Category: Regulatory
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Obscenity on ABC, Advertising on PBS, H.R. 6320 – Regulation of Broadband TV on the Horizon?
The inspiration for this article was a decision a few months ago by the FCC to slap a huge fine on ABC Affiliates for violating obscenity rules in airing an episode of “NYPD”. The FCC Order, although extremely descriptive about the nudity, sparked my curiosity. "………The camera shot includes a full view of her buttocks…
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The DTV Transition – At What Cost?
[Author’s Note: Thank you very much to David Irwin, Director of the Communications Law Institute at The Catholic University of America, for his review and suggestions for this article] Much has been made about the recent 700 MHz spectrum auction and the potentially billions of dollars raised for the U.S. Treasury, but this is just…
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July 1st, 2008 – Do or Die for IPTV?
The FCC finally issued an order for operators requesting waivers with regards to separable security. The 25+ operators requesting one of the waivers were given until February 17th, 2009 to move to an all-digital system. The interesting thing is that IPTV operators, although inherently all-digital, are going to have to offer a separable security solution…
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A Market-Based FCC?
The FCC released three studies regarding on the topic of licensed versus unlicensed spectrum. These could be very critical policy papers that shape the future of spectrum allocation and are important for Congress to read. Interesting timing, as their release comes during the 700 MHz bidding process. Of particular interest, is Working Report #43, which looks at the…
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Leased Access Rates Cut
[Editor’s Note: Bob Primosch is a Partner with the communications law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, Washington, D.C. (rprimosch at wbklaw dot com)] Last week the FCC released new rules cutting the rates independent programmers must pay to lease channels on cable systems. Under federal law, cable systems must set aside up to 15% of…