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Three post-Super Bowl* agenda items: 1) the CPB=20
Board meets in Jackson (MS) on Monday, 2) the=20
Senate Commerce Committee discusses Public Safety=20
Communications on Thursday and 3) the Alliance=20
for Public Technology will honor SeniorNet,=20
Charles Benton and House Telecom Subcommittee=20
Chairman Ed Markey on Friday. For these and other=20
upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org

NEWS FROM CONGRESS
Markey Outlines Telecom Agenda
Breaking Down The Network Neutrality Debate
Democrats Press FCC Chief on Enforcement
Senators Badger FCC Boss on Network Neutrality
Senator Grills FCC on Digital Divide
Martin Beefs to Senate Panel About Cable
Inouye Wants Commissioners To Talk
Rockefeller on TV: "Junk, Sex, Scandal"
FCC Reiterates Preference for Unlicensed Wireless
Protecting the Public Interest and Consumers
Avoiding tech traps for the unwary

INTERNET/BROADBAND
Internet Capacity Woes: Reaching the limits of cyberspace
U.S. Broadband Market Still Coming Up Short
Vermont's Governor Wants Entire State To Offer Free Wi-Fi By 2010

TELEVISION
Community TV: If cable changes, what would happen to public programming?
DTV Mission: No Consumer Left behind
Comcast Profit Triples, Spending Raises Concerns
Echostar To Push for Baseball-Style Arbitration for Fox Retrans Deals
Spanish Television Reigns as King Of Product Plugs

QUICKLY -- Murdoch Role in Tribune Bid Debated;=20
Bush Urges Stepped-Up Campaign Against Childhood=20
Obesity; Fielding To Assist Bush

NEWS FROM CONGRESS

MARKEY ADDRESSES CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA=20
ON BROADBAND AND INTERNET POLICY
[SOURCE: Rep Ed Markey (D-MA)]
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the=20
House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the=20
Internet, delivered the keynote address at=20
Consumer Federation of America's Consumer=20
Assembly in Washington, D.C. Chairman Markey=20
said, "[T]he overarching goal of the=20
Subcommittee's agenda is to fashion together a=20
policy blueprint to make broadband service=20
ubiquitous and affordable broadband for every=20
American. Our end goal will be consumer choice,=20
affordability, high bandwidth speeds, full=20
build-out, high quality of service, and an open=20
architecture that supports Internet freedom -- in=20
short, an infrastructure for the 21st Century."=20
He indicated the plan with include a mix of=20
solutions including competitive policies,=20
universal service, targeted grants, wireless=20
policy, network neutrality provisions, and=20
municipal offering of broadband service. "It is=20
clear, however," Chairman Markey said, "that=20
relying solely upon market forces isn't delivering what consumers need."
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=3Dcom_content&task=3Dview&id=3D...
7&Itemid=3D141

BREAKING DOWN THE NETWORK NEUTRALITY DEBATE
[SOURCE: internetnews.com, AUTHOR: Roy Mark]
In the inflamed rhetoric of network neutrality,=20
the debates are often cast as broadband providers=20
versus content providers, big companies versus=20
even larger companies and regulation of the=20
Internet versus non-regulation. For Rep. Rick=20
Boucher, these arguments oversimplify the issue.=20
Speaking at the Third Annual State of the=20
Internet Conference Wednesday, the Virginia=20
Democrat told a packed Capitol Hill hotel meeting=20
room, "We can't advance content innovation at the=20
expense of network innovation. We need both kinds=20
of innovation." The conference, sponsored by the=20
Congressional Internet Caucus, brought together=20
policy makers, think-tank mavens, academics and=20
Capitol Hill staffers for a one-day conference on=20
technology issues facing the new 110th Congress.=20
The top issue: network neutrality. "It is a=20
large, unresolved debate," said Boucher, who=20
supported a defeated network neutrality amendment=20
to a telecom reform bill approved by the House of=20
Representatives last year. "The Internet must=20
remain open and accessible to all, but we don't=20
want to hobble innovation within the network."
http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3657341

