FCC

Hey Comcast NBCUniversal, Appearances DO Matter

Recently Comcast NBCUniversal hired a new lobbyist, who is leaving the FCC to join the company. She is Meredith Attwell Baker, and a few months ago Baker voted to approve the Comcast NBCUniversal deal. TVWeek Open Mic Guest Blogger Norman…

Comcast Hires FCC Commissioner Who Voted for NBCUniversal Deal

Comcast has a new senior VP of government affairs, hiring a Federal Communications Commissioner who recently approved the company’s acquisition of NBC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Meredith Attwell Baker, a Republican, was one of four of the FCC’s five…

Supreme Court Asked to Reinstate FCC Indecency Policy

The U.S. Supreme Court was asked Thursday by the Obama administration to reinstate a policy that allows regulators to fine broadcasters who air nudity and curse words when children may be tuning into TV, reports the Associated Press. The 2nd…

Vast Wasteland My Ass–Why Newton Minow Wasn’t the Programming Shark He Thought He Was When He Coined That Famous Phrase

It was close to 50 years ago that then-Federal Communications Commission Chairman Newton Minow made his famous speech in which he coined the term "vast wasteland" referring to much of the programming on TV. In a provocative guest blog in…

50 Years Later, What Does the Man Behind the Famous ‘Vast Wasteland’ Speech Think of TV?

Newton Minow, the former Federal Communications Commission chairman who described TV as a "vast wasteland" 50 years ago in a speech to the National Association of Broadcasters, was asked by Advertising Age’s Rance Crain whether he thinks that statement is…

NAB Chairman Defends Retrans Payments

In a speech Tuesday at the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas, NAB Chairman Gordon Smith set his sights on cable operators in a defense of retransmission payments, B&C reported. “Co-opting broadcast terminology, [Smith] called their channels ‘cable…

NAB in ‘Full Battle Mode to Protect Broadcasters’ on Spectrum Issue, Says Organization’s CEO

Delivering the keynote address Tuesday at the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas, NAB CEO Gordon Smith spoke strongly about protecting broadcasters’ spectrum, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “We are in full battle mode to protect broadcasters from…

After Four Years, FCC Takes Action Against TV Stations Over Commercial Pitches That Appeared as News

After four years, the Federal Communications Commission has taken action against two television stations for airing glowing news segments that were essentially commercials dressed up to appear as news reports, according to the Los Angeles Times. The agency’s proposed penalty…

Fox News Star Considers Taking Over a Cable Channel

One of the stars of Fox News is considering a partial or entire takeover of a cable channel as he contemplates his future beyond his contract with Fox News, reports The New York Times. The star is Glenn Beck, whose…

It’s Official: Former FCC Chairman Michael Powell Gets Major Cable Job

It’s official: Michael Powell, the former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has been selected to run one of the cable industry’s most important organizations. Powell has been selected as the new president of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, reports…