Broadcasters Ask FCC Not to Affirm Duop Rule

NAB: MARTIN'S NEWSPAPER-BROADCAST CROSS-OWNERSHIP CHANGES NOT ENOUGH
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The National Association of Broadcasters told the Federal Communications Commission it should do more for broadcasters than simply modifying the ban on newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership. In comments on FCC chairman Kevin Martin's proposal to lift the ban in the top 20 markets for stations rated below the top four, the NAB said that was the least it could do, adding that a "more extensive revision" is supported by a "voluminous record" supporting the NAB's contention that the ban is "no longer in the public interest." The NAB also took issue with the chairman's view that no further deregulation is warranted, saying it "strongly believes that the Nov. 13 proposal does not reflect current video-marketplace realities because it makes no changes to the existing television-duopoly rule" and favors loosening radio-ownership rules, as well.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512047.html?rssid=193

TV GROUPS ASK FCC NOT TO AFFIRM DUOP RULE
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: ]
A coalition of TV station groups operating in smaller TV markets is asking the Federal Communications Commission not to affirm the so-called duopoly rule that restricts common ownership of two top-rated stations in small markets. The coalition is alarmed by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s proposal to relax the newspaper-broadcast crossownership rule, but to make "no changes" on other ownership rules. The coalition says its doesn't mind if the FCC sets aside consideration of the duopoly rule as long as it doesn't find that the rule is still in the public interest. “That conclusion would be contrary to law and the factual record … and would sacrifice the interests of the pubic that the smaller-market stations serve,” the coalition argues. “The record shows that the economic viability of smaller market television stations is often fragile and deteriorating, and therefore all three goals of the duopoly rule—promoting diversity, localism and competition—would be served, not harmed, by the commission’s reforming the rule in recognition of the drastically changed media marketplace,” the coalition says. “Station combinations have allowed formerly struggling stations across the country to invest more in local programming, provide more technologically advanced services and increased local news coverage."
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/11/daily.14/
* Small-Market TV Stations to FCC: Loosen TV-Duopoly Rules
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512068.html?rssid=193

FCC OKAYS SALE OF MERIDIAN (MS) DUOPOLY
[SOURCE: tvnewsday]
The Federal Communications Commission has granted two related deals that will permit the continuance of a CBS-NBC duopoly in Meridian (MS), the 186th ranked TV market. CBS affiliate WMDN has been operating crosstown NBC affiliate WGBC under a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) since 1995. The owners of both stations asked the FCC last August for permission to sell the stations in two separate deals.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/11/daily.8/