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Volume 24, Issue 150, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
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Thursday Morning August 2nd, 2007
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TV News ®
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 Copps wants Murdoch buy investigated by FCC
Since the Wall Street Journal is a national newspaper, it has been assumed that Rupert Murdoch's deal to buy Dow Jones & Company is a non-event as far as the FCC is concerned. Commissioner Michael Copps (D) begs to differ. "It's interesting to hear the 'experts' claim the transaction faces no regulatory hurdles. Not so fast! This deal means more media consolidation and fewer independent voices, and it specifically impacts the local market in New York City. What's good for shareholders of huge media conglomerates isn't always what's good for the public interest or our civic dialogue. We should immediately conduct a careful factual and legal analysis of the transaction to determine how it implicates specific FCC rules and our overarching statutory obligation to protect the public interest. I hope nobody views this as a slam-dunk," Copps said in a statement.
TVBR observation: Beg pardon Commissioner, but you are dead wrong on the law and regulations this time. Just as Gannett is not impacted by the crossownership rule from having the headquarters of USA Today in the Washington, DC market, where it has a TV station, there is no crossownership issue here for the New York market, where News Corporation owns two TV stations and the Wall Street Journal is headquartered. There is an ongoing issue with News Corporation also owning the New York Post under a crossownership waiver, but that is a completely separate matter.
Murdoch will shell out a total of 5.6 billion
That tally in a joint statement by Dow Jones & Company and News Corporation includes nearly 5.1 billion that News Corporation will pay to buy all shares of Dow Jones for 60 bucks each and assumption of 500 million in debt. A statement by the controlling Bancroft family says the decision to sell to Rupert Murdoch's company came after "much soul-searching." Another statement from Jim Ottaway, whose family also owns a large stake in Dow Jones, ripped into the advisors to the Bancrofts for "scaring some of them into betraying their 105-year family loyalty to Dow Jones independence." The Ottaway family is expected to vote its 7% voting stake against the sale, but the deal appears to be cinched. Over half of the 64% Bancroft stake is committed to voting for the sale and the 29% stake held by the public, now mostly in the hands of arbitrageurs, is expected to be voted overwhelmingly for the sale to Murdoch.
TVBR observation: What happens now? The biggest question is how owning Dow Jones can help News Corporation with its Fox Business Channel, due to launch this fall on cable. The Wall Street Journal has an exclusive deal with CNBC that runs through 2012. We expect, though, that Murdoch will be making an offer to NBC Universal to buy out that contract. And while CNBC insists that it intends to hold the WSJ to its deal, the reality is that there are advantages to getting out, rather than continue to promote a brand name that will go to its rival at a date certain. CNBC has already been having talks with the Financial Times, so it is not without options. As for Ottaway, he can at least take solace in the likelihood that his family name will not likely be part of the Murdoch empire for long. As we've previously noted, it didn't make sense for Dow Jones to buy the Ottaway chain of smaller market newspapers in the first place, so it seems a no-brainer that News Corporation would put them up for sale ASAP.
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Ownership: Consumers groups counter-attack
 That didn't take long. Ten FCC ownership studies had barely seen the light of day before Commissioners Michael Copps (D) and Jonathan Adelstein (D) began bashing the attached schedule. Now, a pack of watchdogs is bashing the content. "The FCC's chief economist started with the results the agency wanted and worked backward," said Free Press's Ben Scott. The group claimed that it obtained the seeds of one study via the Freedom of Information Act, in which FCC Chief Economist Leslie M. Marx kicked off a study by collecting "thoughts and ideas" about "how the FCC can approach relaxing newspaper-broadcast restriction." Studies which were determined would likely best forward that results were the ones chosen for execution. Consumer Federation of America's Mark Cooper said, "The agency failed to conduct an external review of the research design, failed to conduct a competitive bid to select researchers, and did not conduct a peer review of the results. The deck was stacked before the research commenced." They pointed what they see as flaws in the FCC's current approach (under the link below), and then used the occasion to point out the alleged suppression of Michael Powell-era reports, leaked to Barbara Boxer (D-CA), that caused a major ruckus a short while back. "Coming on the heels of a major flap over the suppression of research that contradicted the agency's policy recommendations in the media ownership proceeding, it is clear that the new blatantly biased research plan was intended to avoid that kind of embarrassment and produce the results the FCC was looking for," Cooper said.
