Broadcast and cable interests debate rules for digital TV

Article Abstract:

Presidents of the largest cable and TV broadcasting companies debated whether cable companies must carry the digital TV programs that broadcasters will make available in fall 1998. Cable companies vigorously opposed the must-carry rule before the House Committee on Telecommunications, saying it would force them to replace popular cable programs with new digital shows. Broadcasters countered by saying the idea is essential because digital TV will fail unless the cable companies transmit it to the two-thirds of US households that subscribe to the service. Federal rules require that at least three digital TV signals must reach more than 50% of US homes by Nov 1999. Networks are broadcasting only a few hours of digital, high-definition programs per week to a fraction of users who own expensive digital sets, according to cable executives.

Cable TV Networks, Laws, regulations and rules, Internet services, Economic policy, Cable networks (Television), Industry legal issue, Cable television/data services, United States. Congress. House. Subcommittee on Telecommunications

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Broadcaster seeks change in digital TV format

Article Abstract:

Baltimore, Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. has been testing U.S. and European digital television broadcast signals under conditions simulating apartment buildings and engineers contend that the U.S. system suffers from multipath distortion. Sinclair, owner and operator of 59 TV stations across the U.S., is campaigning to have the European digital standard adopted by the Federal Communications Commission. Zenith Electronics Corp., inventor of the U.S. system, claims that they are making continual improvements to digital broadcasting and that rooftop systems work quite well.

Standards, Research, Evaluation, Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., SBGI, High-definition television, High definition television

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A combined Viacom-CBS would cast an awfully large shadow across a wide range of ad media

Article Abstract:

The CBS and Viacom merger, the largest medial alliance in history, has provoked enormous response from the advertising world. With the potential of the new giant's combined revenue at $11 billion this year, agency executives are staggered by the amount of power concentrated in one source. Many are saying that this is just the beginning of grandiose media alliances because of the relaxation of rules limiting media ownership in local markets. Mel Brooks sums up the trend with his mock company, Engulf & Devour.

Acquisitions & mergers, Government regulation (cont), Radio Broadcasting, Cable Television Systems, Campaigns, Radio, TV, publisher representatives, TV Advertising, Media Representatives, Radio broadcasting stations, Media Business, Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Radio broadcasting industry, Forecasts and trends, Television advertising, CBS Corp., Viacom Inc., CBS, VIA

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