Brad on Broadcast

Today, the FCC voted 5-0 to permit the use of unlicensed wireless devices in so-called “white-space” frequencies. This is spectrum currently not being used for OTA broadcasting because of channel assignments, interference protection and adjacent channel issues. more

The NAB has partnered with the RIAA to pressure the FCC through Congress to require cell phone manufacturers to include an FM receiver in each handset. Why? Obviously out of concern for listeners’ safety.

Uh, no. The real reason behind this cozy new relationship between the RIAA and NAB is strictly bottom line and dollar focused. more

I mentioned in a previous post that I had followed Apple’s Sept. 1 press conference. A more apt characterization of the event might be a meeting of the church of Apple fanatics.

Members of the press are supposed to be neutral and report the facts without endorsements. And I’m sure there were legitimate press at the Apple event. But also at this event were hundreds of members of the church of Apple. The audience’s clear unobjectivity was evident from the start. When Steve Jobs walked onto the stage, he was greeted by huge audience applause and cheers. The expressed enthusiasm continued with hurrahs, shouts and yells every time he mentioned some new product, feature, button or function. more

I just spent an hour following the Apple press conference — rather a room of cheering hordes. I’ll get to this point later. My takeaway is that Jobs and others are out to eat broadcasters’ lunch, we just haven’t yet realized it. more

There has been a raft of articles recently about viewers cutting the cord on their high-cost, multichannel pay TV services. It appears that the recession, anger at high prices and new options are encouraging television viewers to re-examine how they receive television programming. more