“Call to Action”

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/15/10418510-us-cracking-down-on-dinner-interrupting-marketing-robocalls#.Tzwsmy7gbe8.mailto

The FCC is adopting new rules to crack down on so-called “robo-calls,” automated telemarketing calls that usually come as an interruption when people are having dinner.  After all, if there’s one thing the government should focus on, it’s making sure that fat Americans don’t stop eating.

Since most people let those calls go to an answering machine or voicemail system anyway, the government needs to investigate what the machines are really saying to each other when no humans are listening.

Unfortunately, when the FCC called the telemarketers to tell them to stop, they got an automated system that eventually directed them to a website where they were promptly Rick-rolled.

“Sold by Volume”

http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/story/2011-12-12/fcc-loud-commercials/51848692/1?csp=hf

After years of consumer complaints that TV commercials are much louder than the program content, the FCC passed new regulations Tuesday requiring  ads to be set at the same volume as the shows.  Now, viewers won’t have to cover their ears anymore, as they fast-forward through all the commercials.

Interestingly, every time broadcast television viewers turned down the volume, subscribers to HBO and Showtime turned up their noses.

“NB… C is for Comcast”

http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2011-01-18-comcast-nbc-universal_N.htm

Comcast has won FCC approval to take over NBC, marking the first time any company was excited about buying their way into last place.

Comcast will own 51% of NBC Universal, giving them popular channels like Bravo, Oxygen, and Telemundo as well as the entire slate of NBC’s mediocre programming.