DEMOCRATS PRESS FCC CHIEF ON ENFORCEMENT
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Stephen Labaton]
Signaling tougher oversight, Democrats who=20
recently took control of the Senate urged the=20
head of the Federal Communications Commission=20
today to take a more challenging approach to the=20
industries he oversees. In their first appearance=20
before a Senate Commerce Committee under=20
Democratic leadership, Kevin J. Martin, the=20
commission=92s chairman, and the other=20
commissioners faced sharp criticism from some of=20
the committee=92s senior Democrats on their=20
handling of the recent acquisition of BellSouth=20
by AT&T. The lawmakers also questioned the=20
agency=92s recent practice of not thoroughly=20
reviewing applications by radio and television=20
stations to renew their broadcast licenses.=20
Chairman Martin yielded no policy ground, saying,=20
for example, that the conditions that the=20
Democratic members of the commission managed to=20
impose on AT&T=92s acquisition of BellSouth would=20
not be applied to the rest of the industry. The=20
renewed oversight of the FCC could, at the very=20
least, temper any deregulatory action that=20
Chairman Martin and his fellow Republican=20
commissioners have been contemplating,=20
particularly as they prepare to consider measures=20
that would make it easier for media conglomerates=20
to own newspapers and television stations in the same cities.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/01/business/media/01cnd-fcc.html?hp&ex=3D...
0392400&en=3D1c489a102dd0e2da&ei=3D5094&partner=3Dhomepage
(requires registration)
See also --
* Senators press FCC chair on AT&T merger
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: John Dunbar]
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070201/ap_on_go_co/fcc_senate
* Senators bristle at FCC chief's enforcement of AT& T-BellSouth merger
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20070202/fcc02.art.htm
* Democrats Urge Tighter FCC Rules
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/01/AR200702...
1997.html
* FCC hears wrath of Senate Dems
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3ic...
e3003d27448bd2b5797605062ef7
* Democrats Criticize Martin On Merger, TV, Web And Style
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-NHRS1170361978393.html

SENATORS BADGER FCC BOSS ON NET NEUTRALITY
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
For the first time since 2004, all five FCC=20
Commissioners appeared before the Senate Commerce=20
Committee. But the hearing, billed as pitting=20
newly-empowered Congressional Democrats vs the=20
Republican-controlled FCC, produced little=20
fireworks. Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye=20
(D-Hawaii) used his allotment to focus on the=20
FCC's handling of what became a contentious=20
decision over which merger conditions to place on=20
AT&T and BellSouth. Chairman Martin's well-known=20
aversion to Net neutrality regulations drew sharp=20
questions from Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), one of=20
the chief sponsors of a bill that would require=20
network operators to follow nondiscrimination=20
rules. By failing to include network operators in=20
the scope of nondiscrimination requirements=20
traditionally placed on telephone companies,=20
"does that mean you favor discrimination?" he=20
asked. Chairman Martin said he might be able to=20
handle such a requirement if nondiscrimination=20
meant, "if you offer a service to one, you have=20
to offer that same service to all." But the idea=20
of prohibiting "any carrier who owns an=20
underlying infrastructure from charging any=20
content provider (extra fees)...could deter some=20
investment in the underlying infrastructure," he=20
said, echoing arguments made by the likes of AT&T=20
and Verizon. Sen Dorgan and several of the=20
Democratic senators present indicated they were=20
still incensed about the FCC's decision to relax=20
its media ownership rules years ago. Some asked=20
what the regulators planned to do about what they=20
consider to be dwindling local news content on=20
the broadcast airwaves. Chairman Martin said he=20
wasn't opposed to considering making rules=20
regarding "public interest" requirements for=20
broadcasters, but said he was hesitant to pursue=20
rules forcing them "to put on certain kinds of programming."
http://news.com.com/Senate+Democrats+badger+FCC+boss+on+Net+neutrality/2...
-1028_3-6155463.html?tag=3Dnefd.top
See also --
* MARTIN SAYS FCC WILL ENFORCE NET-NEUTRALITY CONDITIONS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told the Senate=20
Commerce Committee Thursday that he did not=20
undercut the AT&T/Bell South merger with a=20
statement he issued at the time. He said the FCC=20
would enforce conditions, like network=20
neutrality, which the companies volunteered to=20
accept, but that that enforcement would not=20
change commission rules, and that the commission=20
would not then necessarily apply, as a matter of=20
policy, those conditions to others.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6412433?title=3DArticle&space...
c=3Dnews

