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Fox Takes Tough Stance on Indecency

Fox is taking a strong stand on the broadcast indecency issue, essentially pushing for the Federal Communications to stop enforcing indecency standards entirely, B&C reports. “Fox has asked the FCC to dismiss all of its remaining indecency complaints — several…

Gannett to Buy Belo for $1.5 Billion, Creating Fourth-Largest Station Group

Gannett Co. has announced that it will buy station owner Belo Corp. for $1.5 billion, a move that would create the fourth-largest owner of major network affiliates in the U.S., Reuters reports. The buyout would provide faster-growing TV assets for…

Obama Formally Names Nominee to Chair FCC

President Obama today officially named his nominee to chair the Federal Communications Commission. Deadline.com reports that Obama named Tom Wheeler as his nominee. The nomination had been expected, as we reported earlier. “There was laughter at the White House ……

Venture Capitalist in Line to Become FCC Chairman

A venture capital investor is set to be nominated today as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. The New York Times reports that President Barack Obama today will nominate Tom Wheeler for the post. Wheeler, a former lobbyist for the…

Al Jazeera Shoots Down Reports of Its Next Move in U.S. Television

A senior executive at Qatar-based Al Jazeera, which has been making moves to become a player in the U.S. television market, denied reports that surfaced last week that Al Jazeera is trying to buy the Tennis Channel, the Los Angeles…

FCC Chief Gives Blessing to Ballplayer’s On-Air F-Bomb in Boston

The Federal Communications Commission gave its blessing to an F-bomb dropped on-air by the Boston Red Sox’ designated hitter David Ortiz, who gave a rousing speech as the team returned to Fenway Park on Saturday, its first game since the…

Sinclair Broadcast Group Acquires Fisher Communications

Sinclair Broadcast Group and Fisher Communications announced that the two companies have entered into an agreement that has Sinclair acquiring Fisher for about $373.3 million. “Under the terms of the agreement, Fisher shareholders will receive $41.00 in cash for each…

FCC Chairman Resigning — Second Departure From the Agency This Week

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski is leaving the agency and will announce his departure today, Bloomberg reports. The departure of Genachowski, a Democrat, means there will be two vacancies on the five-member U.S. agency that oversees cable, broadcast and…

Longest-Serving Member of FCC to Step Down

The Federal Communications Commission member who is the panel’s longest-serving current commissioner is stepping down. B&C reports that Robert McDowell made the announcement today that he intends to leave the commission in “a few weeks.” McDowell has been on the…

Test of ‘Next-Generation’ TV Transmission Standard Moves Forward — Idea Is to Help Broadcasters Be a Player ‘in the mobile, multiplatform and ultra-high definition of the video future’

A test run for a new television broadcast standard got the OK from the Federal Communications Commission and will take place at a Baltimore station, B&C reports in an exclusive story by our friend John Eggerton. “According to a copy of…