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Frontline Closes Its Doors

It’s a sad day in wireless today. Frontline, a company that was expected to build a new network open to all mobile applications and devices, has announced, in a statement to reporters, that it’s “closed for business. We have no further comments.” Analysts believe that the company simply failed to secure enough funding to bid in an upcoming Federal Communications Commission auction of wireless airwaves, needed for such a network.

With Frontline out of the running, this further narrows down the number of new companies that could potentially enter the wireless services market as a direct result of the auction. There’s Google, of course — but not much else. In a way, that’s not surprising: Few investors would be mad enough — and wealthy enough — to want to compete with the likes of Google and incumbents such as Verizon. And this means that it could take longer for wireless networks to open up, the way Frontline envisioned.

Frontline’s exit could also spell trouble for the FCC auction. Frontline was instrumental in shaping rules governing the so-called D block of the spectrum that will be auctioned off. That spectrum is expected to be used by public safety agencies as well as commercial entities. Now, with Frontline out of the running, it’s unclear whether there will be any bidders interested in the block — and having the expertise to make the complex public-private network a reality.

The reason why so many people believed in Frontline is that the company’s assembled some tremendous talent. Vice Chairman Reed Hundt is a former chairman of the FCC. Chairman Janice Obuchowski served as assistant secretary for Communications and Information at the Department of Commerce, leading the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under President George H.W. Bush. If these people can’t make it in the wireless market, who can?

01/08: Media Briefing for Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are investigating whether consumers are being misled by TV and print advertisements for Lipitor that feature the world-renowned inventor of an artificial heart. In the ads, Dr. Robert Jarvik talks about the benefits of Pfizer’s cholesterol-lowering drug, the world’s best-selling medication. Associated Press reports.

In 1994, radio in Rwanda was all about hate and violence. The government used it to incite people to kill, and the killers were often seen with a gun in one hand and a receiver in the other as they tried to locate enemies. Today, Rwandan radio is a voice of hope and reconciliation. One of its most popular programs, the soap opera Musekeweya, or New Dawn, is about a country divided, much like Rwanda 13 years ago, but one in which the stars find a way around the conflict. The International Herald Tribune reports.

Saturday night’s ABC debates were a hit in the ratings, reaching over 9 million viewers, reports Associated Press.

A candidacy by Michael Bloomberg would be tricky for Bloomberg News, says Newsday.

The top executive at ABC’s Good Morning America said it was “cheesy” of CBS to run an old interview with Barack Obama on The Early Show yesterday at the same time as Diane Sawyer’s sit-down with the Democratic presidential contender on ABC. CBS’s message to its rival: We decide when to air our interviews. Associated Press reports.

Even conservative media are praising Barack Obama, says the Washington Post.

The Chicago Tribune received dozens of complaints about the cover story in Parade magazine featuring an interview with Benazir Bhutto that was run with no reference to her assassination.

Comedy Central hosts Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert returned to TV last night without writers, says the New York Times. Their shows are reviewed by the Baltimore Sun.

Phyllis Diller, who is now 90, is featured on the PBS series Pioneers Of Television Wednesday evening at 8 on Thirteen/WNET. It will be repeated Sunday at 12 noon. The Hartford Courant reports. The Ed Sullivan Show is also feted on the documentary, says Associated Press.

Television at the gasoline pump is getting news reports from ABC, reports Media Daily News.

Adweek is relaunching - everything. Media Daily News reports.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking a new life for old cellphones, reports the New York Times.

Alycia Lane, the news anchor at KYW-TV channel 3 in Philadelphia who was arrested after allegedly punching a New York City police officer and calling her a “dyke,” has been fired by the station, and the anchor says she may sue, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer and Associated Press.

Billboards and outdoor advertising are using digital and video technologies, says Media Post.com.

Is even higher-definition TV the next big thing for television? The Wall Street Journal reports.

Mobile phone operators Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile have sided against tech giants including Microsoft and Google in an argument before the Federal Communications Commission over access to under-utilized “white spaces” spectrum. Market Watch.com reports.

The United Kingdom will allow placement of products in TV shows, reports Variety.