SENATE COMMITTEE GRILLS FULL FCC PANEL
[SOURCE: TelecomWeb]
Sen. Amy Klobucher (D-MN) brought up the digital=20
divide, asking commissioners when there would be=20
broadband parity for urban and rural areas. FCC=20
Commissioner Adelstein took this on first,=20
saying, "We need to undertake a multipronged=20
approach, because we have terrible data. We need=20
a national broadband strategy with thresholds,=20
and we need to create incentives for innovation=20
and competition. We also need to commit some USF=20
(funding) for this as well." Added Commissioner=20
Copps, "I am really worried that we can go into=20
21st century with such a divide, with all of=20
these wonderful services. If we don't get=20
broadband out there, kids can't compete. And it=20
has a business application, too. What if you want=20
to start a business in a rural area and you don't=20
have high-speed Internet, but your competitors=20
do?" And regarding the USF, Chairman Martin was=20
asked by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) about ways to=20
get high-speed Internet into rural or underserved=20
areas. "There has been extraordinary growth of=20
other companies coming in to serve rural areas,=20
and they will receive about $1 billion in USF=20
support," Chairman Martin answered. "The problem=20
is that (financial support of) such continued=20
growth isn't sustainable. We need to have a=20
mechanism to choose carriers that can serve areas=20
without depending on the USF, possibly more=20
wireless. And we need a more efficient means of=20
distributing USF funds." To that end,=20
Commissioner Copps told the senators an en banc=20
hearing on this topic will be held at the FCC soon.
http://www.telecomweb.com/tnd/21518.html

MARTIN BEEFS TO SENATE PANEL ABOUT CABLE
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Taking another swipe at the country=92s top pay TV=20
provider, Federal Communications Commission=20
Chairman Kevin Martin complained about cable=20
industry rates and packages in testimony Thursday=20
before the Senate Commerce Committee. The FCC=20
leader told lawmakers that cable rates had jumped=20
38% from 2000-05 and 93% from 1995-2005, while=20
the price of other communications products --=20
local and long -distance telephone and wireless=20
phone service -- had =93decreased dramatically.=94=20
Chairman Martin, who supports the a la carte sale=20
of cable networks and cash back for parents who=20
block indecent cable content, went on to complain=20
that cable program tiers represented a flawed=20
case of one-size-fits-all marketing. =93For those=20
who want to receive 100 channels or more, today=92s=20
most popular cable packages may be a good value,=94=20
Chairman Martin said. =93But according to Nielsen,=20
most viewers watch fewer than two-dozen channels.=20
For them, the deal isn't as good.=94
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6412828.html?display=3DBreaking+News
* LULAC Criticizes Martin on =C0 La Carte
The League of United Latin American Citizens=20
(LULAC) was quick to criticize FCC Chairman Kevin=20
Martin for his continued advocacy of cable =E0 la=20
carte, in this case during a Senate Commerce=20
Committee oversight hearing Thursday, saying his=20
"dogmatic pursuit" of the issue could be disastrous.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6412790.html?display=3DBreaki...
News
* Martin Backs Media Bureau on Retrans Call
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Apparently FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is=20
circulating a proposal among the other=20
commissioners that supports the Media Bureau's=20
decision that Sinclair has not been bargaining in=20
bad faith and that the FCC doesn't have the=20
authority to referee the broadcaster's=20
retransmission consent impasse with cable=20
operator Mediacom. Recently the top ranking=20
members of the Senate Commerce Committee asked=20
the FCC to urge Sinclair and cable operator=20
Mediacom to submit to arbitration. The chairman=20
has said he doesn't think the commission has that=20
authority, even during an appeal, though he has=20
urged the parties to submit voluntarily to=20
arbitration. Mediacom has said it would. Sinclair=20
has declined in no uncertain terms.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6412801.html?display=3DBreaki...
News

INOUYE WANTS COMMISSIONERS TO TALK
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye=20
(D-Hawaii) said Thursday he would reintroduce a=20
bill to allow more than two commissioners to meet=20
outside of the public meetings. All the=20
commissioners are agreed that those "sunshine"=20
rules, which are meant to prevent back-room=20
dealing, instead make it harder to come to consensus.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6412613?title=3DArticle&space...
c=3Dnews

