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The cable company accuses the conglomerate of coercing it to carry lesser networks as part of the price for MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. read more. The Business Comedy Central THR, Esq. Cablevision Television MTV Viacom Nickelodeon Business MORE
We wrote about the issues in this porceeding here , The CALM Act ("Commercial Announcement Loudness Mitigation" Act), which must be implemented by the end of this year, is meant to require broadcasters, cable companies and other MVPDs to eliminate loud commercials - commercials that are substantially louder than the associated programming. The FCC has granted a short extension for Reply Comments on the implementation of the CALM Act. MORE
Given the FCC’s 2015 reclassification of all public broadband services (wired and mobile) as “common carrier” services , the decision potentially could be applied to exempt cable companies and other broadband providers (e.g., This could mean, for example, that cable companies and others may be wholly exempt from section 5, even for non-broadband services such as linear television, video-on-demand, and set-top box leases. MORE
On the same day as the FCC issued this audit for radio stations, it issued a Public Notice to remind Multi-Channel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs) with six or more full-time employees, including cable systems, of their obligation to file by September 30 their Annual EEO Program Reports on FCC Form 396-C. This notice also reminds certain cable systems of the need to submit supplemental information about their hiring efforts to the FCC. MORE
June 11 is the date on which the Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on the appeal of the FCC’s ownership decision from late 2017 in which the FCC, among other actions, abolished the newspaper-broadcast and radio-television cross-ownership rules and the rules requiring that there be 8 independent owners in a television market before a company could hold two TV licenses in that market. MORE
Plaintiffs say that big cable companies have no reason to hold onto credit card info and warn of risks. read more. THR, Esq. The Business Television Business MORE
As EEO enforcement is primarily aimed at broadcasters and cable companies, and has been part of the Media Bureau responsibilities since the Bureau existed, why was this change made and what does it mean? The FCC yesterday adopted an order moving broadcast EEO enforcement from the FCC’s Media Bureau to its Enforcement Bureau. The change will be effective later, after certain procedural approvals are obtained and after notice is published in the Federal Register. MORE
The FCC has just announced another of its regular EEO audits , though this time its just for cable systems (see the FCC Public Notice and list of affected systems here ). The FCC will audit 5% of all broadcasters and cable companies each year to assess their EEO compliance, so be prepared in case you are next. MORE
While the announced goal of the legislation is aimed at disclosure of the individuals and companies who are trying to impact the political process, the draft legislation, if adopted would have significant impact on broadcasters and cable companies , including potentially extending lowest unit rates and reasonable access to Federal political party's campaign committees (and not just the candidates themselves). MORE
Speaking at The Hollywood Reporter's sixth annual Power Lawyers event, the company's chief content officer argued that streaming actually helps increase TV viewership. read more. THR, Esq. THR, Esq. Television Television Power Lawyers Power Lawyers 2012 MORE
The FCC is considering an Internet provider's request to be treated like a cable company. Sky Angel, an online video distributor, and Discovery Communications had an agreement to distribute Discovery's content. But Discovery had a change of heart and cancelled MORE
This issue has already been a big deal on the video side of the media house, with both broadcasters and cable companies having been fined for including material in their programs without disclosing that they had received consideration for the inclusion of the material. Politico ran a story last week, indicating that a number of radio talk show hosts were paid to endorse , during their shows, certain causes and groups that might be of interest to their listeners. MORE
Chicago resident Keith Santangelo has filed suit against cable company giant Comcast, alleging that it did an unauthorized credit check on him after he specifically asked Comcast customer service not to do so, and after he paid a $50 deposit MORE
All content companies – management, in other words - are being squeezed by technology, and labor is not exempt. That depends in part on how far new media advances and becomes able to replace network and cable TV not just for young people viewing content on their PC’s, but also the general population who prefer to watch content on the big screen TVs they’ve purchased. MORE
