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Volume 24, Issue 242, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
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Thursday Morning December 13th, 2007
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| WGA Strike Central: Day 39 |
 Nets looking to scrap the upfront?
Along with being the first to pull out of the now-cancelled Winter Television Critics Association tour, NBC may be the first net to officially scrap upfront events due to the WGA strike, according to a NY Times story: "Jeff Zucker, the president of NBC Universal, is the most vocal, willing to say publicly that his network is contemplating junking its upfront event. 'In light of the changing business environment, we are looking very seriously at not doing the extravaganza part of the upfront process." For NBC that usually means Radio City Music Hall with a drinks party in and around the skating rink in Rockefeller Plaza. Execs at each of the other big three confirmed the strike was driving the movement toward a mid-May week without any circus-like upfront events. CBS spokesperson Chris Ender told the paper: "There has been no final decision, but it is increasingly unlikely that we will do a traditional upfront presentation this year." Execs at Fox and ABC didn't want to comment because final decisions had not been made, said the story. But a senior exec at one network said, "I'd say it's 50-50 now that we'd do a traditional upfront, and every day the strike goes deeper into January the chances become dimmer and dimmer." Of course, the networks will still take part in the actual selling of the upfront, but with smaller presentations in smaller settings in front of smaller groups of buyers and planners.
WGA feeling the heat from within
The Writers Guild of America is under new and mounting pressure from its ranks to get back to the bargaining table, says an LA Times story. A number of union members are unhappy that the negotiations with the major Hollywood studios that broke off Friday night were sidetracked by issues secondary to the one the writers see as central: how they will be paid when their work shows up on the Internet. Six weeks into a costly strike, they're pressing union leaders to get the talks back on track--and fast--fearful that the Directors Guild of America might open its own contract negotiations with the Hollywood studios as early as next week. Among the writers urging fresh talks, said the story, are some of the guild's most powerful members, those responsible for the day-to-day operations of popular TV shows, which are quickly running out of original episodes.
AMPTP board issues new statement
A new letter was sent yesterday by the AMPTP Board of Directors to companies represented by the AMPTP in the 2007 WGA negotiations. In essence, it blames the WGA for the breakdown and laments the loss of jobs and economic impact: "By now you know that those in charge at the WGA have injected substantial new doses of vitriol into the important and continuing debate on our industry's future. On Monday, in a letter to members of the WGA East, the president of that organization wrote: "They lie. And then they lie again. And then they lie some more."
| Read the rest here |
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TV News ®
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 Tribune expects Cubs sale
in first half of '08
Look for sales of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field, related real estate and the company's stake in Comcast SportsNet Chicago to close in the first half of 2008, Tribune Company said in its latest update to investors, although no buyers have yet been announced. Before that happens, though, the company should be shed of its outside investors anyway. Tribune recently got the needed FCC crossownership waivers to allow it to complete the final phase of its going private buyout by Sam Zell and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Tribune reported that November was a down month, with total company revenues off 3.3% to 413 million. Broadcasting and Entertainment group revenues in November were 104 million, down 2.6%, due to decreases in television group revenue, partially offset by increases in radio/entertainment revenues. Television revenues fell 4.8% to 96.7 million due to the absence of political advertising, partially offset by strength in several categories including retail, corporate, health, food/packaged goods, telecom and restaurant/fast food. Radio/entertainment revenues rose 40.1% to 7.3 million, with no specifics offered by the company.
FCC tees up media, cable issues for December meeting
Numerous elements of the 2006 Quadrennial Regulatory Review and other dockets, scrubbed from the FCC's November Open Meeting, are back on the agenda for the December meeting, pegged for next Tuesday 12/18/07. Some hot cable issues are expected to be dealt with as well. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has indicated that the only change to the media ownership rules he is going to try to push through is elimination of broadcast/print cross-ownership restrictions in the nation's top 20 markets. Legislation to block any action whatsoever is pending in the Senate after clearing the Commerce Committee by unanimous voice vote last week. Martin and his four colleagues are to appear before that committee today. It is further expected that the Commission will put a national subscriber cap of 30% on cable multiple system operators. Other agenda items concern the promotion of diversified broadcast ownership, a report on broadcast localism, and a look at sponsorship identification requirements for embedded advertising.
TVBR observation: The Sunshine Notice on this event says 10:30. Given the Commission's recent track record on Open Meeting punctuality, it remains to be seen if the relevant suffix to 10:30 should be AM or PM.
