That is particularly true in less prosperous markets. Much of small market TV revenue comes from must-carry fees, and that is declining in cities where the recession has made many people cut their cable subscription.Unfortunately that's a blanket statement which isn't true anymore. Small and medium market TV stations are being hit with very similar headwinds that radio is. Visit the Washington State TV section of this site, and witness how stations in smaller and mid markets are carrying newscasts from larger markets, or eliminating newscasts altogether.
In my market, Palm Spings, CA, which is rich and prosperous, the two main TV operators get more than half of their revenue from must-carry fees, as national and regional ad revenues are way off.