Will the FCC regulate satellite radio?

Readers of this blog will know that I've written a lot about broadcast radio vs satellite radio.  I've been saying that the hype over satellite radio is overblown and broadcast radio will not go away anytime soon.

Well now it comes to light that satellite's ace in the hole, free speech, may not last.  That's right, the FCC may go after satellite next.

Jeff Jarvis pointed this out in a post he wrote today.

I would say this, if I were a radio broadcaster, I'd be petitioning the FCC over this for sure.  How is it fair that satellite gets a free ride to say whatever they want over regulated airwaves and broadcast does not? 

Broadcast radio will have the technology in place to operate subscriptions channels with HD radio in the very near future.  Does this mean that the FCC will have to apply whatever rules they apply to satellite to those paid channels?

It's a huge issue for satellite and I hope the investors in those stocks are thinking about this the right way.

Now all that said, I am a fan of free speech, as is Jeff and most intelligent people in this country.  I'd rather see the FCC stay out of this whole issue entirely, but that's not likely as long as we have our current administration in power. 

So get ready for the fight over censorship in subscription media.  It's next.

Comments

[Brian]

Does the FCC regulate cable TV? I didn't think they did (But I really don't know, so it's an honest question)..

If cable TV is regulated than I'd agree with regulating Satellite radio, if it's not then it should be a case of "getting what I paid for" I either agree that I might run into something offensive and live with it, or I stop paying for it, and I won't be bothered by it.

IF they do begin regulating it, it'll make Stern going to Sirius a little useless :-)

[Dineen]

If I'm paying for Satellite Radio, then I want the FCC OUT of it. It's like HBO to me - I'm paying for the service, so butt out. I understand that there will be some things on there that might offend me, but I have the choice to, as you said Brian, stop paying for it or live with it. I'm not surprised the FCC will try to do this, it's the nature of the theocracy that we are living in.

[Jeff Jarvis]

But we in media -- and we who love the First Amendment -- should be looking at this and fighting this the other way: If all other communication is spared government censorship, as well it should be under the First Amendment, then so should broadcast. For a broadcaster to fight to get satellite (and the internet after it) censored just because he is, well, that's short-sighted to say the least, the very least.

[jackson]

At the very least indeed. Welcome to the no fun allowed decade. 'Hey (insert athority figure) leave those (insert oppressed individuals) alone!"

[Oliver]

I think the FCC needs to stay out. Satellite radio is a subscription service jut like you can get a subscription to playboy or HBO. If you are offended by it then don't get it then. Its not like stern is on the free radio waves like the other radio stations that the fcc currently does monitor people are paying for this stuff on the free market.

[Jim]

I bought my radio last month because of the FCC regulations, Stern and all the lame music stations. If they take that away, I will send them my radio and a bill for how much the radio cost me; $150.

[charles]

You say, "How is it fair that satellite gets a free ride to say whatever they want over regulated airwaves and broadcast does not?"

Satellite radio is not a free service. The only way your agument would make sense would be if satellite providers provided their service for free. Unless the goverment decides to pay for my Sirius subscription, they should not be allowed to regulate it.

[You're gay]

You're retarded, seriously. Yes, it's becasue you have to pay for it that they can say what they want. It should be that way, that makes the radio better better, you whinny ass cock munching fuck face.