Ovation TV, an all-arts cable channel, says it has acquired International Music Feed, a music video channel operated by Universal Music Group. Associated Press reports.

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David Letterman has lost his beard, after he says he was pressured to do so, reports Associated Press and the New York Daily News.

Some critics are booing Wikipedia’s new search engine, Wikia.com, reports the San Jose Mercury News.

With the writers strike continuing, NBC has announced plans for coverage of the Golden Globes press conference, reports the Los Angeles Times. This is an attempt to save the Golden Globes with a new format, says Associated Press.

The Seattle Opera Channel, operated by all-classical FM station KING-FM 98.1 Seattle, is streaming online, reports the Seattle Times.

In one California town, four out of five dentists agree that soft rock FM station KYMX 96.1 Sacramento is the station to have on in their waiting rooms, reports the Sacramento Bee.

Cubby Bryant replaces Whoopi Goldberg in the morning drive period on WKTU 103.5 New York, says the New York Daily News. Whoopi’s show can still be heard in eight markets, including Las Vegas and two upstate New York markets.

With the changing economy, there is now doubt that the Clear Channel Communications buyout will take place, reports the Financial Times (subscription required). The deal is described as another broken leveraged buyout deal by 24/7 Wall Street.com.

Rupert Murdoch has returned to the German TV market, buying a 15 percent stake in Germany’s largest pay-TV service, Premiere, reports Reuters.

Strong spending is ahead for email marketing, says the E-Marketer.com.

Absolute Zero, an episode of PBS’s Nova that examines the upside of bitter cold, airs tonight at 8 on Thirteen/WNET and is reviewed by Bloomberg News.

The Desert Lions, part of Thirteen’s Nature series, is reviewed by the Denver Post.

Telemarketers are the top consumer complaint in the state of Florida, says the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada continues through Thursday:

- A consumer electronics industry group, the Consumer Electronics Association, says people will by more technology and electronics products this year despite the economy, according to Associated Press.

- The surprising news at the CES: television is making a comeback, says Media Daily News.

- Comcast cable TV without a cable box is on the way, says the Philadelphia Daily News.

- Comcast is showing off more than just cable TV, with ultra-high-speed Internet service, more high-definition content and gadgets that link video, phone and broadband services. Associated Press reports.

- Comcast plans to offer a huge menu of films, report the New York Times and Hollywood Reporter. Comcast will flood you with video, says the San Francisco Chronicle.

- The titan of Comcast, the nation’s largest cable TV company, is getting playful, says the Philadelphia Inquirer.

- Microsoft is forging its ties to the studios, says the New York Times.

- Microsoft chief Bill Gates focused upon the human touch of technology, says the San Francisco Chronicle.

- There are no new things from Microsoft at this year’s show, says the New York Times.

- TiVo will be featuring Web video, reports Associated Press.

- USAToday.com, in an agreement with Samsung, will be delivering news and local weather information direct to your TV, says Lost Remote.

- Panasonic is offering a TV set with a 12-and-a-half foot wide screen, says the Washington Post.

- Sony is getting help from celebrities in its push into digital TV, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

- The National Telecommunications & Information Administration told a 2008 CES audience that it has certified 250 retailers, including QVC, and 19 digital-TV-to-analog converter boxes. Broadcasting & Cable reports.

- It looks like the price of a digital-TV-to-analog converter box just went down to essentially nothing for those with government-subsidized coupons, thanks to a new device being offered by EchoStar, reports Broadcasting & Cable.

- Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba have launched a tech recycling company. Three of the biggest makers of TVs have formed a company to help manage the wave of electronic waste including old TV sets set to swell with the onset of digital television. The three have launched the Manufacturers Recycling Management Company in Minnesota. CNet reports.

- HDTV manufacturers are trying to make the task of buying an HDTV set much more difficult than just choosing between LCD and plasma, 42 inches or 46 inches. Associated Press reports.

- Mitsubishi is offering a laser TV, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

- Intel, the world’s largest computer chip manufacturer, is getting personal, says the San Jose Mercury News.

- Motorola is launching a rebuilding initiative, says the Chicago Tribune.

- The Los Angeles Times is “plugged” into the CES.

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