Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - Broadcasters seek ban on local satellite radio

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Broadcasters seek ban on local satellite radio

Quote:

WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. radio broadcasters have asked federal regulators to bar rival satellite radio services from offering content tailored to local markets, according to a petition obtained on Friday.

The National Association of Broadcasters, which represents radio conglomerates like Clear Channel Communications Inc. , filed the request due to concerns the up and coming satellite services are trying to replace local radio outlets.

Both XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. now offer traffic and weather for several cities on its national service, but are barred from using ground-based transmitters that extend service into hard-to-reach areas to air programming aimed specifically at a local market.

"This foray into local content is directly contrary to ... repeated and express promises that satellite radio service would be limited to delivering national programming to serve the unserved and underserved," according to the petition filed this week and obtained by Reuters.

NAB said the two companies may also be developing satellite radios that can receive advertisements, news and other content targeting a local market by using Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).

The broadcasters' group demanded that the Federal Communications Commission, which licenses satellite services, explicitly ban their rivals from using any technology to offer content in one area that is different from another location.

The NAB also asked that the FCC bar XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. from offering local services on nationally distributed channels.

An FCC spokeswoman said the agency is reviewing the petition.

The satellite companies, which offer their service on a monthly subscription basis, have denied they are violating the terms of their licenses.

"The licenses we were given were for nationwide distribution of our content and that's what we do," said Sirius spokesman Jim Collins.

That sentiment was shared by XM spokesman Chance Patterson who noted that its weather and traffic information provided a public service to subscribers and that the company also offers alerts about kidnapped children.

"The NAB wants to quell content that provides a public service and that's wrong," he said. Together the two companies have almost 2 million subscribers who receive 100 channels of entertainment, music, news and sports.

Entercom Communications Corp. , the fourth-largest U.S. over-the-air radio company, has been running advertisements poking fun at satellite radio services, roasting the $10-$12 monthly subscription rate as well as lack of local information and spotty signals when traveling between buildings.

(Additional reporting Michael Learmonth in New York.)

This seems ridiculous to me, not to mention disgusting if the FCC actually goes along with the NAB. XM/Sirius are scaring the hell out of Clearchannel and co. because they are doing a better job and don't have to rely on [as many] commercials. This is a desperate attempt by CC and other massive conglomerates to retain control on their near-monopoly of the public radio market.

Cable did the same thing to satelite television and for years people had to use antennae to get local stations if they had satelite. It's no surprise really what lengths these conglomerates will go to to control the airwaves and who and what can be heard.

Until the people can truly stand up and take back the media as it was established and meant to be we will see monopolies and only get what information they see fit for us to get. The internet is great but it is still in its infancy and the vast majority still gets their news from the local paper (owned by Gannett, Thomson, Scribbs Howard, etc.), the radio (owned by CC, Infinity or Cox) and the tv owned by pretty much the same people listed above.

I don't want to set a precedent here, and I don't want to be the one who does it, but........

WAAAAAAAAAAAH I'M A WHINY CRYBABY WHO DOESN'T LIKE COMPETITION!!! They make a better product than me and will kill my profits! I might actually have to work to make a better product for my consumers! WAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!

What a bunch of horseshit. Seriously. The FCC better not kill this- this is fair capitalism at its best. One company does the same thing better and with more popularity, and the "established rulers" of the domain don't want their crowns taken away.

The whining will continue until Clearchannel and Infinity create their own or buy the existing satellite radio operations. It's business nothing more, nothing less. They want to protect their current market as much as possible until they decide how to react to satellite.

Boo-fucking-hoo. This is how capitalism works. A better service comes along without all the commercials and censorship bullshit, challenges the big guys, and suddenly the long-standing kings of the industry go crying to the Feds. If you want to be able to compete, come up with a better product. The fuckwads in the FCC who don't have the balls to stand up to these organizations and do what's right instead of what fills their pockets need to be fired.