Media coalition petitions Commissioners
"Technological and marketplace developments - especially the growth of multichannel programming distributors and the Internet - have fundamentally altered the landscape in which the Commission's ownership rules were originally adopted." This statement is from a letter to all five FCC commissioners asking for regulatory relief. In view of this, a broad cross-section of broadcast and print media companies have asked that the ownership rules be modernized so they can continue to compete, and provide vital local information services. The gist of the argument is that new competitors continue to enter the media field, but rarely are they able to provide local content, including news and, critically, emergency information. Yet the local media are hampered by regulations that do not apply to the newcomers, resulting in a slanted playing field. "Simply put, retaining severe ownership restrictions does not promote the public interest in today's digital multichannel marketplace; to the contrary, it hinders local stations' abilities to provide increasingly costly programming and other diverse, valuable services to local audiences." The NAB, NAA, all four big networks and numerous radio, television and newspaper groups both large and small are participating in the coalition.
The Letter
Dear Mr. Chairman and Commissioners:
As you continue your review of the media ownership rules, the undersigned radio, television and newspaper companies and associations are united in urging the Commission to recognize, and respond to, the pressing need for reform of the local radio, local television, radio/television and newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rules so that Americans can continue to be served by vibrant free, over-the-air radio and television stations and daily newspapers.
Technological and marketplace developments - especially the growth of multichannel programming distributors and the Internet - have fundamentally altered the landscape in which the Commission's ownership rules were originally adopted. Consumers nationally and in local markets of all sizes now enjoy access to, and benefit from, a vast array of information, opinion, and entertainment from a wide range of diverse sources, including television and radio stations, nonbroadcast and multichannel outlets, print publications, and the virtually unlimited voices available on the Internet. As a result of this explosion of outlets and new technologies, television and radio broadcasters are experiencing unprecedented challenges in maintaining their audience shares and the advertising revenues essential to the survival of nonsubscription media. Indeed, the primary challenge facing local stations in today's highly competitive environment is remaining economically viable and accordingly able to continue to serve their communities with free, over-the-air entertainment and informational programming - including news, emergency information, and other local programming that their audiences need and expect.
The Commission should modernize its local ownership rules to reflect these dramatic changes in the media marketplace, and to ensure that local television and radio broadcasters, as well as daily newspapers, are not unfairly hampered in their ability to serve the public by outmoded regulations that limit them and not their competitors. Simply put, retaining severe ownership restrictions does not promote the public interest in today's digital multichannel marketplace; to the contrary, it hinders local stations' abilities to provide increasingly costly programming and other diverse, valuable services to local audiences.
The undersigned and the Commission share the common goal of ensuring that free, over-the-air television and radio stations and daily newspapers remain viable and vibrant so that they can effectively serve local viewers, listeners and readers throughout the country. Expeditious reform of the media ownership restrictions is urgently needed to achieve this goal, and we look forward to working with the Commission in this endeavor. Please let us know what we can do to assist you or Commission staff.
Members of the coalition
ABC Television Affiliates Association Inc.
Belo Corp.
Bonneville International Corporation
Capital Communications Company Inc.
CBS Corporation
CBS Television Network Affiliates Association
Citadel Communications Company Ltd.
Clear Channel Communications Inc.
Coronet Communications Company Inc.
Cox Enterprises
Entercom Communications Corp.
FBC (Fox) Television Affiliates Association Inc.
Fox Entertainment Group
Gannett Company Inc.
Gray Television Inc.
Hearst-Argyle Television Inc.
Lockwood Broadcasting Inc.
Media General Inc.
Mel Wheeler Inc.
National Association of Broadcasters
NBC Telemundo License Co.
NBC Television Affiliates
NBC Universal Inc.
Newspaper Association of America
News Press Gazette Inc.
Pappas Telecasting Companies
Prime Cities Broadcasting Inc.
Smaller Market Broadcasters Coalition, including
* Barrington Broadcasting Group
* Cordillera Communications
* Drewry Communications
* Fisher Communications Inc.
* Freedom Broadcasting Inc.
* LIN Television Corp.
* Morgan Murphy Stations
* Quincy Newspapers Inc.
* Raycom Media Inc.
* Schurz Communications Inc.
Tribune Company
Westwind Communications, LLC
Young Broadcasting Inc.
