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FCC CHIEF WARNS OF FUTURE SHOCK
From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 18:59:05 -0400
Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 14:56:28 -0700 From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com> FCC CHIEF WARNS OF FUTURE SHOCK "I think free, over-the-air TV is dying," says FCC Chairman Michael Powell. "I don't care how much money they made this year, they're dying." Part of the reason, he says, is that cable networks have both subscriber and advertising revenue, unlike network television. Powell also cites cable's freedom from the federal indecency rules that broadcast stations must follow. "In 10 years, free TV is going to be gone -- absent any policy decisions trying to help," he claims. Opponents remain unconvinced. "Here we have the chairman of the FCC trying to somehow protect four of the six largest and most profitable media companies that dominate the news, information and entertainment market in America today," said Gene Kimmelman, of the Consumers Union. "His entire philosophy reeks of corporate welfare for the wealthiest, most profitable companies at the expense of competition." Powell also fears that the nation's public telephone network will start to fail because rather than building facilities, companies such as MCI and AT&T are piggybacking on the equipment of regional phone companies "like sucker fish on whales." However, he was unsuccessful in his bid to revise FCC policy regarding the telephone industry. SOURCE: Chicago Tribune; AUTHOR: Frank James <http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0309070507sep07,1,7218069>
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