January 2008

** Listen to and interact with Federal=20
Communications Commissioner Robert McDowell=20
today, January 30, at 2 p.m.(ET), when=20
Multichannel News looks at the "Rules of the Game=20
2008: At The Digital Crossroads" live on the Internet. **
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6526983.html?nid=3D4262

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Congress Passes Extension of Surveillance Law

INTERNET/BROADBAND
FCC Releases Universal Service Reform Proposals
Study: US Net Traffic to Grow 50-fold by 2015
A Blueprint for Big Broadband
e-Census Unplugged: Why Americans Should Be Able to Complete the Census On=
line
Pay Per Gig

SPECTRUM
FCC Closes In on $10 Billion Minimum for Spectrum Auction

CABLE
PEG Services in the Digital TV Age
Cable Competition in Michigan Moving Slowly, Study Says
Copps Mulling Wholesale A La Carte Mandates

BROADCASTING
Getting Ready For the Death Of Analog TV
The FCC monitors value of kids TV shows =AD but how well?
Copps: FCC Not Asleep at Indecency Switch
Zucker: television Facing 'Wrenching Changes'

ELECTIONS & MEDIA
In Politics, Web Surpasses TV for Under-30 Voters
How Do You Maximize Momentum When There's So Little of It?

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Landmark Selling Two TV Stations, Mulls Other Assets
Media consolidation concerns Adelstein

QUICKLY -- Advertising Targeting African=20
Americans Tops $2.3 Billion, Nielsen Reports;=20
Quarter of Apple iPhones "unlocked": analyst;=20
CWA's Lobbying Message Costs $640,000;=20
Requirement for Analog Cellular Service Expires=20
in February; Virtual Workplaces in the Classroom;=20
Research Groups Boom in Washington

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

CONGRESS PASSES EXTENSION OF SURVEILLANCE LAW
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Paul Kane]
The House and Senate yesterday approved a 15-day=20
extension of an expiring intelligence=20
surveillance law and the White House backed off a=20
threatened veto, allowing more time to resolve a=20
dispute over the administration's proposal to=20
immunize telephone companies from lawsuits=20
stemming from their cooperation with warrantless=20
wiretaps. Both chambers passed by unanimous voice=20
votes the temporary extension of the Protect=20
America Act, and members then left town for a=20
one-week break. The White House gave its blessing=20
last night to the short-term measure rather than=20
allowing the surveillance law to expire Friday.=20
President Bush had insisted that Congress act=20
immediately to approve a new surveillance measure=20
that includes the immunity provision. "We've had=20
ample time for debate. The time to act is now,"=20
Bush told Congress in his State of the Union=20
address Monday, the same day he threatened to=20
veto a 30-day extension. President Bush remained=20
mum when asked yesterday if he would sign the=20
House's 15-day extension, but aides released a=20
statement last night indicating that the=20
president will "accommodate this request."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/29/AR200801...
2909.html
(requires registration)
* House approves brief wiretap law extension
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday=20
voted to keep a controversial expansion of a=20
wiretapping law alive for another 15 days. It's=20
unclear what will happen next. Senate Majority=20
Leader Harry Reid already failed on Monday to=20
secure enough support for a 30-day extension of=20
the law in his chamber. And President Bush has=20
threatened to veto another temporary extension.=20
The primary dispute among Democrats and=20
Republicans is whether the new legislation should=20
absolve corporations of any past lawsuits=20
alleging illegal cooperation with government spy agencies.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9860581-7.html?tag=3Dnefd.top
* House passes extension of eavesdrop law
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080130/a_fisa30.art.htm
* Divided Senate headed toward spy bill extension
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell=20
(R-KY) relented on Monday and said he would offer=20
a short-term extension of an anti-terror=20
surveillance law, set to expire this week, as he=20
seeks immunity for telephone companies. The=20
bipartisan bill would tighten controls on spying.=20
It also contains a demand by President George W.=20
Bush that any phone company that participated in=20
his warrantless domestic spying program, begun=20
after the September 11 attacks, receive=20
retroactive immunity from lawsuits. Nearly 40=20
lawsuits have been filed accusing AT&T Inc,=20
Verizon Communications Inc and Sprint Nextel Corp=20
of violating Americans' privacy rights in helping=20
the government's warrantless domestic spying program.
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2852052320080129

