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Bloomberg News
AT&T wins conspiracy verdict over long-distance surcharges
Submitted by Benton Foundation on November 20, 2008 - 8:54amLast updated: November 20, 2008 - 8:55am
AT&T Inc. didn't conspire to fix the rate for long-distance surcharges paid by customers, a Kansas jury said Wednesday, rejecting a $400-million claim against the largest U.S. telephone company. The federal jury in Kansas City, Kan., also ordered AT&T to pay $16.9 million to California residential customers who accused the company of breach of contract in the same trial.
Judge gives preliminary approval to Google's publisher settlement
Submitted by Benton Foundation on November 18, 2008 - 8:35amLast updated: November 18, 2008 - 8:35am
US District Judge John Sprizzo in New York on Monday issued the order tentatively approving Google's settlement of copyright lawsuits by publishers and authors in which it will pay $125 million to resolve claims over the company's book-scanning project.
FCC's Martin to Push Against Clock, Cable During Final Months
Submitted by Benton Foundation on November 13, 2008 - 8:22pmLast updated: November 13, 2008 - 8:23pm
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin shows no sign of relenting on cable as his term nears its likely end. With less than 10 weeks left in President George W.
Obama's Record Fundraising Fails to Benefit TV Station Owners
Submitted by Benton Foundation on October 29, 2008 - 8:08pmLast updated: October 29, 2008 - 8:08pm
Television stations are finding as political campaigns end that Sen Barack Obama's record $600 million fundraising isn't turning into an advertising bonanza. A lack of competitive big-state Senate races, falling interest-group outlays and Sen John McCain's decision to accept campaign spending limits have led to a shortfall.
"Potential to Deconsolidate" Could save Media During Downturn
Submitted by Benton Foundation on October 1, 2008 - 5:49pmLast updated: October 1, 2008 - 5:50pm
US media and entertainment companies have "generally healthy" liquidity and will be supported by predictable revenue and high profit margins in the current credit crunch, Fitch Ratings said in a report.
Google, Internet Users Push Back Against U.S. Copyright Treaty
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 23, 2008 - 9:24pmLast updated: September 23, 2008 - 9:25pm
Internet companies led by Google Inc. joined groups representing Web users in challenging the Bush administration's bid to toughen international enforcement against copyright pirates. Testifying before Commerce Department in Washington today, Google urged the U.S. o exclude from a proposed treaty provisions on the sale of copyrighted movies and music on the Internet.
Comcast to Slow Internet Service at Times to Its Heaviest Users
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 21, 2008 - 7:42amLast updated: August 21, 2008 - 7:42am
Comcast, with over 14 million Internet customers, plans to slow its high-speed Internet service to its heaviest users during periods of congestion after the Federal Communications Commission ordered the company to devise a new method for managing its Web traffic.
Sirius XM Chief Says Merger Debt Is 'Ugly'
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 17, 2008 - 7:16pmLast updated: August 17, 2008 - 7:17pm
Sirius XM Radio struck an "ugly" debt deal to close the merger of the only two U.S. satellite radio operators, chief executive Mel Karmazin said. A bond sale the evening of July 28 allowed Karmazin, previously the chief executive of Sirius, to complete the $2.76 billion all-stock purchase of Washington-based XM Satellite Radio Holdings.
Latino media expect ad windfall from presidential race
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 15, 2008 - 7:32amLast updated: August 15, 2008 - 7:32am
Spanish-language broadcasters in the US project their political advertising sales will soar this year as the presidential candidates woo Latinos in states that have a chance to tip the election.
Obama Is From Google, McCain Is From AT&T on Digital Age Rules
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 15, 2008 - 7:30amLast updated: July 15, 2008 - 7:32am
Sens Barack Obama (D-IL) and John McCain (R-AZ) approach regulation in the information age from fundamentally different perspectives. Sen Obama, who clinched the Democratic nomination with an Internet-savvy campaign, wants the government to take an active role in wielding the Web as a weapon against poverty and rural isolation, an approach that could benefit Google. Sen McCain sees the Internet mainly as a business and trusts market forces to foster innovation for society's benefit. He advocates a hands-off approach to telephone-industry mergers that created the new AT&T