| Critique of FCC studies here |
Arbitron gets MRC blessing for PPM TV data
The Media Rating Council has given Arbitron accreditation for Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings data for television in Houston, where radio data was already accredited by the MRC. Arbitron is hailing that as a "significant milestone," while at the same time insisting that this is specialty out-of-home data for TV and that it is not out to challenge Nielsen in the TV ratings business. Most Houston TV stations are encoding for PPM, 14 out of 17 - but those missing three are biggies, the ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates. Arbitron says that is not a problem, since the other stations who are encoding are able to use the data to track their out-of-home viewing. Arbitron plans to make the TV data service available in other markets as it rolls out PPM to the top 50 radio markets. The only other one currently in operation in Philadelphia and no TV station is currently encoding there.
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| Wall Street Media Business Report TM |
 Retrans softens down quarter for Sinclair
Q2 revenues from continuing operations were down 1.4% to 161.4 million for Sinclair Broadcast Group, with local down 0.8% and national off 9.2%, primarily because of weakness at the MyNetworkTV affiliates. But while it is a tough time for ad sales, Sinclair CEO David Smith was upbeat about retransmission consent deals. "We have now successfully closed on multi-year retransmission consent agreements with all of the major multi-channel video programming distributors in our markets, covering approximately 90% of the subscribers in our markets. We now estimate that our 2007 revenues from our retransmission consent agreements will be approximately 60.5 million, as compared to 25.4 million last year, a 138% increase. For 2008, we expect this number to grow to approximately 66.0 million based on what we have under contract today." And of course, everyone in television is looking forward to the 2008 political windfall. But there are still two quarters to go in 2007. "We are currently forecasting our third quarter broadcast revenues to decline by 2.9 million to 4.7 million primarily due to tougher prime-time comps faced by the stations affiliated with MyNetworkTV, a continued soft Columbus, Ohio market, which is our largest market, and almost 2.0 million less in network compensation. While most broadcasters will be faced with having to replace last year's incremental political revenues, our ability to secure retransmission consent fee revenues is expected to more than offset the absence of political dollars in the third quarter," said Sinclair CFO David Amy.
Lincoln revenues nearly flat
Lincoln Financial Group reported its Q2 results this week. Revenues were down 0.2% to 57.4 million for the broadcasting subsidiary, Lincoln Financial Media, and station operating income declined 5.1% to 26.3 million. But interest costs and general and administrative expenses were down substantially, so income from operations rose 14.3% to 13.6 million. Lincoln Financial Group has said it is considering whether to sell its radio and television operations, but no decision has been made yet. For the entire company, Lincoln reported that Q2 income from operations rose to 386.7 million from 351.4 million a year earlier.
 Disney beats the Street,
buys Club Penguin
The Walt Disney Company is entering the virtually world by acquiring Club Penguin for 350 million bucks. CEO Bob Iger, pictured, says the online virtual reality site for kids will be immediately accretive. The company plans cross-platform promotion of the website with its Radio Disney operation and its kid-oriented cable networks. The site, with more than 12 million users, is aimed at kids ages 6-14. Disney reported that revenues for its fiscal Q3 (April-June) rose 6% to 9.04 billion. Earnings per share were 58 cents, beating the Thomson/First Call consensus by four cents. This was the first report by Disney since its spin-off of ABC Radio to Citadel. The company is now reporting its remaining ESPN Radio and Radio Disney operations within its Cable Networks division. Revenues there were up 4% to 2.31 billion and segment operating income rose 9% to 1.06 billion. Broadcasting revenues rose 9% to 1.51 billion, driven by higher ad sales for the ABC Television Network. Segment operating income more than doubled to 295 million from 130 million a year earlier.
