January 2010

Thinking Outside the Box: Web TVs Skirt Cable Giants

Considering cutting your Cablevision subscription? It's not just the cable industry that would rather you didn't; it's also TV networks and studios that make bank off your monthly bill.

But device-makers from Samsung to Boxee to Apple TV have no such concerns -- and they're continuing to roll out products that bypass the cable box and draw content and services directly from the web, setting up what could be one of the entertainment industry's biggest business battles of the next few years. Think: the current print-media implosion, but with much more money at stake.

"The consumer electronics makers are really the only ones who don't have anything to lose if consumers switch," said Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey. "Everyone else is conflicted."

The Myths -- and Realities -- About the Comcast/Universal Transactions

In a document Comcast is using in visits with Washington policymakers about the deal to acquire a controlling stake in NBC Universal, the company states, "Comcast does not and will not foreclose consumer access to any online Internet content for anticompetitive purposes."

It also says the deal "will have no impact" on cable prices and that there is "nothing to [the] rumor" that the deal presages a spin-off of the NBC network or local stations. Comcast argues that the deal will not reduce competition or result in a "meaningful" increase in market competition.

The promise, labeled as a "Reality," came in a sheet titled "The Myths--and Realities--About the Comcast/Universal Transactions,." The Myth it was responding to? "Comcast could discriminate against unaffiliated online Internet content." Comcast is planning to seek FCC approval of the deal by the end of this month. That will include a request for the transfer of FCC licenses and a public interest filing outlining those commitments. It is expected to file for antitrust review with the Justice Department soon.

HHS panel: CMS should reconsider discarded quality measures

Quality measures that a federal advisory panel recommended but which were dropped from proposed rules for the meaningful use of health IT represent a missed opportunity to significantly improve patient care, according to members of the Health IT Policy Committee.

In its proposed rule for meaningful use, announced Dec. 30, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services incorporated many of the suggestions for quality objectives and measures that the Committee recommended be included in the rule. But CMS dropped from the list recommendations that physicians generate progress notes for each patient visit, document the recording of advanced directives for the elderly and develop information resources that are easy for patients to understand. Some committee members believe by rejecting the suggestions CMS is missing opportunities to generate significant and useful care information that will be difficult to obtain otherwise.

DVRs In 44% of Homes By 2015

In five years, network programmers will be subjected to the changing effects of nearly one in two homes with DVRs.

The new "On Demand" report from Mediabrands' Magna says that in 2015, 44% of all TV homes will have DVR technology. Magna estimates this will come to 53 million homes, up from 33 million DVR homes or 29% of all U.S. TV households at the end of the third quarter of 2009.

What Google's Nexus One means for carriers

Now that we've seen the dust settle around Google's entry into the mobile phone business, what are the real takeaways and impacts of the move - particularly for traditional mobile operators?

1) Decoupling phones and carriers.

2) The "Find-Stuff-Phone" -- Android phones are built from the ground up for searching the Web, navigating maps and directions, finding local businesses - all search-driven functions that Google has taken great pains to (a) own and (b) be able to offer for free while monetizing with advertising.

3) Monetizing Voice -- voice service becomes just another data object on tomorrow's IP-driven wireless architectures.

4) Customer Service Quagmire -- Customers buying hardware and service contracts need more hand-holding.

Broadcast Coverage: Compassion and Self-Congratulation

Disaster is both one of the hardest and easiest sights to watch on television; the medium feeds on paradox, presenting extraordinary images that horrify and also comfort.