The FCC is cracking down hard on television stations and cable companies who use EAS alerts – or even simulations of such alerts – in advertising, promotions, and programming. In two orders released this week, the FCC imposed big penalties on video companies who used fake EAS alerts in commercial messages. MORE
The cable company accuses Viacom of coercion and is seeking to void a carriage agreement. read more. The Business THR, Esq. Cablevision Television Viacom Business MORE
To expect big telecom and cable duopolies to protect consumers while a toothless agency stands quietly by is to expect what never was nor will be. The CRTC order at the same time added a 10-percent markup to the rates to compensate the telephone and cable companies for their troubles. He would have allowed ISPs more control over the services in order to encourage innovations that come from smaller companies. MORE
largest cable companies and their merger Comcast is apparently ending its $45 billion try to purchase TimeWarner because of difficulties in overcoming agency skepticism over the impact such a deal would have on consumers. Comcast and TimeWarner are the U.S. MORE
While copying for personal use has been upheld by the courts, new technologies allowing cable companies to provide digital video recorders from a remote, central location have given rise to a number of cases across the country. Stay tuned to see if your cable's DVR will be upheld to be legal. In summary, the cable companies' remote DVR has the same controls and "box" that the stand alone set top DVRs do. MORE
Circuit struck down as “arbitrary and capricious” a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation prohibiting a single cable operator from serving more than 30 percent of the market. Groups like Media Access Project (MAP), which represented an intervener in the case and hopes to obtain Supreme Court review , worry that further growth of major cable companies will reduce consumer choice and lead to increased prices. On August 28, the D.C. MORE
The FCC Media Bureau has found that Time Warner Cable is subject to "effective competition" in six communities in New York (Chili, Churchville, Clarkson, Gates, Hamlin, and Henrietta). According to FCC regulations, only cable companies that are not subject to MORE
The cable company will move to the 9th Circuit to argue a judge was in error by allowing claims over its decisions about which channels to carry. read more. THR, Esq. The Business Television Culture Business THR Online MORE
Earlier this month, the FCC announced another of its regular EEO audits , though this time it’s just for cable systems and other MVPDs who, like broadcasters, have EEO obligations. The FCC will audit 5% of all broadcasters and cable companies each year to assess their EEO compliance, so be prepared in case you are next. Cable Carriage EEO Compliance/Diversity FCC Fines EEO outreach FCC EEO audit MORE
Back in April, Viacom and Time Warner Cable sued each other; then last month Viacom sued Cablevision. In both sets of suits, the issue is the same: under license and distribution agreements, can cable companies allow their customers to add another screen to their home viewing options: an iPad? With Viacom, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision mired in litigation over the issue, there is a possible path to resolving the disputes. MORE
1), when a deal was reached, Fox was threatening to black out its channels, most notably Fox broadcast, from Time Warner Cable (TWC) unless TWC anted up a subscriber fee of reportedly $1 per subscriber per month. Historically, cable networks such as HBO, Showtime, AMC, etc. That’s not the sort of attention a media company wants. The answer is that MSO's (cable cos. Thus, raising cable prices could cost TWC dearly. lacks a cable system. MORE
The FCC is now permitting broadcasters (and cable companies) to meet their obligation to widely disseminate information about their job openings solely through the use of online recruitment sources. The FCC recently issued a declaratory ruling (which we summarized here ) addressing the requirement that broadcasters widely disseminate information about all of their job openings in such a way as to reach all of the groups within their communities. MORE
The biggest issue is no doubt the Incentive Auctions – looking at the reclaiming of spectrum from TV broadcasters to allow it to be re-sold to wireless companies for wireless broadband and other uses. The FCC under Chairman Genachowski had looked to have rules in place before the end of this year to reclaim the spectrum and to sell it to the wireless companies. MORE
In doing so, the Supreme Court has set the stage for cable giants such as Comcast to, with impunity, disallow such competitive services as Vonage, Skype, and even perhaps Akimbo, MovieLink, and a host of IPTV services. A small, Santa Monica-based Internet company, Brand X Internet LLC, brought suit against the cable industry claiming that, under common carrier regulations, Brand X had a right to deliver its Internet services over the cable giants’ broadband networks. MORE
