MOST viewers would rather give up watching local TV channels than pay for the service, according to a new poll.

The survey, conducted by Bermuda CableVision, also suggests that while nearly two-thirds of residents tune in to local broadcasts, the vast majority do so for less than one hour a day.

And a whopping 83 per cent of those quizzed said they were not prepared to pay for the three regional networks.

Of the 257 people questioned, 70 per cent of respondents said they were unlikely to install an antenna to receive these channels for free, should they no longer be available via cable.

Although current legislation allows CableVision to run the local broadcasts for free, Government has confirmed it is now considering a review of the regulations and may demand Bermuda?s cable companies to start paying local broadcasters a fee for their programming ? a cost that will be passed on to the consumer.

Summing up the poll, a CableVision spokesman said: ?Viewership of local channels is moderate, with most respondents spending less than one hour per day watching each local channel. Most respondents watch network or international programmes on local channels.

?Since many of these programmes are broadcast on other cable channels, few ? five per cent ? are willing to pay more to receive local programming that they currently do not watch.?

CableVision general manager Jeremy Elmas said: ?We hope that the Ministry of Telecommunications will take a careful look at these findings before making any changes to the current ?must carry? regulations.

?The research clearly shows that residents are not willing to pay more for local channels and that they believe these channels should continue to be free. We at CableVision are naturally very concerned about any potential cost increase for our customers.

?Clearly, the proposed change would lead to just that, in addition to being discriminatory towards cable customers.?