Sirius, though a year later to market than its rival XM and with less than 1/2 the subscribers, used various superlatives Thurs. to declare that it was the prime mover in satellite radio.

Battling bills in at least 10 states that seek to ban or curb their provision of broadband services, municipalities are enlisting new allies. Two reports released Mon. by groups including the Media Access Project and Consumer Federation of America counter cable and telephone incumbent arguments driving the bans. The reports followed a High Tech Broadband Coalition declaration of opposition to statewide barriers to municipal entry (CD April 8 p7).

Battling bills in at least 10 states that seek to ban or curb their provision of broadband services, municipalities are enlisting new allies. Two reports released Mon. by groups including the Media Access Project and Consumer Federation of America counter cable and telephone incumbent arguments driving the bans. The reports followed a High Tech Broadband Coalition declaration of opposition to statewide barriers to municipal entry (CD April 8 p7).

Bloggers and online political communication advocates say they're concerned about the possibility that the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) might extend campaign finance regulations to now-exempt Internet communications. Panelists at a Congressional Internet Caucus forum Thurs. said the rulemaking could affect not only extant forms of online speech, but might stifle types of communication as yet unknown. The discussion among FEC officials, bloggers and pundits followed last week’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the FEC (WID March 25 p1).

Around 4.5 million European homes could have Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services by 2008, the BBC said this week. IPTV -- “telly over a phone or cable line” -- is said by analysts, experts and U.K. media regulator Ofcom to be TV’s future, the BBC said. The U.K. has 2 IPTV services. Home Choice customers have instant access to more than 10,000 hours of movies, TV shows and music. Programs can be paused and re-wound as with the Sky+ box and kindred personal digital video recorders. A 2nd IPTV service from Telco Kingston delivers programs and subscription channels via phone lines. However, the BBC doubts IPTV will become generally available without higher broadband speeds. As other technologies do, IPTV gives viewers more control over TV -- “a threat and an opportunity” in broadcasters’ eyes, the BBC said. IPTV could alter technology used to watch TV and boost convergence between devices and software, the BBC said. But Ofcom’s purview doesn’t extend to content sent via the Internet, exempting IPTV broadcasters from decency rules and the U.K.’s 9 p.m. “watershed.” The BBC noted support for a “PC tax” -- akin to the TV license fee -- charged those who don’t own a TV but watch programs online. More than 30 telcos and network operators are testing IPTV across Europe, with Italy’s Fast Web the most successful so far, the BBC said. British Telecom (BT) and other U.K. telcos plan such services; BT is talking to broadcasters about content for its broadband customers. However, BT doesn’t plan to broadcast itself, but to offer an IPTV service for time-delayed programs like football matches, the BBC said.

Around 4.5 million European homes could have Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services by 2008, the BBC said this week. IPTV -- “telly over a phone or cable line” -- is said by analysts, experts and U.K. media regulator Ofcom to be TV’s future, the BBC said. The U.K. has 2 IPTV services. Home Choice customers have instant access to more than 10,000 hours of movies, TV shows and music. Programs can be paused and re-wound as with the Sky+ box and kindred personal digital video recorders. A 2nd IPTV service from Telco Kingston delivers programs and subscription channels via phone lines. However, the BBC doubts IPTV will become generally available without higher broadband speeds. As other technologies do, IPTV gives viewers more control over TV -- “a threat and an opportunity” in broadcasters’ eyes, the BBC said. IPTV could alter technology used to watch TV and boost convergence between devices and software, the BBC said. But Ofcom’s purview doesn’t extend to content sent via the Internet, exempting IPTV broadcasters from decency rules and the U.K.’s 9 p.m. “watershed.” The BBC noted support for a “PC tax” -- akin to the TV license fee -- charged those who don’t own a TV but watch programs online. More than 30 telcos and network operators are testing IPTV across Europe, with Italy’s Fast Web the most successful so far, the BBC said. British Telecom (BT) and other U.K. telcos plan such services; BT is talking to broadcasters about content for its broadband customers. However, BT doesn’t plan to broadcast itself, but to offer an IPTV service for time-delayed programs like football matches, the BBC said.

With 3 electronics waste (e-waste) bills introduced already this year, industry, state agencies and environmental groups believe Congress is catching up on the issue. But they say they don’t believe Congress will do enough this year to brake state-level momentum toward legislative fixes to the problem. At least 26 e-waste bills have been introduced in 16 states, a push state and environmental groups say will continue.

With digital terrestrial HD Radio still finding its feet in the U.S., digital audio broadcasting (DAB) based on the Eureka-147 system is gaining traction in Europe, with the U.K. leading the pack. After a slow start, DAB has built momentum on falling prices for a widening selection of receivers, a build-out of stations and programming choices, and increased promotion for the service by broadcasters, CE manufacturers and retailers.

LodgeNet Entertainment said it was named the exclusive provider of Nintendo GameCube videogames and other interactive TV services for all CSM Lodging-owned and managed hotels. CSM Lodging owns and operates 34 hotels nationwide under franchise deals with Carlson, Hilton and Marriott. Terms weren’t disclosed. The companies said LodgeNet will install its sigNETure TV marketing and entertainment system and services - - including on-demand movies, music and TV programming with media playback controls for skip, pause and save functionality, as well as the Nintendo games and Internet- enabled services -- at all the CSM properties.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple introduced $99 and $149 “iPod shuffle” portable digital music players -- smaller than many gum packs and weighing 0.78 ounce -- in a bid to extend its dominance of the category. The sleek white products began shipping this week, CEO Steve Jobs said Tues. in his MacWorld Conference keynote here, but he added, “I heard a little rumor there might be some at the Apple Store” a few blocks from the convention center.