 MMTC asks FCC to get it right
before moving on diversity
Without a solid definition of the type of companies which would stand to benefit from regulatory measure to increase diversity, MMTC has asked the FCC to do nothing at all, for now. "It is better to have no package at all until the Commission can agree upon a package that will neither confuse the public nor cause considerable harm to minority entrepreneurs," it wrote in a letter to FCC commissioners. MMTC's David Honig wrote, "While it appears unlikely that a race-conscious SDB (socially-disadvantaged business) definition could be adopted at this time, it is our hope that as the Commission completes the task of developing an SDB definition that can satisfy strict scrutiny, it can craft an interim classification that will include substantial numbers of minorities and women while also being race-neutral both in concept and implementation."
MMTC suggests using the Commission's Advisory Committee on Diversity in the Digital Age to set up a review process "which would naturally yield diversity of information and viewpoints and would be predictive of success in a challenging environment." It counsels against adoption of a simple "small business" classification, citing the low percentage of SDB owners in such businesses already in existence. Honig also pushes for further consideration of several proposals, including must-carry rights for LPTVs and Class A TVs, repurposing television channels 5 and 6 for FM radio, repeal of radio subcaps, and others.
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Youngstown becomes a two newsroom market
New Vision's WKBN-TV (Ch. 27, CBS) Youngstown, OH this week began providing local newscasts for Parkin Broadcasting's WYTV-TV (Ch. 33, ABC) under a contractual arrangement. Some WYTV anchors and reporters were hired by WKBN, but the Youngstown Vindicator reported that only about 10 of the 50 employees pink-slipped at WYTV got job offers. New Vision also owns the Fox affiliate in Youngstown, which is an LPTV. The only other local news operation is at WFMJ-TV (Ch. 21, NBC), which is in a grandfathered crossownership combination with the Vindicator daily newspaper.
TVBR observation: The story on the AP wires made it sound like this is an unusual situation. And to hear the debate over the FCC's ownership rules in Washington, most politicians are similarly misinformed. Having a viable third TV news operation is becoming increasingly rare in smaller TV markets. The economics just don't work, no matter whether the owner is a local entity or a big group. That could be solved in many markets by allowing duopolies and crossownership (which Youngstown already has, you'll notice). But that would require the folks in Washington to put politics aside and look instead at the merits and the public interest benefits. Nah, not gonna happen.
 Tracking the candidates
Nielsen Company has to scoop on where the presidential candidates are making their early expenditures, and how frequently. Democrats as a group are spending more than Republicans, but nobody is spending like Mitt Romney (R-MA), and he's bought almost four times as many spots as the rest of the Republican field combined. The spending on the Democratic side is much more evenly distributed. The Nielsen figures combine television and radio spots. Iowa has been the prime beneficiary of most of the spending, with New Hampshire coming in a distant second. Very little cash has gone to other states, and only a small amount has thus far been invested in national cable.
On the Democratic side, the leading advertiser is Barack Obama (D-IL, 10,311 spots); followed by Hillary Clinton (D-NY, 7,839 spots); Bill Richardson (D-NM, 7,305 spots); Chris Dodd (D-CT, 4,064 spots); John Edwards (D-NC, 2,642 spots); and Joe Biden (D-DE, 681 spots).
As we mentioned, Mitt Romney (R-MA) blows away the competition with 17,849 spots; followed by Ron Paul (R-TX, 1,454 spots); Fred Thompson (R-TN, 1,111 spots); John McCain (R-AZ, 945 spots); Rudy Giuliani (R-NY, 881 spots); Duncan Hunter (R-CA, 88 spots); and Tom Tancredo (R-CO, 9 spots).
Sky Television sues over toppled tower
The Virginian-Pilot confirms the parent company of WSKY-TV Norfolk-Virginia Beach, VA (Channel 4) has sued Tower Innovations over the building of a tower that toppled in high winds in Camden County, N.C., in March, saying its work was shoddy from start to finish. The suit was filed late last week in U.S. District Court in Norfolk, reads like a business version of a homeowner's lament against a sloppy contractor, said the story. Station President Glenn Holterhaus told TVBR that Tower Innovations refused to fund the subcontractors to rebuild. The fallen tower was the first one they tried to use helical anchors on, he said (10/9/07 TVBR #197). Tower Innovations also never reimbursed the station for the cost of replacing the transmitter building and equipment. WSKY is seeking more than 50 million from Tower Innovations and A.B. Chance, manufacturer of the flawed helical anchors intended to secure the tower's foundation.
