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Headlines, Broadcasting
Obama's VP text message reached 2.9 million people
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:38amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:38am
The Obama campaign's highly anticipated text message announcing Joe Biden as the presumptive Democratic nominee's running mate reached 2.9 million U.S. mobile subscribers last weekend, making it "one of the most important text messages" ever and "one of the most successful" branding efforts using mobile devices, according to Nic Covey, director of insights for research firm Nielsen Mobile.
Networks Sleep While Democracy Burns
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:37amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:37am
Sometimes mainstream media reveal their failures in displays so stark that it makes the job of media critics too easy. NBC, ABC and CBS frequently forget to serve their viewers, to be sure, but certain miscues are a special boon to bloggers and media reformers, who work tirelessly to show that the titans of the mainstream consistently miss the most important stories of our time.
ABC's Attempt To Film Donors Ends in Arrest
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:36amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:36am
An ABC News producer was arrested outside a downtown hotel here Wednesday while he and a camera crew tried to shoot footage of corporate donors leaving a meeting with a group of Democratic senators.
Finding Use for the Airwaves' 'White Spaces'
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:35amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:35am
The Federal Communications Commission has spent nearly a year testing devices designed to use empty television channels, known as white spaces, for high-speed Internet service. As those tests near conclusion, the agency is evaluating yet another proposal about the best use of the airwaves.
Monday Convention Coverage Draws 22.3 Million Viewers
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:34amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:35am
The 10 to 11 p.m. hour on the first night of the Democratic National Convention attracted approximately 22.3 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research, compared with the approximately 18.5 million who watched it in 2004.
Dem Delegates Back Clarifying Public Interest Obligations
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:32amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:33am
It's official, support for Network Neutrality, media diversity, public interest obligations, and free airtime for candidates are officially enshrined in the Democratic platform. The platform, which was approved by the Democratic Convention delegates Monday, was put up for a vote by a former top media executive, ex-Discovery Channel President Judith McHale, who is co-chair of the platform committee.
It Takes Tech to Elect a President
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:29amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:29am
Technology and an appreciation of how to use it have always been important to political campaigns. Franklin Delano Roosevelt used radio to get his message across effectively to voters. Lyndon Johnson rode a helicopter to get him around Texas in his famous race for the Senate.
Fox Refuses to Pay Fine for Reality Show Sex Scenes
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:23amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:23am
Fox Broadcasting said on Monday that it would not pay fines totaling $91,000 for broadcasting a reality show episode that included graphic sexual scenes at a bachelor party. Fox is also asking the Federal Communications Commission to reconsider the fines on the 13 owned and affiliated stations that broadcast the "Married by America" episode.
Wilmington Opts for Second Soft Test
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:21amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:22am
As the September 8 date approaches for Wilmington (NC) broadcasters to shut off their analog signals, station managers there have decided to conduct a second pre-test to make sure the message is getting out to viewers.
Most Stations Say They Will Be Ready For DTV Switch
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:19amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:19am
According to the Federal Communications Commission, 97% of broadcasters are either on the air with their digital signal at full power or will be by Feb. 17, 2009, the Congressionally-mandated date for the cut-off of full-power analog.