INTERNET/BROADBAND

FCC RELEASES UNIVERSAL SERVICE REFORM PROPOSALS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission=20
issued three Notices of Proposed Rulemaking=20
(NPRMs) seeking comment on proposed reforms of=20
the Universal Service Fund, a subsidy program=20
that mainly provides affordable phone service to=20
people who live in rural areas. Specifically in=20
one NPRM, the FCC seeks input on the merits of=20
using reverse auctions to determine the amount of=20
high-cost universal service support provided to=20
eligible telecommunications carriers serving=20
rural, insular, and high-cost areas. Concerning=20
high-speed Internet access, the FCC seeks comment=20
on whether it should employ should employ a pilot=20
program -- and, specifically, a pilot program to=20
disburse high-cost support targeted to broadband=20
Internet access services -- test the use of=20
reverse auctions as a method for distributing=20
high-cost support and adopt a pilot program to=20
replace the current high-cost support received in=20
a particular area. The Commission tentatively=20
concludes that 1) in any pilot program, the=20
reserve price should be based on the current=20
level of support in the particular area and 2)=20
the states are best situated to implement any=20
pilot program. FCC Chairman Martin said, "I=20
continue to believe the long-term answer for=20
reform of high-cost universal service support is=20
to move to a reverse auction methodology. I=20
believe that reverse auctions could provide a=20
technologically and competitively neutral means=20
of controlling the current growth in the fund and=20
ensuring a move to most efficient technologies=20
over time. Accordingly, I am pleased that we=20
adopt today's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to=20
use reverse auctions to distribute universal service support."
* Reverse Auctions NPRM
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-5A1.doc
* Identical Support
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-4A1.doc
* NPRM on recommendations of the Federal-State=20
Joint Board on Universal Service
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-22A1.doc
* FCC studies ways to fix phone-subsidy program (Associated Press)
http://www.siliconvalley.com/latestheadlines/ci_8116699
* FCC Chairman Martin:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-5A2.doc
* Commissioner Copps
"I continue to believe that there are a variety=20
of ways to promote Universal Service and at the=20
same time ensure the sustainability and integrity=20
of the fund. I believe much would be=20
accomplished if the Commission were to include=20
broadband on both the distribution and=20
contribution side of the ledger; eliminate the=20
Identical Support rule; and increase its=20
oversight and auditing of the high-cost=20
fund. Additionally, Congressional authorization=20
to permit the assessment of Universal Service=20
contributions on intrastate as well as interstate=20
revenue would be a valuable tool for supporting broadband."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-5A3.doc
* Commissioner Adelstein:
"The Joint Board's Recommended Decision for=20
comprehensive reform of the high cost support=20
mechanism - and, in particular, the decision to=20
include broadband as a supported service - is a=20
landmark development. I have long argued that=20
the universal service fund is an integral=20
component of our efforts to meet the broadband=20
challenge. So, the decision to embrace=20
broadband, through the list of supported services=20
and through targeted funding for unserved areas,=20
and the recognition of the effectiveness of the=20
current High Cost Loop Fund in supporting the=20
capital costs of providing broadband-capable loop=20
facilities for rural carriers are encouraging=20
developments. I must express a degree of=20
reservation over the amount of support allocated=20
to the Broadband Fund, among other limitations on=20
support. Maintaining our commitment to=20
connectivity, particularly in the broadband age,=20
is more important than ever, and the Commission=20
must start to provide realistic assessments of what will be required."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-5A4.doc
* Commissioner Tate:
As Federal Chair of the Federal-State Joint Board=20
on Universal Service (Joint Board) I am=20
particularly pleased that we are taking this=20
significant step forward in the journey toward=20
comprehensive reform of the high-cost universal=20
service program. This is an important program at=20
the heart of rural America. Its purpose, to=20
connect all Americans to telecommunications at=20
affordable rates, has over the years permitted=20
people to be connected even in rural and remote=20
parts of our nation. Going forward, the=20
Universal Service Fund will continue to play a=20
critical and increasing role in one of our top=20
priorities at the Commission -- encouraging=20
broadband deployment to all corners of America."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-5A5.doc
* Commissioner McDowell
"I have maintained that we must follow five=20
principles when considering reforms to the=20
Universal Service Fund. We must: (1) slow the=20
growth of the Fund; (2) permanently broaden the=20
base of contributors; (3) reduce the contribution=20
burden for all, if possible; (4) ensure=20
competitive neutrality; and (5) eliminate waste, fraud and abuse."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-5A6.doc