ROCKEFELLER ON TV: "JUNK, SEX, SCANDAL"
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) took dead aim at=20
TV violence and sex Thursday, saying TV was in=20
the worst state ever. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin=20
did not argue, agreeing with Sen Rockefeller that=20
the industry's public-information campaign on the=20
V-Chip/ratings system was insufficient. Sen=20
Rockefeller said he barely watched TV and hoped=20
his grown kids don't. Addressing FCC Chairman=20
Kevin Martin, he said that nobody watches news=20
anymore because there isn't any, except on cable=20
where it was a case of who can report the latest=20
murder first. Sen Rockefeller is reintroducing a=20
bill that would allow the FCC to regulate=20
violence as well as indecency. He cited Parents=20
Television Council statistics on the rise in TV=20
violence, then asked Chairman Martin if the=20
industry educational take on self-regulation was=20
working. No, said Martin, saying he continued to=20
have concerns about both broadcast and cable=20
content and said that industry educational efforts were insufficient.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6412513?title=3DArticle&space...
c=3Dnews

FCC REITERATES PREFERENCE FOR UNLICENSED WIRELESS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The FCC reiterated Thursday its preference to=20
open up so-called white spaces in the broadcast=20
band to unlicensed advanced wireless devices. It=20
has begun the process of opening up the space=20
between TV station frequencies for advanced=20
wireless services, but has not decided whether=20
those should be licensed or unlicensed. In a=20
Senate Commerce Committee oversight hearing=20
Thursday, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said there=20
was a presumptive preference for unlicensed=20
because it would allow for the new devices, and=20
thus the more efficient use of the spectrum more=20
quickly. Asked by Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) about=20
the white spaces issue, Chairman Martin explained=20
that if the FCC had to first license the new=20
uses, it would first have to identify just where=20
the spaces were, which could potentially delay=20
the process. Instead, he said, the preferable=20
approach would be to insure against interference=20
and then let the devices operate, allowing the=20
government to more quickly and fully tap into new=20
uses of the spectrum. Rolling out advanced=20
broadband, including wireless delivery, is a priority for the Commission.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6412498?title=3DArticle&space...
c=3Dnews
* Broadcasters Weigh In On White Spaces
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6412804?title=3DArticle&space...
c=3Dnews

PROTECTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND CONSUMERS
[SOURCE: US Senate Commerce Committee]
Opening statement of Senate Commerce Committee=20
Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii): "In three=20
years, we have seen the mergers of the two=20
largest Bell companies with the two largest=20
long-distance companies. This was immediately=20
followed by AT&T's acquisition of BellSouth.=20
Meanwhile, technology has fueled change, and=20
single-purpose networks have given way to new=20
multi-purpose platforms that can support all=20
measures of applications and services, including=20
voice, video, and email service. But the=20
communications revolution does not come without=20
risk. As public servants, both here in Congress=20
and on the Commission, we must be vigilant in our=20
oversight to ensure that the communications=20
industry evolves in a manner that does not harm consumers."
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=3DHearings.Statem...
&Statement_ID=3D181
Additional opening statements --
* Sen John Kerry (D-MA): "Despite President=20
Bush=92s promise of ubiquitous broadband by 2007 --=20
we remain well short of that goal. I don't see=20
much of an Administration strategy at all. And I am concerned about it."
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=3DHearings.Statem...
&Statement_ID=3D182
* FCC Chairman Martin: "Faced with such=20
fast-paced technological change, the Commission=20
has tried to make decisions based on a=20
fundamental belief that a robust, competitive=20
marketplace, not regulation, is ultimately the=20
greatest protector of the public interest.=20
Competition is the best method of delivering the=20
benefits of choice, innovation, and affordability=20
to American consumers. Competition drives prices=20
down and spurs providers to improve service and=20
create new products." he identified four=20
priorities for the Commission: 1) Increasing=20
access to communications services. 2) Promote=20
real choice for consumers. 3) Protect consumers. 4) Enhance public safety.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-270192A1.doc
* Commissioner Copps: "I know that many local=20
broadcasters strive mightily to serve the public=20
interest. But increasingly the public-spirited=20
part of the profession is being squeezed=20
out. Too much of TV and radio today is=20
homogenized, often gratuitously violent=20
programming. Even worse is what we don't see=20
enough of-the community and civic affairs=20
coverage that is democracy's lifeblood. I've=20
traveled all across the country-to a dozen media=20
hearings just in the last year-and I've seen=20
people's impatience with the status quo. It is=20
time for the FCC to focus not only on avoiding=20
bad new rules, but to revisit the bad old rules=20
that got us here in the first place. I am very=20
pleased the Chairman has committed to complete=20
our long-dormant localism proceeding before=20
moving forward on media ownership. Going beyond=20
that, we need to find a way to bring basic public=20
interest standards back to broadcasting and the=20
spirit of public interest to other media, too."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-270194A1.doc
* Commissioner Adelstein: "We must upgrade our=20
communications infrastructure in every corner of=20
this country. And we must do a better job of=20
making innovative communications technologies=20
more widely available and affordable to=20
everyone. All of our citizens should have the=20
opportunity to maximize their potential through=20
communications, no matter where they live or what=20
challenges they face. To promote the=20
communications needs of everyone in this country,=20
we should focus on improving access to broadband=20
services, modernizing universal service, and=20
protecting diversity, competition, and localism in our media. "
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-270200A1.doc
* Commissioner Tate: "The communications=20
marketplace continues to evolve daily, as=20
convergence shakes the foundations of the old=20
order for industry, for government, and for=20
consumers alike. Converging technologies are=20
blurring the lines between traditional communications platforms."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-270198A1.doc
* Commissioner McDowell: "While advances in=20
technology and competitiveness defy labeling=20
under the regulatory stove pipes of old, I=20
endeavor to approach each issue with a consistent=20
regulatory philosophy; one that has served our=20
nation well since its inception; one that trusts=20
competitive free enterprise to serve consumers the best."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-270199A1.doc

AVOIDING TECH TRAPS FOR THE UNWARY
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Bartlett Cleland, IPI Ctr for Tech Freedom]
[Commentary] Congress and the White House are key=20
technology players in America, but it's time for=20
them to learn how technology really works, what=20
drives innovation and how to get government out=20
of the way of what could be a spectacular future.=20
Congress should address a permanent tax credit=20
for research, permanently eliminating the threat=20
of taxation discrimination against e-commerce,=20
and thoroughly reforming the tax code to produce=20
an innovation economy. Ubiquitous broadband has=20
long been desired by the technology industry,=20
consumers and policy makers for health and safety=20
reasons among others. The marketplace is working=20
with new competitors, new products and great=20
consumer demand. Government does not need to=20
intervene with a so-called better way. Want to=20
end innovation? Then try Net neutrality, which=20
would only guarantee market share and=20
monopoly-like status to powerful incumbent companies.
http://news.com.com/Avoiding+tech+traps+for+the+unwary/2010-1028_3-61550...
html?tag=3Dhtml.alert

INTERNET/BROADBAND

INTERNET CAPACITY WOES: REACHING LIMITS IN CYBERSPACE
[SOURCE: CIO Update 12/29, AUTHOR: Allen Bernard]
Over the past year or so, the partners,=20
researchers and senior managers in Deloitte &=20
Touche's Technology, Media & Telecommunications=20
(TMT) practice have been brainstorming about 2007=20
and beyond. Here's one prediction -- The=20
unrelenting growth in Internet traffic in 2007=20
may overwhelm the Internet's backbone; the=20
terabit-cable pipes connecting continents will=20
reach capacity and ISPs will not be prepared to=20
pay for extra bandwidth because consumers will be=20
unwilling to pay increased costs. The threat to=20
available capacity will be driven by the number=20
of Internet users continuing to grow, and the=20
exponential increase in the transmission of video=20
files. This threat could raise questions about=20
the long-term commercial viability of broadband=20
provision, unless a satisfactory solution can be=20
found to the issues of monetizing the growing=20
usage to fund future growth, without=20
disenfranchising customers. While this is=20
probably not going to come to a head in 2007,=20
these issues loom on the horizon because the=20
investment in core infrastructure is not keeping=20
pace with the usage and demand, said Eric=20
Openshaw, principal and leader of Deloitte's=20
America's TMT practice. The growth in demand for=20
video delivered over the Internet in particular,=20
one of Deloitte's other predictions, as well as=20
IPTV, will be a major contributor to excess=20
capacity being absorbed. "At the rate of growth=20
of consumption at some point in time in the not=20
too distant future, maybe it's not this year, but=20
it's not in the too distant future, the excess=20
capacity is gone," said Openshaw. "So somebody's=20
got to step up and decide who is going to make=20
the investments and who is going to pay for them."
http://www.cioupdate.com/trends/article.php/3651416

