stdClass Object ( [nid] => 7481 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 2130 [status] => 1 [created] => 1364392994 [changed] => 1364392994 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 7543 [revision_uid] => 2130 [title] => Retransmission Consent: Yep, Still Broken [teaser] =>

Our country's absolutely ridiculous "retransmission consent" system continues to distort the video marketplace. This is the set of arcane rules that give local broadcasters (and not copyright holders) the right to decide whether cable systems (and IPTV and satellite providers) can carry their programming. A system that should be about connecting creators to viewers instead empowers middlemen who collect money from both sides. It's not that distributors and other kinds of middlemen have no place--far from it. But they should add value, and be compensated accordingly.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1364392994 [format] => 3 [name] => John Bergmayer [picture] => files/pictures/picture-2130.jpg [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/retransmission-consent-yep-still-broken [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1364392994 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [341] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 341 [vid] => 5 [name] => future of video [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [182] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 182 [vid] => 5 [name] => MVPD [description] => multichannel video programming distributor [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( [abstract] => Array ( [value] => ) [canonical] => Array ( [value] => ) [copyright] => Array ( [value] => ) [description] => Array ( [value] => ) [keywords] => Array ( [value] => ) [revisit-after] => Array ( [value] => 1 ) [robots] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [noarchive] => 0 [nofollow] => 0 [noindex] => 0 [noodp] => 0 [nosnippet] => 0 [noydir] => 0 ) [use_default] => 0 ) [dc.contributor] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.creator] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.date] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [month] => 3 [day] => 27 [year] => 2013 ) ) [dc.title] => Array ( [value] => ) [location] => Array ( [latitude] => [longitude] => ) [pics-label] => Array ( [value] => ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

Our country's absolutely ridiculous "retransmission consent" system continues to distort the video marketplace. This is the set of arcane rules that give local broadcasters (and not copyright holders) the right to decide whether cable systems (and IPTV and satellite providers) can carry their programming. A system that should be about connecting creators to viewers instead empowers middlemen who collect money from both sides. It's not that distributors and other kinds of middlemen have no place--far from it. But they should add value, and be compensated accordingly.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

Our country's absolutely ridiculous "retransmission consent" system continues to distort the video marketplace. This is the set of arcane rules that give local broadcasters (and not copyright holders) the right to decide whether cable systems (and IPTV and satellite providers) can carry their programming. A system that should be about connecting creators to viewers instead empowers middlemen who collect money from both sides. It's not that distributors and other kinds of middlemen have no place--far from it. But they should add value, and be compensated accordingly.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/7481 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Retransmission Consent: Yep, Still Broken. ) ) ) )

• Tweet
• Share / Email

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 7032 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 3640 [status] => 1 [created] => 1343248987 [changed] => 1343248987 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 7094 [revision_uid] => 3640 [title] => Congress Considers Updating 20-year-old Rules, Witnesses Squabble [teaser] =>

Congressional Committee hearings have the tendency to come across as a bit dry at times [read, a lot of the time].  Members of Congress attempt humor that falls flat, drop references to their local sports team, and respectfully disagree with their colleagues about legislation or Constitutional interpretation.   The witnesses provide testimony from the perspective of their organizations/industries, take subtle jabs at the opposing position, and answer Members’ questions, or listen to Members use the majority of their question time to make drawn out positions statements.

However, yesterday’s Senate Commerce hearing on “The Cable Act at 20” was different.  It became so feisty at one point that I expected popcorn and soft drinks to go along with the entertainment. 

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1343248987 [format] => 7 [name] => Martyn Griffen [picture] => files/pictures/picture-3640.jpg [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/congress-considers-updating-20-year-old-rules [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1343248987 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [182] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 182 [vid] => 5 [name] => MVPD [description] => multichannel video programming distributor [weight] => 0 ) [306] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 306 [vid] => 5 [name] => Video Innovation [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( [abstract] => Array ( [value] => ) [canonical] => Array ( [value] => ) [copyright] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.contributor] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.creator] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.date] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [month] => 7 [day] => 25 [year] => 2012 ) ) [dc.title] => Array ( [value] => ) [description] => Array ( [value] => ) [keywords] => Array ( [value] => ) [location] => Array ( [latitude] => [longitude] => ) [pics-label] => Array ( [value] => ) [revisit-after] => Array ( [value] => 1 ) [robots] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [noarchive] => 0 [nofollow] => 0 [noindex] => 0 [noodp] => 0 [nosnippet] => 0 [noydir] => 0 ) [use_default] => 0 ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

