Public Broadcasting’s Advertising Initative

Recently, PBS affiliate CET announced it would offer VOD, including paid advertising with it. According to the article, it isn’t the only PBS affiliate doing so, as Oregon Public Broadcasting already supports its Web efforts with advertising and PBS.org is considering such a move.

Representative of a larger issue, the PBS affiliates are able to advertise on their Web sites but not TV broadcasts because of FCC regulations that do not cover the Internet. This lack of scope to FCC regulations is not new and is at the heart of the telecom vs. cableco vs. third-party battles regarding net neutrality and duopoly concerns. Simply put, telecoms are trying to receive favorable regulatory rulings to expand into the cable TV market and cable companies are working for favorable regulations in their quest to snag telephone business via VoIP. Both have been successful in their endeavors although their core business have suffered as a result.

Besides nicely illustrating the situation, it raises an long-running concern regarding the encroachment of corporate sponsors and presence in public broadcasting. I will let others slug that battle out, although I am typically found on the side of increased public funding for basic research, public broadcasting, education, and other non-murderous activities.

Illegal Filesharing Boosts Music Sales, Says Music Industry

The Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIAA) recently released a study of illegal filesharing and left some interesting findings in its report. For a breakdown and relevant links, check out Michael Geist’s blog post on the matter. For those suffering from link laziness, however, the most important finding is that only 25 percent of illegal filesharers buy less music as a result of their behavior. That means 75 percent either buy the same amount or more music.

I am sure the RIAA is singing “Blame Canada!” now.

Review Of Charles Paul Lewis’ How The East Was Won

I recently reviewed Charles Paul Lewis’ book How The East Was Won: The Impact Of Multinational Companies On Eastern Europe And The Former Soviet Union (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006, $69.95, hardcover). While the book does not offer much in the way for social scientists except for the encouragement to reconsider anti-MNC research, it is a pleasant account for the casual reader of what MNC’s accomplished in CEE.

The review can be found in the March 20, 2006 issue of By George.