| December 10, 2008 | News for broadcast and electronic media leaders |
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- Report: White House seeks local TV feeds for sit-room
The FCC reportedly is at work trying to arrange for a feed of out-of-market local TV signals into the White House situation room. The goal is to provide decision-makers in the White House access to live broadcast feeds from locations around the country where emergencies and natural disasters may be unfolding. NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton said the White House request "does point out the longstanding lifeline service provided by local broadcasters in the event of emergency situations." Broadcasting & Cable
(12/10)     
| Business & Industry Report | | |
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- House committee Democrats question Martin's management practices
A new report issued by House Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats is sharply critical of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin's management and regulatory practices, but finds no criminal wrongdoing by Martin. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., said, "It's an agency totally out of control." However, FCC spokesman Robert Kenny said, "The chairman makes no apologies for his commitment to serving deaf and disabled Americans and for fighting to lower exorbitantly high cable rates." Kenny also noted that the committee "did not find or conclude that there were any violations of rules, laws or procedures." Bloomberg
(12/10), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)
(12/10)
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Report raises questions about plan to add local TV to situation room: A spokeswoman for FCC Chairman Kevin Martin had no comment on a charge in a House panel report on Martin's management practices that the agency's Media Bureau allegedly tried to stop the sale of DirecTV to Liberty pending the resolution of a plan to add some local TV channels to the White House situation room. The spokeswoman said the section of the report in question may have been a "mischaracterized" reference to an ongoing plan to find a way to feed local TV signals to the situation room. Broadcasting & Cable
(12/10)
- Cumulus CEO: Radio turnaround coming in spring 2010
Cumulus Media CEO Lew Dickey, in an appearance at the UBS media and communications conference, said he doesn't anticipate an improvement in radio sales until the spring of 2010. Dickey also came out in favor of more mergers within radio and defended the company's decision to seek out a new ratings vendor to compete with Arbitron. Radio Business Report
(12/9)
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| Broadcast Programming | | |
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- Will Leno's prime-time show be DVR-resistant?
Many media buyers are welcoming NBC's move to put departing "Tonight" show host Jay Leno in the 10 p.m. slot, because the nightly show is perceived as more likely to attract live viewers, as opposed to crime and medical dramas that typically occupy that network time-slot. The short skit and interview format provides more varied product placement opportunities for marketers. Jason Maltby, a media buyer at Mindshare, says the deal makes economic sense but wonders how NBC will recover if the show doesn't attract viewers. "How do they reprogram those five hours that they are taking away?" Maltby asked. "What NBC is attempting to do is fundamentally change people's TV viewing behavior," he said. "And then to ask them to switch back a year or so later is a pretty tall ask." NYTimes.com
(12/9), Los Angeles Times
(12/10), Advertising Age (tiered subscription model)
(12/9)
| Advertising | | |
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- Ad-skipping pioneer TiVo is now selling ads
TiVo has started selling advertising on its pause menu, and marketers such as Mercedes-Benz USA and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment already have signed on the dotted line. The spots can appear on the pause menu of either live or time-shifted programming. Multichannel News
(12/9)
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- Prosecutors: Ill. governor demanded firing of Chicago paper's editorial critics
The criminal complaint against Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich includes charges that he made an illegal threat against the Tribune Co. that the state would refuse to assist with a deal to sell the Chicago Cubs if editorial writers at its flagship Chicago Tribune newspapers who had called for his impeachment were not fired. None of the writers were fired, nor did the paper refrain from criticizing the governor; the paper also agreed to a request from prosecutors to hold a story on the wiretapping probe of the governor until Friday. NYTimes.com
(12/9), The Washington Post
(12/10)
| NAB News | | |
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2009 Service to America Awards Call for Entries -- Deadline Feb. 6, 2009
On one special night each year, broadcasters are acknowledged and thanked for their outstanding service to their communities. Showcase your station's commitment to localism. Submit your Celebration of Service to America Awards entries today. The deadline for entries is Feb. 6, 2009. For more information, including award categories, criteria and rules for entry, go to www.nab.org/servicetoamerica.
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Crystal Radio Award Entry Information Now Available - Deadline: Feb. 3, 2009
The NAB Crystal Radio Award is given for year-round commitment to community service and is one of the most coveted awards in Radio. Fifty finalists will be honored and the 10 winners announced during the Radio Luncheon at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. The luncheon is sponsored by ASCAP. Complete entry information can be found here.
| Legislative & Regulatory | | |
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- Congress, White House to offer automakers $15B bailout
Democrats in Congress and President George W. Bush have reportedly agreed to a $15 billion bailout package for General Motors and Chrysler -- one that comes with a "car czar" with veto power over transactions in excess of $100 million and one with the authority to recall the government loans if recovery efforts are not deemed sufficient. Some Senate Republicans are reportedly looking to scuttle the measure when it comes up for a vote. Ford Motor Co. is not seeking immediate help, but has requested access to $9 billion in loans should its financial outlook darken. The Detroit News
(12/10), Automotive News/Reuters (subscription required)
(12/10)
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