STUDY: U.S. NET TRAFFIC TO GROW 50-FOLD BY 2015
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: ]
New technologies are dramatically transforming=20
the Internet and could boost IP traffic in the=20
United States more than 50-fold within the next=20
decade, according to =93Estimating the Exaflood:=20
The Impact of Video and Rich Media on the=20
Internet,=94 a report released by the Discovery=20
Institute. The 24-page report, co-authored by=20
Bret Swanson and George Gilder, a senior fellow=20
at the Discovery Institute, describes the=20
technologies and trends that will drive Internet=20
growth. It projects IP traffic levels overall and=20
by application. By 2015, video calling and=20
virtual windows, for example, could total 400=20
exabytes a year, or about 40 percent of U.S.=20
traffic. The report estimates that by 2015 annual=20
U.S. Internet and IP traffic will reach 1,000=20
exabytes, or one zettabyte, which is one million=20
million billion bytes of data. A zettabyte is=20
roughly equivalent to 50 million Libraries of=20
Congress. According to the report, capacity in=20
broadband access networks to homes and businesses=20
must expand by a factor of between 10 and 100=20
over the next few years. New network investments=20
expanding bandwidth, storage, and traffic=20
management capabilities in the U.S. could total=20
more than $100 billion in the next half-decade=20
alone. Technology remains the key engine of U.S.=20
economic growth and its competitive edge, the=20
authors contend. Policies that encourage=20
investment and innovation in our digital and=20
communications sectors should be among America=92s=20
highest national priorities, they believe.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/01/29/daily.6/
* Estimating the Exaflood: The Impact of Video and Rich Media on the Intern=
et
http://www.discovery.org/a/4428

EDUCAUSE PROPOSES NEW APPROACH TO BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT
[SOURCE: EDUCAUSE press release]
EDUCAUSE, the association whose mission is to=20
advance higher education by promoting the=20
intelligent use of information technology,=20
proposed bringing the federal government, state=20
governments, and the private sector together as=20
part of a new approach to making high-speed=20
Internet services available across the country.=20
The group said that a new "universal broadband=20
fund" would be necessary so that "Big Broadband"=20
=97 services of 100 mbps =97 could be made widely=20
available. The new fund would be part of=20
EDUCAUSE's eight-point Blueprint for Big=20
Broadband Connectivity. The other elements are:=20
(1) leadership, vision, and goals providing=20
overall policy direction; (2) new organizations=20
to make certain the program runs properly; (3)=20
tax incentives for investment; (4) an open and=20
nondiscriminatory network that network operators=20
can't impede or degrade lawful services or=20
applications; (5) state and local government=20
construction of their own networks; (6) enhanced=20
consumer education about broadband services; and=20
(7) increased resources for broadband research.
http://www.educause.edu/PressReleases/1176&ID=3D1544
* A Blueprint for Big Broadband
http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EPO0801.pdf

E-CENSUS UNPLUGGED: WHY AMERICANS SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE CENSUS ONL=
INE
[SOURCE: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, AUTHOR: Daniel Cas=
tro]
Given the increasingly digital world that we live=20
in, most Americans will be surprised to learn=20
that they will be unable to complete the 2010=20
Census online. In a new report, ITIF analyzes the=20
decision made by the U.S. Census Bureau to=20
eliminate the Internet response option and=20
concludes that allowing respondents to submit=20
their survey online would have saved the Census=20
Bureau and taxpayers money. In addition, ITIF=20
challenges the conventional wisdom that using the=20
Internet for such an application poses a security=20
risk, and outlines how other countries have met this challenge.
http://www.itif.org/files/eCensusUnplugged.pdf

