Dive into the archives.
- Broadband is the most important issue in digital distribution today
The NY Times recently published an editorial pressing the great need to regulate broadband, under the auspices of the FCC. It’s true that broadband in the US is an embarrassment. But will regulation seek to fix the symptoms (i.e. regulate “Net Neutrality”) or is there political will to address the underlying problem- primarily, lack of competition? In Europe, the government enforced strong competition, leading to cheap, fast, competitive internet access for consumers. In the US, such enforcement has died along the way and as a result, there are monopolized, expensive, slow, and consumer-unfriendly options.
Artists… [more]
- Comcast talking to NBC- what does it matter to indie film?
Comcast is negotiating with NBC to assume 51% ownership of the TV giant, with holdings including the broadcast channel NBC, USA Network, E!, and a number of other cable and local stations. They would also be the owner of Universal, the movie studio, and its subsidiaries.
Stockholders didn’t seem too pleased with the plan , as shares dropped on the news of the talks. That would probably have something to do with the unsuccessful Time Warner merger and the fact that NBC has been slipping in the ratings and ad revenue game as of late.
However, Comcast’s… [more]
- Is Neutral Free? The FCC recommends Net Neutrality
Yesterday the FCC endorsed the Network Neutrality concept, which seems to be inspiring warm fuzzies all around the net-freedom-lovin’ community. I’m no expert on the legalities, but it seems intuitive that protecting the freedom of the internet would be a good thing. On the other hand, is regulation the right way to protect freedom?
If the web is allowed to go on unfettered, the argument goes, corporate interests will run rampant and take it over, just like my formerly gritty SoHo neighborhood. Get some cool stuff going on in that there internet and before… [more]
- The Politics of Broadband pt. 2: Net Neutrality
The main issue affecting the online video markets that has been addressed by both campaigns for President is Net Neutrality. The question is whether regulation in necessary to protect consumers from providers who want to limit access based on usage, spending, and other factors at their discretion.
It’s clear that at least some freedom must exist for online film markets to thrive- as Dave Zatz points out, even a non-P2P user easily surpasses the basic plans Time Warner offers in his market (40GB/month). The question is, won’t other providers emerge that offer more reasonable plans and thus be more… [more]
- The Politics of Broadband
Over at The Progress and Freedom Foundation, Adam Thierer has a few posts up related to the politics of the current regulations around new media dissemination- specifically with cable and DSL which remain the primary means of most people’s access. The most relevant is a summary of a list made by Ted Hearn of Multichannel News of the travesties of FCC Chair Kevin Martin’s regime and his “war on cable.” The list is pretty long, but some of the main problems with/for cable are less political (at least of a red-blue variety) than they are typical… [more]
