System/Policy
In fights for noncommercial channels, FCC gives an edge to the locals
Until recently, it seemed that Simon Frech’s squabble with two religious broadcasters over an FM frequency would never end. In 1995, the ...NPR asks FCC to delay, rethink low-power FM
NPR took a different tack March 16 in the ongoing assault on the FCC’s controversial plan to license low-power FM (LPFM) stations. ...‘Hasty mistake’ at WFDD prompts talk of ideals
For the faculty of Wake Forest University, the hush order given to reporters at the ...For the first time, a producer leads PBS
PBS’s new president is Pat Mitchell, departing head of CNN Productions and Time Inc. Television, whose appointment was ratified by the PBS ...FCC OKs noncommercial low-power FM over broadcasters’ objections
The FCC’s establishment of two low-power FM (LPFM) classes of stations — 10-watt and 100-watt — could populate radio dials with more ...WQEX deal wins at FCC, loses in the end
Seventeen million dollars slipped through WQED’s fingers last week when a partner in its long-delayed deal to sell sister channel WQEX abruptly ...Nonprofits courting DBS for set-aside channels
A ground-floor chance to secure channel space on direct broadcast satellites is opening up for noncommercial organizations that have the wherewithal to ...CPB bans list dealings with politicos
To continue receiving CPB aid, public stations must now certify that they don’t exchange member or donor names with political groups, or ...Congress reacts hotly to station donor-list swaps with Democrats
Suddenly, pubcasting is in for a severe talking-to, if not a whupping. The House subcommittee that held such a congenial hearing on ...PBS and Nesmith settle home-video dispute but are mum on price
LOS ANGELES — The 63-month-old legal fight between public TV and the former distributor of PBS Home Video, Michael Nesmith, was “resolved amicably,” both ...Rumors rampant as Ottenhoff steps down
Chief Operating Officer Bob Ottenhoff is leaving the No. 2 position at PBS after eight years working for Ervin Duggan and the ...Lawsuits are latest fallout from 1996 staff revolt in Wichita
The bitter conflict that led to the departure of the top two executives at Wichita, Kan., public TV station KPTS in 1996 ...Michael Nesmith wins $47 million in video suit against PBS
Almost five years after PBS sued its former home-video distributor, the legal action boomeranged last week, hitting the network with a $46.8 million ...Gore panel endorses adding educational DTV channels
An extra digital TV channel should be reserved in every community for noncommercial educational purposes, the Gore Commission recommended last week in its ...DBS ruling: FCC reserves 4% of channels for education
Direct broadcast satellite companies will have to set aside 4 percent of their video channel capacity for noncommercial educational programming, the FCC ...
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