Peer Review Supports Pro a la Carte FCC Study

PEER REVIEW SUPPORTS PRO A LA CARTE FCC STUDY
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Federal Communications Commission Tuesday released the peer reviews of its 10 media-ownership-related studies, plus two others, and the results are a mixed bag. Among the two others was an FCC staff analysis commissioned by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin that generally made a case for an a-la-carte cable business model. According to the reviews, released Tuesday, it was found to be sound. The Martin-commissioned study had criticized an earlier study conducted under former FCC Chairman Michael Powell that concluded just the opposite. On the other side, a study that concluded that franchise-build-out requirements would not benefit consumers was found wanting. A Pew Research Center review of a Nielsen Media Research study on where and how people get their information was labeled a credible effort, but was cited for a low response rate (2.2%) and the citing of online media brands but not others in the questions. The 10 ownership studies were generally found to be solid, but with suggested improvements and questions and caveats about some of the findings.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6475146.html?rssid=193

* See peer review documents:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/peer_review/peerreview.html