In the clearest sign yet that the switch to digital television signals won't go off seamlessly, the Department of Commerce said the coupon program that funds signal converter boxes for consumers needs more money. At the current pace of redemption, the $1.5 billion the government set aside to fund...
For television, there seem to be more questions than answers as 2008 comes to a close: How many industry pros will lose their jobs? How long will the recession last? How badly will the advertising market that is TV’s lifeblood falter? Wave after wave of anxiety-provoking headlines don’t help matters...
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Sun, Dec 14 2008
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Filed under: Broadcast, Cable, Digital, Fox, Emmys, DTV, Advertising, CBS, NBC, YouTube, Google, Viacom, Syndication, MSNBC, The Doctors, Katie Couric, CBS Evening News, Print Edition, Ben Silverman, Web Video, TV Ads, CNN, Kevin Martin, Project Runway, Friday Night Lights, Dr. Oz, DirecTV, American Idol, Dr. Phil, Oprah, Bill O'Reilly, Sumner Redstone, Chris Matthews, Rosie Live, Larry King, Oscars, Subchannels, Grammys, Harvey Levin, Ellen DeGeneres, John Roberts
The incoming chairmen of the Senate and House committees that oversee the Federal Communications Commission are urging its chairman, Kevin Martin, to devote his remaining days to the digital TV transition and to postpone FCC action on several controversial issues. The warning from U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman...
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Fri, Dec 12 2008
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Filed under: Broadcast, Digital, DTV, NFL Network, FCC, Kevin Martin, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, Henry Waxman, Jay Rockefeller, House Energy & Commerce Committee, WealthTV Network
After Barack Obama ran for president promising change and openness, and making a point of refusing to accept lobbyists’ contributions, the president-elect’s transition team secretly held a meeting with broadcasting lobbyists to discuss the digital TV changeover. The unannounced meeting was held Friday...
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Wed, Dec 10 2008
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Filed under: Broadcast, Digital, Fox, ABC, DTV, Barack Obama, FCC, Kevin Martin, NCTA, Kyle McSlarrow, NAB, House Energy & Commerce Committee, David Rehr
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin is proposing the agency speed its response to independent networks’ complaints that satellite and cable providers treat their owned channels and independent ones differently. Such discrimination could help the NFL, sports team owners and some new...
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Wed, Dec 3 2008
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Filed under: Broadcast, DTV, NFL, NFL Network, Barack Obama, FCC, Kevin Martin, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Bright House Networks, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, WealthTV Network
The sun is starting to set on the administration of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin. President-elect Barack Obama last week named Susan Crawford, a University of Michigan professor of communications law, and Ken Werbach, a Wharton School assistant professor and former counsel...
The Federal Communications Commission will take the unusual step of sponsoring a NASCAR entry as part of its digital TV outreach. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced today that the agency will sponsor the No. 38 car of driver David Gilliland for three Sprint Cup races. The FCC didn’t immediately say...
The cable industry is urging Congress to insist broadcasters put off any retransmission battles and any chance local TV signals could be dropped from their cable systems until after the digital TV switchover happens Feb. 17. “I want to raise a flag that a storm is coming,” Kyle McSlarrow, president-CEO...
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin is announcing a major increase in the agency’s efforts to publicize the nation’s digital TV transition, including events in more than 80 cities featuring FCC commissioners. Mr. Martin said today that the agency is targeting cities where either...