PAY PER GIG
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Steven Levy]
If you are an Internet-crazy movie lover in=20
Beaumont, Tex., life may soon take a miserable=20
turn for you. Time Warner Cable, which also sells=20
broadband via its Road Runner service, has chosen=20
your city for a pricing experiment. If you have=20
plans to sign up and watch lots of=20
high-definition flicks using, say, the new iTunes=20
digital rental program announced last month,=20
start saving now, because Time Warner is going to=20
tally up those gigabytes. You know that feeling=20
that mobile phone users get when they exceed=20
their allotted minutes and get a heart-stopping=20
tariff for overage charges? Some Beaumont=20
cinephiles could get the same infarction from their Road Runner bills.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/29/AR200801...
3205.html
(requires registration)

SPECTRUM

FCC CLOSES IN ON $10 BILLION MINIMUM FOR SPECTRUM AUCTION
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
After 12 rounds of bidding in the FCC's 700 mHz=20
auction, the FCC reached within striking distance=20
of the $10 billion minimum it needs to raise for=20
the federal treasury and various programs. The=20
total bid on the five blocks of analog spectrum=20
being reclaimed from TV broadcasters in the=20
switch to digital was $8.659 billion. There was=20
one new bid, $3,784 billion, on the so-called C=20
block of spectrum, which can be used for a=20
national wireless network. That pushed the FCC's=20
minimum bid for the next round to $4.294 billion,=20
close to the $4.6 billion that the commission=20
says it must get. Failing to draw a new bid for=20
the tenth round was the D block. That spectrum=20
also can be used for a national network, but it=20
must be shared with first responders and turned=20
over to them in times of emergency. House=20
Telecom Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA) on=20
Tuesday called the lack of a bidder discouraging,=20
and said during a Hill hearing that if the D=20
block failed to reach its minimum bid--$1.3=20
billion--the committee would step in.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6526966.html?rssid=3D193
* Wireless auction concerns rise as some airwaves languish
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Peter Kaplan]
Bidding remained stalled Tuesday on a key piece=20
of spectrum in the U.S. government's wireless=20
airwaves auction, prompting concern regulators=20
will have to modify rules requiring some of it be=20
shared with public safety agencies. After 12=20
rounds of bidding over four days, the Federal=20
Communications Commission still has received only=20
one bid for a portion of the 700-megahertz=20
airwaves known as the "D" block, that could also=20
be used by police, firefighters and other public=20
safety officials. The lone $472 million bid for=20
the D block spectrum, which came in the first=20
round of the auction last Thursday, is far below=20
the $1.3 billion minimum price set by the FCC. A=20
lack of bidders for the D block could be a=20
reflection of the credit crunch that has hurt the=20
ability of companies to raise capital, according=20
to industry analysts. Under rules adopted by the=20
FCC, the winner of the D block airwaves will be=20
required to negotiate an agreement with public=20
safety agencies, build out a nationwide network=20
and then give those agencies priority use during=20
emergencies. If no bidder meets the minimum price=20
for the D block, the FCC can re-auction that=20
piece of the spectrum and possibly modify the requirements.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2964059520080130

CABLE

PEG SERVICES IN THE DIGITAL TV AGE
Comcast executive vice president David Cohen,=20
testifying before the House Subcommittee on=20
Telecommunications and the Internet, said the No.=20
1 cable company in the country wanted talks with=20
Dearborn and other Michigan townships to yield a=20
positive outcome. =93I am pleased to say that we=20
are now engaged in friendly, and what I am sure=20
ultimately will be fruitful, discussions with=20
local government officials in Michigan =85=94 Cohen=20
said. Comcast, Cohen said, was attempting to=20
make the best use of limited channel capacity as=20
the company gradually transitions from being a=20
hybrid analog-digital platform to an all-digital=20
services provider, just like the video networks=20
of AT&T and Verizon and the satellite TV services=20
of DirecTV and Dish Network. =93Today=92s intensively=20
competitive video environment compels cable=20
operators to offer PEG channels in a digital=20
format,=94 Cohen said. =93Our major competitors are=20
already all-digital and they widely tout that=20
fact in their consumer marketing.=94 The migration=20
to digital, he added, would in the end sweep in=20
all channels, not just PEG stations. =93I want to=20
clearly state that we are not discriminating=20
against PEG channels,=94 Cohen said. House Commerce=20
Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) said, "I=20
am opposed to any effort that would thwart the=20
goals underlying a cable operator=92s obligation to=20
make PEG programming available to consumers. It=20
matters little to me if such efforts are driven=20
by technological change, the need for more=20
network capacity, or the desire to compete with=20
new entrants. PEG programming deserves=20
first-class treatment, not second-class billing.=20
That is why Congress requires cable operators to=20
provide PEG programming on the most basic tier of=20
service and why this Committee has stated that it=20
should be available to subscribers at the =93lowest reasonable rate."
* Comcast Defends Michigan PEG-Channel Move
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6526551.html?rssid=3D193
* Dingell Praises Comcast For PEG Flexibility
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: ]
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6526958.html?nid=3D4262
* Statement of Chairman John D. Dingell (D-MI)
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110st127.shtml

