Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Olympics and Politics or Just a Normal Tuesday - July 31, 2012

NBC is continuing to profit from huge audiences for the London Olympics. 

While critics continue to complain about the lack of live broadcasts in primetime, viewers do not seem to mind too much.

NBC garnered an average of 36 million viewers for the primetime coverage on Sunday.  For TV folk this translates to a 19.3 rating and a 33 share.  Trust me this is huge.  The Sunday night telecast included swimming and women's gymnastics which are, as usual, proving to be popular with viewers.  More from Multichannel News

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Following a Federal Communications Commission decision Comcast has requested to stay enforcement of the July 24 ruling.  The FCC ruling requires Comcast to provide the Tennis Channel with broader coverage similar to the coverage it provides owned channels like the Golf Channel and Versus.  When Comcast purchased NBC one of the concerns was the favoritism Comcast would show owned channels  that would be a disadvantage to other similar channels.

Comcast plans to appeal the FCC decision on the grounds that it is inconstitutional and use the dissent of the Republican commissioners to bolster its case.

Comcast is certain the ruling will be overturned in Federal Court and requires the stay to avoid an "unprecedented burden" on the company.

Comcast is also planning to develop pricing tiers and throttling internet access to its customers. More from Multichannel News

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The Obama campaign continues to use the "blame anyone else" mantra for eceonomic woes created by the Obama administration policies

While the "blame Bush" mantra is losing its luster, the Obama campaign is turning to Europe to find someone to blame.

"We're going to have some continued headwinds over the next several months,"Obama said addressing a group of high rollers paying $40,000 to hear the same old blame game. 

Several European countries have embarked on austerity programs to reign in spending and debt.  Meanwhile, Obama continues to call for more spending, more taxes and more debt.
More from The Hill

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Congressional leaders have decided to surprise - no one.

Neither the House or Senate will unveil a stopgap measure to keep the government running after September 30.  Instead both houses of Congress will do nothing until the end of the week when a five week recess begins.

So, it is business as usual from elected officials.

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There have been stories within the past few months that the Obama campaign spends money like the Obama administration.  These stories have been rarely covered by the media, but from time to time one slips out.

This spending is causing concern, some would call panic, in the Obvama campaign as the presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney is finding cash from supporters and groups that support Romney's campaign.

The Obama campaign has held well over 160 fundraising events and yet is finding it hard to raise money and maintain it for the battle ahead.

In order to keep the president out of the White House during the final weeks of the campaign, the Obama campaign is planning a "flurry" of fundraisers.  In upcoming weeks the campaign will host a number of high-roller fundraisers followed by a more than usual number of events after the convention.

Meanwhile the Romney campaign plans to shift focus to more events than fundraisers as the campaign heats up.

Obama campaign officials say they are looking for a "balanced" number of events.  Does that mean high-roller events followed by cheap admission events.

Sounds like panic to me.

More from The Hill

That's it for now

Monday, July 30, 2012

Indiana Company May Have Some Impact on Obamacare Repeal

An Indiana company changed plans last week to build five new plants that could have employed 1500 workers because of provisions in Obamacare.

Cook Medical said the tax on medical devices which goes into affect next year will cost the company $20 million per year.  The new tax will be close to the cost of building the new plants. A company spokesperson the company would be unable to support both the new tax and the cost of building the plants. Jobs that would have been created in the Midwest may now be shipped overseas according company officials.

The plight of Cook Medical any and probably others has reach the GOP Leadership in the House.

Speaker John Boehner has written a later to Senate leaders urging them to take of the House passed bill to repeal that provision and many others.

The Affordable Care Act - Obamacare - includes a provision that taxes medical devices at a 2.3 percent rate beginning in 2013.  The tax is expected to bring into federal coffers $30 billion over the next ten years.

Obama administration officials deny that any jobs will need to be shipped overseas because of the tax.  Obviously, the Obama administration/campaign has not contact Cook Medical.

More from Fox News



NBC: Olympic Coverage: Somethings Not Important

While NBC is garnering huge audiences for its coverage of the 2012 London Olympics, it failed to include an important tribute during the opening ceremonies.

The London Organizing Committee decided to include a musical tribute to honor the victims of a 2005 terrorist attack in London.

Instead NBC decided to air an interview with Michael Phelps and Ryan Seacrest. First, Seacret is not much of an interviewer and a weak teleprompter reader.  Second, an interview with Phelps could have been aired anytime during the evening.  Maybe over the terrible rendition of Hey Jude by Sir Paul McCartney.

At least the London committee tried to present an important and poignant tribute.  NBC failed to join the tribute.  The International Olympic Committee has never held a tribute of any kind for the athletes killed in a terrorist attack at the 1972 Munich Games.

More from Fox News

Really Penn State?

The newest president of Penn State University, Rodney Erickson, said the university is covered by its insurance carrier for potential lawsuits against PSU for its part is the child sex abuse scandal.

Erickson said in a interview for Face the Nation that the policy has general liability coverage the same as other institution its size.  The universioty is hoping to settle many of the claims "as quickly as possible", but the insurance carrier is hoping to limit liability.

General liability, really?  PSU should be held as a criminal co-conspirator in any claim by a victim of abuse at the hands of former coach Jerry Sandusky.  The report presented by former FBI director Louis Freeh demonstrated that the university is culpable for covering up the scandal in order to avoid bad publicity. 

The NCAA and the Big 10 have issued severe penalties against the university and its football program. Major sponsors of PSU football including State Farm are withdrawing support and advertising from football operations and broadcasts.

While the insurance carrier may want to limit liability, any judge or jury that goes along with that wish to mitigate PSU is foolish.  Penn State was aware of the abuse, it covered up the abuse, administrators have been indicted for perjury, a former coach is awaiting sentencing for child sex abuse.  How can you mitigate the arrogance and lawlessness of an institution that is supposed to train minds to exemplify ethics, and to protect children.

President Erickson has demonstrated the same kind of arrogance that allowed the scandal to happen.


So, It's Monday - July 30, 2012

Yesterday many news organizations were hawking that it was 100 days until the 2012 Election.  100 more days of negative national and soon local ads.  100 days of hearing how Obama believes that government builds business and no one is paying too much tax.  Hopefully, it will be 100 days until Obama is a lame duck and can do little until someone else is inaugurated.

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Have you been watching the Olympics?  If so, you are really not alone. The 2012 London games is drawing huge audiences in the US.  There are critics who criticize NBC for not airing as much as they can live in prime time.  I'm certain the Olympic organizers don't want to hold competition until midnight in London.

The Saturday night fare drew 28.7 million viewers on average during the 4 hour broadcast according to Nielsen. This is nine percent higher than the first evening of competition during the 20089 Beijing games.

If the ratings continue at this high level, NBC may not need to worry about making money with the thousands of hours of coverage.  More from Multichannel News

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Did you miss Justice Antonin Scalia on Fox News Sunday?  It is one interview everyone should have seen, recorded or transcribed.

The longest serving member of the high court said he has no plans to retire. When questioned about the type of jurist he would like to replace him, Scalia said, "I would not like to be replaced by someone who immediately sets about undoing everything I’ve tried to do for 25 years, 26 years.”

Justice Scalia admitted that the decision on Obamacare was wrong because "there is no way regard this penalty as a tax . . . it does not bear that meaning."

True to form Scalia was combative and chose not to criticize fellow justices or court decisions.  When asked about criticism from Obama during a State of the Union address, Scalia pointed out that he was not there and had no plans to attend "political spectacle."

He seemed to criticize Obama's attempt to pressure the court following oral arguments on Obamacare.  Scalia said in part this is why Justices have lie tenure and "we have it precisely so we will not be influenced by politics, by threats from anybody.”

Scalia did seem to leave the door open for some form of gun control and conceded “there are some limitations that can be imposed.”
 More from Newsmax

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He's back!?!

Former president Bill Clinton will have a key role at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

The last two-term democrat president will be given a primetime speaking slot and will officially nominate Barack Obama for a second term.

On the surface this may seem a bit strange.  During the 2008 campaign there was no love-lost between the former president and upstart Obama.  At one point Clinton railed against Obama for "playing the race card" on him.

In recent months Clinton has made various speeches that seem to disagree with Obama policy and economics.

