FCC consider 'license revocation' for VIACOM/CBS

[jiml1126]

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN FEB 08, 2004 19:58:52 ET XXXXX

FCC POWELL CONSIDERED 'LICENSE REVOCATION' HEARING FOR VIACOMCBS

**Exclusive**

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell considered holding a dramatic license revocation hearing against CBS after last week's Super Bowl breast mess, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

A furious Powell vocalized the "license revocation" option against CBS-owned broadcast outlets to senior staff at the FCC in the hours and days after the event, a top source said from Washington.

The chairman has since moved away from exploring the possibilities of pulling CBS's license, but word of any such consideration shows just how serious Powell and others at the FCC viewed the breast breach.

Several FCC commissioner believe CBSVIACOM has repeatedly violated indecency rules.

"There is a feeling that [CBSVIACOM head Mel] Karmazin is reckless when it comes to self-policing his outlets," a top FCC source told the DRUDGE REPORT. "What I believe you will see is a push for a complete and detailed explanation from Mr. Karmazin... on 'Opie and Anthony' sex acts in the church to the half-time Super Bowl concert, on down."

The public may get a detailed accounting this week when Karmazin is expected to testify on Capitol Hill at a hearing of the House Telecom Subcommittee.

[Airbus_A320]

Jeeeze it's a damn boob. Why the hell can't they get over it. So if kids were watching, so what. Are they gonna go their whole lives without seeing a naked woman . They are gonan have to see sometime and they teach the stuff in 5th grade health class anyways. . This is just a great waste of money.

[JeffinDEN]

Jeeeze it's a damn boob. Why the hell can't they get over it. So if kids were watching, so what.

That is about the most stupid remark I have read on this site yet.

There are rules you agreed upon when you joined this site right?

Your an "a$shole"! There, it's just a word. it doesn't matter that I broke a rule does it? After all your going to be called it over and over anyway, why worry about it now?

[screaming_emu]

Speaking of assholes, I think Jeff has something larger than usual in his today.

[pilotguy]

As Justin Timberlake would say "I'm lovin' it"

[Cubana]

The episode with Janet Jackson's boob was wrong, we all know it. But revoking the license of the CBS because of that? I am completely against showing "porn" in the Super Bowl, mainly because there are millions of little kids watching, but that is too hard! Perhaps a fine should be OK, but sending the CBS away, come on, there have been worst things than that showed in American television...

[uy707]

The episode with Janet Jackson's boob was wrong, we all know it. But revoking the license of the CBS because of that? I am completely against showing "porn" in the Super Bowl, mainly because there are millions of little kids watching, but that is too hard! Perhaps a fine should be OK, but sending the CBS away, come on, there have been worst things than that showed in American television...

well written, clear-cut, nothing to add except
why not bring back Mac Carthysms
Alain

[cal99]

What was the "tape delay" guy doing while this was going on..isnt there usually a 10-15 sec tape delay during these live events just for something like this.

[indian airlines]

I think they introduced that system after this. It's now a 5 minute delayed broadcast for every such major event - one recent one being the Grammys yesterday.

[DAL767-400ER]

FCC consider 'license revocation' for VIACOM/CBS

I can't believe that in a country thatt is home to Playboy, Hustler, Springbreak and Mardi Gras and home of Frat- and Dorm-Parties, people are feeling so annoyed by one single boob, which was mostly hidden by that huge piercing. I don't understand the hype about it .

-Colin

[JeffinDEN]

Re: FCC consider 'license revocation' for VIACOM/CBS

I can't believe that in a country thatt is home to Playboy, Hustler, Springbreak and Mardi Gras and home of Frat- and Dorm-Parties, people are feeling so annoyed by one single boob, which was mostly hidden by that huge piercing. I don't understand the hype about it .

-Colin

None of that is broadcast live, over the air during prime time.

Big difference.

[tommyalf]

What was done was wrong and was a clear breach of FCC policy. They knew exactly what they were doing and should be punished in some manner. The problem with a fine is its pocket change for CBS. At least IMO the rights to the Super bowl should be pulled from CBS, which will send a clear message to the networks.

[screaming_emu]

I dont think that CBS knew that it was going to happen. Obviously to some people its a big deal. If you have to go after someone, go after the people who actually did it, not those who ended up accidentally putting it on TV.

[JeffinDEN]

I dont think that CBS knew that it was going to happen. Obviously to some people its a big deal. If you have to go after someone, go after the people who actually did it, not those who ended up accidentally putting it on TV.

Another lame response. It is not "going after" anyone. Simply enforcing a rule/law. It cannot be enforced intermittantly.

Here is a question for you emu boy....

Who does your pre-flight inspection? And why?

[screaming_emu]

I dont think that CBS knew that it was going to happen. Obviously to some people its a big deal. If you have to go after someone, go after the people who actually did it, not those who ended up accidentally putting it on TV.

Another lame response. It is not "going after" anyone. Simply enforcing a rule/law. It cannot be enforced intermittantly.

Here is a question for you emu boy....

Who does your pre-flight inspection? And why?

I do my own preflight inspection because I am responsbile for the safe operation of the aircraft. I see your point that the CBS management is responsible for what goes on their network, but finding them at fault for what happened is the equivelent of finding the pilot responsible for something going wrong that could not be found during preflight or runup. Yes, they were techincally responsible, but I dont believe that finding them at fault would really accomplish anything. They had watched the rehearsal and everything looked fine. Then a boob popped out during the real thing. The only way that the management of CBS would really have complete control over what happens on the stage would be to go up there and do the halftime show themselves. Just like if a pilot were to do their own inspections, etc. I just dont think that taking CBS' license away will really accomplish anything, which I believe is the point of having rules to begin with.