Concerned over adverse reaction, especially in Congress, to FCC d...
Concerned over adverse reaction, especially in Congress, to FCC decision allowing PTV stations to solicit ads on their excess nonbroadcast digital capacity, CPB board Fri. directed management not to include revenue raised from PTV stations’ commercial ancillary and supplementary…
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services for calculating grants based on nonfederal financial support. In special telephone meeting, board also directed management to exclude ad supported revenue in calculating CPB grants. Saying it needed to clear “confusion” caused by FCC decision, board said it was aware that present funding sources didn’t meet PTV stations’ needs to for transition to, and effective use of, digital broadcasting, but it would view with concern any increased commercialization of public broadcasting. While board recognized need for public broadcasters to find additional funding to support their “vital mission, the public broadcasting industry must act in ways that reaffirm its commitment to a noncommercial foundation.” Saying FCC decision to allow public broadcasters to accept ads on their excess DTV channel capacity would “accelerate trend toward creeping commercialism,” House Commerce Committee leaders urged Commission to reconsider decision (CD Nov 2 p9). House Commerce Committee Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.), Vice Chmn. Burr (R- N.C.) and Telecom Subcommittee ranking Democrat Markey (Mass.) told FCC Chmn. Powell in recent letter that funding goals for public broadcasting shouldn’t guide Commission action. “Federal decisions regarding the level of funding for the public broadcasting system reside with Congress,” they said.