You have to ask why a very popular president would seemingly support a failed president.  Simple.  Very simple.  For all his foibles, Bill Clinton remains popular.  His primetime speech will attempt to unify the democrat base behind Obama.  He will bring out of the Clinton charm and rhetoric. It could be the highlight of the convention.  Frankly, I do not understand why Clinton is nominating Obama.

With so many democrats retreating from the convention both Clinton and Obama may be speaking to a largely empty arena.

More from The Hill

That's it for now.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Obamacare - Some Real Taxes

The Obama administration continues to claim that the individual mandate tax is a penalty.  The Supreme Court upheld Obamacare on the basis of it being a tax, but supporters claim it is just a penalty and only a few (million) Americans will have to pay.

The are, however, real taxes in Obamacare.  Some of them take effect next year. One of them is a 2.3 percent tax on medical devices.  This tax could bring millions of dollars into the Obama administration coffers to spend as they see fit.  The affect of that tax to businesses will cost businesses jobs and new facilities and hurt a weakening economy.  An economy that only grew 1.5 percent in the last quarter.  That is dismal growth, but the Obama campaign says "it is growing."

One medical device company in Indiana is scrapping plans to build new plants to manufacture new devices.
Cook Medical claims the new tax will cost the company $20 million per year.  This cuts into funds that would have been available to build several new plants ovber the next five years.  Each nbew facility would employ 300 people.

Cook's plans were first revealed in an article in the Indianapolis Business Journal.  They were later confirmed to other news organizations.

A company spokesman said, "In reality, we're not looking at the U.S. to build factories anymore as long as this tax is in place. We can't, to be competitive."

The tax on medical devices is one of the scores of taxes in Obaamacare that will hurt businesses (small and large), cots jobs, affect patient care, and weaken the economy.
 

Friday, July 27, 2012

First Round to Business

A Colorado-based company ownmed by a Catholic family has won a legal battle against the Obamacare mandate that requires businesses to offer health insurance that includes contraception, abortion inducing drugs and sterilization.

Hercules Induatries says the mandate violates religious beliefs and First Amendment rights.
Lawyers for the company sought am immediate injunction because if the mandate is enforced, it must immediately begin to change its health plan which renews on Nov. 1.

A Colorado district judge agreed with Hercules and granted the injunction.  Colorado District Judge John Kane said that the government’s arguments “are countered, and indeed outweighed, by the public interest in the free exercise of religion."

The Hercules case is similar to the numerous cases brought  by numerous Catholic institutions and one evangelical college in Illinois.

Although the case is pending a full hearing, the temporary relief from the court is a victory over a government plan mandate every aspect of healthcare despite Constitutional rights. More from Fox News

Are You Ready for Friday? - July 27, 2012

So, Friday has finally arrived.  The Opening Ceremonies of the London Olympics are tonight.  How many hours of the 17 day event will you watch and where will you watch it?

There is, however, some media news and a report on the third grade class known as the US House.

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The firing of Alan Pizzato as the Executive Director of Alabama Public Television (APT) continues to smolder as more information becomes available.

One of the issues expressed by all side was the Alabama Educational Television Commission wanted the network to air very conservative and controversial religious based programming.  In most public television organizations, the Board or Commission has little or nothing to do with programming decisions.They, generally, leave those decisions to professional who know their field. 

A group called Faithful America delivered petitions with over 100,000 signatures (about 3,500 from within Alabama) to "keep Religious Right propaganda off their stations." 

The petitions accepted by APT COO Charles Grantham.  He reiterated that the programs produced by David Barton would not air on the station.  Grantham also sent a letter to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley protesting the firings of Pizzato and deputy Pauline Howland.  The letter said in part, "a shadow is being cast over APT by its own directors,"

In his first interview with CPB Omudsman Joel Kaplan, Pizzato said, ""The programming decisions of what is put on the air and what is said on the air is the responsibility of the management, executive management and the programmers of that station. It is not the responsibility of the board."

"That to me is the biggest issue because this is bigger than Alabama Public Television and much bigger than Allan Pizzato," 


He noted that the actions by AETC should be a concern to managers throughout the system.  


I am certain there will be more news about APT in the future.  Pizzato has filed a lawsuit against the Commission.

Full interview here.   


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One of the earlier experiments in regional news is closing.  The Ohio News Network will close on Aug. 31.  


ONN provided round-the-clock coverage of Ohio based news and public affairs programming.  One of its most popular programs was high school football each Friday night.


According to Dispatch Broadcasting, owner of ONN, "Changing news consumer habits is the primary contributor to us making this most difficult decision."  More in Broadcasting and Cable 

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Time Warner Cable and Meredith Broadcasting is nearing a retransmission agreement.  The continued negotiations will prevent a blackout of Meredith stations in Kansas City, Springfield MO, and Nashville.
More from Multichannel News 

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The House finally passed a bill that would prevent the Obama administration from imposing new federal regulations for two years or until the unemployment rate drops to 6 percent.


The bill also prevents new regulations from being imposed between the November election and Inauguration Day to prevent the so-called Midnight Regulations should Obama lose the election.


Petulant House democrats held up the bill after typos were discovered and would not allow the bill to proceed under Unanimous Consent.  I wonder how many typos are in Obamacare.


More from The Hill


That's it for now.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

ABC Does Little

In the aftermath of the shootings in Aurora CO, ABC reporter Brian Ross falsely reported that James Holmes was affiliated with the Colorado Tea Party.

There is someone named Jim Holmes who is a member, but not the alleged shooter.  Ross and ABC News knowingly put false information on the air to further its liberal agenda and support for President Obama's campaign.  Ross later apologized on the air for the mistake.

Speaking to the Television Critics Association ABC News president Ben Sherwood said, ""We put something on the air that we did not know to be true."

Sherwood also said that Ross has neither been suspended or fired for the "mistake", but Sherwood has had a ""serious and stern conversation with him."

This is not the first time ABC News has aired false information during a crisis.  In the aftermath of the Reagan assassination attempt, ABC reported that Regan aide James Brady had died.  An incorrect story with an apology later and no repercussions to ABC News staff.

It seems that getting it on the air first is more important at ABC News than getting it right.

Mre from Broadcasting & Cable

Did Penn State Dodge the Death Penalty?

Penn State may have dodge a four year ban on footbal as one of the sanctions from the NCAA.

Penn State president Rodney Erickson says the idea of a four year ban was discussed before the NCAA released its sanctions Monday.

The NCAA issued penalties were issued due to how the university handled sex abuse allegations by former coach Jerry Sandusky.  An independent investigation  by former FBI Director named four administrators includin the late Joe Paterno for covering up and failing to report critical information about the child abuse.  Sandusly was convicted on 45 counts of child sex abuse.

In addition to the NCAA penalties, the Big Ten Conference has imposed additional fines and penalties.  Several sponsors of Penn State football including State Farm Insurance are canceling support for the program.

The total revenue loss the football programs and the university could be in the 100s of thousand dollars over the five year probation. More from Fox News

Now It's Thursday - July 26, 2012

Took the day off yesterday for an interview at a local library.  Library's are interesting and this one would be a good place to work at, helping patrons find materials for recreation and research.  I hope I get the job.

The Tuesday Senate Commerce Committee had few surprises and was duller than expected.  The purpose of the hearing was to review the Cable Act of 1992.  In recent years many of the provisions of the act have caused problems for multichannel distributors, content creators and owners and consumers.

Although there were many items on the agenda, retransmission consent took center stage.  Many of the witnesses from the cable industry thought the current marketplace made retrans obsolete and it should be revised or vacated.  National Association of Broadcasters president Gordon Smith, a former senator, argued that the law was only 20 years old and provided necessary compensation for the content broadcasters offered to the carriers and the public.

Sen John Kerry (D-MA) wanted broadcasters to be fairly compensated, but suggested a no blackout rule during negotiations.  This would result in channels not be removed after retrans contract expire and would benefit consumers.  Recently  Hearst Television ordered stations removed from Time Warner Cable system after negotiations failed on a new retransmission consent agreement.  After ten days it was resolved.

Senators also called for more transparency in what broadcasters are charging cable system and MSOs for content.  A witness from the American Cable Association said she could provide that information, but contracts with content providers prohibit publication of that information.

