The wireless industry would sooner see chocolate chips in mobile radios than FM radio chips as a battle that has all the earmarks of another RIAA vs radio brawl over performance royalties has begun. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and CTIA-The Wireless Association, are not impressed by the results of that NAB poll showing that 76% of cellphone owners would pay a fee to access local radio stations. Gary Shapiro, CEA president/CEO says "that some consumers may want phones with FM receivers", pointing out that "numerous models of radio-equipped phones are already on the market." He also says "NAB forgot to ask the key question: Do Americans really want the government designing their phones and digital devices? The NAB doesn't care what consumers want." NAB instead wants "to make the consumer buy a radio whether they want one or not." While I doubt the NAB would put a gun to anyone's head, of course the NAB wants consumers to buy radios. The association represents radio broadcasters just as Shapiro reps consumer electronics. That's what they do...
CTIA VP Jot Carpenter sounds as mad as Shapiro when he says the FM chip mandate sought by NAB "would reduce innovation and limit consumer choice. FM capability is already available for consumers who want to access over-the-air radio on their mobile devices, but the majority of consumers do not want that capability, and the notion that they want to pay more for a functionality they do not want is ridiculous." Jot is not buying the results of the NAB poll. The poll, conducted by Harris Interactive, found that 66% of all adults would use a cellphone to access local radio stations, 40% would "strongly consider" paying 30 cents extra for such a cellphone and another 36% would probably consider paying extra. Also, 73% of all adults called it very or somewhat important during emergencies to have a cellphone with built-in radio. The poll also found that 76% of cellphone users would consider paying a one-time fee of 30 cents...
Somewhat lost in this whole mash-up is that the FM chip inclusion was the result of finding a solution for both the music business and radio over the paying of performance royalties. Radio says okay we'll pay royalties if we can get radios in every cellphone - the music business says hmmm, more exposure to music while the wireless people say okay let's get this straight - we become a middle man, supplying radio chips by government mandate - don't think so. In simple terms, that's what this battle is all about. With Congress back in session, it now becomes their problem...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1776] The Redcoats are coming, the Redcoats are coming: The British take over New York City, landing at Kips Bay. They will chase George Washington to New Jersey...
2.1928] Look what I found: Alexander Fleming discovers the antibiotic penicillin in the mold Penicillium notatum (verily)...
3.1948] Musical call letters: WHN changes call letters to WMGM but don't fret WHN fans, the call letters will change back in 1962...
4.1952] Turn out the lights, the party's over: The Boston Braves play their last game in Beantown at what is now Nickerson Field, below the Mass. Turnpike, the place B.U. plays their football games. The Bravos move to Milwaukee the following season...
5.1954] I see China, I see France: Filming a scene for "The Seven Year Itch", Marilyn Monroe's dress flies up as she stands on a subway grating, infuriating husband Joe DiMaggio who doesn't wait for a seven year itch. Married in January, they soon divorce in October. The marriage lasted 9 months...
6.1958] Pinstripe tragedy: A commuter train crashes through a drawbridge near Newark (NJ) killing 48 including Yankee second baseman George "Snuffy" Stirnweiss who was only 39...
7.1962] The call of the century: London Daily Mirror columnist Peter Jones calls The Beatles, "a nothing group" (nice call Peter). The Beatles circa 1962...
8.1971] Debuted on this date: The environmental organization "Greenpeace" is formed in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. An angry young person talks up G-peace...1982] The first issue of "USA Today" hits the newsstands and sells out. Here's a clip of the TV show...
9.1978] A 3-peat: 36-year old Muhammad Ali beats Leon Spinks (by decision) in a rematch, to become the first heavyweight champ to win the title 3 times...
10.2008] In the beginning: Lehman Brothers files for Chapter 11 resulting from the subprime mortgage crisis. The Dow Jones industrial average plunges over 500 points. You might consider this the beginning of the recession...
Music Memories:
- 1969] Number One on this date: "Sugar, Sugar" - Archies. Ron Dante supplied most of the vocals...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Britain's Prince Harry (26), Dan Marino, Football HOFer (49), Oliver Stone (64), Tommy Lee Jones (64), Baseball HOFer Gaylord Perry (72), Norm Crosby (83) and Jackie Cooper (88)...
Timeline Countdown: 2 nights before Yom Kippur, 8 days until autumn arrives, 21 days until the MLB playoffs, 43 days until the first game of the World Series & 46 days until Halloween...
