.

It took the intervention of Sen. Ron Wyden’s office to determine that, according to the law, a map change in mid-stream means that subscribers should get to have either Portland or Boise stations. Or both.

While the providers and the powers in Washington, D.C. sort that one out, subscribers probably can look forward to having the option of Portland stations again. While that may seem like a win, it might be wise to remember the old saw: Watch what you wish for. Those hoping to gain great coverage should remember that, in the end, it’s just TV, where sound bites masquerade as news. Note that the Portland local stations took serious?criticism recently over the paucity of election coverage.

Meanwhile, avid TV watchers are ready to take up a new battle – this time, over the so-called distant signals. They want the right to watch stations originating in New York, or Pennsylvania, or Omaha. The technology would allow this, they contend – and they are right. The question is whether the market gods will allow such meddling with the formula that allows them to set rates by region.

The end result may be that just as many folks are unhappy in 2009, when Portland is mandated as the sole designated market for local TV watchers. Providers here say some customers aren’t as hot for the Portland market as others. They like the earlier newscasts and other programming from Idaho’s Mountain Time stations.So don’t put the gloves away yet. This winters’ discontent over Boise vs. Portland may be just round one in a continuing fight. -SC