Must carry was also addressed by Sen. Tom Udall (R-UT). He noted that many religious broadcasters or foreign language broadcasters would not have access to cable systems without the must carry provisions.  Must carry is a part of retransmission consent.  It allows broadcasters to forgo payment for content in exchange for carriage on a cable system.  Public television stations also fall within the must carry guidelines. All other broadcasters have the same option.  More from Broadcasting & Cable

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One of the biggest concerns during negotiations for the purchase by Comcast, the country's largest cable provider, and NBC. Many regulators, lawyers, and legislators believed Comcast would favor cable channels it oened over other similar channels.

It did not take long for this concern to be realized.  Comcast refused to carry the Tennis Channel in favor of owned channels like Versus and the Golf Channel.  The Tennis Channel filed a complaint with the FCC stating that Comcast had violated the terms of the purchase agreement and the Cable Act of 1992.

An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) found in favor of the Tennis Channel requiring Comcast to carry the network.

Comcast appealed to the full Commission.  On Tuesday, the FCC on a 3-2 party line vote found that Comcast had discriminated against the Tennis Channel and denied the appeal.  The Commission did, however, vacate parts of the ALJ decision.

Comcast said it would appeal the FCC decision in Federal Court. 

The National Cable Television Association has weighed in on the FCC decision saying it was a "dangerous and unnecessary regulatory path." More from Broadcasting & Cable

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Did you know HBO disliked Netflix.  Well it does,

Although there have been rumored negotiations between Netflix and HBO. In a statement issued Tuesday, HBO stated there were no negotiations planned with Netflix.

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Was anyone surprised that the Senate failed to pass the GOP tax plan that would have kept the Bush-era tax breaks in tact?  I didn't think so.

Was anyone surprised that the Senate passed its first bill in months calling for tax breaks only for individuals making less than $2000,000 and families making less than $250,000?  Still not takers?  Just like so many bill supporting jobs and families that have come from the House that have languished on Sen. Harry Reid's desk, this bill has no chance of passage as is in the House.

I've said it before, there will be no legislative action until after the election.

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Is President Obama becoming gaffe prone?  His "you didn't build that" comment has become campaign fodder and the star of many ads.  No matter what he says, it was not taken out of context, he said it and frankly he means it.

Now Obama is saying his plan "worked."  Really?  Does he not see the increase in poverty?  Does he not see the increase in food stamp recipients?  Does he not see that unemployment is rising especially among those who have given up and left the workforce?  The answer is yes because these fall into to his second-term plan to create a welfare nation that is totally dependent on the government.

That is his plan and he must not win re-election.

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If reports are correct, the floor of the House has become a third grade classroom. 

A GOP sponsored bill came to the floor with a typo.  Yes, a typo.  Should not happen, but it did.

GOP leaders wanted the ability to correct the typo under unanimous consent.  House Democrats became petulant children and would not allow it.

The House is becoming as dysfunctional as the Senate.

More from The Hill

That's it for now.


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Movin on . . .

The actor who protrayed George Jefferson to perfection on 'All in the Family' and "the Jeffesons' has died.

Sherman Hemsley, 74, is said to have died on natural causes by his agent.

Hemsley was made for the role of the irascible yet loveable George Jefferson as he matched wits with Archie Bunker and his wife Louise.  During his career Hemsley won both Emmy and Golden Globe awards.

Some Media News

As the Senate Commerce is ready to begin hearings on the Cable Act of 1992, there is another retransmission consent dispute with Time Warner Cable (TWC).

This dispute is with stations owned by Meredith Broadcasting in Kansas Cit, Springfield MA, and Nashville TN.

The stations have advised viewers that TWC will remove stations due to an impasse over retransmission consent.  TWC claims Meredith is asking fir a 200 percent increase in rights fees.

Stations will be removed from affected systems on July 25 according to KCTV in Kansas City.

More from Multichannel News

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Bill Moyers, the far left poster boy for PBS, has been quiet and less controversial in his comments on his reincarnated series on many public television stations.  PBS itself passed on the latest series which is being distributed by American Public Television (APT).

He has been quiet until the massacre at a theater in Aurora CO which found 12 dead and 50 wounded.  Moyers said the the National Rifle Association (NRA) was an "enabler of death -- paranoid, delusional, and as venomous as a scorpion."

In a further discussion about gun rights and the Second Amendment,  Moyers went on to say, "That's a license for murder and mayhem and it's a great fraud that has entered our history."

 Programs like Moyers and Frontline demonstrate the far-leftagenda of public television stations and are a good reason to end federal funding of PBS and NPR.

More from the Media Research Center

More Penn State Woes

In addition to the $60 million fine from the NCAA and the loss of $13 million from the Big Ten, Penn STate has received another financial blow to the football program.

State Farm Insurance has announced it has discontinued its sponsorship of the football programs.  No amount was disclosed, but it is certain to be substantial.

A company spokes said that the decision was actually made last fall when reports of the child sex abuse scandal was made public.  Former coach Jerry Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of child abuse over a ten year period.  A report from former FBI Louis Freeh detailed the cover up of four university administrators including the late Joe Paterno.

The university has not issued a statement on the State Farm decision.

Just ANother Tuesday - July 24, 2012

Today may shake out to be interesting or just the same old same old.

The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing to review the Cable Act of 1992.  Throughout its history the act has caused controversy and problems for broadcasters, cable and satellite vendors, and consumers.

One area that will be discussed at length will be retransmission consent.  This part of the act allows broadcasters and content providers to charge cable systems for their copyrighted content.  In recent weeks stations from Hearst Television have been removed due to failed negotiations with Time Warner Cable (TWC). 

TWC countered the removal of Hearst stations by importing distant signals from other contracted broadcasters to TWC systems.  Gray Broadcasting sought injunctive relief because TWC did not provide the appropriate notice to the broadcaster and subscribes on the change.  The Cable Act requires 30 days notice for any channel lineup change. Before any court hearings, TWC and Hearst resolved their differences and Hearst stations were returned to affected cable systems.

There has been no word if Grey Broadcasting will pursue the notice violatiom with the FCC.

There have also been carriage disputes between satellite providers and content distributors.  While the dispute between Dish Network and Viacom has been resolved,  Direct TV and AMC Networks are still at an impasse with no negotiations scheduled.

While retransmission consent and carriage issues will highlight the hearing other issues such as program access will make an appearance.

Witnesses will include cable and sateliitle providers, content providers and networks and the National Association of Broadcasters.

The hearing will be sired live on one of the C-SPAN channels and streamed live on it website.

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The NBC Olumpics unity and the London Olympic Committee are teaming up to create the first Oluympic event Twitter page.

The page will be an aggregate a variety of Olympic related pages.  NBC, the US Olympic Committee, and the London organizing committe will work together to create a destination page for the 17 day event. Twitter will senbd represenatives to assist NBC in this venture.

The Opening Ceremonies begin Friday, July 27.
More from Broadcasting & Cable

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A prominent Senate democrat believes recent intelligence leaks originated in the White House.

Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Monday that someone at the White House is responsible. Feinstein does not believe the President leaked the information, but someone on his National Security Team or campaign is responsible.

“I think the White House has to understand that some of this is coming from their ranks,” Feinstein said in an address at the World Affairs Council.
 
More from The Hill

FInally, the DOJ has advised Pennsylvania officials it is looking into the state's Voter ID Law.

Pennsylvania is one on 11 states to pass voter ID laws since 2010.  PA's law is patterned after the Indiana law which was upheld in a 2008 Supreme Court decision.

That's it for now.






Monday, July 23, 2012

Big 10 Adds More Penalties to Penn State

Following the substantial penalties announced by the NCAA against Penn State for covering up child sex abuse by a former coach, the Big 10 Conference is adding additional penalties to the Nittnay Lion football program.

The Big Ten has levied a financial penalty of $13 million dollars f PSU's share in bowl revenue.  The money will be redistributed to children's charities.PSU will not be eligible for a bowl game or Big Team Conference championship games for the next four years.

The conference also will allow current players and incoming players to transfer to other schools without the usual one year penalty.

Big Ten officials say PSU will not for many years to come a team that is capable in playing in postseason or championship games due to the NCAA penalties.

The NCAA penalties ncluded:

A $60 million fine to be used to set up a national foundation for victime of child abuse,
a four year ban on post season play,
a substantial reduction in the number of scholarships during the four year period,
probation for five years,
vacation of all victories between 1998 and 2011,
and NCAA enforced creation of various oversight position in the athletic program.

The vacation of the victories will result in former head coach Joe Paterno's name being removed from NCAA records as the winningest football coach in Division 1.

