People are buzzing about possible new consolidation in the cable industry. The reason isn't hard to see: in a market that is already very concentrated, only the strong survive. Programming costs keep rising and larger cable companies would have more leverage in negotiations against media giants like Viacom and Disney. As ISPs, larger cable companies would be better able to drive hard bargains with Internet content companies when it comes to interconnection agreements, or operate their own online video services. But bigger is not better for the public.
Yet More Media Consolidation is not the Cure to the Problems Caused by Media Consolidation
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Election 2016: How Big Data + Social Data Will Determine the Next President
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
As our nation ramps up for 2016, the role of big data + social data in influencing election decisions cannot be ignored.
Statement From FCC Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn to Staff
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
We have an important mission, and this is an important time. I assume the role of Acting Chair, with a great sense of responsibility, but also great humility. And as we await the confirmation of Tom Wheeler, I see myself as a member of a relay team, running one of the middle legs. My job is to build on forward momentum, give the next teammate a running start, an improved position, and no matter what, my goal is not to drop the baton.
Intel Fuels a Rebellion Around Your Data
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Intel is a $53-billion-a-year company that enjoys a near monopoly on the computer chips that go into PCs. But when it comes to the data underlying big companies like Facebook and Google, it says it wants to “return power to the people.”
Angst over Internet surveillance detected on Hill
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Federal law enforcers say they have their hands full with criminals who skirt legal surveillance by using hard-to-wiretap services like Google and Facebook. Now they’re about to inherit a new foe in the fight: Capitol Hill.
Christian radio group faces financial hard times
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
A Christian radio ministry may be facing a financial apocalypse after its predictions about the end of the world failed to come true.
Center Will Offer New Tools for Measuring the Impact of Media Beyond Numbers
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
What is the difference? If your question is like that one, more practical than philosophical, the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism may soon have an answer. With $3.25 million in initial financing from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the college’s Norman Lear Center is about to create what it is calling a “global hub” for those who would measure the actual impact of media — journalistic, cinematic, social and otherwise.
Sen. Rockefeller to push for Do Not Track at hearing
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) will hold a hearing April 24 to push for a feature that would allow users to opt out of online tracking.
Marco Rubio Forced To Clarify That He Is Not Giving Away Free Cellphones
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Lots going on up at Capitol Hill which is kind of not the ideal environment for a bunch of right-wing blogs to start dredging up nonsense over a sinister plan to give away free cellphones, mirroring the ancient election year grievance over "Obamaphones," but that's what's happened.