Ten Years Ago... Broadcasters Leery of new Sheriff John McCain

The likely new sheriff in Broadcast Town is less industry friendly than the last
[SOURCE: New York Times 11/18/1996, AUTHOR: Mark Landler]
On Election day 1996, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Larry Pressler (R-SD) lost. He would be replaced as chair by Sen John McCain (R-AZ). Senator McCain differed then with broadcasters on three key issues: 1) He wanted the Federal Communications Commission to auction off a new slice of broadcast spectrum for digital television, while the industry assumed it would receive these channels free -- broadcasters did get them for free. 2) He opposed setting a uniform government technology standard for digital television -- that standard was later set by the Federal Communications Commission with lots of help from broadcasters. 3) He supported changes in campaign finance -- a prospect that unnerved many broadcasters because it would mean giving candidates free or deeply discounted airtime for their political messages -- he helped pass finance reform, but it did not include free time for candidates. Instead, 10 years later, candidates shattered records for spending on broadcast TV ads (see story below).
http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F70E14FA395E0C7B...
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