There were a number of published articles last week that suggested that the FCC was considering extending the definition of a Multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) to over-the-top video providers or, as they are apparently being referred to, as Online Video Distributors (OVD) who provide linear programming like a cable or satellite company (as opposed to an on-demand provider like NetFlix). MORE
Basic Cable Agreement (was set to expire June 30, 2008, then extended to December 19, 2008, and now expired). As Variety reports, this contract with about 20 cable companies expired last month, and no date has been set for negotiations. This is the agreement with video game companies. Basic Cable Animation Agreement (expires January 15, 2008). Tags: talent agents SAG franchise agreement basic cable Commercials Where do SAG contracts go when they expire? MORE
cable operator with a huge media conglomerate that owns a variety of interests including TV networks, a film studio, and even a theme park. While it is certainly true that this deal creates opportunities for additional programming to be offered for free online, there are concerns that having these sites essentially under one roof will create incentives to limit the free programming–at least for non-Comcast cable or Internet users. MORE
The DISCLOSE Act recently passed the Committee in the House of Representatives charged with dealing with it, without many of the provisions that most worried broadcasters and cable companies. That section of the original bill also required that the FCC conduct audits of broadcasters' compliance with the political rules, and seemingly expanded the FCC political advertising obligations of cable systems. MORE
To expect big telecom and cable duopolies to protect consumers while a toothless agency stands quietly by is to expect what never was nor will be. The CRTC order at the same time added a 10-percent markup to the rates to compensate the telephone and cable companies for their troubles. He would have allowed ISPs more control over the services in order to encourage innovations that come from smaller companies. MORE
From the New York Times, on the GE/Comcast deal over NBC/Universal: With technology changing Americans’ media experience at breakneck speed, it might seem quaint to worry about the merger of an old-style cable company with a beleaguered broadcast TV company MORE
As these NPRMs on reg fees make clear, this can be a very difficult process, as there will obviously be some employees who spend time on projects that cut across service lines – e.g. those in the International Bureau who negotiate with foreign governments may benefit broadcasters in some negotiations, and wireline or wireless companies in others. mobile phone companies) pay 20.4%, and those regulated by the International Bureau (e.g. satellite companies) about 6.28%. MORE
In doing so, the Supreme Court has set the stage for cable giants such as Comcast to, with impunity, disallow such competitive services as Vonage, Skype, and even perhaps Akimbo, MovieLink, and a host of IPTV services. A small, Santa Monica-based Internet company, Brand X Internet LLC, brought suit against the cable industry claiming that, under common carrier regulations, Brand X had a right to deliver its Internet services over the cable giants’ broadband networks. MORE
Cable companies get a small victory in the ongoing scuffle with programmers just days after the CBS and Time Warner Cable standoff came to a close. read more. The Business THR, Esq. Television Business MORE
The question is: Will it be reciprocated when it comes time to pick sides in the copyright war between Silicon Valley’s tech companies and the Hollywood movie studios? The studios claim that the cable company is infringing its copyrights by storing TV shows on its servers and allowing customers to watch them when they like. I don't plan to blog in any detail about the Cablevision case , since I worked on it in the S.D.N.Y. and Second Circuit as an attorney at Fox. MORE
There is a high demand for a fast connection, and cables don’t have to run far to carry the signal. Most Americans don’t have much choice–they generally must choose between one DSL provider or one cable company if they want high-speed Internet. Times op-ed , Benkler argues that the government should break up the local monopolies with regulations that require cable companies to sell access to their competitors. MORE
As set out in that summary, the NPRM asks many questions of broadcasters, cable companies, and other Multichannel Video Programming Distributors about implementation of the CALM Act, including who must comply, how compliance can be achieved, and the impact of reliance on program suppliers (networks, broadcast programming carried on cable, etc.) MORE
