TV Stations Complete Shift to Digital

Commission aims to block media stranglehold

(NEWSER) - Comcast should only be able to go through with its plans to buy NBC Universal if it's willing to share the media giant’s content with its competitors, according to Julius Genachowski. The FCC chairman gave his conditional approval for the merger last week, proposing a set of rules that would force Comcast to allow rival cable providers and satellite TV companies access to NBC’s content at a reasonable price. More»

Ahead of transition, viewers struggle to receive digital signals

(NEWSER) - The big switch to digital TV may be less than a month away but many viewers are finding the transition anything but smooth, the Washington Post reports. Consumers are discovering that getting a converter box for older analog sets or buying a new digital TV doesn't always guarantee good reception. Many are expected to lose channels if they don't buy more powerful antennas. More»

Soon only Dish, Hulu Plus subscribers will have immediate access to shows

(NEWSER) - If you "cut the cord" and canceled cable when Hulu came along, you may have to wait more than a week after new Fox TV shows air to watch them. Starting Aug. 15, Fox will only allow Dish Network or Hulu Plus subscribers to watch its shows online immediately after they're broadcast, the Los Angeles Times reports. Everyone else will have to wait eight days. In New York , Margaret Lyons calls the plan "ridiculous," considering that "in regular, not-Internet life, those with and without the Dish Network can watch Fox programs on DVRs whenever they please, with equal impunity." More»

'Tea Party TV' RightNetwork set for summer launch

(NEWSER) - A network for people who find Fox a little too far left will be hitting the airwaves this summer. RightNetwork—whose backers include ComCast and actor Kelsey Grammer—pledges to focus on entertainment with "pro-business, pro-military, and pro-America" sensibilities, Gawker reports. The network has been embedded with the Tea Party Express for its cross-country tour. More»

(NEWSER) - The digital TV switch took place Friday, and you’d be forgiven for missing it. The FCC is patting itself on the back, USA Today reports, because the long-planned, long-delayed switch went off without any major hiccups. By Saturday, the FCC had fielded 315,000 calls from consumers, but that died down to 60,000 by yesterday afternoon, and most were about run-of-the-mill issues. More»