John Malone is increasingly in the spotlight as part of the review of Charter Communications buying Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable, as was expected (see 1508140001). The chairman of Liberty Media -- the single largest Charter shareholder -- came up repeatedly in comments posted Tuesday in docket 15-149 after the Monday deadline for replies to any comments in opposition to the $89.1 billion deals. Meanwhile, the Media Bureau requested information from Liberty Broadband, Liberty Interactive and Liberty Media (see here, here and here) as part of its review, including details on any involvement by Malone or other company officers in decisions by Discovery, Starz or any other programmer on what programming is presented and whether to distribute any video programming to a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) or online video distributor (OVD). Malone is also chairman of Liberty Broadband and Liberty Interactive.
Google and Microsoft countered the complaints of broadcasters and urged the FCC to set aside either one or two vacant TV band channels in every market nationwide for unlicensed use after the TV incentive auction. In June, the FCC proposed to reserve at least one blank TV channel in every market in the U.S. for white spaces devices and wireless mics after the incentive auction and repacking (see 1506160043).
Google and Microsoft countered the complaints of broadcasters and urged the FCC to set aside either one or two vacant TV band channels in every market nationwide for unlicensed use after the TV incentive auction. In June, the FCC proposed to reserve at least one blank TV channel in every market in the U.S. for white spaces devices and wireless mics after the incentive auction and repacking (see 1506160043).
The FCC proposed a fine of $718,000 against M.C. Dean for allegedly interfering with and disabling the operation of consumers’ Wi-Fi devices at the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC). Commissioners Ajit Pai and Mike O’Rielly dissented, saying the FCC needs to establish a clear rule against such blocking.
Google and Microsoft countered the complaints of broadcasters and urged the FCC to set aside either one or two vacant TV band channels in every market nationwide for unlicensed use after the TV incentive auction. In June, the FCC proposed to reserve at least one blank TV channel in every market in the U.S. for white spaces devices and wireless mics after the incentive auction and repacking (see 1506160043).
The FCC proposed a fine of $718,000 against M.C. Dean for allegedly interfering with and disabling the operation of consumers’ Wi-Fi devices at the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC). Commissioners Ajit Pai and Mike O’Rielly dissented, saying the FCC needs to establish a clear rule against such blocking.
Apple’s petition for a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court last week seeking a review of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit’s ruling that the company violated antitrust laws in its e-book pricing case has a limited likelihood of being granted, legal experts said in Friday interviews. The 2nd Circuit ruled in late June that Apple was guilty of violating antitrust laws by conspiring with five major book publishers to eliminate price competition and raise e-book prices, affirming the U.S. District Court in New York’s 2013 decision in the case (see 1506300067). Apple’s $450 million settlement with consumers and state attorneys general (see report in the June 18, 2014, issue) was contingent on the 2nd Circuit’s ruling.
Lawmakers may introduce legislation this week to roll back an administration-favored provision that would allow robocalls to cellphones for the collection of debt owed to the government, included in the two-year Bipartisan Budget Act deal approved by the Senate and House last week in contested votes. The White House announced President Obama's intention to sign the deal into law. The deal, which raises spending caps and the debt ceiling, contains many provisions setting up future FCC spectrum auctioning and expanding the Spectrum Relocation Fund (see 1510270063).
Apple’s petition for a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court last week seeking a review of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit’s ruling that the company violated antitrust laws in its e-book pricing case has a limited likelihood of being granted, legal experts said in Friday interviews. The 2nd Circuit ruled in late June that Apple was guilty of violating antitrust laws by conspiring with five major book publishers to eliminate price competition and raise e-book prices, affirming the U.S. District Court in New York’s 2013 decision in the case (see 1506300067). Apple’s $450 million settlement with consumers and state attorneys general (see report in the June 18, 2014, issue) was contingent on the 2nd Circuit’s ruling.
Lawmakers may introduce legislation this week to roll back an administration-favored provision that would allow robocalls to cellphones for the collection of debt owed to the government, included in the two-year Bipartisan Budget Act deal approved by the Senate and House last week in contested votes. The White House announced President Obama's intention to sign the deal into law. The deal, which raises spending caps and the debt ceiling, contains many provisions setting up future FCC spectrum auctioning and expanding the Spectrum Relocation Fund (see 1510270063).