Chris Blount
01-25-05, 07:04 AM
Reports out of Washington, D.C., said Ken Ferree, chief of the Media Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission, will step down from his position in March. The Ferree news follows FCC Chairman Michael Powell's own departure plans, which were announced Friday.
Ferree's exit will mean he won't have direct oversight on a number of pending issues before the Media Bureau, including provisions the FCC is working on that are tied to the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act. SHVERA was signed into law late last year.
Ferree said earlier in the month that the bureau has begun looking at key SHVERA issues. Those items are expected to include mandates covering satellite TV delivery of significantly-viewed stations to outside TV markets and the ban on satellite-delivered two-dish locals, among other matters.
While at the FCC, Ferree pushed issues tied to the digital TV transition. Ferree has served at the FCC since 2001 and was Powell's first bureau chief appointment.
Those inside the nation's capital praised Ferree's work. Richard DalBello, president of the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association, said, "With Ken's assistance this country has made significant strides towards a digital future. It has been an honor working with Ken and his team and SBCA will greatly miss his direction and out-of-the-box thinking."
Meanwhile, other reports out of D.C. said Kyle McSlarrow, formerly with the Department of Energy, will be named president of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. He will replace Robert Sachs, who is stepping down from the NCTA's top position.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)
Ferree's exit will mean he won't have direct oversight on a number of pending issues before the Media Bureau, including provisions the FCC is working on that are tied to the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act. SHVERA was signed into law late last year.
Ferree said earlier in the month that the bureau has begun looking at key SHVERA issues. Those items are expected to include mandates covering satellite TV delivery of significantly-viewed stations to outside TV markets and the ban on satellite-delivered two-dish locals, among other matters.
While at the FCC, Ferree pushed issues tied to the digital TV transition. Ferree has served at the FCC since 2001 and was Powell's first bureau chief appointment.
Those inside the nation's capital praised Ferree's work. Richard DalBello, president of the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association, said, "With Ken's assistance this country has made significant strides towards a digital future. It has been an honor working with Ken and his team and SBCA will greatly miss his direction and out-of-the-box thinking."
Meanwhile, other reports out of D.C. said Kyle McSlarrow, formerly with the Department of Energy, will be named president of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. He will replace Robert Sachs, who is stepping down from the NCTA's top position.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)