Also This AM: ACA Backs FCC Fee Reforms; New IPTV Milestone; Spring Boosts 4G Reach; Saban Sued; Ascent Media Hire
- The American Cable Association (ACA) has voiced support for FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell's plan to review the agency's approach to regulatory fees. "Small, independent cable operators are staring at large increases this year if the agency sticks with the status quo," said ACA President Matthew Polka. "Moreover, cable operators have historically paid higher per-subscriber regulatory fees than satellite providers despite the fact that the two entities compete against each other for the same customers.”
- According to a new report from market research firm Parks Associates, there will likely be about 40 million IPTV subscribers worldwide by the end of this year, due to aggressive provider rollouts and the popularity of bundled services. The IPTV market is on track to grow by about 50 percent this year after jumping by 80 percent in 2008, Parks said.
- Sprint announced plans to roll out 4G mobile broadband service in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Portland starting in August.
- Media mogul Haim Saban has been sued by his former tax attorney, Matt Krane, who alleges that Saban instructed him to set up an elaborate tax shelter to avoid paying taxes on the $5.3 billion sale of his media company to Disney in 2001. And, oh by the way, Krane filed the suit from the L.A. County Jail, where he is currently awaiting trail on identity theft charges.
- Ascent Media has hired Doug Parrish to be its new executive vice president of delivery operations. The placement was arranged by Maggie Bellville with CarterBaldwin Executive Search.
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