To Be Announced...

So...how's that Iraq situation going?

Senate chairman tells FCC to mediate Mediacom-Sinclair dispute

Don't know...we're too busy scrambling to get in on the Super Bowl publicity...

DES MOINES - The leaders of a U.S. Senate committee that oversees the Federal Communications Commission have told the FCC to step in and resolve a conflict between cable operator Mediacom Communications Corp. and Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Since channel 2 (KGAN) went dark on my Mediacom lineup, I've gotta say I've actually enjoyed some of the other stuff they're putting on that channel instead of CBS. BUT...a lot of people want something done in time for this Sunday's big game...I think they should get a life.

That leaves thousands of cable subscribers unable to watch the Super Bowl, to be broadcast on CBS on Sunday, unless they switch to a satellite provider or get an antenna to catch the signal off the air.

The letter to [FCC Chairman] Martin specifically voiced concern that some cable subscribers may miss the Super Bowl.

"Last year some Alaskans were denied access to the Super Bowl and we do not want to see a similar situation happen on other states," the letter said. "I urge you and your colleagues to take immediate action to resolve this dispute which could include binding arbitration."

Oh good grief...we actually have important US Senators wasting our time and money on this nonsense?

There are alternatives...and apparently there is good company in finding something else to do:

Many Americans Feel Super Bowl Sunday Isn't So Super

Almost a quarter of the people tune in to the game just to see the commercials (me included)...but you can see them all without getting out the rabbit ears or subscribing to DirectTV in time for Sunday by going to the NFL website, www.nfl.com

And here are some other tips: Super Bowl alternatives

My own tips?

• See a movie (Galaxy 16 is the best theatre, I think). I recommend The Pursuit of Happyness, or the movie I plan on seeing, Babel. If you're itching for football, We Are Marshall I hear is pretty good.
• Read a book...I'm re-reading Without Remorse by Tom Clancy. A great back-story about John Clark, the CIA ruffian that I wish would be the next movie they make out of a Tom Clancy novel.
• Play with your kids...something I haven't had a whole lot of time to do with all the construction going on in the house. In fact, my soon-to-be 4yr old is starting to learn to read, so I'll be working on that some more.
• Go skiing...Sundown Mountain was hurt real bad last year with the lack of snow. Not the case this year and the slopes are usually abandoned on Super Sunday. You'll have the run of the runs.
  

On another note...this has to be one of the greatest public relations disaster to have Mediacom announce a rate increase.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Fortunately, I don't meet any of the conditions that will see an increase:

- $1 monthly increase in the charge for a standard digital converter with remote, to $6.
- $2 monthly increase in the cost of a base digital converter with remote, to $6.
Base Digital
- $1.50 monthly increase in the cost for a DVR/HDTV receiver with remote, to $6.
- $1 monthly increase in the cost of HBO, to $14.95.
- $1 monthly increase in the cost of Showtime, to $10.95.
- $1 monthly increase in the cost of Cinemax, to
$10.95.
- $3 monthly increase in Internet service charge for customers providing their own cable modems.
- $4 monthly increase in charges Mediacom Online charges for Media Max Two Star, Four Star, Choice and Total packages.

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Labels: mediacom, sinclair