CABLE COMPETITION IN MICHIGAN MOVING SLOWLY, STUDY SAYS
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Haugsted]
One year after the passage of a law designed to=20
ease the entry into the cable market of=20
competitive providers in Michigan, only 110 of=20
2,000 communities in the state have a choice of=20
cable providers, according to a study by the law=20
firm Howard & Howard, which counsels municipal=20
governments. That translates to about one in 20=20
households receiving the benefit of Public Law=20
480, which replaced community-by-community cable=20
regulation with a single state point-of-contact.=20
The law was passed at the urging of AT&T Inc.,=20
which said the traditional franchising scheme was=20
a barrier to quick entry to the market. "AT&T has=20
received video franchises in some of the larger=20
communities in our state," said attorney Jon=20
Kreucher commented, "but in many of those=20
communities, the pace of AT&T's buildout appears=20
to be moving rather slowly. That means that the=20
vast majority of our state's residents will=20
probably be waiting for cable competition for a very long time."
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6526732.html?nid=3D4262

COPPS MULLING WHOLESALE A LA CARTE MANDATES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Federal Communications Commission member Michael=20
Copps said Tuesday he was still debating whether=20
to force cable programmers to wholesale channels=20
on an individual basis to cable and satellite TV=20
operators. Commissioner Copps=92s tentative=20
approach for now could be encouraging to cable=20
because he has been an eager participant in=20
Martin=92s extensive anti-cable agenda.=20
Commissioner Copps indicated that he was=20
sympathetic toward the American Cable=20
Association=92s concern that large program=20
providers effectively force pay-TV distributors=20
to license more channels than they want to buy,=20
with carriage of cable channels tied to permission to carry local TV statio=
ns.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6526763.html?nid=3D4262
* FCC=92s Copps Still Undecided on Mandatory Wholesale a la Carte
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6526748.html?rssid=3D193

BROADCASTING

GETTING READY FOR THE DEATH OF ANALOG TV
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Amy Schatz Amy.Schatz( at )wsj.com]
The Federal Communications Commission may soon=20
approve a plan that would require broadcast=20
television station owners to run at least four=20
30-second public-service ads a day about the=20
digital transition. That number would increase to=20
as many as 12 ads a day on each station as the=20
Feb. 17, 2009, deadline approaches. Broadcasters,=20
who object to the idea of donating so much=20
valuable airtime to the ad effort, recently=20
proposed an alternative plan that would have=20
local stations voluntarily air at least a dozen=20
public-service announcements a week, as well as=20
two separate ads a week on each of the Big Four=20
and Spanish-language networks. The proposal=20
appears to be gaining support among the FCC's=20
Republican members, although FCC Chairman Martin=20
and the FCC's two Democratic commissioners have=20
so far supported the plan requiring more-frequent=20
ads. The dispute highlights just how uneasy=20
regulators and lawmakers are growing over the=20
country's switch next year to digital broadcasts.=20
In little more than a year, millions of older=20
television sets will simply stop working. The=20
potential consumer backlash could be huge.=20
Broadcasters' offer to increase their commitments=20
provides them significantly more flexibility on=20
when the 30-second ads could run. Station owners=20
could run the ads anytime between 5 a.m. and 1=20
a.m. to fulfill their voluntary commitment. The=20
FCC has proposed requiring stations to run at=20
least one ad every six hours. Regulators worry=20
that the current public-service announcements=20
aren't being shown when most people are watching=20
TV. Generally, public-service announcements run=20
most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., a=20
recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation=20
found. On broadcast stations, just 13% of donated=20
PSAs ran during prime-time viewing hours of 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120166086841527569.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
sonal_journal
(requires subscription)
* Tuning Into Digital TV
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Stephen H. Wildstrom]
Lots of folks are confused about exactly how the=20
February, 2009, conversion to digital broadcasts=20
will affect them. Here's what you need to know
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2008/tc20080129_730100...
m?campaign_id=3Drss_tech

