Audio Video News

Following a long and contentious debate, the Federal Communications Commission has OKed the merger of the Sirius and XM satellite radio networks. The immediate effect of this controversial move will be a monopoly in consumer satellite radio service. However, the two money-losing companies have long said that only a merger would allow them to cut costs, make money, and survive in the longterm.

Back in 1996, when Congress set the timetable for digital television, one of the provisions left open for later discussion was fees the <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov/">Federal Communications Commission</A> (FCC) would levy on broadcasters who charged for new pay-TV programming. The deadline for converting to DTV was set to be the year 2006, but how much should the government be compensated for special content such as HDTV movies, stock quotes, or other fee-based services that a broadcaster might charge for?

Shame on you, RadioShack. And you too, HH Gregg, FYE, Fred Meyer Stores, Ultimate Electronics, and Boscov's. You've been selling analog televisions without adequately warning consumers that these sets are about to become obsolete with the end of analog broadcasting on February 17, 2009. That's why the Federal Communications Commission has just slapped you with $96,000 in fines. Not much, admittedly, but it's a start.

Circuit City can't catch a break. The FCC just slapped the struggling retailer with a whopping $712,000 fine for violating an FCC rule. In order to forewarn consumers about the February blackout of analog TV, the FCC is requiring retailers to put...

As part of a National Broadband Plan, the Federal Communications Commission will try to persuade broadcasters to relinquish some of the spectrum allocated just last year in the DTV transition.

The <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov">Federal Communications Commission</A> (FCC) will likely raise limits on ownership of television stations when it releases new regulatory proposals on Tuesday June 2, according to reports from Washington.