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Ad Business Report TM
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Interep's Azteca America adds Sacramento
Interep announced its Hispanic television rep firm Azteca America Spot Television Sales has added Bustos Media's Azteca America new affiliate in Sacramento to its client roster. Azteca American Spot Television Sales also represents Bustos Media's Azteca property in Milwaukee.
 Westin Hotels launches 30 million multimedia effort
This summer Westin Hotels & Resorts is transforming some of the country's most hectic transportation hubs into "places of renewal." Westin's 30 million campaign uses experiential mediums including 3-D and Bluetooth billboards, image-shifting lenticulars and sub-media (ads that appear to move on the train tunnel walls, much like a giant flip book), that bring to life the brand's ongoing concept of personal renewal. Rolling out in major cities including Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and San Francisco, the campaign launched yesterday in NYC when every possible media touch point in Grand Central Station will be a carefully choreographed brand immersion experience. One of many executions includes the interiors of three Grand Central/Times Square shuttle trains completely wrapped with 360-degree imagery of a lush rain forest, tropical scuba dive or a soothing sauna leading to an icy lakeshore. The new out-of-home executions, via Deutsch New York and implemented by MediaVest, are an evolution of Westin's "This is How it Should Feel" effort. The 2007 ad buy will also include print, radio, online, and multiplatform elements. The campaign's clever use of imagery and "environmental messaging" literally and figuratively turns everyday negatives into positives, transforming the mundane commute into an unexpected oasis. A busy escalator, for example, is transformed into a rushing tropical waterfall, while airport signage creates a mental link between negatives like the frustration of delays and positives like the exhilaration of surfers lined up waiting for the perfect wave. In New York, an interactive Bluetooth billboard invites passersby to download a soothing, original Westin ringtone because "renewal is calling." The campaign is spread out over five markets, with more than 270 different visuals and 2,754 media placements.
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| Media Business Report TM |
Online newspaper readers a "Sophisticated Audience"
According to the Newspaper Association of America, more than 59 million people (37.3% of all active Internet users) visited newspaper Web sites during the second quarter of 2007, a record number that represents a 7.7% increase over the same period a year ago, according to the Center for Media Research. In addition, newspaper website visitors generated nearly 2.7 billion page views per month throughout the quarter, compared to slightly more than 2.5 billion during the same period last year. And, more than 60 million people visited newspaper Web sites during May 2007, more than any month on record. Said NAA CEO John Sturm: "Readers are visiting newspaper Web sites in record numbers for in-depth news and information as well as hyper-local information...These sites...[offer] thought-provoking blogs to complement the journalistic excellence that makes newspapers a community's most trusted resource...The amount of time users spend enjoying a newspaper's digital content further establishes these sites as premier online destinations for a demanding and sophisticated audience." In addition to this data, Nielsen//NetRatings reports that users spent a combined 7.2 billion minutes browsing newspaper Web sites during the second quarter during nearly 1.4 billion total visits.
 Three out of five ad, marketing execs plan to increase hiring
Demand for advertising and marketing talent is expected to remain strong in the coming year, driven in part by the need for professionals with online expertise. 61% of advertising and marketing executives polled said their firms plan to increase staffing levels in the next 12 months, up one point from the 2006 forecast. The survey was developed by The Creative Group and conducted by an independent research firm and includes 250 responses - 125 from advertising executives and 125 from senior marketing executives. "Our research suggests a continuing healthy demand for creative professionals, which is good news for job seekers," said Dave Willmer, executive director of The Creative Group. "The picture is less rosy for hiring managers, however, since finding and keeping the best talent will likely remain a challenge in the year ahead." Those whose firms have increased their recruiting efforts were asked, "Which of the following recruiting tactics are you using more frequently than you did a year ago?" The top responses were placing want ads online (73%); networking (69%); and enlisting the help of staffing or recruiting firms (44%). (Multiple responses were permitted.) Willmer added, "Professionals with experience creating and overseeing online marketing campaigns and materials are especially difficult to find. Firms are using multiple recruiting methods to fill positions such as e-marketing strategist, web designer and online art director."
