Low-power FM radio advocates asked aides to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to move quickly in resolving a pending rulemaking on the topic, an ex parte notice disclosing the meeting shows. Prometheus Radio Project’s Brandy Doyle and Media Access Project’s Andrew Schwartzman told Genachowski aide Jessica Almond that they support the FCC’s translator processing plan, which would let frequencies for LPFM stations in population centers comply with the Local Community Radio Act, the notice said. “In addition to the dismissal of translator applications in some markets, national and market caps on translator applications are also needed to ensure LPFM availability,” the notice said. And LPFM applicants need ample notice to prepare before a filing window is opened after the rulemaking process ends, the notice said. “These groups will need adequate time to learn about the filing opportunity, commit to participate, find available frequencies and develop their applications,” it said. A minimum of six to nine months of notice is needed, it said. Two LPFM items circulated at the FCC Jan. 27, according to the FCC’s list of items on circulation.
Spectrum conditions restricting the sale or lease of Dish Network’s S-band spectrum to other wireless carriers are very unlikely at this point, said FCC and industry officials. The FCC approval of Harbinger Capital Partners’ purchase of SkyTerra, which created LightSquared, included conditions requiring agency approval for spectrum deals with the top two carriers. Public interest groups have sought similar conditions for Dish. The FCC is reviewing Dish’s request to control the S-band spectrum and use it for terrestrial service.
Officials behind SpectrumCo will face questions from the FCC Wireless Bureau after Comcast Chief Financial Officer Michael Angelakis told investors at a Citigroup conference that the company never planned to build out the AWS spectrum licenses it purchased in the 2006 auction. The questions are expected to come as part of the bureau’s analysis of Verizon Wireless’s pending buy of the licenses from SpectrumCo, FCC officials said Wednesday. Comcast likely will be asked to explain the comment in the initial interrogatory the bureau sends Comcast as it looks more closely at the deal, agency officials said.
The FCC misunderstood AT&T’s objections to remarks last week by Chairman Julius Genachowski over how much authority the agency should have to set the rules for incentive spectrum auctions, Senior Vice President Robert Quinn said in a blog. Quinn said AT&T’s primary concern is that the company not be excluded from bidding in upcoming auctions because of its large size relative to other carriers.
Supreme Court justices limited discussion of First Amendment issues on the government’s appeal of a lower court ruling against the FCC finding indecent a single curseword or incident of nudity on broadcast TV. Oral argument Tuesday mainly focused on how the agency’s so-called fleeting indecency policy squared with the high court’s landmark Pacifica decision, which allowed the commission to censure indecent content on terrestrial radio and TV. The 1969 Red Lion case involving spectrum scarcity didn’t come up, conforming with expectations (CD June 28 p1).
President Barack Obama’s announcement Wednesday he was installing Richard Cordray as head of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau through a “recess appointment” could have big implications for the FCC. Industry and government officials said the resulting blow up over the Cordray appointment could provoke Senate Republicans to hold up votes on other nominees, and FCC nominees Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai could get caught in the crossfire.
Low-power radio has little economic impact on full-service stations in the same market, an FCC study for Congress said. The study of all 835 “active” U.S. low-power FM stations -- which compares to 6,468 full-service commercial stations -- pointed to LPFM outlets’ low listenership figures. It also found low LPFM revenue figures and listed regulatory obstacles that limit coverage areas. Half the portion of LPFM stations have websites as do commercial full-power FM broadcasters, which are three times more likely to stream their audio online, the Media Bureau analysis said.
President Barack Obama’s announcement Wednesday he was installing Richard Cordray as head of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau through a “recess appointment” could have big implications for the FCC. Industry and government officials said the resulting blow up over the Cordray appointment could provoke Senate Republicans to hold up votes on other nominees, and FCC nominees Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai could get caught in the crossfire.
Media association heads grabbed the top three spots in our survey of non-profit group salaries. The field was led by RIAA President Cary Sherman at nearly $3.2 million. He was followed by former NCTA President Kyle McSlarrow at nearly $2.7 million and NAB ex-President David Rehr at $2.5 million. All figures are based on the groups’ most recent tax returns -- 2009 except where noted.
Media association heads grabbed the top three spots in our survey of non-profit group salaries. The field was led by RIAA President Cary Sherman at nearly $3.2 million. He was followed by former NCTA President Kyle McSlarrow at nearly $2.7 million and NAB ex-President David Rehr at $2.5 million. All figures are based on the groups’ most recent tax returns -- 2009 except where noted.