The FCC said its May 13 public meeting will include an “action plan” for the DTV transition on June 12, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The meeting will include a status report on the switch to digital broadcasting, as well as…
The Children’s Media Policy Council has asked the FCC to include ratings for “inappropriate TV commercials” in the V-chip ratings system, which would allow parents to block such ads, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The Association of National Advertisers told the…
An FCC administrative law judge will hear program-access complaints against cable operators, including whether Comcast’s placement of the NFL Network on a digital sports tier is discrimination, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The hearing comes after FCC acting chairman Michael Copps…
The FCC has approved the transfer of DirecTV’s satellite and earth station licenses to Liberty Entertainment, a tracking stock that includes Liberty’s stake in DirecTV, Starz and other entertainment holdings, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The same conditions the FCC applied…
Showtime has narrowed its choices of prospective series to “Possible Side Effects,” a project written and directed by Tim Robbins, Daily Variety reports. It’s unclear if the pay-cable network has greenlighted the series, the trade paper says. Showtime has passed…
FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell has written to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to urge against delaying the adjudicating of challenges to the FCC’s position that would loosen cross-ownership rules, Broadcasting & Cable reports. He wrote that the “grave economic…
FCC nominee Julius Genachowski will take a major pay cut once he takes his post as the organization’s chairman, the Wall Street Journal reports. Financial disclosure forms say he raked in $1.16 million in income from his various endeavors, including…
John Kerry, D-Mass., said the reauthorization of the satellite distant signal compulsory license and issues such as FCC reforms would be priorities for the Senate Communications, Technology & Internet subcommittee, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The full committee, headed by Jay…
FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said his senior legal adviser, Scott Bergmann, is leaving to join the wireless association CTIA, Broadcasting & Cable reports. Adelstein is readying his own departure, as President Obama intends to nominate him to run the Rural…
With the transition to digital TV beginning its second phase, acting Chairman Michael Copps is receiving high marks for his handling of the process, Broadcasting & Cable reports. “I give acting Chairman Copps an A-plus,” Rick Boucher, D-Va., House Telecommunications,…