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Ad Business Report TM
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TNS looks at ad spend by advertiser; category
According to data released by TNS Media Intelligence, during the first nine months of 2007, the top 10 advertisers spent a combined total of 13.3 billion in measured media, a reduction of 2.3% from last year. The pace of spending for this select group picked up in Q3, advancing by 3.1%. Extending outwards to the top 50 marketers, a more diversified group representing one-third of the measured ad economy, expenditures were down 2.2% YTD, to 34.3 billion. Outside the top 50, the segment which has been principally responsible for industry growth in recent years, spending rose 1.4% versus last year.
| Read More |
DVR viewers play catch-up quickly
 While more viewers are recording programs with their DVRs, they're actually not delaying viewing for very long, according to a recent analysis conducted by Palisades MediaGroup. The study discovered that, on average, more than half of all DVR primetime program playback is done within the same day it was recorded. And by the end of the following day, DVR owners have completed approximately three-quarters of all program playback. While DVR penetration appears to be growing at a rapid pace, its usage isn't making a significant impact on ratings. "At least not yet," says Susie Thomas, SVP/Director of Research and Insights at Palisades MediaGroup. "Nielsen estimates DVR penetration to be at 20%, up from 12% in January of this year. While this is a good-sized increase, the impact on viewership remains minor."
According to the study, ratings increase just over 15% due to DVR playback from live to live-plus-seven. The average rating against adults aged 18-49 was 2.5 for live viewing and 2.9 for live-plus-seven viewing; an increase of only 16.7%. While fast-forwarding through the ads is still an issue, not all people who use a DVR fast-forward. The data show that less than half of people who watch a recorded program fast-forward through the ads during playback. Equally significant, the top 10 most-DVR'd primetime shows among adults 18-49 experience as much as 58% of playback on the same day (CBS's Survivor: China) and as little as 27% (CW's Reaper).
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| Washington Business Report TM |
Kevin Martin for the defense
House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell addressed his concerns about "an apparent breakdown" of procedure at the FCC with a five-question quiz for FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. In a prompt response, Martin explained how he follows established procedure. Asked about publishing the text of rules under consideration, Martin noted that it was not a requirement. Proposed rulemakings are announced and comment and reply periods established. This becomes part of the record, guiding the rulemaking within the FCC, which leads to the commissioner vote. He said he does in fact provide his fellow commissioners with relevant data; he said commissioner rule review time is adequate and is handled just as it was 10 years ago under then-Chairman Bill Kennard (D); he said he will continue to provide at three weeks notice of upcoming open meeting, with a list of items already in circulation that he plans to consider; and that the FCC retains documents according to policies of the National Archive and Records Administration. At the FCC oversight hearing last week, both Democratic commissioners - Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein - said there were times in which they felt there were procedural breakdowns of one kind or another, and Robert McDowell (R) said that on occasion there were problems. Dingell and relevant subcommittee chair Bart Stupak (D) have promised a hearing on FCC procedure.
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| Cable Business Report TM |
 It's a bird, it's a plane -
no, it's a TV screen
Bright House Networks is one of the cable MSOs that has refused to carry the NFL Network, so DirecTV, which does carry the channel, says it is coming to the rescue of folks in the Tampa-St. Pete and Orlando markets who don't have access to the NFL games broadcast exclusively on the league's own cable/satellite net. The newly launched DirecTV Starship - a blimp with a giant 2,100-square-foot video light sign display - has been dispatched to Florida to let consumers view games not carried on their local cable. The "fly-over" project will begin today, when folks in Tampa will be able to look up at the sky to see the NFL Network's broadcast of the Denver Broncos-Houston Texans game. The "fly overs" continue the following Saturday, this time above St. Petersburg for the Cincinnati Bengals-San Francisco 49ers NFL Network broadcast. The following week, the Starship will visit the Orlando area for Thursday's Pittsburgh Steelers-St. Louis Rams broadcast and that Saturday's Dallas Cowboys-Carolina Panthers broadcast.
TVBR observation: We're not sure we'd want to watch an entire football game with our neck tilted back to look at a blimp, but there might be a few die-hard fans who would do that. We're hoping, though, that while the big blue DirecTV Starship is cruising around the area for the next couple of weeks that it makes a pass just south of the Manatee River near the opening to Tampa Bay so we can see it from our TVBR Bradenton, FL office.