Congressional Committee hearings have the tendency to come across as a bit dry at times [read, a lot of the time].  Members of Congress attempt humor that falls flat, drop references to their local sports team, and respectfully disagree with their colleagues about legislation or Constitutional interpretation.   The witnesses provide testimony from the perspective of their organizations/industries, take subtle jabs at the opposing position, and answer Members’ questions, or listen to Members use the majority of their question time to make drawn out positions statements.

However, yesterday’s Senate Commerce hearing on “The Cable Act at 20” was different.  It became so feisty at one point that I expected popcorn and soft drinks to go along with the entertainment. 

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

Congressional Committee hearings have the tendency to come across as a bit dry at times [read, a lot of the time].  Members of Congress attempt humor that falls flat, drop references to their local sports team, and respectfully disagree with their colleagues about legislation or Constitutional interpretation.   The witnesses provide testimony from the perspective of their organizations/industries, take subtle jabs at the opposing position, and answer Members’ questions, or listen to Members use the majority of their question time to make drawn out positions statements.

However, yesterday’s Senate Commerce hearing on “The Cable Act at 20” was different.  It became so feisty at one point that I expected popcorn and soft drinks to go along with the entertainment. 

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/7032 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Congress Considers Updating 20-year-old Rules, Witnesses Squabble. ) ) ) )

• Tweet
• Share / Email

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 6808 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 2258 [status] => 1 [created] => 1335909210 [changed] => 1335909210 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 6870 [revision_uid] => 2258 [title] => Sony Delays Online Video Service Due to Comcast Data Cap [teaser] =>

Data caps prevent online video offerings that compete with – and potentially replace – cable TV.  But don’t take our word for it.  Just ask Sony.

Last fall, the Wall Street Journal reported that Sony was planning an online video service – something like a virtual cable company.  For a fee, Sony would offer you a bunch of channels and deliver them over the internet.  This model is great because it allows new companies to offer TV content and compete with cable companies.  The only problem is that it relies on the fat broadband pipes that the cable companies control.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1335909210 [format] => 7 [name] => Michael Weinberg [picture] => files/pictures/picture-2258.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/sony-delays-online-video-service-due-comcast- [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1335909210 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [124] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 124 [vid] => 5 [name] => Comcast [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [122] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 122 [vid] => 5 [name] => Data Caps [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [182] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 182 [vid] => 5 [name] => MVPD [description] => multichannel video programming distributor [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( [abstract] => Array ( [value] => ) [canonical] => Array ( [value] => ) [copyright] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.contributor] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.creator] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.date] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [month] => 5 [day] => 1 [year] => 2012 ) ) [dc.title] => Array ( [value] => ) [description] => Array ( [value] => ) [keywords] => Array ( [value] => ) [location] => Array ( [latitude] => [longitude] => ) [pics-label] => Array ( [value] => ) [revisit-after] => Array ( [value] => 1 ) [robots] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [noarchive] => 0 [nofollow] => 0 [noindex] => 0 [noodp] => 0 [nosnippet] => 0 [noydir] => 0 ) [use_default] => 0 ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

Data caps prevent online video offerings that compete with – and potentially replace – cable TV.  But don’t take our word for it.  Just ask Sony.

Last fall, the Wall Street Journal reported that Sony was planning an online video service – something like a virtual cable company.  For a fee, Sony would offer you a bunch of channels and deliver them over the internet.  This model is great because it allows new companies to offer TV content and compete with cable companies.  The only problem is that it relies on the fat broadband pipes that the cable companies control.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

Data caps prevent online video offerings that compete with – and potentially replace – cable TV.  But don’t take our word for it.  Just ask Sony.

Last fall, the Wall Street Journal reported that Sony was planning an online video service – something like a virtual cable company.  For a fee, Sony would offer you a bunch of channels and deliver them over the internet.  This model is great because it allows new companies to offer TV content and compete with cable companies.  The only problem is that it relies on the fat broadband pipes that the cable companies control.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6808 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Sony Delays Online Video Service Due to Comcast Data Cap. ) ) ) )

• Tweet
• Share / Email