|
News of the movement for June 13, 2012 |
|
Justice Department Launches Antitrust Investigation Into Data Caps The Justice Department has been quietly conducting a wide-reaching investigation into whether cable operators are using Internet overcharging schemes like usage caps and metered billing to squash online video competition. U.S. Probes Cable for Limits on Net Video The Justice Department is conducting a wide-ranging antitrust investigation into whether cable companies are acting improperly to quash nascent competition from online video, according to people familiar with the matter. Free Press Welcomes DoJ Investigation of Cable and Online Video Market News broke of a Justice Department investigation into anti-competitive conduct by cable operators. Press reports indicate that the DoJ is examining tactics cable operators deploy to discourage use of online video services like Netflix or YouTube that may compete with cable's traditional video business. This Justice Department investigation is great news for consumers and cable's competitors alike.
In Less than One Year, Verizon Data Goes from $30/Unlimited to $50/1GB Verizon Wireless announced its new pricing plans for mobile phones and data. If you mostly use your phone for data, this is bad news. Verizon Wireless' New Data-Pricing Plan Promises Flexibility, and Generates Static Bernstein Research analyst Craig Moffett calls Verizon Wireless' new Share Everything fee plan "the most profound change to pricing (that) the telecom industry has seen in 20 years." But entertainment companies will want to know whether the arrangement will encourage or discourage video streaming and downloading on smartphones and tablets. Verizon Hikes Data Fees in Pricing Revamp Verizon Wireless is undertaking a massive overhaul of its prices by raising fees for data services like mobile Web surfing while offering unlimited calls and texts as it aims to increase data revenue and protect its older business lines. Verizon Wireless to Base Smartphone Plans on Data Use Under new plans, Verizon Wireless users will pay based on the amount of data they expect to use for email, Web surfing and video. The change comes as talking and texting on cellphones decline. New Verizon Plans: Who Wins and Who Loses? The nation's biggest wireless carrier is drastically changing how it charges for data, voice minutes and texts. Such changes generally don't end up putting money in the pockets of consumers, but is everyone going to lose out or will a lucky few actually get more for their money?
Reforms May Cut Broadband to Remote Areas Adak Island lies in the Bering Sea 1,200 miles from Anchorage and neither cyclone winds, tsunamis nor unexploded artillery from its days as a World War II base prevent its 326 or so residents from expecting a high-speed Internet connection to the rest of the world. That service may end soon for some because of a fight with federal regulators over subsidies. NAB Asks OMB to Reject FCC Estimate of Online Political File Paperwork Burdens The National Association of Broadcasters has asked the Office of Management and Budget to reject the information-collection requirements of the FCC's new online public file order. The NAB particularly wants the OMB to reject the requirement that stations provide the commission with their political files, including spot prices, so they can be posted on an FCC website for everyone to see. CWA to Hold FCC Rally to Push Verizon/SpectrumCo Conditions The Communications Workers of America says hundreds of its members, joined by activist group representatives, will gather outside the FCC to call for conditions on the Verizon/SpectrumCo deal, in which the telco is trying to buy advanced wireless spectrum from cable operators Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House and Cox. AT&T's Stephenson: FCC Decision on Verizon Deal Will Provide Industry Guidance AT&T's chief said that his company is watching to see if federal regulators approve Verizon's bid to buy spectrum from a group of cable firms so that the industry has clearer guidance on what types of deals are acceptable.
Advance Publications Lays Off 600 People at Times-Picayune, Alabama Papers Advance Publications announced that it will cut about 600 jobs at the Times-Picayune and its papers in Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville, Ala., when the papers stop printing daily and shift focus to their websites. New Orleans Struggles with Latest Storm, Newspaper Layoffs It is one thing to find out that the print edition of the paper will disappear four days a week, as the owners of the Times-Picayune announced in May. But it is another thing to find out that so many familiar names may be gone, too. In New Orleans and across the state of Alabama, as part of a restructuring of the news business at four papers owned by Advance Publications, scores of employees walked into one-on-one meetings and walked out 10 minutes later with severance packages. They included advertising employees, copy editors, press operators, crime reporters, photographers and graphic artists. Publisher Says Layoffs Coming to Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press publisher Paul Anger told employees he anticipated layoffs would be coming to the newspaper. Why Traditional Media Should Be Afraid of Twitter As we've mentioned a number of times, Twitter has been gradually tip-toeing further and further into the media business for some time now. It has already become a real-time newswire for many, a source of breaking news and commentary on live events, and now it is showing signs of becoming a full-fledged editorial operation.
|
The House Appropriations Subcommittee passed a provision that strips the FCC of the ability to provide online disclosure of political ad spending on TV stations. We need your help to stop Congress from selling out our democracy. Tell Congress: Don't kill transparency.
The National Conference for Media Reform will be in Denver on April 5-7, 2013. Please mark your calendar; we can't wait to see you in Colorado! Sign up to get the latest news and announcements on NCMR 2013.
Do you have any suggestions or comments about the Media Reform Daily? Tell us what you think at newswire@freepress.net. Thanks!
In Other News...The Most Expensive Internet in America Google 'Wi-Spy' Files Reveal Missed Cues Palo Alto Set to Abandon Quest to Bring Fiber to the Home Here Comes the Greatest Internet Land Grab in History Record Labels Are Paying Students to Narc on Students Who Pirate Music Durbin Still Hopeful for Action on Net Sales Tax Bill The Day Netflix Met Its Heaviest User Netroots Nation Grows Up, and in Some Cases Goes Pro |