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| Media Markets & Money TM |
Sinclair bounces out of Springfield
ABC 40 WGGB-TV out of Springfield MA is being sold. The Sinclair Broadcast Group station is headed to John Gormally and his Gormally Broadcasting Inc. Sinclair announced the transaction during its conference call reporting its Q2 2007 results. Susan Patrick of Patrick Communications, who brokered the deal, said the price was 21.15M. The DMA operates in the shadow of Boston and is home to only three full power stations, according to BIAfn, which in addition to WGGB's ABC schedule provide NBC and PBS fare. A low power station carries CBS.
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| Washington Media Business Report TM |
FCC study suggests hold on white space devices
The Federal Communications Commission Laboratory has conducted field tests of spectrum devices proposed for unlicensed use in the gaps between television signals, known as white spaces. (See "Engineering" for technical details.) Broadcasters, led by the National Association of Broadcasters, have been urging a go-slow approach to opening these spaces up, particularly with the uncertainties of the 2/17/09 DTV deadline fast approaching. The FCC itself has confirmed broadcast concerns. The FCC report suggests that "the sample prototype White Space Devices submitted to the Commission for initial evaluation do not consistently sense or detect TV broadcast or wireless microphone signals" and that "the transmitter in the prototype device is capable of causing interference to TV broadcasting and wireless microphones." The clear implication is to hold off on turning this spectrum into the wild wild west for unlicensed devices until it is proven that they can operate without harming incumbent signals. NAB's Dennis Wharton said, "Yesterday's FCC testing results confirm what NAB, MSTV and others have long contended: that the portable, unlicensed devices proposed by high-tech firms can't make the transition from theory to actuality without compromising interference-free television reception."
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| Entertainment Media Business Report TM |
 Yippee! It's Whoopi!
ABC confirmed yesterday that Whoopi Goldberg will be the new moderator of "The View," a position that has been vacant since Rosie O'Donnell left in May. That wasn't a complete surprise for viewers, since Goldberg has been a frequent guest host on the show. "This is a big old thrill for me," said Goldberg, after her new gig was announced. "I have known Whoopi for years. She is brilliant, funny and irrepressible, and is an enormously popular and talented star. We are delighted that she is going to join the program as our moderator. This is going to be a great new chapter for 'The View'," said creator, executive producer and panelist Barbara Walters. The show also features Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Joy Behar. Goldberg also hosts a daily syndicated radio show, "Wake Up with Whoopi," distributed by Premiere Radio Networks, which she had previously indicated would continue regardless of whether or not she got the daily TV job.
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| Ratings & Research |
Judy stays on top
"Judge Judy" continues to dominate summer viewing in the syndicated TV world, again beating "Wheel of Fortune." Will Wheel reclaim its #1 position when TV audiences grow as the regular season begins next month? The weekly ratings chart is provided by the Syndicated Network Television Association (SNTA), based on data from Nielsen Media Research.
| View the Chart |
Nielsen data now lets advertisers
target by demographic group, lifestyle
 The Nielsen Company announced new development that provides valuable insight into the media habits of specific demographic segments, allowing advertisers to connect more effectively with key target audiences. For instance, advertisers who want to reach a segment known as "Urban Elders," who drive Toyota Corollas, frequent fast-food joints and listen to gospel music, will find them watching daytime soaps, talk shows and the evening news. The offering brings together Nielsen's NPOWER television ratings analysis tool with the target marketing services of Claritas, Nielsen's marketing information provider, and its PRIZM NE lifestyle segmentation product. NPOWER is the analytic tool that Nielsen television clients use to perform customized analysis of television viewing based on the company's National People Meter database. Through its PRIZM NE product, Claritas classifies 66 segments of the U.S. population based on various socio-economic data, such as income, age, race, occupation, education and household composition, as well as lifestyle attributes that are critical to advertisers' marketing strategies, such as where they vacation, what they drive and their favorite brands. Using descriptive names that capture the make-up of each population segment, Nielsen will provide a profile of each group and data on their media habits to guide advertising decisions for clients. Claritas pioneered this form of market research in the mid-1970s.
