Blame NBC, the local broadcasters decide if they want to block it or not
NBC is not the "local broadcaster" in the sense that the BBC is the local broadcaster for the United Kingdom, or ABC is the local broadcaster for Australia. Broadcasting in the U.S. doesn't work that way.
That said, NBC does air American Song Contest, which is Eurovision production, and receives very poor ratings. Because of this, I surmise that Eurovision doesn't air in the United States because none of the broadcasters will pay for the rights if it's not going to bring in enough viewers to make up for the fee.
If Eurovision really wanted its program to be seen in the U.S., there is no shortage of small networks, cable/satellite networks, LPTV networks, or OTT providers for getting its program seen. It just has to offer the show at a reasonable rate.
I don't think this is a case of the usual HN cliché of "Evil company blocks me from seeing something for no other reason than to be evil."
>Eurovision doesn't air in the United States because none of the broadcasters will pay for the rights if it's not going to bring in enough viewers to make up for the fee
Eurovision has been watchable on free livestream in the US for close to a decade. Originally directly from eurovision.tv, later via LOGO. I agree that NBC's rights purchase is probably due to launching ASC, though.
NBC is not the "local broadcaster" in the sense that the BBC is the local broadcaster for the United Kingdom, or ABC is the local broadcaster for Australia. Broadcasting in the U.S. doesn't work that way.
That said, NBC does air American Song Contest, which is Eurovision production, and receives very poor ratings. Because of this, I surmise that Eurovision doesn't air in the United States because none of the broadcasters will pay for the rights if it's not going to bring in enough viewers to make up for the fee.
If Eurovision really wanted its program to be seen in the U.S., there is no shortage of small networks, cable/satellite networks, LPTV networks, or OTT providers for getting its program seen. It just has to offer the show at a reasonable rate.
I don't think this is a case of the usual HN cliché of "Evil company blocks me from seeing something for no other reason than to be evil."