FCC approves "Super Wi-Fi" Initiative

The FCC has granted applications from nine firms, including Google, to begin building the databases needed to coordinate the use of broadcast "white space" to form "Super-WiFi" networks.
If you're not up with the jargon, "white space" refers to parts of the radio spectrum reserved for television broadcasting, but serve primarily as a buffer to reduce interference between TV signals, rather than carrying a usable television signal.  Because the frequencies available as white space depend on what broadcast television signals are nearby, and because WiFi is envisioned as a micro-local service (the low power reduces the chance of interference with broadcast television signals) with multiple service providers, there is a need to identify and coordinate WiFi outlets in order to provide a nationally networked "Super-WiFi" service.  This FCC ruling is just a first, and conditional, step in the process.
The future of "Super-WiFi" still faces a number of challenges.  First, two TV trade associations are suing to block the plan, arguing that there are insufficient protections against interference with local broadcast television signals.  Second, the development of "Super-WiFi" type networks in other frequency ranges has proved to be difficult and expensive when tried.  Third, with the growth in "free" WiFi access locations and the rise of 3G and 4G mobile services and their ability to handle data, there is less visible demand for pay WiFi networks - raising some questions about their ultimate commercial viability.
Information Week story on FCC action.

Is Local Broadcasting Undervalued?

A report by media investment firm MC Alcamo & Co. showed that the stock value of a number of broadcasting firms fell significantly, in the range of 20-25%.  This reflects some of the short-term uncertainties facing broadcasting; but the report also suggests that the broadcast sector as a whole is undervalued by about 15%, in view of future potential revenues from retransmission fees and upcoming political seasons (with the huge boost in demand for advertising that comes from political campaigns).
From a Broadcasting & Cable story.

Top Media Earnings Preview

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, analysts predict an advertising rebound to contribute to slightly better profit levels for major US media firms. They also generally see gains driven by broadcast and network assets.

Opportunity in Apps

An earlier post noted the dramatic growth in downloading and use of mobile apps.  A new report by Gartner predicts that app revenues will surpass $15 billion this year (2011), up from $5.2 billion in 2010.  With the continued diffusion of mobile and handheld devices, expect dramatic and rapid growth in both app downloads and revenues for the next few years. 
The question for media is how to tap that market; in particular, what kinds of apps can they create that people might be willing to buy?
Online Media Daily story

Top 11 Mobile Predictions for 2011

Information Week's Eric Zeman assembles his list of predictions for wireless (cell & WiFi) for the coming year.
Among them:

• The diffusion and rise of 4G
• Smartphone dominance
• Shift to metered data, prepaid plans
• Video chat and tablets take off

Full article

Household media numbers

The Nielsen Company recently released some summary statistics on household media. Some fast facts from the report:

• Average Number of TVs per U.S. Household: 2.5
• Percentage of Americans with 4 or more TVs: 31%
• Number of Mobile Phone Users (13+): 228M
• Percentage of U.S. Mobile Subscribers with Smartphones: 31%
• Number of mobile phone web users: 83.2M

Additional TV Findings

• 115.9 million US homes have at least one TV.
• 104.7 million US homes are satellite and/or cable TV-ready.
• 100.2 million US homes have a DVD player.
• 70.6 million US homes have a VCR.
• 65 million US TVs are HD-compatible.
• 55.6 million US homes have digital cable.
• 43.1 million US homes have a DVR.
• 34.7 million US homes have satellite TV.

Emerging Media Devices (Ownership and Purchase Intent; % of Connected Consumers)
Device	% Owning	% Definitely/Probably will Buy
Computer with HS Internet	75%	5%
HDTV	46	10
DVR	35	9
Handheld multimedia device	20	5
TV with internet connection	14	7
Devices that connect TV to internet	10	7
Netbooks	9	6
EBook readers	5	7
Tablets	<1	6
3D TV	<1	6
Source: the Nielsen Company, January 2011

 See the link to the full report for more information.

Nielsen's State of the Media - U.S. Audiences and Devices 2010 report.

NPR seeks to silence competition

A story on Radio World notes that NPR (National Public Radio) has filed comments objecting to a move to allow local radio operators to utilize Low Power Television channels for what it argues is primarily audio broadcasting on channels neighboring the FM band..Those operating these stations respond that they provide additional opportunities for local and minority-focused services, and there is a history of audiences primarily utilizing audio feeds from television broadcasts.
But it does fit the model of traditional media outlets objecting to, and trying to shut down, innovative services taking advantage of technological advances.
(Edit - corrected typo in header)

Apple passes 10 billion apps.downloaded

Apple's three mobile devices, the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the iPad, have led to over 10 billion app downloads in just two and a half years (7 billion in 2010 alone).  With an estimated 160 million users of iOS, and over 350,000 apps available, Apple looks to continue leading in this market.  Moreover, the article points out that only Apple (as opposed to the Google, Microsoft, Palm, and RIM (Blackberry)) has a smoother, more integrated experience for users to discover and access apps.  Further, it's the only one that has the potential to sync apps across platforms.

Consolidation in Global Telecomms

One of the things making it somewhat difficult to keep track of things is the fairly constant merger & acquisition (M&A) activity in media and communication fields.  Here's an article giving an overview of some of the major activity among global carriers (telephony/cell), and the differing motivations.  One major shift from the 1990s is that much of the activity seems to be centered around consolidation and potential for cost-cutting, rather than just increasing corporate size.

Comcast/NBC Universal merger gets formal approval

The FCC and the U.S. Justice Dept. have now both given their approvals for the Comcast acquisition of NBC Universal, subject to a number of conditions.  Conditions include that Comcast must make NBC shows and movies available to rival online services, and that NBC's owned and operated local television stations produce and air an additional 1000 hours per year of local news and programming (collectively), expand Spanish-language programming, and the top O&Os will need to team with local non-profit news organizations to produce free, on-demand content.
Some initial coverage from Washington Post, The Politico, and TVNewsCheck.
The FCC press release