Finger-Pointing… Random Notes
I’ll sue you.
You’ll sue me.
I don’t like your ad.
You don’t like my ad.
I don’t like your petty interference with my plant and my customers.
You aren’t playing fair!
Waste of money all around.
* Home Run? Forbes (05/05) has often been critical of cable companies… but in a semi-surprisingly upbeat article on Liberty Media‘s Atlanta Braves, the magazine lauds Dr. John Malone‘s hands-off ownership. None of that should have been a surprise… John’s "bureaucracy" isn’t like Time Warner‘s. Besides, he’s got the well-seasoned, long-trusted Terry McGuirk running the Braves.
* 4-Play Redux? Pivot punked… but a study from Compete, Inc says 43% of those surveyed would "be either ‘likely’ or ‘very likely’ to consider purchasing cell phone service from their telco provider." Overall conclusion: bundles will get bigger as "interest in bundles increased 55% from July 2007 through March 2008." Maybe Pivot launched too early? The key, methinks, goes to true "bundling" with "complete and seamless interoperability." Maybe via Wi-Max?
* No More Martin(et): I’ve been calling the peculiar Chairman of the Federal Confusion Commission Kevin Martin (et) ever since he turned so anti-cable. Well, I won’t call him that anymore and imply that someone is pulling his strings. Won’t do that anymore. Was reading the Kable Kid column in The Morning BRIDGE the other day and the Kid has found a better name for the Chairman: Kevin Martian. His opinions do seem so otherworldly, don’t they?
* Books Shipped: Four large boxes of hard-bound, non-fiction political and history books are on their way to New Orleans and new shelves in Katrina-ravaged high school library. Don’t get blase… go tohttp://2008.thecableshow.com/CableCares/Home.aspxright now! Hey! I need some help carrying out the garbage and the detritus as we re-make an elementary school playground!
* Pioneers! Here and there… Colorado Cable TV Pioneers will again convene at the Cable Center on Thursday, May 8th… and this time watch a C-SPAN class. And don’t forget the annual Pioneers’ Dinner at the Cable Show in New Orleans Sun evening, May 18.
* Blockbuster + Circuit City = Starbucks? Retail keeps morphing almost as much as telecommunications and entertainment delivery services. Down in Dallas, Blockbuster is trying out Wi-Fi, lattes and more. Wonder when they’ll erect mini-screening rooms?
* Apple: OK, I’m a Mac disciple. But, I wonder just how many iPods can co-exist? How many can they sell? And, how many do you have?
* Bored by the Digital Transition Hype? Don’t be. Play a game with your own television sets… You’ll have to waste a little time and a couple of dollars. First get a new digital box (you do still have an analog TV in your house somewhere, don’t you?). Don’t, though, forget to got to dtv2009.gov and get a coupon. Head to your favorite Big Box store, take the new box home and hook it up. Then try to get a signal. Should be interesting… nobody really, truly knows what the resulting propagation characteristics will be post-February 17, 2009. There are some good guesses at antennaweb.org. Really, this is worth your time… gotta be ready for the big shift next year and you need to know more than your neighbor does.