Among others, the segments include: Blue Blood Estates - the nation's second-wealthiest group, characterized by the six-figure incomes earned by business executives, managers and professionals; Young Digerati - the nation's tech-savvy singles and couples living in fashionable neighborhoods on the urban fringe; and Bohemian Mix - a progressive mix of young singles and couples, students and professionals. Combining the NPOWER and PRIZM NE services creates opportunities for clients to perform targeted customized analysis of the viewing patterns of each of these 66 demographic segments.
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| Engineering Business Report TM |
FFC testing details "white space"
interference to TV signals
The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology released the results of study which revealed that portable, unlicensed devices cause interference to television broadcast signals. The FCC report concluded the sample prototype White Space Devices submitted to the Commission for initial evaluation do not consistently sense or detect TV broadcast or wireless microphone signals and that the transmitter in the prototype device is capable of causing interference to TV broadcasting and wireless microphones.
| Read More... |
TVBR observation: Much of this new technology uses pulses of energy using multiple different frequencies and sometimes spectrums-often just above the noise floor. We're a bit surprised it would interfere with existing stations, as the devices can be programmed to just not use those frequencies in any given market. Needless to say, when the VHF band opens up for mobile applications in 2009, it should change the picture a bit.
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| Stock Talk |
Rebound on Wall Street
Traders got over their worries about home loans and gave Wall Street a late rally. The Dow Industrials rose 150 points, or 1.1%, to 13,362.
TV stocks were mixed. Sinclair fell 6.1% after reporting its Q2 results. Disney, which reported results after the market closed, rose 2.5%.
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| Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Wednesday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
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Acme
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ACME
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3.97
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+0.01
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Lincoln Natl.
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LNC
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60.00
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-0.32
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Belo
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BLC
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18.02
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+0.12
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LIN TV
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TVL
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15.29
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+0.15
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| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
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31.97
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+0.25
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McGraw-Hill
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MHP
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60.37
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-0.13
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| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
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31.99
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+0.33
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Media General
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MEG
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28.15
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-0.05
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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36.87
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-0.03
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Meredith
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MDP
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56.78
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+0.29
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Disney
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DIS
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33.83
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+0.83
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News Corp.
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NWS
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22.82
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+0.16
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Emmis
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EMMS
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7.15
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-0.20
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Nexstar
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NXST
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10.31
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+0.06
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Entravision
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EVC
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9.27
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-0.09
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Ion Media
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ION
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1.29
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-0.06
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| Equity Media |
EMDA |
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3.68 |
-0.12 |
Saga Commun.
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SGA
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7.28
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-0.07
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Fisher
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FSCI
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46.38
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+0.65
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SBS
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SBSA
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3.25
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+0.07
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Gannett
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GCI
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50.69
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+0.79
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Scripps
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SSP
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40.70
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-0.27
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Gen. Electric
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GE
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38.95
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+0.19
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Sinclair
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SBGI
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12.24
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-0.80
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| Google |
GOOG |
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512.94
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+2.94
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SWMX
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SWMX
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0.15
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+0.02
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Gray
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GTN
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7.94
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-0.11
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Time Warner
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TWX
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18.64
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-0.62
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Gray, C1. A
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GTNa
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7.91
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-0.34
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Tribune
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TRB
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27.85
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-0.11
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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20.64
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-0.36
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Wash. Post
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WPO
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793.15
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+2.40
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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10.63
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+0.04
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Young
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YBTVA
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2.45
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-0.28
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Bounceback
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 We want to
hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments and
a photo to tvnews@rbr.com
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Below the Fold
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Ad Business Report
Westin Hotels
Launches 30 million multimedia effort...
