FCC

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FCC is Broken, Cable Group Chief Argues

Says government plays favorites, backs policies dooming his industry

(Newser) - The head of a cable television trade group bashed the head of the FCC today, accusing him of backing policies that “hurt the (cable) industry.” The issue causing most of the fuss, Broadcasting and Cable reports, is the proposed to mandate an a la carte pricing system, which...

FCC Chief Wants to Lift Cross-Ownership Rule

Says letting newspapers own TV stations in same market would aid flagging industry

(Newser) - After weeks of speculation, FCC chairman Kevin Martin came out  today in favor of relaxing a decades-old rule barring ownership of newspapers and TV stations in the same market. In a call to reporters and an op-ed piece in the New York Times, he said the change is needed to...

Sirius, XM Union May Have Listeners Singing the Blues

Deal would lower options, raise prices, Post writer says

(Newser) - For anyone doubting that a merger between Sirius and XM would harm the satellite radio industry by forcing listeners to go through a single provider, the Washington Post’s Marc Fisher has two words: cable TV. Fisher argues that for all of the advantages any union may produce, ultimately it...

FCC Hatches Plan to Re-regulate Cable TV

Finds cable giants too dominant in market

(Newser) - The FCC is taking aim at cable television giants, finding that they have become too dominant, and is preparing to impose new regulations that would open the market to competition, the New York Times reports. Among proposals on the table is a cap that would block continued growth by the...

'You Got Jammed!'
'You Got Jammed!'
Nov 4, 2007 2:58 PM CST

'You Got Jammed!'

People are snapping up devices to silence annoying chatterers. So what if they're illegal?

(Newser) - Ever find yourself cut off mid-conversation, on a bus or train, by a lost signal? Could be the work of the guy sitting next to you, the New York Times reports. An increasing number of people are snapping up pocket-sized jammers, which emit signals strong enough to knock out cell...

FCC Put to Test Over Net Neutrality

Consumer groups lodge complaint against Comcast file sharing interference

(Newser) - Consumer groups and legal scholars filed a complaint with the FCC today asking the agency to fine Comcast for interfering with subscribers' file transfers. The case will be the first major indication of the FCC's actual stance on Net Neutrality. The petitions call on the FCC to fine Comcast $195,...

States Pick Up Dropped Broadband Ball

US still lags behind in high-speed Internet availability

(Newser) - With the federal government dropping the ball on broadband Internet deployments, many states are picking it up, the Wall Street Journal reports. A Kentucky program has brought wireless to 95% of the largely rural state, and imitation programs have sprung up in West Virginia and Tennessee. Liking what he sees,...

FCC to Strike Down Exclusive Cable Deals

Likely to cut prices; Verizon, AT&T set to offer multi-services

(Newser) - The Federal Communications Commission is set to strike down thousands of exclusive contracts between cable companies and apartment buildings this week, a move officials say will drive down prices as it increases competition. Consumer groups have lobbied hard for the change as have companies such as Verizon and AT&T...

FCC OKs $24.7B Alltel Buyout to Private Group

But wireless carrier's new owner faces "unnecessary" restrictions, commish says

(Newser) - The FCC approved a $24.7 billion takeover of Alltel yesterday, but not without imposing some restrictions on the deal and criticism from two of its top officials. Alltel, the nation’s fifth-largest wireless carrier, will now transfer its licenses to TPG Capital and GS Capital Partners, a subsidiary of...

Journal Deal Raises Red Flag With FCC

Commission member asks if deal serves public interest

(Newser) - FCC commissioner Michael Copps would like to toss a monkey wrench into News Corp.’s Dow Jones takeover, Broadcasting & Cable reports. Copps, a Democrat, yesterday called for an inquiry to determine whether the deal suits the public interest and whether current rules sufficiently cover the situation. Chairman Kevin...