The FCC has just announced another of its regular EEO audits , though this time it’s just for cable and satellite television systems, which also have EEO obligations (see the FCC Public Notice and list of affected systems here ). The FCC will audit 5% of all broadcasters and cable companies each year to assess their EEO compliance, so be prepared in case you are next. EEO Compliance/Diversity annual EEO public file report cable television EEO FCC EEO audit MORE
The FCC’s Media Bureau today asked for public comment on the Petition recently filed by a number of multichannel video providers - including seven large cable companies , both DBS companies , and Verizon – along with the American Cable Association and several public interest and trade organizations. Even at this early stage, this is bound to be a controversial proceeding, which companies on both sides of the issue will vigorously debate. MORE
An FCC decision fining a cable company $11,000 for not adequately recruiting for job openings should be viewed as a warning to broadcasters as well as well as MVPDs – failure to recruit for job openings by disseminating information about those opening through diverse sources will likely result in a substantial fine under the current rules being enforced by the Commission’s Media Bureau. MORE
That question has already been raised in the AM revitalization proceeding (see our summary of the issues here ), and is actually raised in the FCC’s agenda for the May meeting as the same proceeding will also consider if cable companies should need to continue to publicize the location of their headends for public visits. Yesterday, the FCC announced its agenda for its May open meeting to be held on May 25. MORE
Cable Companies Related Topics THR, Esq. Entertainment & Media Law Blog
JULY 18, 2012
Speaking at The Hollywood Reporter's sixth annual Power Lawyers event, the company's chief content officer argued that streaming actually helps increase TV viewership. read more. THR, Esq. THR, Esq. Television Television Power Lawyers Power Lawyers 2012
Broadcast Law Blog
AUGUST 13, 2009
On the same day as the FCC issued this audit for radio stations, it issued a Public Notice to remind Multi-Channel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs) with six or more full-time employees, including cable systems, of their obligation to file by September 30 their Annual EEO Program Reports on FCC Form 396-C. This notice also reminds certain cable systems of the need to submit supplemental information about their hiring efforts to the FCC.
THR, Esq. Entertainment & Media Law Blog
DECEMBER 14, 2016
The cable company will move to the 9th Circuit to argue a judge was in error by allowing claims over its decisions about which channels to carry. read more. THR, Esq. The Business Television Culture Business THR Online
THR, Esq. Entertainment & Media Law Blog
JUNE 5, 2012
Plaintiffs say that big cable companies have no reason to hold onto credit card info and warn of risks. read more. THR, Esq. The Business Television Business
THR, Esq. Entertainment & Media Law Blog
FEBRUARY 26, 2013
The cable company accuses Viacom of coercion and is seeking to void a carriage agreement. read more. The Business THR, Esq. Cablevision Television Viacom Business
Media Law Prof Blog
APRIL 23, 2015
largest cable companies and their merger Comcast is apparently ending its $45 billion try to purchase TimeWarner because of difficulties in overcoming agency skepticism over the impact such a deal would have on consumers. Comcast and TimeWarner are the U.S.
Media Law Prof Blog
JANUARY 17, 2015
Chicago resident Keith Santangelo has filed suit against cable company giant Comcast, alleging that it did an unauthorized credit check on him after he specifically asked Comcast customer service not to do so, and after he paid a $50 deposit
THR, Esq. Entertainment & Media Law Blog
SEPTEMBER 4, 2013
Cable companies get a small victory in the ongoing scuffle with programmers just days after the CBS and Time Warner Cable standoff came to a close. read more. The Business THR, Esq. Television Business
Media Law Prof Blog
JUNE 8, 2012
The FCC is considering an Internet provider's request to be treated like a cable company. Sky Angel, an online video distributor, and Discovery Communications had an agreement to distribute Discovery's content. But Discovery had a change of heart and cancelled
Media Law Prof Blog
NOVEMBER 15, 2010
The FCC Media Bureau has found that Time Warner Cable is subject to "effective competition" in six communities in New York (Chili, Churchville, Clarkson, Gates, Hamlin, and Henrietta). According to FCC regulations, only cable companies that are not subject to
Digital Media Law
JULY 8, 2011
Back in April, Viacom and Time Warner Cable sued each other; then last month Viacom sued Cablevision. In both sets of suits, the issue is the same: under license and distribution agreements, can cable companies allow their customers to add another screen to their home viewing options: an iPad? With Viacom, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision mired in litigation over the issue, there is a possible path to resolving the disputes.
