A case filed with federal regulators says the company’s targeting technology is used to screen out female candidates in violation of the law.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A federal judge in Connecticut has dismissed a lawsuit by 60 former professional wrestlers, many of them stars in the 1980s and 1990s, who claimed World […]
Earlier this month, federal prosecutors investigating possible tax-related financial crimes issued grand jury subpoenas for information regarding Manuela Herzer and the Redstone family — the latest stunning jolt to CBS, a company already reeling from the sudden departure of Les Moonves.
BRAND CONNECTIONS
he Senate cleared a bill late Tuesday that creates a new independent entity that will license songs to companies that play music online. The nonprofit collective will then pay songwriters, including those who wrote pre-1970s classics before music copyrights protected their work.
In recent weeks, we’ve written about a number of legal issues that need to be considered in connection with podcasting. Another issue is sponsorship identification. Broadcasters are familiar with the FCC requirements for the identification of those who provide something of value to a station in exchange for any on-air content. While the FCC does not regulate podcasting, those issues cannot be ignored even in this online medium.
Exclusives
STATION ADVISORY
National EAS, WEA Test Postponed
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the FCC, announced Monday morning that the National Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts tests scheduled for this Thursday, Sept. 20, have been postponed due to “ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Florence.”
Former Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), 92, suffered a heart attack Monday morning but is “alert and in good spirits,” according to his wife, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.).
DMA 16: MIAMI
Investigative Reporter Sues CBS
Miami journalist Michele Gillen says she was told by WFOR HR that she couldn’t claim discrimination because she had a female news director. She is suing for retaliation after being terminated, but CBS says the decision to not renew her contract was justified.
The streamer — no quarrel there — is looking to avoid paying a portion of subscription fees to Missouri towns. The argument comes from a memorandum submitted in Missouri federal court on Thursday by Netflix, which along with Hulu faces a lawsuit from the City of Creve Coeur, Mo.
STATION ADVISORY
Broadcasters Set To Be ‘First Informers’ Again
Whether tracking a developing storm so the public can prepare, or disseminating evacuation orders and alerts, broadcasters continue to serve as the bedrock of the nation’s warning system in emergencies. As Hurricane Florence approaches the East Coast, TV and radio stations are hurrying to make sure they are in position to warn and inform their audiences of new developments.
STATION ADVISORY
Stations Need To Be Ready For Emergencies
With Hurricane Florence about to hit the East Coast, broadcasters are well reminded of their obligations with respect to the airing of emergency information. Broadcasters may also want to consider the benefits that the FCC can offer in an emergency. While the FCC yesterday announced the postponement of its test of DIRS, the Disaster Information Reporting System, broadcasters may want to consider quickly getting familiar with this system. The voluntary system allows stations in the area affected by any disaster to report on the status of their operations.
DMA 91: CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
KWWL Reporter’s Contempt Case Goes Forward
COMMENTARY
Close The TV Mega-Merger Loophole
Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy says it’s time to stop offering a backdoor way for Sinclair to dominate local news.
STATION ADVISORY
FCC Reminds C-Band Users To Register
The FCC has issued a reminder to all operators “of fixed-satellite service (FSS) earth stations in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band that were constructed and operational as of April 19, 2018, that the filing window to license or register such earth stations closes on Oct. 17, 2018.” This frequency band is commonly referred to as the C-Band, and many of the FSS earth stations are satellite dishes that receive programming used by both radio and TV stations.
With the lowest unit charge window for the November elections going into effect today (Sept. 7), here’s a review of the basic FCC rules and policies affecting those charges.
The former CBS News and PBS journalist late Thursday filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit by the former employees. He’s joining co-defendant CBS, which is also seeking to get the case thrown out of New York state court. Rose was fired by CBS and PBS last year for sexual misconduct.
Paramount Pictures and former Paramount Television president Amy Powell have reached a settlement to head off litigation in connection with her abrupt firing in July after nearly 15 years with the studio. Powell was dismissed following allegations that she made racially insensitive remarks during a work-related conference call. Powell vehemently denied saying anything inflammatory.
Judge Brett Kavanaugh says he will keep an open mind about allowing cameras or microphones into the Supreme Court, but signaled he might be more receptive to televising the reading of decisions than oral arguments.
STATION ADVISORY
FCC Annual Regulatory Fees Due Sept. 25
Last week, the FCC released its order setting the amounts for the annual regulatory fees paid by all of those regulated by the FCC. Those fees are due by Sept. 25. On Friday, the FCC released a Fact Sheet detailing the fees for broadcast and other licensees regulated by the Media Bureau and how those fees should be paid.
Sacha Baron Cohen, CBS Corp. and Showtime Networks were sued by former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, who claims the satirist tricked him into appearing on his Who Is America? show and then made him look like a pedophile and sex offender. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington with claims of defamation and fraud. It seeks $95 million in damages.
NEWS ANALYSIS
What Was Learned From Dorsey, Sandberg
Just weeks before the fall TV season starts, the bitter legal battle between CBS and National Amusements over corporate control and a possible merger with Viacom may be coming to an end. The Les Moonves-led company, which fired the first shot with its May 14 breach of fiduciary duty suit, and the Redstone family-dominated holding company are in settlements talks.
Google began restricting third-party tech support service ads worldwide and plans to introduce a verification system in the coming months, but some believe the search company is leaning too hard on some industries and not enough on others.
The $17.7 billion acquisition of Cablevision by France-based telecom giant Altice marked the end of an era for the New York media world in 2016. But the Dolans are not ready to go gentle into that good night, apparently. In a lawsuit filed today in Delaware Chancery Court, the family says Altice violated the merger agreement and also committed fraud, principally for allegedly starving the hyper-local News 12 Networks of resources.
An FCC spokesman confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the proposals for modifying the cap will not be voted on at the Sept. 26 meeting and declined comment on when they might appear.
