BROADCASTING
Study: 90% of TV Content Indecent
Low Power But High Volume
DTV Transition Update: Where to Place the Blame
TELECOM
Your Next Phone
President Revises Broadband Goal
BROADCASTING
STUDY: 90% OF TV CONTENT INDECENT
Preliminary data for a report due to Congress January 1 finds that 90% of
television programming is "indecent," according to regulators' new
definition. "Wow, this problem is much worse than we thought," said one
staffer. Broadcasters were quick to dispute the findings. "The study is
ridiculous," argued an executive at the American Association of Television
People. "Most of our programming is crass commercialism and shameless
self-promotion. We're doing stuff legislators never dreamed of when they
wrote indecency laws. And, anyway, you can block some of it with the V-chip."
[SOURCE: FCCMonitor]
(http://www.fccdoings.org)
LOW POWER BUT HIGH VOLUME
Seems established broadcasters were right along, low power radio can cause
extra interference in the markets where it has been introduced. Apparently,
DJs are encouraging listeners to turn their volume settings at the highest
levels as they leave their homes for work. The ensuing noise drowns out any
other commercial or noncommercial messages in the area. "This is a
temporary protest," says on LPFM station owners. "We want our radio
brethren to know what real interference is."
[SOURCE: Inthefield.com, AUTHOR: Dee Dee Devine]
http://news.inthefield.com/lpfm.html
DTV TRANSITION UPDATE: WHERE TO PLACE THE BLAME
After some public bickering earlier this week, lobbyists for TV, cable and
consumer electronic industries finally agreed, it is the fault of the
American public that the transition to digital broadcasting isn't going
smoother. "Some say chicken or egg, programming or hardware," said one
lobbyist. "I say its that darn guy who keeps buying the Egg McMuffin when
we're offering quiche. Buy the quiche! Sure, it is expensive and you get
more than you want, but it tastes better." Continuing the poultry metaphor,
one K Street maven asked, "Pretty picture, better sound...what do you want,
eggs in your beer?" The industries are working on a joint proposal to the
FCC that will allow broadcasters years to return analog TV spectrum in case
they find a really profitable use for it and cable operators will be able
to double prices for carrying both analog and digital TV signals (no, wait,
they've already done that). Expect a decision sometime after the November
election.
[SOURCE: Will Street Journal, AUTHOR: Will McCunnell]
(http://willstj.com/)
(requires subscription)
TELECOM
YOUR NEXT PHONE
Consumer electronics executives meeting this week in Lubbock, Texas are
touting the next generation of wireless phones. Instead of being tied to
one carrier, the phones will automatically search for the best carrier to
complete each call as directed by priorities set by the owner including
cost, reliability and privacy. "For once," an executive told the press,
"we're saying we're putting choice into people's hands and we really mean
it." The phones will be compatible with WiFi and VoIP and be easily
upgraded with new software to allow use of emerging technologies like
WiMax. The phones will be the embodiment of convergence acting as computer,
(with dozens of applications) communications device (telephone, e-mail and
pager) and entertainment appliance (camera, MP3 player, videogame console,
VCR programmer). The phones will offer high-speed Internet access allowing
users to stream video, download songs and check email. All commands will be
speech activated. Basic model will retail for $20, but can be affordablely
upgraded to include features that allow the phone to walk the dog and put
the kids to bed, too.
[SOURCE: Mrropers, AUTHOR: Bill Kane]
http://www.mrropers.com/newsChannel.jhtml?type=technologyNews
PRESIDENT REVISES BROADBAND GOAL
Combining two popular recent proposals, President Bush urged Congress to
adopt as a national goal broadband access on mars by 2020. "Look," the
President said, "we're already planning on sending scientists, astronauts
and Al Gore to Mars, they will need information flowing across cables and
telephone lines in a fast way. We can help. That's what broadband
technology is. It means we'll open the interplanetary highways of knowledge
-- new interplanetary highways of knowledge." The President added later in
the day that broadband access on Mars should not be taxed.
[SOURCE: WhiteHouseWatch.com, AUTHOR: Orville Ovalle]
(Not available online)
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