Entertainment Litigation Blog
FEBRUARY 24, 2009
While copying for personal use has been upheld by the courts, new technologies allowing cable companies to provide digital video recorders from a remote, central location have given rise to a number of cases across the country. Stay tuned to see if your cable's DVR will be upheld to be legal. In summary, the cable companies' remote DVR has the same controls and "box" that the stand alone set top DVRs do.
Media Law Prof Blog
DECEMBER 7, 2009
From the New York Times, on the GE/Comcast deal over NBC/Universal: With technology changing Americans’ media experience at breakneck speed, it might seem quaint to worry about the merger of an old-style cable company with a beleaguered broadcast TV company
JetLawBlog
APRIL 8, 2010
There is a high demand for a fast connection, and cables don’t have to run far to carry the signal. Most Americans don’t have much choice–they generally must choose between one DSL provider or one cable company if they want high-speed Internet. Times op-ed , Benkler argues that the government should break up the local monopolies with regulations that require cable companies to sell access to their competitors.
Broadcast Law Blog
OCTOBER 18, 2018
Earlier this month, the FCC announced another of its regular EEO audits , though this time it’s just for cable systems and other MVPDs who, like broadcasters, have EEO obligations. The FCC will audit 5% of all broadcasters and cable companies each year to assess their EEO compliance, so be prepared in case you are next. Cable Carriage EEO Compliance/Diversity FCC Fines EEO outreach FCC EEO audit
Broadcast Law Blog
JUNE 3, 2011
As set out in that summary, the NPRM asks many questions of broadcasters, cable companies, and other Multichannel Video Programming Distributors about implementation of the CALM Act, including who must comply, how compliance can be achieved, and the impact of reliance on program suppliers (networks, broadcast programming carried on cable, etc.)
Digital Media Law
JANUARY 1, 2010
1), when a deal was reached, Fox was threatening to black out its channels, most notably Fox broadcast, from Time Warner Cable (TWC) unless TWC anted up a subscriber fee of reportedly $1 per subscriber per month. Historically, cable networks such as HBO, Showtime, AMC, etc. That’s not the sort of attention a media company wants. The answer is that MSO's (cable cos. Thus, raising cable prices could cost TWC dearly. lacks a cable system.
Broadcast Law Blog
JULY 25, 2018
As EEO enforcement is primarily aimed at broadcasters and cable companies, and has been part of the Media Bureau responsibilities since the Bureau existed, why was this change made and what does it mean? The FCC yesterday adopted an order moving broadcast EEO enforcement from the FCC’s Media Bureau to its Enforcement Bureau. The change will be effective later, after certain procedural approvals are obtained and after notice is published in the Federal Register.
Digital Media Law
JANUARY 7, 2009
Basic Cable Agreement (was set to expire June 30, 2008, then extended to December 19, 2008, and now expired). As Variety reports, this contract with about 20 cable companies expired last month, and no date has been set for negotiations. This is the agreement with video game companies. Basic Cable Animation Agreement (expires January 15, 2008). Tags: talent agents SAG franchise agreement basic cable Commercials Where do SAG contracts go when they expire?
New Media and Technology Law
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
Given the FCC’s 2015 reclassification of all public broadband services (wired and mobile) as “common carrier” services , the decision potentially could be applied to exempt cable companies and other broadband providers (e.g., This could mean, for example, that cable companies and others may be wholly exempt from section 5, even for non-broadband services such as linear television, video-on-demand, and set-top box leases.
Broadcast Law Blog
OCTOBER 9, 2014
The FCC has just announced another of its regular EEO audits , though this time it’s just for cable and satellite television systems, which also have EEO obligations (see the FCC Public Notice and list of affected systems here ). The FCC will audit 5% of all broadcasters and cable companies each year to assess their EEO compliance, so be prepared in case you are next. EEO Compliance/Diversity annual EEO public file report cable television EEO FCC EEO audit
Broadcast Law Blog
NOVEMBER 17, 2011
The FCC has just announced another of its regular EEO audits , though this time its just for cable systems (see the FCC Public Notice and list of affected systems here ). The FCC will audit 5% of all broadcasters and cable companies each year to assess their EEO compliance, so be prepared in case you are next.
