[opendtv] News: Copps Asks Nets for Indie Carve-Out

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA499320.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP

Copps Asks Nets for Indie Carve-Out

By Anne Becker -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/26/2005 1:33:00 PM

Federal Communications Commission member Michael Copps Wednesday 
called on the broadcast networks to set aside one-quarter of their 
schedules for shows from independent producers.

The commissioner argued that a few big media conglomerates now 
control three-quarters of prime time programming.

  Copps, speaking via satellite to the National Association of 
Television Program Executives conference in Las Vegas, said 
consolidation has hurt the creative community by reducing the number 
of voices. "Big companies control production of programming, the 
distribution of programming and, increasingly a cause for concern, 
they control creativity," he said.

  Copps has been a vocal critic of consolidation and what he argues 
has been its detrimental effect on localism and diversity of voices.

Networks have been increasing their share of prime time programming 
ever since the FCC threw out the financial interest and syndication 
rules, which prevented the nets from profiting from the sale in 
domestic syndication of shows on their air.

A year ago, Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) met with networks and 
independent producers to push for such a voluntary set-aside. Among 
those calling for the 25% carve-out were the Writers Guild, the 
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Directors 
Guild and the Screen Actors Guild.

Copps didn't address the affect of the indecency crackdown on 
creativity in his remarks Wednesday, but when asked to comment on the 
FCC's direction, he said the burden is on both the commission and the 
TV industry to uphold the existing rules.

He did say that the FCC should provide some guidance, but that he 
prefers it respond to complaints on a case-by-case basis.

Copps said the burden is on stations and distributors to enforce the 
rules, "I don't believe in going after performers," he said.

Representative Fred Upton (R-Mich.), chairman of the House 
Telecommunications Subcommittee, has introduced a new indecnecy 
enforcement bill that would boost the maximum fines against 
performers from $11,000 to $500,000 per incident.

Copps was slated to appear at NATPE in person, but remained in 
Washington on the advice of his doctor after recent back surgery.







 
 
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