FCC May Ease Rules on Media Owners
FCC May Ease Rules on
Media Owners
Oct 18, 2007 6:22 AM CDT

FCC May Ease Rules on Media Owners

Would allow firms to own newspapers and TV stations in same city

(Newser) - FCC Chairman Kevin Martin wants to relax limits on media consolidation, starting with repealing the rule that a company cannot own a newspaper and television or radio station in the same city, the New York Times reports. The commission is split, with two Democrats opposed and three Republicans supporting, a...

'Wardrobe Malfunction' Busts Into Court

CBS challenges FCC fine for Jackson Super Bowl mishap

(Newser) - Almost 4 years after Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" during the Super Bowl halftime show, a federal appeals court is being asked to decide whether the incident was indecent or a fluke. The FCC fined CBS $550,000; the network argues the penalty is out of line. It's also having...

Battle Brews Over Burns' 'War'
Battle Brews Over Burns' 'War'
Aug 26, 2007 6:47 PM CDT

Battle Brews Over Burns' 'War'

PBS stations unsure if airing doc's profanity will net fines

(Newser) - Words that start with “f-” and “s-” or end with “-hole” could spark fighting over a documentary that’s titled, appropriately, “The War.” PBS has a version of Ken Burns’ new film with expletives removed, but some stations want to show the real thing—even...

Shareholders OK Tribune Takeover
Shareholders
OK Tribune Takeover
Aug 21, 2007 1:41 PM CDT

Shareholders OK Tribune Takeover

But analysts say Zell's bid should be lowered

(Newser) - The Tribune Co.’s shareholders approved Sam Zell's $8.2 billion takeover today, nudging the publisher one step closer to private ownership. But some analysts remain skeptical that the deal will go through as planned—the company’s declining profitability since the April announcement has triggered speculation that the...

Microsoft Renews FCC Fight Over TV 'White Space'

New access to Web opens in 2009

(Newser) - Regulators won't OK Microsoft's plan to give consumers access to the Internet through unused TV airwaves, but the firm isn't taking no for an answer. The FCC has already nixed a protoype that caused static on existing broadcasts, but Microsoft says it now has a version that works, and a...

FCC Ruling to Test Google Power
FCC Ruling
to Test
Google Power
Jul 30, 2007 9:53 AM CDT

FCC Ruling to Test Google Power

Techies’ lobbying tactics on wireless auction vex old guard

(Newser) - The FCC will rule tomorrow on whether an upcoming airwaves auction will require its winner to build an open-access network, and the verdict will test Google’s lobbying prowess, the Washington Post reports. Google has been pushing the open network aggressively, to the chagrin of AT&T and Verizon, ...

Google Stokes Wireless Competition With $4.6B Bid

Search giant set to buy wireless frequencies

(Newser) - Google is poised to bid $4.6 billion in the upcoming federal auction of wireless frequencies,  to create a national broadband network that could challenge the dominance of companies like AT&T and Comcast. If Google's bid triumphs, the web search giant could expand into selling Internet, telephone and...

Airwaves Sale to Break Open Cell Phone Biz

New access could loosen grip of telecom giants

(Newser) - An auction of government-owned frequencies could break open the cell phone industry and loosen the grip of giant telecom carriers, the Wall Street Journal reports. The FCC is likely to set aside a band of radio-spectrum frequencies for an open network free of restraints imposed by Verizon and AT&T....

Appeals Court Rejects FCC Decency Rules

Broadcasters can't be punished for airing "fleeting expletives"

(Newser) - Networks that accidentally air profanity got a major break from a US appeals court yesterday when the court  shot down an FCC regulation that punishes them for airing even "fleeting expletives." The court said some of the FCC's indecency rules were "divorced from reality" and sent them...

XM Fans Irate at Shock Jock Suspension

Opie & Anthony, kicked off airwaves, now in trouble on satellite

(Newser) - Fans of "The Opie & Anthony Show" cancelled their satellite radio subscriptions by the hundreds after XM slapped the shock-jock duo with a 30-day suspension earlier this week. Subscribers are accusing the station—which promises uncensored content—of pandering to the FCC so they won't block a pending merger...

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