On Tuesday, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the FCC would be voting in July to approve modernized rules governing children’s programming on broadcast television. While the current rules may have once served a purpose in a marketplace led by broadcast television, they certainly no longer have a place in today’s world … Continue reading Bringing a Measure of Sanity to the FCC’s Children’s TV Rules
Common-Sense Reforms for Children’s TV
More than 20 years ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) created rules that require over-the-air TV broadcasters – and only over-the-air TV broadcasters – to air a specific amount of children’s educational programming, at specific times, in specific formats and in specific ways. The FCC’s rules implemented the Children’s Television Act of 1990, … Continue reading Common-Sense Reforms for Children’s TV
Time To Put Up
It will be important to watch closely how the forward auction unfolds, as this is the golden opportunity for which the wireless industry has lobbied intensely. CTIA and CCA, the leading wireless trade associations, have wholeheartedly supported the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s hard work throughout the auction rulemaking process and have approved the agency’s ultimate auction … Continue reading Time To Put Up
One Year From Now: Full Speed Ahead With Innovation
At its monthly open meeting tomorrow, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote on an order setting the stage for the next generation of wireless services. The order – part of the “Spectrum Frontiers” proceeding – will make expansive amounts of high band spectrum available for wireless services, including next-generation 5G service. This vote will … Continue reading One Year From Now: Full Speed Ahead With Innovation
Auction 101: Setting Prices in the Reverse Auction
On Wednesday, bidding in the reverse component of the first stage of the broadcast spectrum incentive auction came to a close. As promised, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) promptly released the total clearing costs needed to close the auction at the initial clearing target. While we wait for the beginning of the forward auction, we … Continue reading Auction 101: Setting Prices in the Reverse Auction
It Begins
Today is an exciting day at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with the official start of the broadcast spectrum incentive auction. And much is at stake – a successful auction means that spectrum will be repurposed, a huge amount of money will change hands and technology and spectrum policy will be shaped for the future. … Continue reading It Begins
Revisionist History, Cable Goodies and Still Nothing for Consumers
On Tuesday, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler’s Media Bureau chief, Bill Lake, took to the blogosphere in an attempt to reverse the palpable lack of enthusiasm for the Chairman’s plan to eliminate the broadcast TV exclusivity rules. Unfortunately, Mr. Lake’s written defense of the Chairman’s proposal is fatally flawed and obscures the larger … Continue reading Revisionist History, Cable Goodies and Still Nothing for Consumers
You Want Breaking News Coverage? Then Mind the Gap
When was the last time you turned to TV to follow details of breaking news as it unfolded – the real, on-the-ground coverage from reporters in the field? In the first half of this year alone, we learned firsthand about the civil unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray, followed with bated breath … Continue reading You Want Breaking News Coverage? Then Mind the Gap
Let’s Not Fumble the Over-the-Top Opportunity
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler recently circulated a proposal to his colleagues that recommends classifying certain over-the-top providers as multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The proposal aims to stimulate competition in the increasingly consolidated pay-television market. NAB agrees these are worthy goals. Emerging over-the-top distribution provides an opportunity to unleash new competitive alternatives while preserving and … Continue reading Let’s Not Fumble the Over-the-Top Opportunity
Sorry to Disappoint, But NAB Is Playing It Straight Up
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler certainly traveled a great distance simply to accuse the NAB yesterday in Las Vegas of seeking to delay or derail his upcoming broadcast spectrum incentive auction. With all due respect Mr. Chairman, I fear that your comments are not only wrong, but will create the very uncertainties and distractions you say … Continue reading Sorry to Disappoint, But NAB Is Playing It Straight Up
