THE ECONOMICS OF INDECENCY

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
Date: December 12, 2005 8:42:27 AM EST
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <dewayne-net () warpspeed com>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] THE ECONOMICS OF INDECENCY
Reply-To: dewayne () warpspeed com

THE ECONOMICS OF INDECENCY
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John M. Higgins]

Just days after FCC Chairman Kevin Martin launched an attack on  
indecent programming on basic cable, major operators seem to be  
coming to heel, hurriedly drafting plans for special tiers of family- 
friendly programming, Comcast and Time Warner Cable are hoping to  
head off harsh regulation that could force systems to offer all basic  
channels à la carte -- the same way they sell pay movie channels like  
HBO -- which could create financial havoc for both systems and  
networks. The two operators spent last week talking with programmers  
and combing through network-affiliation contracts to see what kind of  
family packages they can offer. Neither company expects to finalize  
plans quickly but may broadly outline a family-tier plan at a new  
indecency hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee scheduled for  
Monday, Dec. 12. Programming executives worry that a family tier  
presents the same hazards as à la carte, or individually priced  
channels. Heavy tiering could leave some networks with fewer  
subscribers, license fees and ad sales exacerbated by greater  
marketing costs. The family networks could actually be the ones that  
suffer.

<http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6290435? 
display=News&referral=SUPP>

See also:
* Cable a la Carte: Choice vs. Cost?
<http://www.businessweek.com/technology/index.html/content/dec2005/ 
tc20051207_647629.htm>


Weblog at: <http://weblog.warpspeed.com>



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