THE FCC MONITORS VALUE OF KIDS TV SHOWS -- BUT HOW WELL?
[SOURCE: Sacramento Bee, AUTHOR: Sam McManis - smcmanis( at )sacbee.com]
[Commentary] It is clear that the Federal=20
Communications Commission, while hyper-vigilant=20
about enforcing nebulous rules about indecency,=20
pretty much averts its eyes when it comes to=20
guidelines regarding children's shows. In April,=20
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin testified at a=20
congressional hearing. Asked by Rep. Ralph Regula=20
(R-OH) how the Commission determines what=20
qualifies as educational programming, Martin said=20
the Commission doesn't monitor the shows and will=20
open a probe against a station only if complaints=20
are filed by viewers. "There was a lot of=20
discretion that was provided to the broadcasters=20
to end up in compliance with those rules,"=20
Chairman Martin told Congress. "And, indeed, the=20
Commission said that they would generally defer=20
to the good faith of the broadcasters in=20
implementing that." The result: stations air as=20
educational shows like "Hannah Montana," The=20
Suite Life of Zack and Cody," "That's So Raven,"=20
"Saved by the Bell," "This Week in Baseball,"=20
"DeGrassi: The News Generation," and "Care=20
Bears." "The vast majority of shows that=20
contribute the cognitive and intellectual=20
development of children are on public=20
television," says Dr. David Walsh, a Minneapolis=20
psychologist and founder of the National=20
Institute for Media and the Family. "The=20
commercial stations are taking the easy way out=20
with the (FCC's) 'pro-social' loophole =AD shows=20
that 'teach' kids how to get along and cooperate.=20
"They could fulfill the requirement just by=20
looking at their current inventory for cheap ways=20
to comply. It's not hard to find (syndicated)=20
entertainment programs where kids are nice to each other."
http://www.sacbee.com/107/story/668352.html

COPPS: FCC NOT ASLEEP AT INDECENCY SWITCH
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Federal Communications Commission member Michael=20
Copps said he reviewed the NYPD Blue clip that=20
drew a $1.4 million fine last week and concluded=20
that it was indecent. Asked what broadcasters=92=20
takeaway from that proposed fine should be,=20
Commissioner Copps said, "The FCC is not asleep=20
at the switch on this issue and we remain alive=20
to our statutory responsibilities to be=20
responsive to complaints." He added that the=20
FCC's continuing concern was reflected in the=20
unanimous judgment of the commissioners on the item.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6526761.html?rssid=3D193

ZUCKER: TELEVISION FACING 'WRENCHING CHANGES'
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: Arthur Greenwald]
At the NAPTE convention in Las Vegas, NBC=20
Universal CEO Jeff Zucker said that people will=20
always want to be touched and entertained by=20
great content, cheer their sports teams ... the=20
creation and marketing of this content "is not=20
changing." What is changing, he contends, is=20
everything else. Technology is driving startling=20
changes in consumer behavior. New technology is=20
no longer just the domain of "early adopters."=20
Citing the rapid penetration of DVRs, he says,=20
"the people who covered the blinking VCR clock=20
with black tape have no problem operating the=20
DVR." But the shift in business models for the=20
networks is seismic. =93Ten years ago Bob Wright=20
said NBC was not in the TV business but in the=20
=91video in the home business.=92=94 It is amazing,=20
Zucker says, how much things have changed since=20
then. NBC can be viewed in supermarkets, gas=20
stations, taxicabs and cell phones. The=20
appointment is made by the viewer and not the=20
scheduling department. "In past years if a TV=20
executive was speaking here at NATPE, he would=20
always say that the outlook for broadcasting is=20
bright ... but I can't say that. We are in the=20
middle of a wrenching change in technology and=20
consumer behavior." Zucker describes the industry=20
as "in a gentle downward slide, disguised by a robust economy."
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/01/29/daily.11/
* Zucker: Stations are NBC's 'Greatest Asset'
"We know from our own stations that whatever we=20
do nationally affects us locally. But we know if=20
we don't do all we can to make our newscasts and=20
programs available in new ways, then we will [all=20
suffer.]" The key, Zucker says, "is to find ways=20
for stations and affiliates and the network to=20
exploit these new opportunities together."
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/01/29/daily.15/

