Recorded October 11, 2011

90 minutes

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Overview

With retransmission consent negotiations increasingly leading to high-profile standoffs and blackouts, the FCC has decided that it is time to review the rules governing the retrans regime. In particular, the commission plans to examine the good faith obligation and possible violations.

Is the good faith obligation really being broken, or are the actions of the affiliates a reasonable response given the increasing programming fees that network owners are demanding from affiliates? Could changes to the regime impact reverse compensation? Should the FCC even have the authority to institute significant reform?

Join our panel of experts and find out.

Agenda

Learning Objectives

Panelists

Robin Flynn – Senior Analyst, SNL Kagan

Robin is senior vice president of Kagan Media Appraisals, specializing in radio/TV consulting and valuations, and is a senior analyst at SNL Kagan, contributing to SNL newsletters, including Broadcast Investor, Cable TV Investor and Kagan Media Money, as well as SNL Kagan databooks and research reports.

Prior to joining SNL Kagan, she was employed with the Overseas Private Investment Corp. and with Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Ms. Flynn has a B.A. degree from Duke University, a Certificate in Contemporary French Studies from the Sorbonne in Paris and an MBA degree from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

John K. Hane – Counsel, Communications Practice, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

At Pillsbury, John concentrates on transactions, spectrum licensing and special projects in electronic media, satellite and wireless communications. He writes and speaks often on broadcast, spectrum and technology issues, and is frequently quoted in communications and technology industry trade press on matters ranging from spectrum allocations to television program carriage. Mr. Hane has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and other leading newspapers.

John has represented numerous television broadcasters in signal carriage negotiations and related litigation. He was co-lead of the Pillsbury team that secured landmark decisions at the FCC and in Federal Court in Mediacom v. Sinclair. He has developed a unique portfolio of experience in the law, business and technology of media distribution and satellite communications and has achieved success in a number of complex spectrum allocation and licensing proceedings. As Washington Counsel for NBC in the 1990s he played key roles in that network's successful efforts to eliminate outdated FCC regulations and enable the transition to digital television broadcasting.

Tom Larsen – Group Vice President, Legal and Public Affairs, Mediacom Communications

Tom joined Mediacom in August 2006 and currently oversees all government affairs and media relations functions for the nation's 8th largest cable company. Prior to joining Mediacom, he worked as Vice President of Law & Public Policy for Adelphia Communications Corporation's Western Region.

He is a member of the board of directors of the American Cable Association and the Association of Cable Communicators and sits on the steering committee of the American Television Alliance. He holds a BA in History from Miami University and JD from the University of Dayton, School of Law.

Sarah Barry (moderator) – Senior Reporter, SNL Kagan

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