While the Big 10 has announced no penalty for student-athletes who wish to play for other schools, the NCAA has not announced its agreement with that plan.

The Penn State football program will be a non-entity in Division 1 football for many years to come.  It may or may-not become a "doormat" for other teams and may earn the same reputation Northwestern University had for many years.

When you consider the lives affected by the cover-up of child sexual abuse by university administrator's, the penalties are well earned and deserved. 


NCAA Punishment for Penn State

The NCAA has issued a list of sanctions against Penn State that will devastate the football program and demonstrates once again that the cover-up is always worse than the crime.

The NCAA has issued the following against PSU:

A $60 million fine,
A four year ban on post-season play
Vacation of all victories between 1998 and 2011

While these sanctions barely avoid the so-called death penalty.  Penn State football will be nothing like it was before on the field. Let's hope PSU administrators allow current team members transfer to other programs.

After a Quiet Weekend - July 23, 2012

After the tragic shooting in Aurora, CO, both presidential campaigns took some time off.  In many locations, this respite lead to amazing stories about first responders and others performing to the highest levels.  More and more information is coming to light about the shooter and his plans.  Gun control advocates and pro Second amendment groups are putting out their version of the event.

As we wait for the NCAA to present its findings and impose punishment on Penn State, here are some stories to begin your week.

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Major defeats on other bills in the Senate, has the democrat majority is gearing up for a battle on tax cuts. 

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) is planning a vote on his Middle Class Tax Cut Act which extends Bush-era tax cuts for one year, but lets them expire for small businesses and individuals making over $250,000.  It also caps capital gains and dividends at 20 percent.  While blocking bills last week, the Senate GOP may allow debate on the Reid bill to proceed.

GOP leaders plan to introduce a bill from Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT).  The Tax Hike Prevention Act will maintain the Bush-era tax cuts fro all income levels.

If the Reid bill passes, it has no chance in the House without substantial amendments.

Democrat leaders have suggested they will let all tax cuts expire unless the GOP agrees to their terms.  The President in several campaign speeches cl;aims he will veto any bill that does not follow his guidelines for the tax cuts. More from The Hill

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The Romney campaign is headed overseas to garner support for the presidentential hopeful.

On the trip, Romney will do something president Obama has not and will never do.  Romney will visit Israel and talk as an ally to Israeli leaders. Obama's failure to embrace the only US ally in the region has strained relations between the two countries.  If elected,Romney will attempt to strengthen ties with Israel.
More from The Hill

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A poll by Pulse Opinion Research has delivered some bad news to President Obama. Since his election Obama has blamed former president George W. Bush for the economy.  Other than bashing Mitt Romney, it is one of the cornerstoes of the re-election campaign.

THe poll of likely voters shoes that 66 percent believe the weak economy is the result of bad policy.  34 percent sya Obama is to blame with only 18 percent pointing to former president Bush.  The remainder blame Congress or Wall Street for the economic woes.

The poll highlights the reelection challenge the president faces with growing dissatisfaction on his first-term performance.
More from The Hill

That's it for now.



Friday, July 20, 2012

More Penn State Backlash? - Update

Update

As dawn breaks on the Penn State campus in State College, PA, a construction team is beginning the process of removing the statue of famed football coach Joe Paterno.  The statue  is covered with a blue cloth and fencing has been erected near the statue.

This is one of the many actions the university has taken to get beyond the investigation conducted by former FBI director Louis Freeh.  The Freeh report says that  Paterno and other university officials covered up the child sex abuse from an ex coach for ten years in order to avoid adverse publicity.

Former coach Jerry Sandusky has been convicted of 45 counts of child sex abuse over a ten year period.

 - - -

Reports are currently circulating that the statue of Joe Paterno near Beaver Stadium on the PSU campus will be removed.

Sports reporters Kimberly Jones and Bonnie Bernstein have posted the report on Twitter.

A spokesperson for PSU has denied knowledge of the status of the statue.

Joe Paterno was one of four PSU officials that were vilified in the Freeh reporyt on the child sex abuse scandal at the university.  The report basically says Paterno took no action against convicted felon Jerry Sandusky in order to prevent bad publicity from affecting the football program

More from Fox News

Hard to Believe, but Appropriate

While both presidential campaugns are issuing appropriate statements and cancelling appearances following the shootings in Aurora CO, spokespeople for the campaigns are announcing the suspension of "negative" ads scheduled for broadcast in Colorado markets.

The Obama campaign has asked network affiliates to pull all negative advertising running in the state.  The campaign has not suggested when ads may resume.

Romney campaign spokesperson, Andrea Sau, announced that the campaign has requested all advertising to be pulled from the air "for the time being."

Further information on the resumption of campaign ads is not forthcoming from either campaign.

This unprecedented move by the campaigns demonstrates that somethings are more important than politics. More from The Hill

Does This Surprise Anyone

Does it surprise anyone that CNN was four days late in  reporting Obama's "You didn't build that" statement?
Full report


Sometimes You Have to Pause and be Thankful - July 20, 2012

The news will be dominated today by the tragedy in a theater in Aurora CO.  A lone gunman took the lives of 12 people and injured scores other during the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises.  I will leave reporting of that tragedy to others better equipped to cover the story.  My hope is news organizations will report facts and not fantasy or politically slanted coverage.

Meanwhile there is some news on the media front that finds resolution in two major disoputes between content providers and content distributors.

- - -
Viacom and Direct TV have finally settled a carriage dispoute that resulted in the removal of all 17 Viacom networks from the satellite providers.

Viacom networks include MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon among its offerings to cable and satellite providers.  The agreement according to Direct TV restores all 17 networks  to subscribers "immediately."

Direct TV will now havee the option of offering the Epix premium movie channel.  This was a major sticking point in the negotiations.  Direct TV claims Viacom placed a large price on the channel.  Viacom continues to claim Epix was an option oifferd to the satellite provider.

In a statement Viacom said it was "extremely pleased" that its networks were once again available to Direct TV subscribers. In other statements Direct TV continues to criticize Viacom calling Viacom's actions "unnecessary" and "ill-advised."

In a related matter, there are no further negotiations planned for a carriage dispute between Dish Network and AMC Networks.  More in Multimedia News

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The ten day blackout of Hearst Television station on Time Warner Cable (TWC) systems is over.

The two parties have reach a retransmission consent agreement that will restore Hearst stations to TWC systems.

In a statement, Hearst Television said it regretted the "inconvenience" to viewers and advertisers.

Taking a page from Direct TV's playbook, TWC says the blackout was "unnecessary."
From Broadcasting & Cable

- - -
On the political side, Democrats are weighing ending the "payroll tax holiday".  The tax cut reduced the social security payroll tax from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent.  Democrats are syaing this should end along with the Bush-era tax cuts.

The combination of ending these tax cuts will cost taxpayers millions and move the country to an even deeper recession.

Members of Congress should remember that there is not a tax (revenue) problem, there is a spending problem caused by members of Congress and the current administration.
From The Hill

That's it for now.




Romeny Ad Strikes Back Hard at Obama Remarks

Best ad yet.

Romney ad

Thursday, July 19, 2012

It may not be over for Alabama Public TV

Last week I posted an article about the firing of Alan Pizzato former Executive Director at Alabama Public Television. see here

At the time it appeared that the issue was closed and the parties would move forward.

That may no longer be the case.  Attorneys for Pizzato have filed a civil law suit against the Alabama Educational Television Commission.   The suit alleges the Commission violated Alabama's Open Meetings Act when it held a closed executive session to discuss Pizzato's performance.  "Because Pizzato is classified as a public employee who is required to file a statement of economic interests with the Alabama Ethics Commission," the suit says, "such a discussion of Pizzato's job performance was prohibited by the Opening Meetings Act."

The suit also claims that the commission has failed to disclose audio recordings of commission meetings from March and April.  It is at these meetings where arguments over religious programming on the network and an imposed a new mission statement between commissioners and Pizzato.

 The suit also seeks to removes the commission chair because he holds another state office. This is prohibited under Alabama statutes.  Full complaint as filed here.

I am certain there is more to come.

Who wants an Emmy?

Nominations for the 64th Emmy Awards were announced this morning in Los Angeles.

A brief look at the nominees shows a dominance by many cable networks.  Leading the list for Best Dram are Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, and Breaking Bad.  The only drama nominee on broadcast telecision is PBS' Downton Abbey.