Since the earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday, network and cable news shows have organized the chaos with raw, graphic footage, as well as with beautifully edited vignettes, some scored to music, that calibrate the balance of hope and despair. In a disaster this huge, television reporters are the heralds of the fund-raising effort. News organizations repeatedly let people know how and where to donate money for Haiti, and those reminders allow Americans to feel that they can do something useful. They also help television news organizations by reminding viewers — and earthquake victims — that journalists serve as a pillar of the rescue mission, on the scene to do more than just gather information. Lines of communication are still poor, and conditions are not exactly cozy: some reporters are sleeping on the ground and using car batteries to record their stand-ups.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Blair-Killian Board Room
401 Ninth Street, NW
Washington, DC
Tuesday, January 26 from 8:45 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday, January 27 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am
http://www.cpb.org/pressroom/release.php?prn=800

Day One (Jan. 26):

President's Report to the Board
Overview of Broadband and Remarks from FCC Commissioner Michael Copps
Committee Chair Reports
CPB's FY 2009 Audit and Ready To Learn A-133 Audit
White Papers on Balance and Objectivity in a Digital Media Environment
Report on Project on Editorial Integrity
Review of Corporate Priorities
Discussion of Diversity, Innovation, and Inclusion
Report on Future Directions of NFCB
Review of CPB Affirmative Action Plan

Day Two (Jan. 27):

Selection of Independent Auditors (executive session)
Contractual Matter and Ancillary Revenue (executive session)
Update on CPB FY 2010 Business Plan Activities, including Ready To Learn; Digital Funding Priorities; and Stations in Financial Jeopardy
Discussion of Regional Meetings on Public Media

Read more about CPB Board of Directors Meeting

Establishing telecommunications systems tops feds' to-do list for Haiti

President Barack Obama said on Thursday that aid to Haiti, in the wake of that country's devastating earthquake, is the top priority of every federal agency, with re-establishing telecommunications in the country as the first order of business.

The Defense Department is mounting a massive response, including the dispatch of the hospital ship Comfort to the Caribbean nation, along with three amphibious ships and 2,000 Marines from Camp Lejeune (NC). "Right now in Haiti, roads are impassible, the main port is damaged and communications are just beginning to come online, and aftershocks continue," Obama said. "None of this will seem quick enough, but it's important that everyone in Haiti understand that one of the largest relief efforts in our recent history is moving toward Haiti."

Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, head of the U.S. Southern Command, said at a Pentagon press briefing on Wednesday that the first priority in providing aid to Haiti was "getting command and control and communications there so that we can really get a better understanding of what's going on." Some of the first personnel deployed to Haiti included communications specialists from the 1st Special Operations Communications Squadron based at Hulbert Field, Fla., according to the Air Force Special Operations Command.

Is DC telecom to-do list too long?

[Commentary] Has there ever been a more important year for the telecommunications industry?

Here's the 2010 agenda:

1) Broadband stimulus grants,

2) The National Broadband Plan,

3) Network Neutrality,

4) Reform of the Universal Service Fund, and

5) Seemingly "smaller issues" - like FCC inquiries into the move to all-IP networks, bandwidth management, behavioral and targeting advertising, and spectrum allocations (and re-allocations) for white space data, public safety applications and more.

FCC Clears 700 mhz Frequency for Public Safety and Next Generation Wireless

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking prohibiting the further distribution and sale of devices that operate in the 700 MHz frequency. This action helps complete an important component of the digital television transition by clearing the 700 MHz band to enable the rollout of communications services for public safety and the deployment of next generation 4G wireless devices for consumers.

The order will primarily impact the use of wireless microphone systems that currently operate in the 700 MHz band. These unlicensed devices cannot continue to operate in this band because they may cause harmful interference to public safety entities and next generation consumers devices that will be utilizing the 700 MHz frequency. Thus, the Commission is making clear that no devices utilizing this frequency may be sold or distributed. In order to ensure that individuals and groups currently using unauthorized devices in this band have ample time to transition to appropriate frequencies, the FCC is providing a sunset period until June 12, 2010, one year from the DTV Transition.

The Commission is also unveiling an aggressive consumer outreach plan in order to assist consumers who have previously purchased wireless microphone systems and other related devices that utilized the 700 MHz band.

(This item was scheduled for the Jan 20 FCC open meeting. It has been deleted from the agenda.)

Benton

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