JetLawBlog
SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
Circuit struck down as “arbitrary and capricious” a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation prohibiting a single cable operator from serving more than 30 percent of the market. Groups like Media Access Project (MAP), which represented an intervener in the case and hopes to obtain Supreme Court review , worry that further growth of major cable companies will reduce consumer choice and lead to increased prices. On August 28, the D.C.
Broadcast Law Blog
JULY 19, 2011
We wrote about the issues in this porceeding here , The CALM Act ("Commercial Announcement Loudness Mitigation" Act), which must be implemented by the end of this year, is meant to require broadcasters, cable companies and other MVPDs to eliminate loud commercials - commercials that are substantially louder than the associated programming. The FCC has granted a short extension for Reply Comments on the implementation of the CALM Act.
Digital Media Law
SEPTEMBER 19, 2009
All content companies – management, in other words - are being squeezed by technology, and labor is not exempt. That depends in part on how far new media advances and becomes able to replace network and cable TV not just for young people viewing content on their PC’s, but also the general population who prefer to watch content on the big screen TVs they’ve purchased.
Broadcast Law Blog
NOVEMBER 7, 2013
The FCC is cracking down hard on television stations and cable companies who use EAS alerts – or even simulations of such alerts – in advertising, promotions, and programming. In two orders released this week, the FCC imposed big penalties on video companies who used fake EAS alerts in commercial messages.
Broadcast Law Blog
JULY 26, 2016
An FCC decision fining a cable company $11,000 for not adequately recruiting for job openings should be viewed as a warning to broadcasters as well as well as MVPDs – failure to recruit for job openings by disseminating information about those opening through diverse sources will likely result in a substantial fine under the current rules being enforced by the Commission’s Media Bureau.
Broadcast Law Blog
MAY 5, 2016
That question has already been raised in the AM revitalization proceeding (see our summary of the issues here ), and is actually raised in the FCC’s agenda for the May meeting as the same proceeding will also consider if cable companies should need to continue to publicize the location of their headends for public visits. Yesterday, the FCC announced its agenda for its May open meeting to be held on May 25.
Broadcast Law Blog
MARCH 19, 2010
The FCC’s Media Bureau today asked for public comment on the Petition recently filed by a number of multichannel video providers - including seven large cable companies , both DBS companies , and Verizon – along with the American Cable Association and several public interest and trade organizations. Even at this early stage, this is bound to be a controversial proceeding, which companies on both sides of the issue will vigorously debate.
Copyrights & Campaigns
JANUARY 13, 2009
The question is: Will it be reciprocated when it comes time to pick sides in the copyright war between Silicon Valley’s tech companies and the Hollywood movie studios? The studios claim that the cable company is infringing its copyrights by storing TV shows on its servers and allowing customers to watch them when they like. I don't plan to blog in any detail about the Cablevision case , since I worked on it in the S.D.N.Y. and Second Circuit as an attorney at Fox.
Broadcast Law Blog
MAY 30, 2019
June 11 is the date on which the Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on the appeal of the FCC’s ownership decision from late 2017 in which the FCC, among other actions, abolished the newspaper-broadcast and radio-television cross-ownership rules and the rules requiring that there be 8 independent owners in a television market before a company could hold two TV licenses in that market.
JetLawBlog
DECEMBER 7, 2009
cable operator with a huge media conglomerate that owns a variety of interests including TV networks, a film studio, and even a theme park. While it is certainly true that this deal creates opportunities for additional programming to be offered for free online, there are concerns that having these sites essentially under one roof will create incentives to limit the free programming–at least for non-Comcast cable or Internet users.
Broadcast Law Blog
MAY 23, 2010
The DISCLOSE Act recently passed the Committee in the House of Representatives charged with dealing with it, without many of the provisions that most worried broadcasters and cable companies. That section of the original bill also required that the FCC conduct audits of broadcasters' compliance with the political rules, and seemingly expanded the FCC political advertising obligations of cable systems.