US BROADBAND MARKET STILL COMING UP SHORT
[SOURCE: savetheinternet.com]
A critical look at the broadband penetration=20
numbers released by the FCC this week: 1) The FCC=20
still uses an absurd standard of =93broadband=94 --=20
200 kilobits per second -- that was barely fast=20
enough to surf in 1999 but is far below what=92s=20
needed to enjoy streaming video, VoIP, flash=20
animation or other common Internet applications.=20
2) Speeds in the US are much slower than what=92s=20
available in the rest of the world. According to=20
the FCC, half of all U.S. broadband connections=20
are slower than 2.5 megabits per second -- yet in=20
countries like Japan and South Korea, they=92re=20
rolling out 100 megabit service. 3) The FCC still=20
uses a discredited measure of broadband=20
availability. Using ZIP codes alone vastly=20
overstates the availability and competition for=20
broadband services. 4) There=92s no competition.=20
Ninety-eight percent of high-speed residential=20
lines are provided by incumbent cable or telecom=20
companies. 5) The numbers are inflated by cell=20
phones. In fact, 60 percent of the increase in=20
broadband connections over the past six months is=20
due to mobile cellular wireless connections. A=20
cell phone or Blackberry is no substitute or=20
viable competitor for always-on cable, DSL or=20
fiber connections. These connections are very=20
slow, have strict bandwidth caps, and restrict=20
users so they can't use Internet phone service or other applications.
http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog/2007/02/01/us-broadband-market-still...
ming-up-short/

VERMONT'S GOVERNOR WANTS ENTIRE STATE TO OFFER FREE WI-FI BY 2010
[SOURCE: All Headline News, AUTHOR: Matthew Borghese]
In his annual speech to the state legislature,=20
Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has called upon=20
lawmakers to turn the Green Mountain State into=20
one giant wireless Internet network. Governor=20
Douglas says, "By 2010 Vermont [should] become=20
the nation's first 'e-state' - the first state to=20
offer universal access to broadband and wireless=20
technology everywhere within its borders... The=20
infrastructure that we build will form a=20
foundation for economic growth and job creation=20
that is second to none." "To spearhead this=20
important effort, I have called for the creation=20
of a Vermont Telecommunications Authority that=20
would partner with private enterprise to build a=20
next generation infrastructure... This is an=20
unprecedented opportunity to leap far ahead of=20
the leading telecommunications systems available=20
today. This is no time for mediocrity. If we're=20
serious about making Vermont a leader in the 21st=20
Century economy, we must act now."
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006254687
* For more see "The Vermont Way Forward"
http://www.vermont.gov/governor/priorities/e-state_Initiative_VTA_Briefi...
2007.pdf

TELEVISION

COMMUNITY TV: IF CABLE CHANGES, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO PUBLIC PROGRAMMING?
[SOURCE: Schaumburg (IL) Review, AUTHOR: Patrick Corcoran]
Public access television providers are worried=20
they'll be lost in the shuffle stemming from=20
AT&T's video network proposal. AT&T is proposing=20
in some Chicago markets to provide phone,=20
Internet and television service, similar to cable=20
franchises. But since AT&T's services will be=20
offered via telephone and not cable lines, AT&T=20
asserts it should not be held to long-standing=20
cable franchise agreements. It's these agreements=20
that, among other guarantees, provide public=20
access programs such as local calendar listings,=20
the village's Fourth of July parade coverage,=20
broadcasts of public meetings, and original=20
programming. Barbara Popovic, executive director=20
of Chicago Access Network Television (CAN-TV),=20
Chicago's public access network, says that AT&T=20
is attempting an end run around the rules that=20
protect public access networks. "The implications=20
of this are far-reaching. At the heart of it,=20
they want to find a way to dismantle the existing=20
franchise agreements," she said. "What they are=20
saying is, 'We want it our way or the highway,'=20
and you're seeing that played out with these=20
lawsuits they are filing against municipalities=20
who refuse to cooperate with them."
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/schaumburg/news/228775,sc-attcantv-012507-s1...
ticle

DTV MISSION: NO CONSUMER LEFT BEHIND
[SOURCE: tvnewsday]
The NAB's new VP talks about his upcoming=20
campaign to make sure that the millions of homes=20
that receive off-the-air TV today will still be=20
able to receive off-the-air TV after the February=20
2009 switch to digital. One of the biggest=20
advantages broadcasting has over cable and=20
satellite in delivering TV is its ubiquity=97it=92s=20
everywhere. By the NAB=92s reckoning, 34.3 million=20
or 31% of the 111.3 million TV households have=20
one or more TV sets that still get their signals=20
off air. And of those 34.3 million, 19.6=20
million=97more than half=97rely solely on=20
broadcasting. They don't have any sets hooked to=20
satellite or cable. This is not an advantage that=20
broadcasters intend to lose when they make the=20
government-mandated switch from analog to digital=20
broadcasting on Feb. 18, 2009. Consequently, the=20
NAB is launching a public education campaign to=20
make sure that every consumer knows about the=20
transition so they can buy new digital TV sets=20
or, with the help of a government subsidy, buy=20
A-to-D converter boxes that will enable analog TV=20
sets to go right on receiving signals off the air=20
after the switch to digital. Leading the campaign=20
for NAB will be the newly hired Jonathan=20
Collegio, who learned the business of getting=20
people to understand and act in the do-or-die world of political campaignin=
g.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/02/01/daily.3/

COMCAST PROFIT TRIPLES, SPENDING RAISES CONCERNS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Yinka Adegoke]
Comcast Corp. said on Thursday its quarterly=20
profit tripled, but higher-than-expected spending=20
plans for 2007 dragged down shares of the largest=20
U.S. cable company and its rivals. Chief=20
Executive Brian Roberts said on an analysts call=20
that most of the spending will be to accelerate=20
the introduction of new products like=20
high-definition video, and to boost its=20
relatively new business of selling services to=20
small and medium companies. Comcast reported its=20
strongest growth in basic video subscribers in 10=20
years during the fourth quarter, adding 110,000=20
new customers. That beat the 54,000 additions=20
forecast by Moffett who said the growth showed=20
that triple play is pulling Comcast and other=20
cable companies ahead of satellite TV rivals.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DindustryNews&storyID=
=3D2007-02-01T184025Z_01_WAA000061_RTRIDST_0_INDUSTRY-COMCAST-RESULTS-DC.XML

ECHOSTAR TO PUSH FOR BASEBALL-STYLE ARBITRATION FOR FOX RETRANS DEALS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Look for Echostar, joined by consumer groups, to=20
push the FCC to retain baseball-style arbitration=20
for Fox broadcasting retransmission-consent=20
deals. When News Corp. bought DirecTV in 2004,=20
one of the conditions on the deal was that=20
negotiations for broadcast carriage between Fox=20
Broadcasting stations and satellite competitor=20
EchoStar be subject to baseball-style arbitration=20
if an impasse occurred, during which stations=20
could not go dark on the satellite service.=20
Baseball-style arbitration is when both sides=20
make their best offer and the arbitrator has to=20
pick one or the other. The condition was in place=20
so that Fox couldn't advantage co-owned DirecTV=20
by refusing to deal with its satellite competitor.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6412421?title=3DArticle&space...
c=3Dnews

