Terrestrial digital radio developer iBiquity Digital acquired exclusive worldwide license for Command Audio (CA) patents, technology and other assets in field of digital radio, companies announced Tues. Companies are privately held and terms of agreement weren’t disclosed.

Proposed exemption from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) disclosures of critical infrastructure-related data was dropped from homeland security bill (HR-5005) marked up Thurs. by House Commerce Committee. White House-initiated plan to create cabinet-level Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) includes language that would prevent public release of network vulnerability data submitted voluntarily by industry, move that’s backed by Internet and telecom interests and has gained momentum in Congress. However, Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.), who also advocates creation of narrowly crafted FOIA exemption for threat data shared with govt., said any changes in FOIA “must protect the purposes” of existing disclosure laws.

After “polarizing experience” for CE industry from Broadcast Protection Discussion Group report (CED June 6 p1) on content protection for DTV, Thomson said it planned to discuss issues and present its positions at news briefing planned for late Wed., after our deadline. Spokesman told us company supported “broadcast flag” but would express its concerns about content controls that flag might trigger in CE equipment, as well as its concern that single digital interface favored by some parties was not to advantage of consumers or industry.

As reports continue to emerge indicating Microsoft might be planning to introduce follow-up to its Xbox videogame console as soon as next year, SWS Securities analyst Arvind Bhatia told us introduction of new machine so soon after first version of game machine could be “disruptive” to market and do more harm than good. Xbox wasn’t introduced in N. America until Nov. and next game console cycle hadn’t been expected by game makers and analysts until at least 2005.

WorldCom’s financial scandal could have repercussions on entire communications industry and how it’s regulated, said Washington policymakers, analysts and others who follow sector. FCC Comr. Copps said scandal “should give us some pause at the Commission before we rely fully on [corporate] data” when reviewing applications for mergers and other financial changes. It might be better for FCC to do its own analysis, he said. One industry lobbyist warned that companies would have tougher time getting deregulatory action on Hill, for example broadband relief sought by Bell companies through measures such as Tauzin-Dingell, because Congress was expected to become much tougher on corporations in general. Randolph May, senior fellow at Progress & Freedom Foundation, said he had hoped WorldCom’s problems wouldn’t lead to backlash against deregulation because bankruptcy was “about accounting practices and human frailties, not regulatory policy.”

Time Warner Cable is using its video-on-demand capabilities in novel way, giving 130,000 digital subscribers in Raleigh, N.C., chance to see wedding of local radio personality Madison Lane. Her guest list apparently was short, but by putting videotape of wedding on Time Warner’s server, fans of WDCG-FM personality will be able to see wedding and have ability to pause, fast-forward and rewind with cable company’s iControl service. “'Madison’s Wedding’ is proof that VoD offers amazing potential,” said George Douglas, vp-sales and mktg., Raleigh division.

Software bugs in hard disc recorder from U.K.’s Sky+ have prompted credits on monthly fee for subscribers to BSkyB’s digital satellite service. Meanwhile, TiVo in U.K. apparently has solved shortcoming of recording programs that start early or run late, but has raised hackles there by sending sponsored programs to PVR without subscribers’ knowledge.

Time Warner Cable is in beginning stages of deploying Scientific-Atlanta’s new Explorer 8000 digital interactive set- top box with digital video recording capabilities. Device allows users to pause live TV, record one channel while watching another, record 2 channels and play back one channel simultaneously, and have picture-in-picture (PIP). Explorer 8000 home entertainment server features 80 Gb hard drive, capable of recording up to 50 hours of programming.

Neil Bush, President Bush’s brother, visited NCTA convention Sun. to pitch his newest business scheme to cable operators. Speaking at early convention session, Bush, chmn.-CEO of Ignite, said his new company would introduce online, educational “courseware” in fall that would offer multimedia versions of middle-school textbooks. Designed to fully complement, not compete with, school curricula, Ignite’s customized courseware will cost $30 per child per subject. Bush, who raised $18 million in private capital to launch his company, plans to start with American history in fall, then expand course offerings to earth, life and physical sciences. Describing himself as “kind of a Pollyannic type of guy,” Bush said his online, multimedia textbooks would help teachers reach and motivate their students. “Our teachers are still using screwdrivers and sledgehammers,” he said. President’s brother urged cable to back his efforts by installing more high-speed data connections to schools and homes and supporting development of software and applications to fill broadband pipeline. “I think the cable industry has a huge potential role,” he said: “Build out the cable modem thing” and promote use of applications. Bush, who said he started Ignite for healthy mix of social responsibility and profit motives, projected that company “won’t be profitable for 3 years” and “won’t be dominant for 5 years.” He decried schools’ increasing reliance on standardized testing and assessments, even though his brother has been strong advocate of both, because he believes they favor memorization ability over thinking skills. But he said he wouldn’t press that case with President. “I made a point of not lobbying him,” Bush said. “He’s got his people.” -- AB

Comcast said it introduced video-on-demand (VoD) service in one of its N.J. cable systems. Rollout gives 222,000 Comcast customers opportunity to order movies and special programming whenever they want, with VCR functionality, Comcast said. Company said customers would be able to choose among hundreds of new releases, classic movies, other programs. New releases on Comcast VoD cost $3.95 per movie, library titles $2.95, children’s TV, concerts and other specials 99 cents-$1.95. Programs can be paused, rewound and fast-forwarded, as well as stored for up to 24 hours from time of ordering. Comcast said it planned to offer VoD on its systems in N.J. and Pa. in next several months. Comcast has 3 million VoD-ready homes in its 26- state service area.