Satellite continues to eat into cable market share
The quarterly tally from the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) shows that alternate delivery systems (ADS), primarily satellite TV, now reach 28% of US TV households, up from 24.5% a year ago (November to November stats). At the same time, the penetration of wired cable systems fell to 61.3% from 62.1%. For the first time ever, a top 50 DMA, Albuquerque-Santa Fe, has more ADS subscribers than cable subscribers. In all, TVB reports that 15 DMAs nationwide are majority ADS.
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| Internet Business Report TM |
CNBC, Yahoo! strike global distribution deal
CNBC and Yahoo! Finance announced an agreement to distribute content from CNBC, CNBC Europe, CNBC Asia, and CNBC.com to Yahoo! Finance users worldwide. CNBC will provide video clips from its global networks and articles from CNBC.com. The content will be available to Yahoo! Finance users in the U.S. (finance.yahoo.com), and will also be available to Yahoo!'s 21 international financial news sites. The video clips will encompass commentary and analysis of the day's top business stories, pre-market opening buzz, interviews, investing and stock-picking segments from CNBC programs including "Mad Money w/Jim Cramer" and "Fast Money" and international market news and analysis from CNBC Europe and CNBC Asia.
 JumpTV partners with
AETN, Endemol
JumpTV, a leader in broadcasting international television and sports over the net, announced that it has signed agreements with Endemol and AETN International, a division of A&E Television Networks, to carry several globally-recognized series on demand via JumpTV.com and JumpTV's network of sub-licensee sites. JumpTV will carry Endemol's Russian production of "Deal or No Deal" and paid long form content from The History Channel and A&E Network libraries, including the series, "Mysteries of the Bible", "Ancient Mysteries", "The History of Sex", "Weapons at War" and "Modern Marvels." These programs will be available in French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, and will be carried in territories where sizable immigrant communities for each language reside. The programming offered by AETN International will be geo-blocked. The programs will be offered via a combination of free-to-consumer (ad supported), pay per view and subscription models, with paid services ranging from 0.49 per episode to 5.99 for a series of episodes.
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| Ratings & Research |
Week 11: A big week for cable
Broadcast TV still dominates in the weekly number crunch by the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVBR) to combine broadcast and cable/satellite Nielsen data, but the cable networks managed to put 10 shows in the top 100 for the key 18-49 demo in week 11 of the TV season. With the big broadcast networks beginning to be impacted by the writers strike, was it planning or just coincidence that quite a few original programs aired on cable last week? As usual, sports was big. "Monday Night Football" on ESPN even managed to claim the #2 spot, just behind ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." Also worth noting: Univision had its strongest performance ever, with the finale of the popular novela "Destilando Amor" (Essence of Love) in 14th place.
| See the Top 100 |
 HBO signs for VOD ratings
HBO has become the first company to sign up with Nielsen to receive television ratings for its video-on-demand offerings. The data will come from Nielsen's National People Meter VOD Audience Measurement service. Under the agreement, Nielsen will begin measuring the programming available on HBO's subscription video on demand (SVOD) services - HBO On Demand and Cinemax on Demand. "Technology has changed the way people watch television and as our customers increasingly use our On Demand products to watch our shows on a timetable of their choosing, it is essential that we understand this growing shift in viewer behavior," said Jan Pasquale, Senior Vice President, Research, HBO.
"Clients told us that VOD is a vital part of their business and Nielsen responded with a service that allows them to measure, analyze and understand audience preferences," said Sara Erichson, Executive Vice President Client Services, Nielsen North America. Nielsen estimates that 35.1 million households have access to on-demand services. The National People Meter VOD Audience Measurement service was introduced in December of 2006 with demonstration data available to interested clients. It uses patented technology to embed a code or "watermark" in a program to identify specific episode information. The service is based on the same sample that is used to produce all national ratings.
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| Stock Talk |
They hate the Fed, they love the Fed
A day after traders sold off shares because they thought a rate cut by the Fed was too small, traders applauded a move by the Fed and other world central banks to try to ease the credit crisis. But the rally faded and major market barometers ended with only modest gains. The Dow Industrials rose 41 points, or 0.3%, to 13,434.
TV stocks were mostly higher. Saga gained 5.3% and LIN 4.4% as the star performers.
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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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2.75
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-0.03
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Lincoln Natl.