SPANISH TELEVISION REIGNS AS KING OF PRODUCT PLUGS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Aaron=20
Patrick aaron.patrick( at )wsj.com and Keith Johnson]
Spain has more product placement and more=20
commercial breaks than just about anywhere else.=20
In prime-time evening hours, commercial breaks=20
can last 15 minutes and contain up to 30 ads in a=20
row, so long that some viewers forget what=20
they're watching. Spain has permitted rampant=20
product plugs despite a European Union ban on=20
product placement and a limit on commercials. The=20
rules aren't enforced in Spain because the EU=20
can't directly enforce policy. Spain, unlike=20
Germany and the United Kingdom, also doesn't have=20
its own rules governing the separation of content=20
and advertising. The rest of Europe is moving=20
toward the Spanish model. New EU rules set to=20
become law in the summer will let broadcasters=20
decide when to schedule commercials and product=20
placement. Spanish producers aren't complaining=20
that the commercialism intrudes on art. Instead,=20
they say it helps preserve local TV production at=20
a time when many channels across Europe are airing U.S. shows at less expen=
se.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117037477567695542.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
e_one
(requires subscription)

QUICKLY

MURDOCH ROLE IN TRIBUNE BID DEBATED
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
News Corp. founder Rupert Murdoch's potential=20
involvement in a joint bid for Tribune Co. by the=20
Chandler family doesn't alter the fact that no=20
acceptable takeover offer has yet surfaced after=20
months of the company soliciting proposals.=20
Murdoch's interest in a minority stake in Tribune=20
emerged after the media conglomerate received the=20
largest offer to date for its assets, an=20
estimated $7.6 billion proposal by the Chandlers=20
to buy the company and spin off its broadcast=20
division to shareholders. The goal for News Corp.=20
would be to reduce costs on the business side of=20
the New York Post, a money-losing but prominent=20
tabloid newspaper, by combining some back-office=20
functions such as production and delivery with=20
Tribune's Newsday newspaper on neighboring Long Island.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003540736
See also --
* Rupert's Way
[SOURCE: Forbes.com, AUTHOR: James Brady]
[Commentary] "[I]f you work for Newsday or the=20
Tribune in Chicago or the Los Angeles Times and=20
you hear that Murdoch is coming, stand by. The=20
man isn't a packaged goods CEO from the "B"=20
School whose first priority is the bottom line=20
and staff cuts. Murdoch will make changes, drive=20
people nuts, start rewriting heads, work 19-hour=20
days and put his brand on the damned paper. You=20
may dislike his politics, love him or hate him,=20
but you'll be working for a professional=20
newspaperman whose veins run with printers' ink."=20
http://www.forbes.com/home/columnists/2007/01/31/james-brady-on-media-ru...
t-oped-cx_jb_0201brady.html

BUSH URGES STEPPED-UP CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILDHOOD OBESITY
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Michael Abramowitz]
President Bush yesterday added his voice to the=20
growing debate over childhood obesity, as he met=20
at the White House with representatives of some=20
of the companies considered responsible for=20
aggravating the problem and urged them to stress=20
the importance of healthful eating and physical=20
fitness in their marketing campaigns. As=20
described by those present, the meeting was=20
cordial and the president signaled no intent to=20
pursue more aggressive policies favored by some=20
consumer groups, such as banning the marketing of=20
junk food to children or requiring more detailed=20
nutritional labeling. Bush told the executives=20
that it is an individual's responsibility to=20
maintain a healthful diet, not the government's.=20
The meeting also included executives of=20
entertainment companies involved with marketing to children.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/01/AR200702...
1701.html
(requires registration)
See also --
* Should F =3D fat?
[Commentary] The CDC is right to issue guidelines=20
for sending obesity report cards to parents of=20
schoolkids, but more phys ed classes might be nice.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-ed-obesity02feb02,1,...
3040.story?coll=3Dla-news-comment

FRED FIELDING LEAVES LAW FIRM TO ASSIST BUSH
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Fred Fielding has left high-powered D.C. law firm=20
Wiley, Rein & Fielding to become a counselor to President George W. Bush.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6412793.html?display=3DBreaki...
News
--------------------------------------------------------------
* Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory;
Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly.
We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you're wearing the crown.
You're the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, bear down.
http://www.chicagobears.com/fancenter/BearsFightSongLyrics.asp
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
news summary service provided by the Benton=20
Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday=20
through Friday, this service provides updates on=20
important industry developments, policy issues,=20
and other related news events. While the=20
summaries are factually accurate, their often=20
informal tone does not always represent the tone=20
of the original articles. Headlines are compiled=20
by Kevin Taglang headlines( at )benton.org -- we welcome your comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------