Actress receiving a nod in the dram category are - Julianna Margulies, ''The Good Wife" , Elisabeth Moss, ''Mad Men'', Glenn Close, ''Damages" and Michelle Dockery, ''Downton Abbey."

Actors vying for the coveted statuye for drama include - Steve Buscemi, ''Boardwalk Empire", Jon Hamm, ''Mad Men' and Hugh Bonneville, ''Downton Abbey".

A full list of nominees and categories can be found at the  Emmys.com

It's mine and, yes, I made it - July 19, 2012

The retransmission consent battle between Time Warner Cable (TWC) and Hearst Television continues with the parties still far apart.

In order to allow subscribers to maintain access to network signals, TWC began importing signals from outside the affected markets.  In several markets it has imported the signals from Nexstar owned stations.

Nexstar filed an emergncy petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) citing violation of FCC rules for changes in carriage by a cable operator.  The rules require system owners to provide 30 days notice to subscribers on any change in channels or channel lineup.  Obviously, TWC did not do this.

To further its case, Nexstar has filed a suit in US DIstrict Court in Texas claiming copyright infringement and "willful and repeated" violations of federral law.  Nexstar is seeking a restraining order and other injunctive releif to prohbit TWC from importing its channels.

TWC has issued a statement saying that its contact with Nexstar allows for the importation of the group owners stations into other TWC markets.  TWC also noted that it was " disappointed that Nexstar is working to assist and expand Hearst's leverage against us and our customers by bringing this suit."

While the suit may not succeed, the FCC complaint may have some traction.
Ad Week has more

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The 2013 Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill passed a House subcommittee yesterday by an 8-6 vote.

The bill slashed appropriations to several programs democrats and President Obama wanted and will continue to fight for.  Among those items slashed were Obama's signature Race to the Top programs, the agency that monitors child labor and the agency that distributes Social Security payments.  Social Security payments to retirees are noit aaffevcted by this bil only the agenncy that distriubutes the payments.
The measure would also cut funding to Planned Parenthood as long as it continued to provide abortions.

The bill also includes a provision to prohibit Obamacare from being implemented.  The savings will be over $8 billion if approved by the Senate and signed by the President.  Opponents of the measure say the savings is a gimmick.

This appropriations bill is also the funding mechanism for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting CPB), public media stations, PBS and NPR.  Provisions in the bill call for reductions in funds for fiscal 2013, more cuts in fiscal 2014 and elimination of funding for CPB in fiscal 2015.  CPB is forward funded to prevent political interference in public media.  Over the years that has not stopped politicians including President Obama from coercing public media to interview and feature administration officials in its on-air programming and initiatives.  Shortly after his election, President Obama and White House officials pressured public television station to air a musical performance in the White House which featured a speech by the present among the musical numbers. Stations were told by WETA staff, producers of the program, that this administration wanted cooperation from station to maintain federal funding.

One amendment to the bill passed in the committee prohibited public radio stations from using federal monies to buy programming or pay dues to NPR.  There is no similar provision for public television stations that are PBS members.

Like so many budget, appropriation and budget bills, this bill is likely to sit in Sen. Harry Reid's (D-NV) inbox until after the election.

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Before the Supreme Court decision that affirmed Obamacare as a tax, the Obama administration made it clear that employers must provide access to contraception as provided in the law.  This provision included religious organizations and their affiliates (schools, hospitals, charities and universities).

Within days of the announcement a number of affiliated with the Catholic Church filed lawsuits over the contraceptive mandate.

The Supreme Court decision did not dampen the resolve of the parties to the suit.  They said the suit ha nothing to do with the decision, but is about religious freedom and liberty.

Wednesday, and evangelical college has joined the suit over the contraceptive mandate.

Wheaton College announced that it was joining the suit with the Catholic institutions.

Wheaton College President Philip Graham Ryken said the colleges joining the suit from a different angle.  Its objections to the contraceptive mandate is the possibility that it will require access to "abotion inducing drugs."

Ryken reaffirmed in a conference call that religious freedom and liberty are at danger with this mandate.

More from Fox News

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When unemploymet statistics are released by the Labor Department, critics of the Obama adminjistration claim the department and Obama campaign are "cooking the books."  Claims are the statistics do not fully reflect the total number of people who arte only working part-time and those who have given up seeking employment are not counted.

Opponents say the true unemployment number is between 11 and 18 percent.

Last wek a story circulated about states that elected GOP governors were seeing lower unemployment rates.  In some cases significant drops in the rate of unemployed.

One state claiming victory in reduc ing unemployment is Florida.  It announced with great fanfare that unemployment in Florida had dripped from 9.9 percent in December 2011 to 8.6 percent in May 2012.  A significant and impressive drop.

A report released Tuesday by the Florida  Department of Economic Opportunity shows that up to two-thirds of the drop may be the result of labor force dropouts.  This includes individuals that have given up seeking employment and those that have returned to school.  Neither classification are considered unemployed.

The good news of states successfully lower unemployment rates is tempered by the statitical manipulations made by the Obama administration.
More here

That's it for now and, yes, I made this.



Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Hard Times Ahead for Big Bird - July 18, 2012

In June the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) issued a report on funding for public media stations. The report requested by Congress revealed that 130 public broadcasting stations would be in danger of leaving the air if Federal funding was cut.  Many of these stations are in rural parts of the country and several are the only broadcasting service in their coverage area.

The loss of these signals could prevent the timely distribution of emergency information during national and local emergencies.

Congress may not be the only cause of a loss of funding to public televisions stations.  CPB has reported that ten stations, mostly in Texas and California, may lose their annual grant from CPB.  The Community Service Grant (CSG) is received by all public television and radio stations that meet certain criteria.

One of those criteria is based on the amount of non-federal funding raised locally by the station.  In the past this has included funding from states.  As more and more states look for ways to cut funding for public media, this source is dwindling.  The CPB board has established $800,000 as the amount each station must raise annually.  CPB reports that five stations did not meet the requirement in FY 2012 and another five or six may not meet the goal in FY 2013.  Financial reports for FY 2013 are due in late November.

Station leaders at some of the affected stations say that raising that amount of money in a rural area and competing with other local non-profits has become more difficult since 2009.


In 2010, the CPB board wanted to raise the minimum level to $1 million.  While still being considered, the amount remains at the current level.  At one time, CPB would grant a waiver to a station not meeting the criteria if an independent auditor found the station fiscally sound.  Those waivers are no longer available.
More in Current

While CPB did not disclose which stations were at risk for losing a CSG, one station in Northeast Pennsylvania is making changes to ensure their stability and better serve the audience.

WLVT, based in Bethlehem, is taking advantage of a PBS program for operations in a multi-station market.  WLVT is completely overlapped by WHYY in Philadelphia, as well as, New Jersey public television.
Since the departuer of Pat Simon, longtime CEO for the station, Tim Fallon, acting CEO, a longtime board member and volunteer for the station has been looking into PDP status for the struggling station.

WLVT was one of eight PBS stations in PA that was devastated by the near elimination of state funding in 2009. The $1 million grant from the state for each station was reduced to $10,000.  This caused massive layoffs at the station and the elimination of most local programming.

Fallon negotiated with WHYY to develop a solution and to make it possible for WLVT to become a PDP station.  WHYY signed a waiver that will allow WLVT to air PBS prime time programs with only a three day delay.  The normal delay for a PDP station is eight days.

The switch to PDP status is a "no brainer" for WLVT and it will now me able to pick and choose from the PBS lineup to best serve viewers in Northeast PA.

Congratulations to Mr. Fallon on a move to place WLVT in a better position in the market.
More from Current

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USA Today is recognizing that online content may be just as valuable as over-the-air content.

In online and print editions it has launched "TV On the Web" a daily listing of the  best online only programs,  series and podcasts.

The new feature can be found at http://www.usatoday.com/life/tv-on-the-web.

That's it for now.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Dish and Direct TV Fined by FCC

Satellite providers Dis and Direct TV have received fine notices from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for apparent rules violations.

The fines have nothing to do with the recent negotiations each provider is having with content proviers.

The Notice of Violation (NV) resulted from onsite inspections of the satellite providers public inspection file.  Each licensee whether it be a broadcaster, cable company, or satellite provider must keep and maintain a file available to the public that contains information and required FCC reports.  The file must be keep in a location that is readily available to the public and the occasional FCC inspector team.  Fines of this type are commonplace with public television stations receiving fins more often. Requirements for the type of broadcaster vary.

