Martin Wants Review of Media Ownership Rules

[SOURCE: TVWeek, AUTHOR: Doug Halonen]
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin on Friday said he hoped to launch a review of the agency's media ownership rules this year -- if he can forge a consensus among the commissioners on how to proceed. During an impromptu briefing with reporters, Chairman Martin said he tried to get the ball rolling against the rules last year but was unable to get a consensus among the two Republican and two Democratic commissioners at the agency on how to proceed. It's widely anticipated that a third Republican commissioner will be appointed to the agency this year, giving Martin the vote he needs to command an agency majority. Chairman Martin also said he shared concerns that the cable industry's recently announced family-friendly programming tiers lack sports and other important industry fare that many observers believe could be critical to their success in the marketplace. "I'm a big sports fan," Martin said, "but I think it is important that we've seen some family tiers at least being offered. That's a really important step."
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