Rep. Mel Watt confirmed to head FHFA
By a vote of 57-41 12/10, senators confirmed the Democrat from North Carolina to lead the
Rockefeller: Too much at stake with Incentive Auction
Here’s Senator John D. Rockefeller IV’s (Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee) opening statement from the “Crafting a Successful Incentive Auction: Stakeholders’ Perspectives” hearing 12/10. While he noted that a successful incentive auction will mean more robust wireless networks both for voice and data in rural and urban areas around the country, he also said it should minimize disruptions and expense to those broadcasters who choose to remain in the business:
Walden announces bipartisan agreements on FCC reform
Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) announced
Rick Kaplan’s testimony for incentive auction hearing
Here’s a copy of the written testimony of NAB Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning Rick Kaplan for the Senate Commerce Committee hearing (12/10), "Crafting a Successful Incentive Auction: Stakeholders' Perspectives". Kaplan points out the impact of repack on the viewers—and their ability to receive OTA TV. In the post-auction repacking, it is likely that many more stations will be repacked – perhaps in excess of 500:
FCC flags LMAs in Sinclair-Allbritton deal
Barbara Kreisman, FCC Chief, Video Division Media Bureau, has flagged 3 LMAs cropping up
Two big EEO violations; NAL’s issued
The Commission informed (12/5) both Maryland Public Broadcasting (MPB) and Clear Channel/Chicago stations (AMFM Broadcasting Licenses, LLC) of Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) to the tune of $20,000 each for violations of the Equal Employment Opportunity Rules.
WDKA-TV gets forfeiture for late filing
The FCC issued a $1,500 forfeiture to WDKA Acquisition Corporation, licensee of WDKA-TV Paducah, KY (MyTV), for failure to file a broadcast license renewal...
SCOTUS stays out of brick & mortar v. internet dispute
Retailers with a physical presence in the communities they serve are tired of being forced to collect sales taxes while losing business to etailers who bear no such burden. With the Supreme Court ducking the issue, the International Council of Shopping Centers is turning back to Congress for help.
Cable also seeking auction moving expense reimbursement
It’s already bad enough that some television broadcasters will be forced to change channels
Walden fires up the griddle for the FCC
As always, there are a lot of important issues percolating away at the FCC, and now, there is a new five-member 8th Floor contingent to deal with them, including new Chairman Tom Wheeler. Greg Walden (R-OR) and the rest of the House Communications Subcommittee would like few words.
Hudson Institute looks at retransmission consent
The battle over MVPDs paying a fair price for broadcast content has been a hot topic in Washington for some time, and now it’s...
Watchdog tells Supremes Aereo method is a dodge
In a friend of the court brief, the Media Institute supported broadcasters in their dispute with the mini-antenna method Aereo is using to co-opt broadcast programming. MI called the method “manipulative technological exploitation.”
Another holiday for broadcasters at FCC
The FCC’s final Open Meeting for 2013 is scheduled for 12/12/13, and as has so often been the case over the last four years, it’s another meeting that broadcasters can pretty much ignore.
Baucus tax reform targets off-shore funds
Reports indicate that one of the planks in a tax bill being put together by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) is a reduction of the advertising business deduction. But an article in the Hill puts the focus on taxing money corporations are said to have been parking or earning abroad.
Comments sought on UHF discount demise
The FCC has an NPRM on the table which would remove the 50% discount afforded UHF television stations when calculating group compliance with national audience caps, and now is your chance to weigh in on the matter.