ELECTIONS & MEDIA

IN POLITICS, WEB SURPASSES TV FOR UNDER-30 VOTERS
[SOURCE: AdAge, AUTHOR: Ken Wheaton]
A survey by SS&K and Advertising Age of close to=20
2,000 New Hampshire voters just ahead of this=20
year's primary showed that 40% of adults visited=20
a candidate's home page on the web. And one in=20
four visited a candidate's profile on one of=20
those newfangled social networks. That said, it's=20
not time to start doing the digital dominance=20
dance just yet. While new media has proved=20
effective at extracting money from the=20
already-decided and motivating the under-30=20
crowd, the study found it is no more than an=20
additive to traditional media strategy.=20
"Persuasion," according to the report, "seems to=20
remain the domain of traditional political=20
communications." TV is still the dominant force.=20
Of those polled, 56% saw TV ads from the=20
candidates, 51% watched TV debates and/or news=20
analysis of the debates and 40% saw the=20
candidates on talk shows or other TV appearances.=20
And there's good news for print: 47% said they=20
read articles in old-fashioned magazines and soon-for-the-grave newspapers.
http://adage.com/campaigntrail/article?article_id=3D123398

HOW DO YOU MAXIMIZE MOMENTUM WHEN THERE'S SO LITTLE OF IT?
[SOURCE: AdAge, AUTHOR: Joe Erwin]
[Commentary] What can we expect as the ante gets=20
raised in both parties' contests? I believe we'll=20
see even more negative advertising, more direct=20
mail and more push polling in an effort to draw=20
stark contrasts between the chief adversaries in=20
both races. And I expect we'll soon begin to see=20
more campaigns brushing up on their electoral=20
math, concentrating resources in winner-take-all=20
states where a one-vote margin looks like a=20
landslide when it comes to landing the=20
nomination. If Super Tuesday is to the=20
presidential race what Black Friday is to holiday=20
shopping, then pull up a chair, folks. It's about to get interesting.
http://adage.com/campaigntrail/article?article_id=3D123383

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

LANDMARK SELLING TWO TV STATIONS, MULLS OTHER ASSETS
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
Landmark Communications Inc. said Tuesday it will=20
sell its two broadcast television stations in Las=20
Vegas and Nashville, Tenn. but is still mulling=20
options for its other businesses, including cable=20
television's The Weather Channel. The=20
family-owned company said it has completed a=20
strategic review of its television broadcasting=20
businesses and will sell KLAS in Las Vegas and=20
WTVF NewsChannel 5 in Nashville with the help of=20
Lehman Brothers. The two stations to be sold are=20
CBS affiliates. Each is the leading television=20
station in its market, providing 30 to 40 hours=20
of local news programming per week, Landmark=20
said. The Norfolk-based company still is=20
evaluating options for its other businesses,=20
including cable television's The Weather Channel=20
and its flagship daily newspaper, The Virginian-Pilot, also in Norfolk.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003703521

MEDIA CONSOLIDATION CONCERNS ADELSTEIN
[SOURCE: Argus Leader, AUTHOR: Faith Bremner fbremner( at )gns.gannett.com]
A Q&A with Federal Communications Commission=20
member Jonathan Adelstein covering universal=20
broadband, media ownership, FCC reform, and the digital television transiti=
on.
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20080128/NEWS/80...
0301/1001

QUICKLY

ADVERTISING TARGETING AFRICAN AMERICANS TOPS $2.3 BILLION, NIELSEN REPORTS
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Moss]
In its first 12-month analysis of ads targeting=20
African Americans, Nielsen Tuesday reported that=20
such spending totaled $2.3 billion. The Nielsen=20
African American ad-spending analysis covers more=20
than 22,000 national, regional and local=20
advertisers, across more than 130 media vehicles,=20
with the first-year report spanning Oct. 1, 2006=20
to Sept. 30 last year. Local radio reported the=20
greatest amount of spending on African-American=20
targeted media at $805 million, comprising 35% of=20
total spending, according to Nielsen=20
Monitor-Plus. Network TV at $193.3 million=20
dollars saw a consolidation of UPN and WB into=20
the new CW network. The Top Network TV shows=20
based on total ad revenue are: Girlfriends,=20
Everybody Hates Chris, The Game and All of Us on=20
the CW, as well as Watch Over Me on MNT. Procter=20
& Gamble spent the most to reach African Americans, $89.7 million.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6526705.html?nid=3D4262

