If you want to make a statement to the entire media world - bring your case to a prestigious school like Columbia and let it rip. That's exactly what FCC Commissioner Michael Copps did on Thursday. Copps told the Columbia University School of Journalism that he wants a test for a "meaningful commitment" to news and public affairs programming. "These would be quantifiable and not involve issues of content interference." Realizing that the New York Times was in the audience, Copps continued: "Increasing the human and financial resources going into news would be one way to benchmark progress." Translation: There will be a test. "Producing more local civic affairs programming would be another." ...
In his speech, Copps covered children's programming requirements and stated that "Now it is time to put news and information front and center." He covered music content, saying he'd want " a lot less streamed-in homogenization and monotonous nationalized music at the expense of local and regional talent" - I tend to agree with him but that sounds like a programming statement to me, something the FCC never does (and shouldn't). Copps went on: "Homogenized music and entertainment from huge conglomerates constrains creativity, suppresses local talent, and detracts from the great tapestry of our nation's cultural diversity." Is it me or is Copps looking and sounding more like Alan Greenspan???
Copps also suggested that 25% of primetime programming be locally or independently produced and would like to shorten the license renewal term for broadcasters, with the "public value test" every 4 years. If a station failed the test, it would go on "probation" for a year to show progress. If a station failed again under Copps plan, it would lose its license...
While Mr. Copps is probably not interested in this former program director's opinion of his speech, I'll give it anyway. The FCC should regulate radio, not program it. If you want to increase public affairs requirements, that's one thing, but don't tell me how to program my radio station. There should be only two categories for radio to adhere to - Entertainment and News/Public Affairs. If you want less "homogenized and monotonous nationalized music", don't be so liberal in approving mergers and radio station sales. Do your due diligence and find out what the new operators intend to do with their license to broadcast...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1908] Numb3rs: The University of Pittsburgh Panthers are the first college football team to put numbers on their jerseys (12/5). When I was program director at KQV, I could see the Pittsburgh U. tower through my apartment window. The school is located in a section called Oakland…
2.1931] Debuted on this date: Plop-plop, fizz-fizz: Alka Seltzer makes its debut. Enter ‘Speedy‘ (12/3)…1950] Paul Harvey begins his national radio broadcast (12/3)…
3.1949] Lucky and good: Notre Dame stretches its unbeaten streak to 4 seasons and 38 games by beating the Kyle Rote SMU Mustangs 27-20. The Irish win their 7th national title (12/3)…
4.1961] How do you do: The Beatles meet Brian Epstein for the first time in his record shop in Liverpool (12/3)…
5.1967] Have a heart: Dr. Christiaan Barnard performs the first human heart transplant. Patient Louis Washkansky lives for 18 days with his new heart (12/3)…
6.1979] Concert catastrophe: 11 fans are crushed to death at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Coliseum before a concert by The Who. Laws will change to prevent “first-come, first-served” seating in the future (12/3)…
7.1990] The Good Old Days: Due to the Persian Gulf crisis, gas prices sky-rocket to: $1.60 a gallon in New York City. Outrageous!!! (12/4)…
8.1996] Greenspanning the globe: Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan sends everyone scratching their heads after his famous “irrational exuberance” speech about the stock market and whether or not it was overvalued (12/5). Greenspan turns out to be overvalued…
9.2006] Trans fixed: New York becomes the first city in the nation to ban artery clogging trans fats at restaurants (12/5)…
10.2008] Judgement day: A judge in Las Vegas sentences O.J. Simpson to 33 years in prison (with parole eligibility after 9 years) for an armed robbery in a hotel room (12/5)...
Music Memories:
- 1956] Recording on this date: Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash aka the "Million Dollar Quartet" record together at Sun Records in Memphis (12/4). The session is not released for 25 years...
- 1956] Premiered on this date: Alan Freed's movie, "Rock, Rock, Rock" starring Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers, Johnny Burnette, LaVern Baker, the Flamingoes and Moonglows. Tuesday Weld's singing voice was dubbed in by Connie Francis (12/5)...
- 1961] Released on this date: "The Duke of Earl" - Gene Chandler (12/4)...1965] "Rubber Soul" LP - Beatles (12/3)...1973] "You're Sixteen" - Ringo Starr (12/3)...
- 1965] Number One on this date: "Turn, Turn, Turn" - Byrds (Lynn's favorite song when she was approaching her 2nd birthday) (12/5)...1975] "Fly Robin Fly" - Silver Convention (original title: "Run Rabbit Run")(12/5)...1985] "Broken Wings" - Mr. Mister (12/5) (Richard Page and Steve George, members of the band, wrote this song in 20 minutes)...
- 1968] Elvis Sighting: Elvis Presley launches a new phase in his career with his "Elvis" TV Special (12/3)...
- 1988] Curtains: Roy Orbison plays his last live concert at the Front Row Theater in Highland Heights (OH) (12/4)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (12/3) Holy Marie Combs (37), Katarina Witt (45), Daryl Hannah (50), Julianne Moore (50), Ozzy Osbourne (62), Jaye P. Morgan (79), Andy Williams (83) and Ferlin Husky (85)...(12/4) Jay-Z (41), Fred Armisen (44), Marisa Tomei (46), Jeff Bridges (61), Southside Johnny (Lyon) (62), Freddy Cannon (71), Max Baer Jr. (73), Wink Martindale (76) and Deanna Durbin (89)...(12/5) Frankie Muniz (25), Margaret Cho (42), Andy Kim (58), Jim Plunkett (63), Jim Messina (63), Frank Kingston Smith (68), J.J. Cale (72)and Richard Wayne Penniman aka Little Richard (78)...
Timeline Countdown: Happy Hanukah, 18 days until winter, 22 shopping days until Christmas, 28 nights until New Year's Eve and 36 days until the NFL Wild Card Playoffs...
