Top Story It's time for FCC to get real about auction's benefits, Pai says
The time has come for the Federal Communications Commission to get specific about how much broadcasters can expect to earn from selling their spectrum, according to FCC member Ajit Pai. "To get broadcasters to the table, we need to turn the abstract concept of an incentive into the concrete reality of cash," Pai said in a speech. Pai also said the proceeding must not put constraints on AT&T, Verizon and other major players because doing so could reduce the total take of the auction. Broadcasting & Cable (2/27) Share: Business & Industry Report Broadcasters sound alarm over potential STELA rewrite
A House rewrite of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act would force broadcasters to include basic-tier carriage in their retransmission-consent talks with cablers, sources say. That could have implications for must-carry stations, although the outcome is unclear. "We are being forced to strenuously oppose this bill because our members are extremely concerned," NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton said. Broadcasting & Cable (2/27) Share:
- Related: Schurz Communications exec will speak for broadcasters at STELA hearing
Broadcasting & Cable (2/27) Share:
A broadcast advocacy group has formed to ensure that federal must-carry regulations are preserved. Voices for TV Choices is launching with more than 170 TV station members and is being led by Executive Director Peggy Binzel, a former executive vice president of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and lobbyist for News Corp. and Turner Broadcasting. TVNewsCheck (free registration) (2/27) Share:
- Media Institute files brief in support of broadcasters' Aereo suit
Advanced Television (2/28) Share:
- DISH wins H Block auction by bidding the minimum
Re/code (2/27) Share:
The NextRadio application could prove to be a key resource during emergencies because it would allow users to receive radio signals when cell service is down, according to Bud Walters, president of the Cromwell Group. "A good example is the ice storm of a few years ago when up in Owensboro, Ky., they lost telephone, cellphone service, cable, electricity -- there was no communication for a week," Walters said. "The only communication was our four radio stations. If you had it on your phone, so many more people would have had access." The Tennessean (Nashville) (tiered subscription model) (2/27) Share:
- Panasonic will debut next-generation VariCams at NAB Show
Broadcasting & Cable (2/27) Share:
- ABC to stream Oscars telecast live in limited markets
Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)/Company Town blog (2/27) Share:
"Jeopardy!" contestant Arthur Chu has won more than $238,000 using techniques -- such as jumping around the game board in a bid to land on Daily Doubles -- that are driving some viewers batty. "Chu's strategy seems to fit into a larger cultural pattern: Now that everything can be measured, quantified and reduced to statistical probabilities, there's no space for romance or instinct anymore," writes Caitlin Dewey. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model)/The Style Blog (2/27) Share: Univision beats ABC, CBS in key demo during Feb. sweeps
Univision beat ABC and CBS to place third among 18-to-34 adults in February, the first time it's done so in a sweeps period. The Spanish-language network came in fifth among 18-to-49 adults and all viewers for the month. Variety (2/27) Share:
- Survey: Consumers still prefer to channel surf to find shows
MediaPost Communications/MediaDailyNews (2/27) Share:
Jim Lange, who got his start in Minnesota radio and TV before hitting the big time as the host of "The Dating Game" in the 1960s and '70s, died on Tuesday in Mill Valley, Calif. He was 81. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (2/27) Share: Rep. Eshoo gets endorsement for House panel leadership role
Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., has won the backing of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in her bid to become the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Eshoo is vying with Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., who has more seniority, to succeed the retiring Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. National Journal (2/27) Share:
- Conservative radio hosts offer range of reactions to veto of Ariz. bill
Politico (Washington, D.C.) (2/27) Share:
NAB has updated The Political Agreement Form (PB-18), which includes the NAB agreement forms for political candidate advertisements and for non-candidate/issue advertisements. NAB members can receive this form free of charge by emailing the Membership department at [email protected]. To purchase a PB-18 CD, visit NABStore.com. Share: Register for NAB Show conferences!
Through conferences, training and workshops, industry thought leaders and rock stars deliver the knowledge you're looking for to succeed in a digital world. Check out the full lineup and register today! Share: SmartQuote The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves." -- Ray Kroc,
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