Minority Media & Telecom Council said it would appeal court decision overturning FCC EEO rules (CD Jan 17 p1). Group said it would fight U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., decision “with all our strength.” Exec. Dir. David Honig said: “Unless reversed, this decision could put a halt to 32 years of progress in desegregating some of the nation’s most influential industries.” Court rejection of FCC EEO rules “will make it even more difficult to achieve a broadcast industry that reflects America’s rich cultural diversity,” FCC Comr. Tristani said in response to decision. She said she was particularly disappointed that U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., rejected rules entirely, even parts that might have been constitutional.
SANTA CLARA, Cal. -- Internet is at a “critical time” as data and telephony converge, and that convergence could offer “the best or the worst of both worlds,” Packet Design CEO Judy Estrin said at Supernet conference here Jan. 16. Future trends include consolidation of voice, video, and data services, she said. “We are still in the covered wagon stage” of Internet, and it will progress via developments such as ubiquitous bandwidth, increased ease of use, greater connectivity and improved security, Estrin said.
Internal Revenue Service established new rules for space, ocean and telecom income sources Jan. 16, setting guidelines that income from space or ocean activity by U.S. person will be sourced in U.S., while income from foreign people will be foreign-sourced. Exceptions to rules include foreign companies with half or more ownership by U.S. persons. As result, foreign satellite companies established in no-tax jurisdictions could conduct most of business in U.S. but pay no U.S. or foreign taxes on satellite leasing income.
Charter Communications said it began offering Wink Communications’ elementary interactive TV service in S. Fla. Service is available free to Charter digital cable subscribers. With rollout, Wink said it’s available to more than 500,000 cable and satellite homes across U.S., including in more than 20 Charter markets.
Hearst-Argyle TV will use Harris Corp. DTV transmitters under new agreement. Deal at start covers 17 stations, allowing them to begin DTV broadcasting this year, companies said. Hearst-Argyle owns or manages 26 stations.
Eight Chris-Craft TV stations will remain UPN affiliates under new agreement announced this week. Stations, which are being bought by News Corp., had been considered possible candidates for switch to Fox network. Deal runs through 2001-2002 TV season. Terms weren’t disclosed.
FCC added Brasilsat A2 satellite to Permitted Space Station List at 63 degrees W orbital location. Commission said as result of ruling, routine earth stations would be able to communicate with Brasilsat, which it said should stimulate competition in U.S.
Telecom officials didn’t get answer from Bush Administration representatives Wed. to question who would be named FCC chmn., and when, we're told. Industry officials, primarily contributors to campaign, met with Bush transition office Wed. afternoon in what was described as “very generic and nonspecific” meeting. Most of attention focused on FCC reform, expediting agency decision-making and similar broad issues, we're told.
Public broadcasters’ DTV transition will run $779 million shortfall with no funding increases from federal govt., White House said in final Economic Outlook report. PTV made list of “pending policy proposals” -- Clinton Administration budget items that were cut severely by Congress -- after receiving only $44 million of requested $110 million for FY 2001. White House also said FCC’s spectrum auction authority had reaped $20 billion since 1994, and failure to renew it past 2008 would cost federal govt. $500 million annually.
CARLSBAD, Cal. -- NAB and MSTV decided there’s “insufficient evidence” to continue DTV transmission tests of 8-VSB and COFDM and said industry should stay with 8-VSB as standard. Action was taken here Mon. at joint meeting of NAB TV board, MSTV board and digital steering committees of both groups and following digital “summit” of TV broadcasters in Washington last week (CD Jan 12 p9). Straw vote of participants at Cal. meeting was 29-3 in favor of 8-VSB with dissents from Pax TV, Sinclair Bcstg., Pappas Telecasting. Only Dean Goodman of Pax TV dissented in following formal vote by NAB TV board.