FCC’s NASCAR Sponsorship Crashes…

Wednesday, October, 22, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

Lame-duck FCC Chairman Kevin “White Spaces” Martin thought it would be a good idea.  ‘It‘ was sponsorship of a NASCAR team.  “I believe the sponsorship is an extremely effective way for the FCC to raise DTV awareness among people of all ages and income levels across the U.S. who loyally follow one of the most popular sports in America.”   So with $350,000 in-hand Martin purchased a NASCAR team for 3 races.  That idea came crashing down - more on that later…

I think it’s a safe assumption that by now anyone able to fog up a mirror knows that rabbit ears won’t work anymore when TV goes digital in February.  I also think it’s a safe assumption that more people own rabbits than rabbit ears, which begs the question, was it really necessary to blow $350,000 on a racing team?  That money could have been spent on sponsoring the FCC proposal to put “white space” spectrum up for auction, a pet project of Kevin Martin’s.  ’White Space’ would improve broadband penetration in the U.S. - a good thing if the free world (NAB, Motorola, other wireless manufacturers and all the ships at sea) wasn’t opposed to it for legitimate reasons - which I’ll save for another feature…

Back to the car.  The “Digital TV Transition Ford” with its bright yellow FCC sticker plastered on the car’s hood had its first race Sunday afternoon.  Kevin Martin’s grand plan was in action, the world would see that February 17, 2009 Digital TV Transition date just in case anyone missed it before.  “Gentlemen start your engines” was the cry.  The “Digital TV Transition Ford” raced down the track and…..crashed.  Race over - $350,000 down the drain.  Hey Kevin, on second thought, drop the “white spaces” idea before that blows up in your face too…    

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1746] The Tiger roars: The College of New Jersey receives its charter. The name of the school will change to Princeton…
2. 1883] Meet the Met: The original Metropolitan Opera House in New York holds its grand opening with a performance of Gounod’s “Faust”…
3. 1934] Not so pretty: Bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd is shot to death by federal agents at a farm in Ohio…
4. 1962] JFK tells all: President John F. Kennedy addresses a TV audience about the Russian missile bases in Cuba and the world will hold its collective breath until the missiles are removed and the crisis ends…
5. 1968] Making a big splash: Apollo 7 safely splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean after orbiting the Earth 163 times…
6. 1979] Opening the door: The U.S. government allows the deposed Shah of Iran to travel to New York for medical treatment…
7. 1981] Buh-bye: The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) is decertified for its strike the previous August…
8. 1986] Chopper down: WNBC traffic reporter Jane Dornacker is killed while doing traffic reports. Her chopper goes down in the Hudson River. Joey Reynolds was on the air when tragedy struck.  Here is an aircheck of the tragedy unfolding…
9. 2000] The Rocket explodes: Mets catcher Mike Piazza is once again Roger Clemens’ target, this time in the World Series when Clemens throws a bat chard in the direction of Piazza, who’s running to first base.  Tim McCarver describes the action…
10. 2002] The sniper strikes again: A bus driver is shot to death in Aspen Hill (MD) in the 13th and final attack by the Washington area sniper.  This clip from May, 2008 shows sniper John Allen Muhammad in a courtroom…

Music Memories:

• 1966] Released on this date: “Good Vibrations” - Beach Boys…
• 1966] Number One on this date: “Supremes a Go-Go” LP.  Here’s a cut from the LP…

Commentary:

How nice to hear from Dandy Dan Daniel who emails this:  “Friday (10/17/08) you mentioned the passing of Jack Narz and how he and his brother Tom Kennedy were such successful Game Show Hosts.  Now, I’m sure you know this, but I’ll mention it anyway.  Their cousin was Bill Cullen.  I enjoy your blog every day.”  Dandy you give me far too much credit, I did not know that but now I do, thanks to you…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:Jeff Goldblum (56), Eddie Brigati (62), Leslie West (63), Catherine Deneuve (65), Annette Funicello (66), Tony Roberts (69), Christopher Lloyd (70) and Joan Fontaine (91)…

Timeline Countdown: The World Series starts tonight, 9 nights until Halloween, 10 nights until Standard (back one hour) Time and 13 days until Election Day…

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