Both Dish and Direct TV failed to maintain and update required children's programming reports for various dates.  Each must update the files and provide written documentation to the FCC in the incidents.  The children's programming report is a relatively new inclusion in the Public Inspection File.

The satellite providers have 20 days to respond or appeal the NV.  Failure to respond could result in further FCC action.

No amount was provided by the NV, but FCC fines can range up to $10,000 per occurrence.

More from TV Technology

Penn State Report - Is There Backlash?

The report issued last Thursady on the Penn State child abuse scandal vilified four administrators including former football coach, Joe Paterno.

Each of the men were linked to the failure of the university administration, the athletic department and the football operation.  Since most university administrators stay in the background and do what they do, this investigation and scandal have a public face, Joe Paterno.

The report delivered by former FBI Director Louis Freeh contained 119 recommendations to ensure the safety of students, athletes and younger children at the university.   The report demonstrates a lack of institutional control and a failure to follow child abuse charges against former coach and convicted felon Jerry Sandusky.  In a press conference, the PSU Board of Trustees admit there were problems and lack of control, but none of them, so far, has resigned in the wake of the report.  Frankly, all of them should.  Administrators and the board ignored the claims of child abuse.

Local residents and students have already made some changes in order to move beyond the scandal.

Local artist, Michael Pilato, painted over a halo on a mural depicting Joe Paterno.  Pilato painted the halo after Paterno's death in January.

He replaced the halo with a blue ribbon depicting support for victims of child abuse.

Near Beaver Stadium, home of the Nittnay Lions, is a place where PSU students camp out before home games.  For years the space has been known as "Paternoville."  Following the Freeh report, students have renamed the space "Nittnayville" to reflect their support of the team rather than a single coach.

Lif moves on at Penn State which will remain under a cloud of suspicion for years to come.

Persident's Comments not Very Popular

In a campaign swing through Virginia on Friday, President Obama made some misguided and unpopular comments about small business owners and entrepreneurs.  Hist "you didn't build that" remark is becoming a point of attck from opponents on all sides.

Obviously, the Romney campaign jumped at the opportunity to demonstrate he is "unqualified to lead. . . a real economic recovery."

Political campauigns aside, the Obama campaign is now hearing from business leaders and groups about his "unfortunate" comments.

David Chavern, chief operating officer of the Chamber of Commerce, "We should applaud the risk-takers and the dreamers who are willing to stand out from the crowd."  In a Chamber blog post Chavern went on to say that small business owners to be encouraged not denigrated.

The National Federation of Independent Business weighed in on the discussion saying the remarks were "unfortunate."  The association further noted that small business owners, "know that hard work does matter."

The Obama campaign dismissed the remarks as a way for the Romney campaign to deflect from the Bain Capital and outsourcing.   The Obama campaign and White House are well known for their ability to deflect from Obama's miserable economic record.

The remarks continue to reflect that the President is out of touch with the concerns and worries of the people and voters.

More from Fox News

Viacom v Direct TV: Another Round and Some Political Stuff - July 17, 2012

The carriage dispute between Viacom and Direct TV continue to drag.

Following a breakdown in negotiations between the two parties, Viacom order Direct TV to remove its networks from it systems.  The move caused the loss of popular channels like Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and others to Direct TV subscribers.

Viacom has advised Direct TV subscribers that their content is available through Hulu and other online content distributors. Viacom also provides free full episodes on channel-owned websites.

Direct TV issued a statement on Sunday (July 15) stating, "we are continuing to make progress in our discussions with Viacom."

Direct TV has started expanding access to Sprout, The Hub,  TV One and Fuse to lower level packages.  The satellite provider also added Disney Jr. to its basic package.

More from MultiChannel news

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The ongoing retransmission and carriage issues between content providers and content distributors will become the main attraction at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing scheduled for July 24.

The rumored session was confirmed by Sneate staff on Moday.

The overall purpose of the meeting is a 20-year look back at the Cable Act of 1992. This law established must-carry and retransmission consent.  The session on July 24 is a follow-up to a future of video hearing last April.

Participants will include content providers, cable and satellite vendors and the National Association of Broadcasters.

- - -

The fourth installment of Charlie Sheen's Anger Management series suffered another substantial drop in viewers.

The fourth episode garnered only 2.4 million viewers down from 3.4 million the week before.

The series is scheduled for a ten episode run on FX, but further declines may end the "winning" for Sheen.

Hollywood Reporter

- - -

Hello Google - it's Yahoo - Surprise!

Google employee #20 is leaving the search giant to become the CEO at the struggling online brand.

Marissa Mayer will join Yahoo! today (Juily 17) as CEO, president and member of the board.  During her time at Google, Mayer has played a part in most Google products including Maps, Local, Gmail and others.

It will be interesting to see if Mayer can reproduce her success at Yahoo!  We wish her luck in her new role.

- - -

Now for some political stuff.

Democrats in the House and Senate appear to be falling into line to support President Obama's call to increase taxes on wage earners and small businesses making more than $250,000.  While some members of Congress, specifically Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY, have called for a higher level for the cutoff.

Both the Obama campaign and some members of Congress are holding the line and pushing for a vote on the Bush-era tax cuts.  The House is planning to vote on a proposal that will maintain current tax levels before the August recess. 

If that vote takes place it will be interesting to see if the democrat-controlled Senate and the President will veto a tax cutting bill this close to the election.

Some liberals and the GOP doubt the tough rhetoric will be turned into action.  This is the same stance the President and the democrats took in 2010, but backed down from the rhetoric and the result was massive losses in the House.  This time the class warfare rhetoric of the Obama campaign and democrats could turn the election for complete control of the Congress and White House.

One thing is certain.  The rhetoric will continue and be highlighted by high-handed speeches and talks of an overwhelming tax burden through the conventions. It will be fun(?).
Moe from The Hill

- - -

One of the Obama campaign's fundraising schemes was to ask couples planning their weddings to forgo gifts and gift registries.

Instead couples should asks guests to donate to the Event Registry - a campaign plan to garner more money into the coffers of the president's re-election bid.

This appears to be a little desperate and brings up concerns about the campaign's ability to raise funds.  The Romney campaign raised over $100 million dollars in June.  The Obama campaign only manages to raise around $70 million.

Desperate or not the scheme has garnered little support on Twitter or Facebook to support the plan. Both of the social media sites showed strong Obama support in 2008.

Stay tuned.  There are other schemes, plans and maybe some multilevel marketing in store for potential donors to the president. New York Post article

That's all for now.



Monday, July 16, 2012

Did AMC win?

If ratings are indication, AMC may have won the battle between itself and Dish.

The satellite provider removed all networks provided by AMC including its premiere channel which among other series airs Breaking Bad.

Breaking Bad premiered its fifth season yesterday, Sunday July 15, to an audience of 2.9 million viewers.  This was the most-watched episode in the series' history.

The 2.9 million viewers was the Nielsen estimate based on traditional media on cable and Direct-TV.  There is no word yet on how many viewers watched the free live stream on AMC's website.

More from Variety

Ah . . the Olympics

Are you ready for the 2012 Summer Olympics from London?  Before you get too comfortable and find all the channels of NBCU that have something on them and making a schedule, The Olympic committees often have little idiosyncrasies that affect athletes and the locals.  The Internatiuonal Olympoic Committee is often more interested in protecting its brand rather than support the athletes.

The 1996 Olympics in Atlanta is a an example.  Before the games began, one of the Olympic committees threatened to sue a Greek restaurant in Atlanta called the Olympic Restaurant.  They claimed trademark infringement.  The Atlanta committee agreed and forced the restaurant that had been in business for 50 years with the same name was forced to change its name.  Crazy, yes?  Well, check this out.

A married couple who are good enough to be in the Games in London have been told by one of the Olympic Committees that they could not live together during the Games.  Yes, a married couple could not stay together during the events.  On the other hand, according to the couple, Russell and Lauryn Mark, gay couples were free to cohabit during the Olympics.  The Australian Olympic Committee has refused to enter the fray and support its athletes.

The couple says they are being discriminated against because they are heterosexual.

More

And now it's Monday - July 16, 2012

You may recall that AMC networks and Dish are having a spat about carriage on the satellite provider.

