NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] TV Chief Takes 2-by-4 to a Proposed Cable Merger
TV Chief Takes 2-by-4 to a Proposed Cable Merger
(NY Times): http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/24/business/media/rural-tv-chief-takes-2-by-4-to-cable-merger.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
While few executives at larger broadcasters have publicly opposed the
deals -- though they complain privately -- Mr. Gottsch has stirred up
a dust storm. The polka party this month was his first stop on a tour
of state fairs, rodeos and farmers' conventions to rustle up
opposition. In Washington, he has hired a lobbying firm and appeared
before a House antitrust subcommittee, the F.C.C. and the Justice
Department. His two stations, RFD-TV and Family Net, have run spots
urging viewers to speak out. Of the more than 63,000 comments filed to
the F.C.C. about the proposed merger, about a fifth mention RFD-TV.
Several other companies have joined Rural Media in denouncing the
Comcast acquisition, which would give it control of 35 percent of the
country's broadband Internet service coverage and 16 of the country's
top 20 cable markets. Netflix, the Internet streaming business, and
Dish, a satellite television provider, have urged regulators to reject
the bid. And The Blaze, the conservative channel run by Glenn Beck,
has collected 42,000 comments from viewers that it plans to submit to
the F.C.C. before the public comment period closes on Monday, a
spokesman for the network said.
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--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein (lauren@vortex.com): http://www.vortex.com/lauren
Founder:
- Network Neutrality Squad: http://www.nnsquad.org
- PRIVACY Forum: http://www.vortex.com/privacy-info
Co-Founder: People For Internet Responsibility: http://www.pfir.org/pfir-info
Member: ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
I am a consultant to Google -- I speak only for myself, not for them.
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
Google+: http://google.com/+LaurenWeinstein
Twitter: http://twitter.com/laurenweinstein
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 / Skype: vortex.com
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