Media Business Report
Online newspaper readers
A Sophisticated Audience more than 59 million people visited newspaper Web sites...
Entertainment Media
Business Report
Yippee! It's Whoopi!
will be the new moderator of The View, and continue with radio...
Ratings & Research
Nielsen data
Now lets advertisers target by demographic group, lifestyle...
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Stations for Sale
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 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
June Barnes
jbarnes@rbr.com
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TV Media Moves
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MediaCom's
Campbell named
GroupM Canada CEO
 David Campbell, co-president of GroupM agency MediaCom Canada, has been named president-ceo of GroupM Canada, a new position. The appointment, effective immediately, was announced by GroupM North America President-CEO Marc Goldstein. In his new role, Campbell will be responsible for GroupM's Canadian media investment management assets and will oversee the coordination of joint services provided by GroupM operating units MAXUS, MediaCom, Mediaedge:cia and MindShare.
Brooks to Pappas
Pappas Telecasting Companies has named William E. (Bill) Brooks to the position of General Sales Manager of WLGA-TV (Ch. 66, CW) Columbus, GA. Brooks has previous sales management experience at a number of stations, but most recently was working with an investment group that identified opportunities to acquire broadcast television properties.
Edwards to recruit
for Peacock
 Kelly Edwards has been appointed Vice President, Talent Development, NBC Universal. In this newly created position, Edwards will be responsible for recruiting diverse executives, writers and directors for the NBC network and Universal Media Studios, as well as for the Bravo, USA and Sci Fi networks. Previously, Edwards served as Senior Vice President, Comedy Development, at UPN.
Holmberg-Bowyer heading Blair
Petry Media announced that Julie Holmberg-Bowyer has been named President of its Blair Television, replacing Leo MacCourtney, who is now EVP/Agency & Advertiser Relations for Katz Television Group. Holmberg-Bowyer was previously Executive Vice President of Petry, responsible for the planning, development and oversight of new business activities and the internal integration of these operations since January of this year.
Sanchez gets his WISH
Phil Sanchez will join WISH-TV (Ch. 8, CBS) Indianapolis as a general assignment reporter. He was previously with News 12 New Jersey.
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More News Headlines
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New coalition opposes performance tax
We thought there was very clear handwriting on the wall following this week's hearing on performance payments on broadcast, and we weren't the only ones. A new group has been formed in Washington comprised of "local radio broadcasters, Latino and African-American groups, non-profit associations and other community groups" to oppose attempts to levy a new "performance tax" in the form of artist/producer royalties for airplay. It's called the Free Radio Alliance. At the hearing, held by the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property, recording artists Judy Collins and Sam Moore represented a group of artists called the Music First Coalition, and made the case that they deserve to be paid for their work. Free Radio is saying that the true beneficiaries would be international recording conglomerates at the expense of local US radio. Free Radio Alliance restates that radio and artists have a symbiotic relationship, and that the sudden reappearance of the performance fee issue is a direct outgrowth of the impact of new technology on the recording industry's business model. Radio continues to be a primary medium for beneficially exposing music to the public, but the recording industry is looking to any source of income. "Some press and analyst reports," says FRA, "claim this tax could mean an extra 2B to 7B dollars each year into the pockets of record label executives."
TVBR observation: That is an interesting point. Making a living as a musician is difficult, especially for the vast majority that have not enjoyed the success of Collins and Moore. And it's understood that it can be a rugged business even for artists of their stature. But how much will they benefit from this? Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH), whose pre-Congressional resume includes extensive experience in the music field, testified that he had just proudly cashed a check from SoundExchange for 19.58. Great: He can now take three of his family members to a fast food restaurant for dinner, provided everybody makes their selections frugally. If this is about large recording companies using musicians as pawns as they try to pick the pockets of broadcasters, then broadcasters are the ones occupying the moral high ground, no matter what anybody says to the contrary.
