HDTV Buying Tips for Dummies, a pocket guide to digital TV, will be the centerpiece of an “outreach campaign” announced Tues. by TTE and Wiley Publishing. To reduce consumer confusion, the Dummies guide will be distributed at retail while a separate DTV reference and set-up guide will be packed with selected RCA sets, TTE said. Moreover, a new DTV Center on the RCA-sponsored dummies.com site went live this week.
Robert Stephan nominated for promotion to assistant secy.-infrastructure protection, Dept. of Homeland Security… Bryan Cunningham, ex-Cisco and Capitol Hill, becomes consultant in Wiley Rein & Fielding govt. affairs practice group… Edward Breen, Tyco International, named to Comcast board… Philip Otto, ex-California Microwave, joins MobilePro advisory board. New board slots at NCTA: Brian Roberts, Comcast, chmn.; Nick Davatzes, A&E, vice chmn.; Tom Rutledge, Cablevision, treas.; Bob Miron, Advance/Newhouse, secy.; Mark Niblick, Midcontinent Communications, joins board… Carol Hinnant, ex-Here! TV, becomes Q TV vp-affiliate sales & mktg.
Wiley Rein & Fielding filed an updated roadmap with the FCC, in an ex parte Feb. 8 (WC 04-36), on VoIP legal and regulatory proceedings likely to be determined this year. The report builds on work the firm produced last year to address the growing number of industries entering the VoIP market. The report, “VoIP at the Crossroads,” includes information on VoIP-specific proceedings as well as broader subject matter dockets and inquiries that could affect how VoIP is regulated or the obligations of VoIP providers.
FCC Comr. Martin appears to be the leading candidate for the next FCC chairman now that Chmn. Powell has announced his departure (CD Jan 24 p1), according to several sources inside and outside of the FCC. They say Martin is well connected to the White House, possibly more so even than Powell, and would be an “easy” choice because he could move quickly into his new spot after only a perfunctory Hill hearing. As a comr., Martin could be designated as chmn. without having to be confirmed, which would prevent giving Democrats a platform on such political hot potatoes as media consolidation. “The smart money is on Martin; it’s the path of least resistence,” said a former FCC official. “There’s no clear leader but Martin is the easiest move if the President wants to avoid a long drawn-out battle,” said an industry lobbyist.
The immediate big issue confronting the White House with the pending departure of Chmn. Powell is who will be the next chairman. A few front runners were mentioned by several sources, most prominently Comr. Martin, former Tex. PUC Chmn. Becky Klein and NTIA Dir. Michael Gallagher. All 3 make little secret of their desire to head the FCC.
Nolan Moulle, CenturyTel, elected chmn., National Exchange Carrier Assn… NBC Universal TV promotes Martha Hanrahan to senior vp-music services… Promoted to partner at Wiley Rein & Fielding: Scott Bain, Martha Heller, Eric Leonard, Mark Pacella and Sandra Stevens; named of-counsel were James Phipps and Kathryn Todd… Bruce Smith will retire as Colo. PUC staff dir. Jan. 31… Changes at Discovery: Rick Holzman, ex-Universal TV, named vp-program planning & scheduling; Peter Lovering, ex-BBC, becomes vp-production & development, London.
President Bush renominated several people to federal judgeships last week, including some with ties to the telecom and Internet industries, or cases involving them. Each of the nominations had been held up by the Senate but was resubmitted by the Administration in anticipation of a stronger majority in the 109th Congress.
Gregg Elias, ex-Senate Commerce Committee staff, returns to Wiley Rein & Fielding as partner in communications & govt. affairs practice… Nortel Networks promoted Clent Richardson to chief mktg. officer… Anne Szostak, ex-FleetBoston Financial, joins Belo board… Wayne Gartin, ex-Bandwidth 9, named Centillium Communications vp-worldwide sales… Joe Bilotta of Buckley Bcstg. elected chmn. of Radio Ad Bureau board.
Rep. Barlett (R-Md.) introduced HR-3801 to repeal a provision in the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act (BCRA) to allow advocacy groups to place ads in the days leading up to an election, the congressman said Wed. Sen. Chambliss (R-Ga.) introduced a companion bill (S-2702). The First Amendment Restoration Act would repeal a section of BCRA that restricts broadcast ads by labor unions, interest groups and corporations that mention or depict federal candidates 30 days before a primary and 60 days before a general election. Though few legislative days remain before the election, the measure has 76 co- sponsors.
Senior Senate Judiciary Committee staffers, U.S. Copyright Office officials such as Assoc. Register Jule Sigall, and industry representatives including Sarah Deutsch and Kathy Zanowic of Verizon were meeting at our deadline Tues. regarding proposals to modify legislation targeting inducement of copyright infringement. A draft proposal by the Copyright Office circulated last week generated opposition among the high-tech and fair-use community (CD Sept 7 p6, Sept 3 p4). Critics have called it overbroad, with several groups instead urging consideration of a proposal CEA offered in Aug. (CD Aug 26 p7). Inducement language could be included with new authority for the Dept. of Justice in a broader copyright bill aimed at clearing Congress this year, according to Hill sources.