Last month Dish unceremoniously removed all AMC Networks.  Dish says the AMC products underperformed.  AMC's premiere channel is American Movie Classics (AMC) and offers original content such as The Killing, Mad Men and Breaking Bad.

In order to ensure Dish subscribers saw the July 15 season premiere of Breaking Bad, AMC made the episode available live on its website for free.  Dish countered that the move demonstrated that AMC properties and content were "overpriced."

Did you watch the premiere? Where did you watch it?

- - -
A pew study reports that Fox News clips were at the top of all US news organization clips on You Tube. 

Most of the clips came from Fox News opinion programs and often had commentary critical of the clip or Fox News.  The Pew Report noted that clips posted on You Tube from news organizations may or may not have the permission of the copyright holder or the news organization.  Pew also reported that most clips are uploaded to the video service by individuals and not the news organizations.

While Fox was at the top source for US news clips, Russia Today was the overall "winner."  Russia Today had 8.6 percent of the week's top clips during the study period of January 2011 - March 2012.

Six of the top 10 spots in the survey were US news organizations, but the Pew study may be flawed as it counted the White House as a news organization. Propaganda organization, maybe.

The study did demonstrate that news organizations may play an important role in supplying news and information through the internet, especially, You Tube.  It pointed out that one of the pitfalls may be trying to monetize content while maintaining ethical standards.

More from Broadcasting & Cable

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Since President Obama's speech on taxes, Democrats in Congress have been energized to force a vote on tax cuts for everyone but small business owners and individuals making over $250,000 or, in another proposal, $200,000. There are other proposals suggesting the cutoff be $1 million dollars, but those are seeing little, if any, support.

Sen Patty Murray (D-WA) said today that Senate democrats are willing to allow the Bush-era tax cuts expire unless Republicans agree to the President's proposal. In other words, a massive tax hike for everyone on January 1, 2013.

Since the GOP controlled House is planning a vote on extending all tax cuts within the net few weeks, it will be interesting to see how the debate goes when GOP candidate explain the Democrats plan to voters.

Are they willing to test the resolve of voters on tax cuts?  Are they ready for massive defeats in all races?

More from Fox News

The Democrats may want to look at a recent poll on taxes before playing Russian roulette with tax raising proposals.

A Mclatchy-Marist poll shows 52 percent of registered voters want the Bush-era tax cuts to be extended including the cuts for wage earners and small businesses.  43 percent say the cuts for high earners should expire.

I wonder if Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and her Senate colleagues have seen this poll or care about the opinion of voters.  Likely not, they passed Obamacare.


Friday, July 13, 2012

Items From Public Broadcasting

While retransmission consent and negotiations between content providers and content distributors are among the top stories for the last few weeks,  there have been some stories from the public broadcasting world that exemplify issues affecting your favorite home for Big Bird or Garrison Keiller.

- - -

Senior officials in public media, generally, report to a Board of Directors.  Unlike major corporate boards, members of public media boards are volunteers.  Some boards have little or no responsibility for what the stations do, others are charged with responsibilities in funding and programming policy and some attempt to control station operations and demand or strongly suggest programming.  Most board I have worked with as an employee or consultant want information.  That's it.  In fact I have attended board meetings at stations where a quorum is not present and cannot conduct business.  I have worked with boards whose members are only looking to impact their personal resume. Since many members are volunteers, they pay attention only when there are issues at the stations or issues members want to "champion."

Leaders of public media stations who report to a Board of Directors also serve at the "pleasure" of the board.  Individuals who accept a leadership are well aware of the whims and scattered direction a board may take. 

The full story about the dismissal of Allan Pizzato, executive director at Alabama Public Television and Pauline Howland his chief deputy may never be known.  It is still not clear what the members of the Alabama Educational Television Commission had in mind when they fired the two leaders.  Pizzalo was a long term leader of APT having been there for 12 years - an eternity in modern public television.

The Commission did not anticipate unintended consequences that followed the firings.  Nine lay members of the APT's fundraising organizations resigned in protest.

Speculation still runs rampant on the reason for the firings.  Two possibilities still lead the pack of rumors.

There had been ongoing discussions with the commission over the mission statement of APT which seemed to change the non-discrimination in programming part of the mission.

Recently released minute from commission meetings show increased pressure on Pizzalo air programs produced by religious leader David Barton.

Pizzalo took copies of the programs to programming staff who questioned the religious nature of the program and some inaccuracies in program facts. 

Although Pizzalo is out as Executive Director, Howland was reinstated temporarily to finish the budget process.

Current has more information the old and revised mission statement and other issues at APT here.


Are you a fan of Garrison Keillor and Prairie Home Companion (APHC)?  If you live in South Florida, you will need to find another station that carries the series.

WGCU, Fort Meyers, FL, is dropping the long-running series.  The reason - money.

The state of Florida zeroes-out  state funding for public media stations.  This left some stations at a loss to find replacement funding.  In WGCU case, state funding was 10 percent of their budget.  A large portion of that income was used to purchase programming including APHC.

To add insult to injury the producers wanted a increase in fees for APHC by $22,000.

Rock Johns, GM of WGUC-FM, said, "it was a hard decision to make."

In order to make up for the shortfall, the station held a special pledge drive to finance the series.  The drive, unfortunately, raised a mere $1200.

More in Current.


Yesterday (July 12) Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) announced the layoff of eleven staff members while addong six.

TPT is one of the most respected and well funded public television stations in the country. 

The layoffs were not due to fudning or potential fudning issues, but TPT is reogranizing.

The reorganization is to allow TPT to embrace new and developing technologies to distribute and create content for other platforms.

TPT invited those laid off to apply for the six new positions or other positions that become available das a result of the reorganization.  Current

AMC vs. Dish - Round 3

Yesterday AMC networks announced it would allow current and former Dish subscribers to access live streaming on their website.  The live streaming is for the premiere of Breaking Bad on Sunday, July 15 at 10pm.

This is the latest round in a carriage battle between satellite provider Dish and content provider AMC Networks.  Last month Dish removed all AMC networks from its channel lineup. 

DIsh claims the reason is poor performance and small number of viewers for the AMC networks. 

The channel is AMC and it provides original programming such as Mad Men, The Killing and Breaking Bad.  All of these programs seem to be popular with subscribers of cable systems and other satellite providers.

Following AMC's announcement, a spokesman for Dish said that the move by AMC shows the true value of their offerings.

No word on further negotiations to restore the AMC networks to the Dish system.

More as it happens.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Is AMC Doing it Right?

Last month satellite provider Dish replace several networks owned by AMC. 

Dish replaced the content with other channels it apparently like better and believed would draw more viewers.

AMC announced today that it will allow Dish subscribers to stream many of its programs live through its website.  Dish subscribers must register at www.amctv.com/breakingbad4dish to view live streams.  This will include the season premiere of Breaking Bad  set for this Sunday at 10PM ET.

In a statement AMC said, "AMC wants its loyal Dish viewers to experience the excitement of the Breaking Bad premiere at the same time as their friends and neighbors."

This is much different than Viacom's response to failed negotiations with Direct TV.

Broadcasting and Cable

Penn State Guilty - Update

UPDATE:

Pen State Trustees held a news conference to react a report on the child abuse charges against former coach Jerry Sandusky.  Sandusky was convicted of numerous charges of child abuse while a coach and afte his coaching careers was over at the univesity.

Members of the broad said the blame belongs to them for not having better oversight of programs and personnel at the university.  The report created after an investigation by former FBI director Louis Freeh had 119 recommendation for changes at the university to prevent this kind of lack of oversight and control.

Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno was praised for his entire career at the university, but the report says his involvement demonstrates a lack of university control and lack of ethics.

That statement will go along way in the investigation to be conducted by the NCAA on the football program and all university athletics.  Penalties could range from a mere slap on the wrist to the "death penalty."  The NCAA has been reluctant to penalize "big time" programs, but sanctions against Ohio State last year prove it will if necessary.  In Penn State's case, it is necessary because it involved criminal activity and critical information was withheld for publicity reasons.

Can a university with the academic and athletic reputation survive a report of this kind?  Survive, yes.  Be the same, never!

- - - 

Penn State may not be guilty in a court of law yet, but the in court of public opinion they are and will remain so for many years.

Today a report issued by the university concluded that university officials "concealed critical facts" about the conduct of former coach Jerry Sanduky.  Sandusly was convicted on multiple counts of child abuse and faces a long prison sentence.