Broadcast Law Blog
MAY 22, 2015
As these NPRMs on reg fees make clear, this can be a very difficult process, as there will obviously be some employees who spend time on projects that cut across service lines – e.g. those in the International Bureau who negotiate with foreign governments may benefit broadcasters in some negotiations, and wireline or wireless companies in others. mobile phone companies) pay 20.4%, and those regulated by the International Bureau (e.g. satellite companies) about 6.28%.
Communications And Entertainment Law Blog
JULY 8, 2005
In doing so, the Supreme Court has set the stage for cable giants such as Comcast to, with impunity, disallow such competitive services as Vonage, Skype, and even perhaps Akimbo, MovieLink, and a host of IPTV services. A small, Santa Monica-based Internet company, Brand X Internet LLC, brought suit against the cable industry claiming that, under common carrier regulations, Brand X had a right to deliver its Internet services over the cable giants’ broadband networks.
Communications And Entertainment Law Blog
JULY 8, 2005
In doing so, the Supreme Court has set the stage for cable giants such as Comcast to, with impunity, disallow such competitive services as Vonage, Skype, and even perhaps Akimbo, MovieLink, and a host of IPTV services. A small, Santa Monica-based Internet company, Brand X Internet LLC, brought suit against the cable industry claiming that, under common carrier regulations, Brand X had a right to deliver its Internet services over the cable giants’ broadband networks.
Broadcast Law Blog
APRIL 30, 2010
While the announced goal of the legislation is aimed at disclosure of the individuals and companies who are trying to impact the political process, the draft legislation, if adopted would have significant impact on broadcasters and cable companies , including potentially extending lowest unit rates and reasonable access to Federal political party's campaign committees (and not just the candidates themselves).
Broadcast Law Blog
MAY 10, 2017
The FCC is now permitting broadcasters (and cable companies) to meet their obligation to widely disseminate information about their job openings solely through the use of online recruitment sources. The FCC recently issued a declaratory ruling (which we summarized here ) addressing the requirement that broadcasters widely disseminate information about all of their job openings in such a way as to reach all of the groups within their communities.
Communications And Entertainment Law Blog
SEPTEMBER 3, 2010
To expect big telecom and cable duopolies to protect consumers while a toothless agency stands quietly by is to expect what never was nor will be. The CRTC order at the same time added a 10-percent markup to the rates to compensate the telephone and cable companies for their troubles. He would have allowed ISPs more control over the services in order to encourage innovations that come from smaller companies.
Broadcast Law Blog
JUNE 19, 2011
This issue has already been a big deal on the video side of the media house, with both broadcasters and cable companies having been fined for including material in their programs without disclosing that they had received consideration for the inclusion of the material. Politico ran a story last week, indicating that a number of radio talk show hosts were paid to endorse , during their shows, certain causes and groups that might be of interest to their listeners.
Broadcast Law Blog
OCTOBER 6, 2014
There were a number of published articles last week that suggested that the FCC was considering extending the definition of a Multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) to over-the-top video providers or, as they are apparently being referred to, as Online Video Distributors (OVD) who provide linear programming like a cable or satellite company (as opposed to an on-demand provider like NetFlix).
Broadcast Law Blog
OCTOBER 31, 2013
The biggest issue is no doubt the Incentive Auctions – looking at the reclaiming of spectrum from TV broadcasters to allow it to be re-sold to wireless companies for wireless broadband and other uses. The FCC under Chairman Genachowski had looked to have rules in place before the end of this year to reclaim the spectrum and to sell it to the wireless companies.
Communications And Entertainment Law Blog
SEPTEMBER 3, 2010
To expect big telecom and cable duopolies to protect consumers while a toothless agency stands quietly by is to expect what never was nor will be. The CRTC order at the same time added a 10-percent markup to the rates to compensate the telephone and cable companies for their troubles. He would have allowed ISPs more control over the services in order to encourage innovations that come from smaller companies.
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