IP: FCC MAY OK PLAN TO SELL ADS ON SOME PUBLIC TV STATIONS

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
>
>
> FCC MAY OK PLAN TO SELL ADS ON SOME PUBLIC TV STATIONS
> Issue: Public Broadcasting
>
> Federal regulators are leaning toward approving today a controversial
> proposal to allow public TV stations to sell advertising on some of their
> new digital TV services. Under the plan, the Federal Communications
> Commission (FCC) would let public stations commercials in shows on the
> fee-based channels or display banner ads within course material as they roll
> out their new digital TV services. John Lawson, CEO of the Association of
> Public Television Stations, says the public stations -- funded by state and
> federal subsidies and private donations -- need to be allowed new sources of
> revenue to pay for digital TV offerings. Still, some public-interest
> advocates see it as counter to public TV's mission. ''This is a
> non-commercial preserve,'' says Andrew Schwartzman, president of the Media
> Access Project. ''We think this is ill-advised. They'll find themselves
> going into competition with commercial channels.''
>
> [SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Paul Davidson]
> <http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20011011/3530155s.htm>


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