QUARTER OF APPLE IPHONES "UNLOCKED": ANALYST
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Scott Hillis]
More than a quarter of people who bought Apple=20
iPhone are using them on wireless networks other=20
than AT&T's, the exclusive iPhone carrier in the=20
U.S., a "stunning" number that will pressure the=20
company's business model, said Bernstein Research=20
analyst Toni Sacconaghi. Sales numbers from Apple=20
and AT&T revealed about 1.45 million phones were=20
"missing in action" at the end of 2007. About=20
480,000 of those were believed to be held by AT&T=20
as inventory, leaving another 1 million phones,=20
or 27 percent of the total, that Sacconaghi said=20
were "unlocked" so they could work on non-AT&T=20
networks. If Apple cracks down on unlocked phones=20
it could preserve its high margins but miss its=20
sales target, whereas allowing them could erode=20
profitability and make it tough to sign more=20
carriers to similar revenue-sharing deals.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2832924620080129

CWA'S LOBBYING MESSAGE COSTS $640,000
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
The Communications Workers of America spent=20
$320,000 in the second half of 2007 to lobby the=20
federal government, matching the amount it spent=20
in the first six months. The union lobbied on=20
several issues, including high-speed Internet=20
service, health legislation and stem cell=20
research. It also made its voice heard on bills=20
related to bankruptcy, trade and tax relief. The=20
CWA represents 700,000 workers in communications=20
and information technology, media, publishing,=20
health care, education, manufacturing, government=20
and the airline industry. Among the major=20
employers of CWA members are AT&T Inc., The=20
Washington Post Co. and U.S. Airways Group Inc.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003703577

REQUIREMENT FOR ANALOG CELLULAR SERVICE EXPIRES IN FEBRUARY
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
Beginning February 18, 2008, cellular telephone=20
companies will not be required to provide analog=20
service. While most wireless telephone users will=20
not be affected by this transition (often called=20
the "analog cellular sunset"), some users may be=20
affected. In addition, the transition could=20
affect some alarm systems and some users of=20
OnStar in-vehicle communications=20
service. (OnStar discontinued offering its=20
analog service, found in older cars, on December=20
31, 2007.) For more information about this issue=20
or any other telecommunications-related issues,=20
visit the FCC's Consumer & Governmental Affairs=20
Bureau Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact=20
the FCC's Consumer Center by e-mailing=20
fccinfo( at )fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC=20
(1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC=20
(1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-279722A1.doc

VIRTUAL WORKPLACE IN THE CLASSROOM
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Francesca Di Meglio]
Today's business students have grown up with=20
computer-based simulations. So it's only natural=20
that business simulations are growing in=20
popularity in business-school programs -- and=20
threatening the once unassailable dominance of the case study
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/jan2008/bs20080128_035814.h...
campaign_id=3Drss_tech

RESEARCH GROUPS BOOM IN WASHINGTON
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Elisabeth Bumiller]
The economy may be slowing down, but Washington=92s=20
ideas industry is booming. The result of this=20
boom has been ever more Washington conferences,=20
policy papers and, for better or worse, outside=20
influence on government. Most immediately, the=20
research institutions, which operate as=20
Washington=92s government-in-waiting, are supplying=20
the presidential campaigns with policy staffs.=20
The research institutions say the boom is fueled=20
by three major factors: big money from Wall=20
Street, a post-Sept. 11 sense that foreign policy=20
matters and anger at the Bush administration.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/washington/30tank.html?ref=3Dtodayspaper
(requires registration)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
news summary service provided by the Benton=20
Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday=20
through Friday, this service provides updates on=20
important industry developments, policy issues,=20
and other related news events. While the=20
summaries are factually accurate, their often=20
informal tone does not always represent the tone=20
of the original articles. Headlines are compiled=20
by Kevin Taglang headlines( at )benton.org -- we welcome your comments.
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