Have you been negatively affected by cable bundling packages? We'll discuss the Cablevision-Viacom lawsuit. We'll also consider the music industry's first financial gain in years and debate the Measure A sales tax with two opposing L.A. business groups. Later, we'll speak with lawmakers about the release of immigration detainees in advance of the sequestration. All that and more, on AirTalk.
Cablevision sues Viacom over bundling practices
Have you been bogged down by bundling? New York cable company Cablevision has filed suit against Viacom Inc., the parent company of MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon, claiming that their bundling policies are anti-consumer and illegal. Viacom, like many other companies, including Disney and NewsCorp., bundles its channels, forcing customers to purchase packages that include smaller channels in order to subscribe to the ones they want most.
Viewers have oft complained about bundling, many customers who want some Viacom channels are likely not to want all of them, and notable battles over single channels, as in the case of AMC and DISH have become standard in recent years. Time Warner, DirecTV, and several smaller distributors have spoken out in support of Cablevision’s cause, calling the practice of bundling in order to sell smaller channels to providers “shameful.”
Have you been affected by bundling? Do you seek out smaller channels, or would you rather pay a la carte? Even if you disagree with bundling, should it be illegal?
Guest:
Barton Crockett, Director and senior analyst covering Entertainment at Lazard Capital Markets
Chad Gutstein, C00 of the independent arts channel, Ovation
Alex Ben Block, senior editor at the Hollywood Reporter
Music sales up in 2012: Industry comeback or fleeting one-hit wonder?
It may not be a dramatic surge, but a 0.3 percent increase in sales is certainly more encouraging for the music industry than the depressing decline of the previous 12 years.
Overall global music sales rose from $16.2 billion in 2011 to $16.5 billion in 2012, according the annual Digital Music Report issued by the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) on February 26. The fractional sales increase is a result of wider availability of digital music services around the world, as indicated in the report. Seventy percent of global digital revenues reportedly came from online retail sales through iTunes, Amazon, Google and Microsoft. IFPI Chief Executive Frances Moore said the music industry is “well on the road to recovery.” The top selling single worldwide was Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” and the top album was Adele’s “21.”
Despite the sales boost, it may be a little too soon to party like it’s 1999, the last year sales peaked. Sales in the United States still continued to decline and 16.5 billion in global sales is relatively low compared to the turn of the millennium when sales were nearly double that amount. In the age of pirated internet music, how much music do you pay for? Which retailers do you purchase your music from? What digital music services do you use? Is this small increase in sales representative of a new profitable era for the music business?
Guests:
Chad Fitzgerald, Partner at Kinsella Weitzman IserKump & Aldisert, LLP; has represented such musical artists as Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, David Byrne, Jackson Browne, Crosby Stills & Nash, and the Estate of Michael Jackson
Roberto Baldwin, Wired Staff Writer for Gadget Lab
David Lowery, musician and founder of rock bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven; Lowery has also taught as a lecturer in the University of Georgia's music business program
Is Measure A right for Los Angeles?
With the March 5 election approaching, Los Angeles business owners, public safety officers, and politicians find themselves in debate mode as the city considers a sales tax increase to generate funding. Measure A, a proposition which would increase sales tax in Los Angeles county by .5%, is intended to help make up for an anticipated $216 million deficit.
Many current and outgoing officials, including current Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Police Chief Charlie Beck, are proponents of Measure A, and say that the sales tax increase could prevent crucial cuts to public safety funds. Opponents of the proposition argue that the tax hike may seem small, but it is enough to drive business out of Los Angeles and into neighboring cities with lower sales tax rates. Several of the candidates for mayor and other city council positions have spoken out against Measure A, saying that generating funds doesn’t necessarily mean public safety cuts.
Could a .5% sales tax increase drive business out of Los Angeles? Would you travel to a neighboring city to make a significant purchase? If the sales tax increase doesn’t pass, will there be cuts to public safety funding? How could that affect L.A. county’s police force?
Guests:
Ruben Gonzales, Vice President of Public Policy & Political Affairs, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
David Adelman, Chair of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association and partner at Greenberg & Bass LLP
Immigration releases detainees citing Sequestration cuts
The first cuts of sequestration have begun. The Department of Homeland Security released hundreds of illegal immigrants from detention this week. They have been "placed on appropriate, more cost-effective form of supervised release," according to a spokesperson. Earlier this week, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano told reporters the sequester could mean immigration jail spots would become unaffordable, the Washington Post reported.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama has summoned Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle to meet on Friday - hours after the sequester takes effect. House Speaker John Boehner (R - OH) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R - KY) will attend.
McConnell didn't signal any movement in comments this morning. "We can either secure those reductions more intelligently, or we can do it the president's way with across-the board cuts. But one thing Americans simply will not accept is another tax increase to replace spending reductions we already agreed to," he said.
Why is DHS the first announce cuts? Could more of the thirty thousand people in immigration holds be released? Should lawmakers meet ahead of Friday?
Guests:
Rep. Adam Schiff , Democratic Congressman for the 28th District and a member of the House Appropriations Committee
Ron Nehring, Immediate Past Chairman (2007-2011), California Republican Party
LA Magazine hunting the 'Golden State Killer,' aka the Original Night Stalker
Amateur investigators want to heat up the cold case of a California serial killer. Originally dubbed the East Area Rapist, aka the Original Night Stalker, writer and hobby private eye Michelle McNamara hopes a new, accurate moniker and a compilation of multimedia clues will trigger new leads.
For this month's issue of Los Angeles magazine, McNamara details the 10 murders and some 50 rapes of the "Golden State Killer" who police believe is still alive. Some telltale signs that connect him over the course of violent crimes from 1976 to 1986, from San Francisco to Orange County, are nylon twine, pry marks on doors and the shoe impressions of size 9 sneakers (either Adidas or Pumas).
McNamara isn't alone in her hunt. The case haunts a retired detective (Larry Crompton wrote the book on the case, "Sudden Terror") and dozens of other true crime enthusiasts.
Can you help find this serial killer? Why does this case inspire such fascination? Is the FBI adding resources to the investigation?
Guest:
Michelle McNamara , Founder, TrueCrimeDiary.com; Writer of Los Angeles magazine feature this month entitled “In the Footsteps of a Killer ”
The police believe the killer made "wrong number" calls before attacking his victims. In this audio clip, the possible voice of the Golden State Killer asks, "Is Ray there?" over and over again.
A map of the original Night Stalker rampage, from L.A. Magazine: