Most Clicked NAB SmartBrief Stories
1. FCC will take spectrum with or without broadcasters' consent
NAB SmartBrief | Mar 17, 2010
The National Broadband Plan calls for the FCC to reclaim 120 MHz of broadcast spectrum to be reallocated for wireless Internet connectivity. The FCC is counting on broadcasters to "voluntarily" part with spectrum in exchange for a share in the proceeds of an upcoming spectrum action, but if this does not come to pass, the FCC appears to be prepared to obtain spectrum "the hard way," according to this news analysis. TVNewsCheck (free registration) (03/17)
2. Broadband plan would take broadcast spectrum, impose new fees
NAB SmartBrief | Mar 16, 2010
The proposed $20 billion, 10-year plan to increase broadband access being released today by the FCC reportedly will include a new annual fee for TV stations to use the airwaves and a possible mandatory auction of broadcast spectrum. However, the plan doesn't require so-called "open-access" rules for broadband providers, nor does it answer "a lot of the hardest questions" about achieving higher broadband speeds and lowering prices, according to Ben Scott, Free Press policy director. Wall Street Journal, The (03/16) Los Angeles Times (03/15)
3. Hundt explains plan to promote Internet over broadcasting
NAB SmartBrief | Mar 15, 2010
Former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt, in a speech at Columbia University, explained his policy of favoring the Internet over established media including broadcasting, and said he believes the time has come for the U.S. government to endorse one common medium -- broadband -- over all others. Hundt said, "We also thought the Internet would fundamentally be pro-democracy and that broadcast had become a threat to democracy." TVNewscheck editor Harry A. Jessell is alarmed by Hundt's admission, and argues that there's still room for multiple forms of media to prosper. He writes, "The question was once put to me: what would you rather have, the best broadcasting system in the world or the best broadband system. My answer: both." TVNewsCheck (free registration) (03/12)
4. Broadband plan includes space for mobile DTV
NAB SmartBrief | Mar 18, 2010
Although the FCC's broadband proposal seeks to have broadcasters give up a significant amount of spectrum, the plan appears to have allotted sufficient bandwidth available for the mobile DTV initiative to proceed. "The FCC's Broadband Plan expressly identifies Mobile DTV as part of the broadcast TV environment and seeks to preserve 'over-the-air television as a healthy, viable medium,' " according to the Consumer Electronics Association. CEOutlook.com (03/17)
5. Time Warner "glitch" puts adult previews on children's channels
NAB SmartBrief | Mar 17, 2010
Previews of the adult Playboy Channel on Tuesday were mistakenly shown for two hours on Time Warner's Kids On Demand and Preschool On Demand channels in certain counties in North Carolina before the "technical glitch" could be fixed. WRAL-TV (Raleigh, N.C.) (03/16)
6. Broadcasters would lose more than one-third of spectrum:
NAB SmartBrief | Mar 16, 2010
Under the FCC's broadband plan, more than one-third of broadcast TV spectrum, or 120 MHz of 300 MHz, would be transferred for use by wireless providers. The FCC would reapportion the spectrum by gaining 36 MHz from "repacking" the band and another 84 MHz through "voluntary" shared channels. Wireless providers would bid on the recovered spectrum at an auction, and broadcasters would get an unspecified share of the proceeds. TVNewsCheck (free registration) (03/15)
7. Congress is flooded by calls after Limbaugh tells listeners to speak up
NAB SmartBrief | Mar 19, 2010
The congressional switchboard has logged more than 500,000 calls since radio talker Rush Limbaugh urged his listeners to make their views known to lawmakers on health care reform. The Web site for Limbaugh's show Thursday listed as the top priority: "Keep Up the Pressure, America: Flood Congress with Calls, E-Mails." Radio Business Report (03/18)
8. ABC is expected to announce Amanpour as "This Week" host
NAB SmartBrief | Mar 18, 2010
CNN's Christiane Amanpour is nearing an agreement with ABC News to host "This Week," and an announcement regarding the Sunday politics program could come today. New York Times, The (03/17)
9. Without Leno, NBC ratings rebound in 10 o'clock hour
NAB SmartBrief | Mar 17, 2010
TVNewsCheck (free registration) (03/17)
10. Sources say Fox, Conan O'Brien are in talks for late-night show
NAB SmartBrief | Mar 17, 2010
Fox and Conan O'Brien reportedly are in talks for the former "Tonight Show" host to launch a late-night talk program on the network. One major sticking point, however, could be the show's budget, for which Fox would like to commit $60 million a year; NBC spent nearly $90 million annually on "The Tonight Show," including a reported $12 million salary for O'Brien. Los Angeles Times (03/17)
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