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LNC
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58.62
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+0.33
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Belo
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BLC
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16.85
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+0.30
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LIN TV
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TVL
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11.16
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+0.47
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| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
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26.26
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-0.25
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McGraw-Hill
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MHP
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45.31
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-0.48
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| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
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25.87
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-0.67
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Media General
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MEG
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21.99
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+0.29
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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34.49
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-0.45
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Meredith
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MDP
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55.93
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+0.18
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Disney
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DIS
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32.28
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+0.52
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News Corp.
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NWS
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21.65
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+0.26
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Emmis
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EMMS
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4.15
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-0.03
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Nexstar
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NXST
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8.04
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-0.10
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Entravision
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EVC
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7.39
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unch
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Ion Media
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ION
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1.33
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unch
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| Equity Media |
EMDA |
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2.79 |
-0.21 |
Saga Commun.
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SGA
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6.91
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+0.35
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Fisher
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FSCI
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37.47
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-0.38
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SBS
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SBSA
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1.85
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+0.02
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Gannett
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GCI
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35.40
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+0.35
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Scripps
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SSP
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43.60
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+0.60
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Gen. Electric
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GE
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37.25
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+0.22
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Sinclair
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SBGI
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9.40
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-0.20
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| Google |
GOOG |
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699.35
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+0.15
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SWMX
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SWMX
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0.01
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+0.01
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Gray
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GTN
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8.07
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+0.09
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Time Warner
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TWX
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16.96
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+0.05
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Gray, C1. A
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GTNa
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8.65
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+0.25
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Tribune
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TRB
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31.90
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+0.36
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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21.44
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-0.56
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Wash. Post
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WPO
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771.18
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-14.34
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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8.78
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+0.04
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Young
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YBTVA
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1.23
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+0.11
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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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Cable Business Report
It's a bird, it's a plane
No, it's a TV screen this cable MSOs refused to carry the NFL Network...
Satellite continues
To eat into cable market share...
Ad Business Report
TNS looks
At ad spend by advertiser; category top 10 spent a combined 13.3 billion...
Ratings & Research
Week 11:
Big week for cable managed to put 10 in the top 100 for the key 18-49...
HBO signs for VOD ratings
Becomes 1st company to sign up w/ Nielsen to receive ratings for its video-on-demand offerings...
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Stations for Sale
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 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
Jim Carnegie
jcarnegie@rbr.com
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TV Station Auction
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WTVE-TV 51 / DTV25
Philadelphia DMA
Full-Power Commercial Independent. Licensed to Reading, PA. Carried on nearly 2 million households
The auction of WTVE will take place at 9:30 AM EST on January 3, 2008 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 900 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Qualified bids are due on December 21, 2007. The minimum bid price is $12 million and a refundable deposit of $200,000 is due on that date. A copy of the Sale Motion, Bidding Procedures and/or Bidding Procedures Order may be obtained by written request:
J. Scott Victor
Senior Managing Director
(610) 940-5802
jscott.victor@nationalcity.com
Michael J. Gorman, Associate
(610) 940-3615
michael.gorman@nationalcity.com
Ryan C. Cole, Analyst
(610) 940-2619
ryan.cole@nationalcity.com
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TV Media Moves
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Out the door
SWMX Inc. reported in an SEC filing that it has received the resignation of James Caci from his position as CFO, effective January 4, 2008.
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More News Headlines
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Sinclair fights payola/plugola charge
Television group owner Sinclair Broadcast Group is fighting an FCC Notice of Apparent Liability related to an appearance by pundit Armstrong Williams on at least one of its stations. Williams was found to have accepted cash from agencies in the Bush administration to use his television appearances to plug the No Child Left Behind program. The television show in question, says Sinclair, is not one of theirs, but rather is a program they aired via a syndication arrangement. They actually paid the producer of "America's Black Forum," Uniworld Group Inc., for the rights to air the program. That would be the opposite of benefiting from Williams' arrangement with the government.
Sinclair VP/General Counsel Barry Faber noted that this matter and the precedent it may set should be of concern to all broadcasters. "To our knowledge the FCC's political disclosure rules have never before been used to fine a television station for airing a public affairs program because a paid guest on the program may have received payment from a third party with an interest in what that commentator had to say," said Faber, adding "It is simply unworkable and unreasonable to expect broadcasters to interrogate every guest who appears on a public affairs show produced by a third party in attempt to determine whether the views expressed were in any influenced by consideration received by the guest. We are hopeful that once the FCC understands the impossibility of avoiding the situation complained of in the NAL, the lack of knowledge by Sinclair about the underlying facts which prompted the NAL and the erroneous factual assumptions which apparently underlay the issuance of the NAL, that it will be rescinded."