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SmartMedia Magazine
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Coming in September
FALL NAB ISSUE
SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION:
NAB RADIO SHOW
Radio Roundtable:
Radio execs find solutions.
Media Markets and Money:
What's attractive to equity capital these days?
Ad Biz:
Gennele Niblack, Katz Political President
Sales:
Dial Global's Eileen Decker on radio ad sales
News/Talk:
Using your website to get, keep and grow your audiences
Political Advertising:
Greg Pinello, GMMB: Political dollars for radio: The need for there to be more ideological diversity in the news-talk format; Tom Edmonds, a Republican strategist with Edmonds and Associates
Legal Ease:
Gregg Skall:
"The FCC rules on political ads-Network exception issue".
HD Radio:
Monetizing Conditional Access
New Media:
Gary Arlen: YouTube, Joost and the emerging Fox-NBC website are just the start of big bandwidth video via the Internet.
Streaming:
The impact of CRB Royalty rates on webcasters and streaming ads.
For advertising
information, contact:
June Barnes
jbarnes@rbr.com 803-731-5951;
Jim Carnegie
jcarnegie@rbr.com 813-909-2916 or
Carl Marcucci
cmarcucci@rbr.com 703-492-8191.
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TVBR Radar 2007
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Television News you won't read any where else. TVBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
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Murdoch seals the deal
to buy Dow Jones
After pressing for a higher price, most of the Denver faction of the Bancroft family has blinked and accepted the 60 bucks per share offer for Dow Jones & Company from Rupert Murdoch and News Corp.Part of what persuaded the Denver faction to come into the fold was a move by the Dow Jones board of directors to assume the fees owed to the Bancroft family's financial and legal advisors, said to total around 30 million bucks, effectively moving those costs to the buyer, News Corporation.
TVBR observation: Not an unreasonable compromise, but it is just incredible that the bargaining finally came down to 30 million, which is pocket change for a five billion bucks deal. So, the price moves from 5.00 billion to 5.03 billion and the deal is done. The Denver Trusts are only the third largest block of Bancroft family shares, so it looks like their brinksmanship - which nearly scuttled the five billion bucks buyout - has saved them about four million bucks. More business details in TVBR.
08/01/07 TVBR #149
Sirius won't obey FCC compatibility rule unless merger is approved
Never mind that most of those things could be implemented today without a merger - and all could be if the two companies were in compliance with the FCC rule that requires them to have compatible receivers. The timing of that chipset is probably somewhere between one year and two and a half years, depending on what we decide to feature in it, and we won't be able to begin that work until it's clear that the merger's approved.
RBR observation: How's that? From the very beginning, XM and Sirius were required by the FCC rules creating the satellite radio service to have mutually compatible receivers - a legal requirement that both companies blithely ignored when they launched with proprietary systems. Since then, and long before any merger was proposed, they have repeatedly told the FCC that they have been working to come into compliance with the compatibility requirement. But now Sirius is saying that it isn't going to go ahead with the compatible chipset unless the merger is approved. Can you imagine what would happen to an AM, FM or TV broadcaster who openly violated FCC rules in such a manner? There would almost certainly be huge fines assessed and perhaps even a license revocation hearing. Why isn't that happening here?
08/01/07 RBR #149
NAB/MSTV try to
keep spectrum clean
Major television trade associations are worried about the introduction of unlicensed spectrum devices into the band used by broadcast television stations, particularly in the face of the transition to digital-only broadcast. NAB's David Rehr and MSTV's David Donovan are trying to head off any rash moves in this arena.
07/30/07 TVBR #147
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©2007 Radio Business Report, Inc. All rights reserved.
Television Business Report -- 2050 Old Bridge Road, Suite B-01, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 -- Phone: 703-492-8191
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