It's been busy on many fronts! News II is likely to be forthcoming...
It seems this blog was wrong about an FCC commissioners future. Despite bi-partisan congressional support, the White House seemed against the action they apparently took. The article provides some insights to the partisan issues, but I suspect that 'moral' issues may have come into play as well.
Monday Night Football / Housewives Opening Rankles FCC WASHINGTON-November 18: Michael Powell commented yesterday on the provocative locker room opening to ABC's "Monday Night Football" telecast this week, saying, "I wonder if Walt Disney would be proud?"
Lame duck session ducks indecency It looks like the title of Sam Brownback's "Decency Enforcement Act of 2004" is going to have to get a new ending. It is not expected to be put forward until the next Congress is seated next year. The Los Angeles Times says Brownback is expected to resurrect the measure in January. Nevertheless, the Family Research Council is counseling its members to contact their senators now. "The American public, President Bush, the FCC and the US House of Representatives realize that only by greatly increasing FCC fines will these multi-billion companies get the message. Why can't the US Senate get the same message?" Meanwhile, BuzzMachine blogger Jeff Jarvis, who is working the opposition on the issue, said, "Prot ect the First Amendment. Write your senators and congressmen and urge them to find sanity at the last minute and block the indecency bill."
TiVo will no longer "skip" past advertisers The LA Times reports when it debuted in 1999, TiVo revolutionized the TV experience by wresting control of screen time from advertisers, allowing viewers to record shows and skip commercials. Behind the scenes, though, TiVo was courting advertisers, selling inroads to a universe most customers saw as commercial-free. The result is a groundbreaking new business strategy, developed with more than 30 of the nation's largest advertisers, that in key ways circumvents the very technology that made TiVo famous. More... http://www.rbr.com/epaper/pages/november04/04-226_adbiz1.html
From RW...
WGUC TESTS SRS, NEURAL SURROUND SOUND Non-commercial classical WGUC(FM) in Cincinnati is testing two types of surround systems for radio broadcast use: Circle Surround from SRS Labs and the Audio Spatial Environment Engine from Neural Audio. http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=6229
More MNF...
'MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' INTRODUCTION GARNERS POWELL'S DISAPPOINTMENT FCC Chairman Michael Powell told CNBC he thought ABC's new Monday Night Football introduction "disappointing. http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=6222
AS HOLLINGS RETIRES, STAFF LISTS HIS COMMUNICATIONS ACCOMPLISHMENTS The ranking Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, Fritz Hollings of South Carolina, is retiring after 38 years in the Senate. http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=6226
Perhaps the FCC will take action in the translator trafficking issue (see REC comments in the localism NOI and when finished the reply comments). Don't hold your breath!
FCC: LET AUCTION PROCEED, THEN INVESTIGATE In response to three allegations of improper or illegal bidding in the ongoing auction of FM licenses, the FCC has released letters in response saying that it takes allegations of wrongdoing seriously. http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=6195
The big question, is Satellite a threat to traditional radio?
SIRIUS SOLD AT TARGET Sirius Satellite Radios are now sold at more than Targets. http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=6223
At least in Houston, CC is making some serious changes in terms of formats. Are other markets seeing this shift as well? This blog has already mentioned the shift concerning heritage AOR stations. In Houston, the AM/PM news station has shifted as well. The AM drive still is straight news, but the PM drive is no longer news. It is the local talk host who seems overly cautious in his on air approach since switching stations from one CC property to another. Anyway...
CLEAR CHANNEL FURTHERS SPANISH FORMAT INITIATIVE WITH KWID FLIP IN VEGAS Clear Channel Radio debuted a Spanish-language format, "La Preciosa," for KWID(FM) in Las Vegas. http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=6217
NAB EMPHASIZES AMBER SUCCESSES NAB said two more kidnapped children were recovered recently as a result of successful Amber Alerts. http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=6205
SIRIUS PROMISES 'RAW' CONTENT ON SHADE 45 CHANNEL Expect to hear more about "Shade 45." Sirius said it has now set its on-air lineup for its "uncensored" hip-hop channel, which is produced in part by singer Eminem and began last month with the broadcast of an Eminem concert. http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=6209
It is interesting to see the move above and the one below given the FCC inquiry into localism. Do YOU or these stations realize that the FCC commissioned a study of localism that included the requirement of bidders to record your programming and transcribe it? No BS. The feferal government has asked for this to be done. CBI can likely determine if you were recorded for this study and if so, at what times and which days of the week, but not the specific day.
Clear Channel's New Music Network Marks 20,000th Upload SAN ANTONIO-November 19: Clear Channel's New Music Network, an online promotional resource for unsigned artists, received its 20,000th uploaded song and has doubled the number of acts showcased on the site in the past year.