Boxes: Get 'em
while they're hot
Major retailers are coming on line with plans to sell digital-to-analog converter boxes, enabling non-MVPD-subscribers to keep their old analog television sets and still receive off-air broadcasts after the DTV transition takes affect 2/19/09. According to the Associated Press, the list includes Wal-Mart (and its Sam's Club), Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, Sears/Kmart, and RadioShack.
Dielectric signs
with Sutro Tower
in San Fran
Dielectric Communications announced that Sutro Tower, Inc., has selected Dielectric as the provider of antennas, combiners, and transmission lines for its tower site in San Francisco. Sutro Tower's purchase, scheduled to be installed over the next three years, will complete the facility's transition to digital broadcasting, improve the systems coverage area, and allow the television broadcasters who use the tower to provide maximized DTV service to Bay Area customers. The new installation will benefit the 11 television, five FM radio, and 20 other commercial companies who lease space on the tower.
Classmates.com
pulls IPO
Well, we won't find out after all just how much Wall Street thinks the social networking craze is really worth. Citing "current market conditions," Classmates Media Corporation has pulled its IPO, which had been scheduled for pricing this week (12/11/07 TVBR #240). Actually, you can still own stock in Classmates Media and its Classmates.com website - just not directly. It is and will continue to be a wholly owned subsidiary of United Online, which trades under the Nasdaq ticker symbol UNTD. In addition to Classmates, major operations of United Online include NetZero and Juno. United Online said it expects to record transaction-related costs of approximately 4.5-5.5 million during Q4 in connection with its decision to withdraw the IPO, which had been expected to sell 20% of the company for an estimated 120-144 million.
From the FYI dept.
We receive all forms of interesting email but late last night this email came to the editor's desk and had to share it with all. FYI - Look for likely fireworks tomorrow (today) when Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) questions FCC Commissioners tomorrow (today) (12/13/07) at the Senate Commerce Committee's oversight hearing for the FCC at 10:00 AM tomorrow. Dorgan is the author of legislation that would require the FCC to delay, and open up to meaningful public comment, its plan to revise media ownership rules. The hearing takes place in the Senate Commerce Committee's hearing room, 253 Russell SOB.
TVBR note: Ok see anything that stands out? How about the where it will be held. 254 Russell SOB. Got to get a chuckle out of it and only from inside the beltway.
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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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WGA Strike Central, Day 38
WGA and AMPTP now
in all-out battle
WGA and AMPTP issued some fairly negative statements this week, assuring little chance they'll get back to the negotiating table anytime soon. The general theme seems to be, "Who 'ya gonna believe?" After negotiations had broken off again.
TVBR note: If you are following this day to day reality TV drama take a read of the AMPTP's version of the facts. Once this is over can't wait to see who makes a mini series out of it.
12/12/07 TVBR #241
'Tis the season to CYA
Technically, it's always the season to CYA in Washington, but the looming DTV transition is making some of the natives inside the Beltway very nervous. Ed Markey (D-MA) went viral today with news of a new Government Accountability Office report on the FCC/NTIA preparations for the DTV transition in which it "...found no comprehensive plan or strategy to measure progress or results," he said. The FCC fired right back with a 99-page report noting that it has "been planning for the DTV transition for more than 20 years."
TVBR observation: Our CYA jesting notwithstanding, it is appropriate to make a lot of noise about the DTV transition. However, it may be slightly premature to go into panic mode. The NAB and its membership has a vested interest in seeing this go off without a hitch, and it should be gearing up for a big consumer education push in the very near future. Meanwhile, it is unfair to rag too hard on the FCC for not doing more to publicize the transition. The GAO is working for Congress, the very same institution that gave the FCC a budget of next to nothing for consumer outreach. We regularly see memos from the Commission, but the average citizen does not. The government has essentially handed the ball off to broadcasters, asking them to run it up the middle for a touchdown. And they probably will. The government meanwhile must make sure that any regulatory loose ends are tied off well ahead! of the deadline. And it wouldn't hurt if Congress put a little more fiscal muscle behind the outreach effort.
12/12/07 TVBR #241
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TVBR Classifieds
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New Positions
Available in TVBR Classifieds.
See TV Careers.
Hard finding that key person
to fill the important position at your organization? TVBR Classifieds, Results with Service. Contact April McLynn at classifieds@rbr.com
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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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