Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'fcc'

Will Obama's FCC Push For Internet Access For All...

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:49:00 EST

The Federal Communications Commission has a wide range of responsibilities, including overseeing emergency communications systems and regulating "wardrobe malfunctions." If the president-elect's advisers are any indication, however, high-speed broadband may soon become the commission's top priority.

As FCC Weighs 'F' Word, Its Origins Examined

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:57:00 EST

The FCC wants to tighten restrictions on the so-called "fleeting expletive," which is inadvertently uttered by celebrities during awards shows. Jesse Sheidlower, editor at large of the Oxford English Dictionary, and the author of The F-Word, offers his insight.

FCC Will Vote On Wireless Internet Access

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

The Federal Communications Commission votes Tuesday on whether to open up broadcast airwaves to deliver high-speed wireless Internet access. Tech companies like the idea. But they're facing powerful opposition from broadcasters, religious leaders and entertainers.

FCC Spreads The Word On Digital TV Switchover

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

In February, people who use an antenna to get television signals will have to begin using conversion boxes to watch their favorite programs. The Federal Communications Commission will start an 80-city tour this week to talk about the changes. Catherine Welch reports from member station WHQR in Wilmington, N.C.

FCC Rules Against Comcast

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

The Federal Communications Commission has ruled that Comcast Corp. violated federal policy when it blocked Internet traffic for some subscribers. The ruling ordered Comcast to stop cutting off transfers of files among customers who use a type of file-sharing software.

All-Digital TV To Make Its Debut in N.C. Town

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:02:00 EDT

The switch from analog to all-digital television signals will begin in Wilmington, N.C., in September. The FCC is on the ground at farmers markets and baseball games to get the word out and help iron out any kinks. The rest of the nation will make the switch in 2009.

What's The Deal With The XM-Sirius Merger...

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT

The FCC has approved the merger of XM and Sirius satellite radio after 17 months of behind-the-scenes negotiations. While some critics have said the merger represents a monopoly, it appears that the two weak companies may be combining to form one weak company.

Calif. Congresswoman Aims To Limit Ads' Volume

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:40:00 EDT

U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, who can't stand the way that TV commercials seem louder than everything else, recently introduced a bill to require the FCC to regulate the volume of ads. It declares, "Advertisements accompanying video programming shall not be excessively noisy or strident."

XM-Sirius Satellite Radio Merger Closer

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Support from the chairman of the FCC makes a merger between satellite radio companies XM and Sirius more likely. The full commission could vote to approve the merger sometime this week.

FCC Seeks to Calm Nerves over Digital TV

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:00:00 EDT

The FCC announces on Thursday that it will use the city of Wilmington, N.C., as a testing ground for changes in the way millions of Americans get their TV signals. By February of next year, regular over-the-air TV signals are supposed to be phased out — and the FCC wants to make sure this process goes smoothly.

FCC Is Last Hurdle for Sirius-XM Merger

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:26:00 EDT

The merger between XM and Sirius Satellite Radio is now in the hands of the Federal Communications Commission. That's the last hurdle now that the Justice Department approved the $5 billion deal Monday.

FCC Auctions Off Airwaves

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EDT

The FCC auctions off a huge new chunk of the airwaves for wireless communication. Verizon Wireless bought the best part of the airwaves, known as the "C" block. AT&T also purchased some of the spectrum.

FCC Airwave Auction Rakes In $20 Billion

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:57:00 EDT

For the past eight weeks, the Federal Communication Commission has been auctioning off airwaves that will be empty when television stations move to digital format next year. Bidding ended Tuesday, with the FCC -- and ultimately the U.S. Treasury -- raking in about $20 billion.

New Technologies Challenge FCC to Evolve

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:59:00 EST

Chairman Kevin Martin's foiled attempt to regulate cable may signal an inability for the FCC to exert influence over new technologies that will eventually become more dominant than broadcast media. The FCC will have to change to remain relevant.

FCC Orders Digital TV Providers to Inform Public

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:56:00 EST

The Federal Communications Commission has issued an order requiring broadcasters to air information on the digital TV transition and file quarterly reports on these efforts with the commission. The orders also require cable and satellite providers and television manufacturers to inform consumers about how they will be affected.

FCC Promotes Diversity; Its Methods May Be Dated

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:18:00 EST

Federal Communications Commission members are encouraging more diverse content on the airwaves, minority ownership of commercial broadcast outlets and requirements for locally oriented programming. But with the Internet and niche communications, are the first and the last of those three ideas outmoded concepts?

A Year Out, Digital TV Picture Still Far from Sharp

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:20:00 EST

Three-fourths of consumers don't know what to do to get ready for the end of analog TV next year. Electronics makers say they're trying to explain. The FCC says it has asked Congress to fund a public education campaign. Consumer advocates say that's not enough.

Kevin Martin's Contentious Turn at Helm of FCC

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:19:00 EST

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has come under fire from almost all quarters for the agenda he has set during his tenure at the commission. Does that mean he's doing something right? How is the chairman doing, and what have previous commissioners attempted and accomplished?

Auction Could Dictate Future of Wireless Devices

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:57:00 EST

On Thursday, the FCC will begin auctioning off part of the wireless spectrum -- space that will be vacated when TV broadcast moves to digital in 2009, and maybe the last parts of the spectrum that will be available for a long time. The buyers -- and how much they buy -- could dictate how mobile computing devices will work for years to come.

FCC to Begin Auction of Part of Wireless Spectrum

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:31:00 EST

Television will be all digital by February 2009, meaning part of the wireless spectrum is up for grabs. The FCC will begin auctioning off the 700 megahertz band of the spectrum this week.

Up for Grabs: Airwaves (and Cooler Cell Phones...)

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

The FCC will soon auction off prime wireless spectrum. For telecommunications firms -- and anyone who uses a cell phone -- the stakes are even higher: control of a big chunk of the burgeoning wireless Web business and, possibly, the way we use our cell phones.

FCC Lifts 'Cross-Ownership' Ban Despite Protests

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST

The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday agreed to overturn a 32-year-old ban and allow broadcasters in the country's top 20 media markets to own a TV or radio station and a newspaper in the same market. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin says that when the so-called "cross-ownership" ban was passed, it made sense to try to protect consumers who received most of their news from newspapers and over-the-air TV and radio. Martin pushed the vote through despite opposition on Capitol Hill, including Sens. Trent Lott and John Kerry, and organizations including Code Pink and the National Rifle Association.

FCC May Vote to Loosen Media Ownership Rules

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:00:00 EST

The Federal Communications Commission is set to take a controversial vote. The five commissioners will tackle whether a single media company can own a TV or radio station and a newspaper in the same market. The proposal has drawn stinging criticism from Congress and the public.

FCC Moves to Protect Low-Power FM Stations

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:25:00 EST

The FCC has moved to help low-power FM stations, protecting them from consolidation and making it easier for them to get on the air. Advocates say the new rules should help about 40 community stations around the country that are facing encroachment from full-power broadcasters.

FCC Tables Regulating Cable

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 06:00:00 EST

The Federal Communications Commission was supposed to meet to discuss topics ranging from media ownership low-power FM rules. But when the FCC chairman made clear he wanted a vote on whether the FCC may regulate cable television, the Washington lobbies swung into action.