The report is the result of an eight month investigation conducted by former FBI director Louis Freeh.
Freeh was hired by university trrustees after Snadusky's arrest in November.

The over 200 page report concludes that Paterno, president Graham Spainer, athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Schultz "failed to protect against a child sexual predator harming children for over a decade."

The report continues, "In order to avoid the consequences of bad publicity, the most powerful leaders at the university -- Spanier, Schultz, Paterno and Curley -- repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky's child abuse."

Singled out in the report is the Penn State football program and Paterno for failing to protect children from abuse.  

Paterno who died in January did not speak to Freeh's team on what he knew and when he knew it. Accounts from other witnesses in the investigation show Paterno was more concerned with the football program and not the welfare of children.

The report will now become part of an NCAA investigation into the football program, but had no comment to make on the report.  The university must now answer four main questions in a letter from the NCAA concerning "institutional control and ethics policies."

This is a sad day for Penn State and for college athletics.  It demonstrates that the success of an individual team is sometime more important that the success of an individual athlete or other child in their care. Penn State deserves what ever punishment the NCAA delivers and courts decide.

Full report  Report from Fox News

Viacom Update and Some Political Stuff - July 12, 2012

There has been no further movement in the dispute between Viacom and satellite provider Direct TV.

Direct TV has removed 17 of Viacom networks from it service to 19.9 million subscribers

In an effort to "punish" Direct TV, Viacom has also removed most free full episodes of its popular programs from its websites.  The content provider has decided that internet viewers of its content should also be punished.  Viacom has advised website visitors to use the paid version of Hulu, Amazon, Netflix, and iTunes to view full episodes.

The Public Knowledge organization claims Viacom has "overacted" to the situation.

The eventual loser in this dispute will be viewers of Viacom content.  There is certain to be backlash from viewers who have long memories.

- - -

Where is Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.?

An updated report from Chicago shows that the Illinois representative is being treated for a "mood disorder".  The  Illinois Congressman quietly began a medical leave on June 10 that was not publicly reported for weeks. 

The statement released Wednesday gave no details of the  condition nor the name or address of the doctor or in-patient facility.  The staff cited Federal privacy laws as the reason.

House and Senate leaders have expressed concern about Jackson's absence and his exact medical condition.  More from Town Hall


Presumptive GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney went into what some would call "enemy territory" to give a speech at this year's NAACP convention in Houston.

During his speech he was booed and applauded for his policy comments and seemed to be able to handle the heat as well as the priase.

Rowney's comments on the repeal of Obamacare were met with boos as should have been expected.

When speaking on the economy, Romney said that a bad economy would be equally bad for all. “Instead, it’s worse for African-Americans in almost every way. The unemployment rate, the duration of unemployment, average income and median family wealth are all worse for the black community."

Romney was greeted with applause when he said he would returned if invited when he becoms President.

There is one person of significance that declined an invitation to speak at the NAACP convention - Barack Obama.  Why would the man who garnered a landslide of black votes in the 2008 election shy away from this group?   Instead the Obama campaign sent AG Eric Holder and Vice President Joe Biden to speak on his behalf.  More from The Hill


On the campaign trail both President Obama and Mitt Romney said they would like to balance the federal budget.

As president Obama has never shied away from the promise of raising taxes.  While he has focused on the rich and small business, Obama's current proposal will raise taxes on everyone in 2014.

In a campaign speech, Obama said that in order to balance the budget under current spending would require massive tax increases.  Were you listening - under current spending.  In order to balance the budget Obama can only see tax increases. He does not understand that spending is the issue not revenue.

GOP candidates at all levels should us that sound bite to demonstrate the President and his campaign are out of touch with the reality of the budget, spending and taxes.  More from CNS News


Many are calling the House vote to repeal Obamacare was political and symbolic.  Nevertheless, five democrats voted for the repeal in a Wednesday vote.

The vote may be symbolic.  Why?  The bill and 30 other House bills on jobs and a budget continue to still on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's desk.  Reid has continually blocked most legislation originating in the House.  Taking his orders from the White House and the Obama campaign, Reid is the Obstructionist in Chief in the Congress.  More from TownHall

That's all for now.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Really Viacom - Really?

Viacom is in a fee dispute with Direct-TV and pulled all 17 networks from the satellite provider.  Viacom's hope is subscribers will flood Direct-TV with phone calls and emails demanding the return of their favorite Viacom network.

To prove who doesn't care about Direct TV subscribers or fans of the Viacom networks, the content provider has decided to remove most full length episodes from their websites.

Is that move going to force Direct-TV into Viacom's fee increases?  No.  It will hurt loyal fans of some of Viacom's favorite series like the Daily Show.

Viacom says Direct TV advised subscribers to go to the Viacom-owned websites and watch their favorite shows for free.

That's showing them Viacom.  Not hard to see who really only cares about money in this dispute. Broadcasting & Cable

All Media News - July 11, 2012

Late last week I presented a brief article on retransmission consent.

This week there is even more news on this controversial issue.

Yesterday the House Communications Subcommittee held hearings featuring FCC chairman Julius Genachowski.  One of the topics was retransmission consent and current failed negotiations with cable and satellite operators.

In his testimony Genachowski noted that despite studies on retrans, the Commission's powers are "limited." 

"Our options are limited," Genachowski said. "I wouldn't say that should hold up any inquiry by the committee in changing the law."

In other words, the chairman was looking to Congress to assist in reforming the FCC's power to resolve retrans disputes.

Changing the rules would be tricky and would lead to a long and protracted battle bwtween cable and satellite companies and broadcasters.  Satellite and cable owners would like reforms that include a no-blackout rule that would keep popular local channels available to consumers.  Broadcasters and cable networks are not interested in FCC intrusion into a lucrative revenue stream.  From Variety

The latest retrans dispute involve Hearst Television, Time-Warner Cable, and Direct-TV.

Although negotiations continued beyond the July 1 deadline, Hearst Television and Time-Warner Cable (TWC) have not resolved their differences.  With the exception of one station in Milwaukee, all Hearst stations have been removed from TWC systems as of July 10.

Hearst owns stations in large markets like Pittsburgh, Boston, and Cincinnati.  Small marekt stations in Plattsburgh NY, Lincoln NE, and Winston-Salem, NC have also been removed from TWC systems in their coverage areas.

No word on when or if negotiations will resume.  From Broadcasting & Cable

While there are some retrans rules for satellite providers, most disputes between program providers and the carriers involve revenue for the content providers.

Viacom has removed all of its networks from satellite carrier Direct-TV.  The removal of popular channels such as Nickelodeon, MTV, and COmedy Centra affect 19.9 million subscribers to Direct-TV.

Direct TV claims Viacon wants an increase of $1billion dollars in fees for their content.  Viacom counters that the requested increase is a "couple pennies a day" per subscriber.

The channels now unavailable to DirecTV customers are: Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, BET, VH1, CMT, Logo, Spike, TV Land, MTV2, VH1 Classic, Palladia, Nick Jr., NickToons, TeenNick, Nickelodeon West, Tr3s, Centric, MTV India, Nickelodeon HD, Comedy Central HD, MTV HD, BET HD, VH1 HD, CMT HD and Spike HD.

No word on when negotiations will resume. From Multichannel News

In a related story, Dish Network dropped AMC cable channels for its subscribers on July 1.

Unlike other disputes between satellite providers and content providers, this one involves carriage.  Last month Dish moved AMC flagship channel to channel 9069. A channel that many Dish subscribers may have a hard time finding.

Dish said at the time the move was because AMC and its channels were only watched by a small number of subscribes.  Dish also planned to drop many other channels owned by AMC.

For subscribers finding AMC series such as Mad Men, The Killing, and Walking Dead may become difficult.
Personal note:  There are channels on the Roku device that carry these series.  From Ad Week


More and more cable operators are increasing their available broadband speeds.  Some as high as 100 MB.  Now that is fast.

While offering very high speeds, Charter Communications is eliminating its lower speed broadband services. Charter will only be offering a 30 MB and 100 MB service.  As these roll out, there are special deals for new and current subscribers. From Multichannel News

If you are interested in the politics of the day - President Obama's approval ratings are down according to Gallup.

GOP presumptive nominee Mitt Romney sounds a little emotional asking NAACP members to "look in his heart." Fox

That's it for now.