[IP] THE ECONOMICS OF INDECENCY
Begin forwarded message:
From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: December 12, 2005 8:42:27 AM EST
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <dewayne-net@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] THE ECONOMICS OF INDECENCY
Reply-To: dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
THE ECONOMICS OF INDECENCY
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John M. Higgins]
Just days after FCC Chairman Kevin Martin launched an attack on
indecent programming on basic cable, major operators seem to be
coming to heel, hurriedly drafting plans for special tiers of family-
friendly programming, Comcast and Time Warner Cable are hoping to
head off harsh regulation that could force systems to offer all basic
channels à la carte -- the same way they sell pay movie channels like
HBO -- which could create financial havoc for both systems and
networks. The two operators spent last week talking with programmers
and combing through network-affiliation contracts to see what kind of
family packages they can offer. Neither company expects to finalize
plans quickly but may broadly outline a family-tier plan at a new
indecency hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee scheduled for
Monday, Dec. 12. Programming executives worry that a family tier
presents the same hazards as à la carte, or individually priced
channels. Heavy tiering could leave some networks with fewer
subscribers, license fees and ad sales exacerbated by greater
marketing costs. The family networks could actually be the ones that
suffer.
<http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6290435?
display=News&referral=SUPP>
See also:
* Cable a la Carte: Choice vs. Cost?
<http://www.businessweek.com/technology/index.html/content/dec2005/
tc20051207_647629.htm>
Weblog at: <http://weblog.warpspeed.com>
-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as roessler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To manage your subscription, go to
http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip
Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/