The Post-Election FCC…

Thursday, August, 28, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

An Obama victory in November will bring about a drastic change in the makeup of the FCC.  Kevin Martin, a Republican, will be out as chairman.  So too will Deborah Tate, also a Republican.  Solely representing his party will be Robert McDowell who should return.  Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, two Democrats will survive and are already waging campaigns to replace Martin at least temporarily so they can control the staff and set the agenda of the future FCC… 

And what kind of FCC are we likely to get under this shift to the Democrats?  Copps and Adelstein are both take-charge guys who will be tougher on Radio and TV.  Both believe that the media has been getting off lightly since consolidation began in the Reagan administration.  Copps has also been described as “an unguided missile who plays politics all the time.”  Copps has won over Kevin Martin on several issues, is senior to Adelstein and is known as a “strong and effective advocate for broadcast localism rules and opposed to further media consolidation.”  Both Adelstein and Copps have strong relationships in Congress…

An Obama White House is more likely to want a chairman who reflects the “outside the beltway, kind of change strategy” according to one Washington observer.  Should McCain win, the changes won’t be nearly as drastic.  In either case, the FCC won’t be the first agency to be addressed.  Look for permanent changes some time before the end of the first year.  There are just a few things that are a bit more pressing than the FCC to attend to…

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1922] Spot Radio is born: The 1st radio commercial airs on WEAF (which becomes WNnnnnBC) in New York City and no it was not a commercial for Carvel or Castro Convertibles, it was a 10-minute ad for the Queensboro Realty Co. which cost $100 to air…
2. 1963] “I have a dream”: A quarter of a million people participate in a peaceful civil rights rally in Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. eloquently delivers his “I have a dream” speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Peter, Paul and Mary sing “Blowin’ in the Wind“…
3. 1968] Democracy at work?: Police and anti-war demonstrators clash in the streets of Chicago as the Democrats nominate Hubert H. Humphrey for president…
4. 1972] Gold Standard: Swimmer Mark Spitz captures the first of 7 gold medals at the Munich Olympics. Michael Phelps is yet to be born…
5. 1988] Emmy Gold: “Thirty Something” and “The Wonder Years” are the big winners at the 40th Emmy Awards…
6. 1988] Tragedy in the air: 2 Italian stunt planes collide during an air show at the U.S. Air Base in Ramstein, West Germany. 70 are killed…
7. 1991] Busted: A #4 subway train operator is charged with manslaughter after his New York City train derails  at 14th Street and kills 5 with 133 injured. The operator had been drinking…
8. 1995] Wedding Bells: The biggest bank in the U.S. is created when Chase Manhattan and Chemical Bank  announce a $10 billion dollar deal…
9. 1996] “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”: Prince Charles  and Princess Diana end their 15-year marriage…
10. 2005] Women and children first: New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin  orders everyone in the city to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Katrina…

Music Memories:

• 1961] Released on this date: “Please Mr. Postman” - Marvelletes, the 1st #1 pop hit for Motown…
• 1964] Live from Forest Hills: On the day the Beatles appear on the cover of LIFE magazine, they play at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium before a sellout crowd of 16,000 in the 1st of 2 shows.  In this video clip WABC’s Bruce Morrow and Scott Muni interview Ringo Starr after his St. Christopher’s medal is returned…
• 1973] Gold Standard: “Monster Mash” - Bobby “Boris” Pickett.  Zacherle introduces Pickett in this clip…1973] “Smoke On The Water” (with 3 minute guitar intro) - Deep Purple…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday”:

Leann Rimes (26), Jason Priestly (39), Jack Black (39), Shania Twain (43), Scott Hamilton (50), Ron Guidry (58), David Soul (65), Lou Piniella (65), Ben Gazzara (78) and Billy Grammer (83)…

Timeline Countdown: 4 days until Labor Day, 7 days until the NFL Opener (Washington @ NYG) and 31 days until the end of the regular MLB season…

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