FCC Federal Communications Commission Archives

January 15, 2019

Reports: Nexstar says no to WPIX-NY, WSFL-Miami

If you want to do something well, watch someone else do it. That’s the way to improve in most skills in life. That’s one…

January 7, 2019

Odds, ends and new beginnings

It’s always good to be remembered, and hopefully being your last new year’s message of the year will keep some of my thoughts on…

December 6, 2018

Blogging better in 2019 after hitting 20,000 views in 2018

THANK YOU! I don’t know what else to say. There’s nothing special about hitting 20,000 blog page views except that it’s a big round…

October 2, 2018

News starting out good but going downhill fast

It’s a happy moment at CohenConnect.com. (Online definition of moment: “a very brief period of time.” The italics are mine.) September’s blog numbers were…

September 26, 2018

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Sometimes I see or hear something so stupid, I lose control and have to call it out right away. That’s especially true when it…

September 3, 2018

Labor Day weekend leftovers

I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure you’ve had a busy week, between getting used to having your kids in school or planning what…

August 16, 2018

Sanctions against Sinclair? Sounds justified

It’s either coincidence, karma or a higher power when things come together in ways previously thought impossible. This weekend, Jewish people around the world…

August 9, 2018

Tribune to Sinclair: Judge’s gavel instead of merger’s handshake

It’s a great day in broadcasting, or as great as things can get in this day and age. There will be no merger between…

July 27, 2018

Sinclair sinks, Trump’s temper, Cox’s cash value

There’s something to be said for waiting before starting to write. That’s not my nature. I want to get things out first. I type…

July 25, 2018

Big merger, big problem, big surprise!

This was starting to get a little hard to keep track of, and I wrote most of this last night. Good thing I waited…

July 13, 2018

The FCC’s war on American children, adults

The Federal Communications Commission has a very important mission, but it’s not being fulfilled.In fact, the opposite has been happening over the past few…

June 28, 2018

Ready to ‘X out’ Comcast Xfinity from my life

I DECIDED TO STAY WITH COMCAST. Yes, you read correctly. I made the decision yesterday after coming “thisclose” to switching to Verizon. This is…

May 31, 2018

Where have you gone, Sasha Savitsky?

I don’t know why TV stations (and networks) allow mistakes to remain without corrections but it’s certainly a disservice to viewers and readers. One…

May 18, 2018

It happened again, and again

There’s never a good time to write a story like this. We know there has been a school shooting in Texas, apparently between Houston…

May 9, 2018

BREAKING NEWS: Fox buying Miami station

The negotiation spat between Fox and Sinclair is apparently over, and Sinclair’s proposed $3.9 billion merger with Tribune will have one less hurdle. …

May 8, 2018

Paying for news, one candidate’s free airtime and asking for your comments

I hope you’ve had a terrific Tuesday! I have a few thoughts (just a few) I figured I’d get out today. This morning, Axios…

May 4, 2018

Media mega-merger may be moving closer, impacting Miami

I’ve avoided writing much about Sinclair Broadcast Group trying to buy Tribune Media because I’ve been busy and I don’t want to jinx any…

April 11, 2018

Syria, Gaza and the FCC chair babying broadcasters

Industry leaders have been meeting in Las Vegas for the National Association of Broadcasters Show and Adam Symson, president-CEO of the E.W. Scripps Co.,…

April 4, 2018

My urge: Follow your conscience, despite the cost

Listen to this. Ever heard anything so absurd? Itâ€™s not â€œFollow the Leaderâ€ because there is no leader. There are local TV news anchors….

March 30, 2018

Tiffany Trump’s trouble, what unions could do to Amazon and the media

It’s nice when Americans exercise their First Amendment rights (freedom ofÂ religion, speech, the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and…

March 26, 2018

Facebook: Friend or foe? Keep or delete?

If you were reading the Sunday paper, you may have come across this full-page ad from Facebook with a letter signed by Mark Zuckerberg….

March 23, 2018

The Weather Channel’s new owner, a real controversial person

There are two big changes in weather:Â The snow has stopped and The Weather Channel is being sold. Also, you can say the owner is…

March 20, 2018

Be nicer to Mike Jerrick, and other thoughts on what’s making news

People who know me can never, ever say Iâ€™m not loyal to people I like and respect. Youâ€™ll see that in a moment, along…

March 11, 2018

Call to action: Help stop Sinclair from taking over Tribune

First, I want to go thank and apologize to everyone who read my last post. It was way too long. Yes, it contained what…

March 7, 2018

Flakes and facts, lots on my mind

Gotta love a snow day if you donâ€™t have anywhere to be. Yes, I have a busy week ahead and things to prepare, but…

March 1, 2018

WSVN without Fox? It’s possible if….

Surprisingly, I haven’t seen this reported at all by South Florida media. Yes, they’re still consumed and reeling from the massacre at Marjory Stoneman…

February 28, 2018

Sinclair, Tribune TV stations combined: Why it’s not a done deal yet

Let’s start by updating my latest post on television. Last Thursday, in discussing Fox Sports paying a fortune for Thursday Night Football, I brought…

February 22, 2018

Got cable, satellite? You’ll foot the bill for Fox’s Thursday Night Football

How many of you watched the Super Bowl this year? Of course, in Philadelphia, that’s a loaded question with the underdog Eagles in the…

January 27, 2018

Facebook, Twitter, and Fox (Fox x 14)!

Two articles got my attention as I recover, tonight. You’ll remember yesterday, I couldn’t read or even think. Now, look how far I’ve come…

January 16, 2018

The rights of TV station owners vs. the public

By now, I’m sure you realize I’m a fan of the underdog. Fly, Philadelphia Eagles, fly! I also strongly believe in holding people in high positions…

January 8, 2018

The news where I used to work: Unbelievable!

Most of you know I was a web producer for the Fox station in Philadelphia, but fewer of you know I haven’t worked there…

September 5, 2017

No more newscasts, but what a farewell!

I’ve mentioned the sad state of the U.S. broadcasting industry these days, with big companies eating up smaller ones like never before. There are…

February 3, 2017

The media: Certainly imperfect, definitely necessary and trying

ThisÂ is my first blog in several months, and only my second since arriving back in Philadelphia. The first was shortly after my return, so…

Which wine wins with you, Burgundy or Bordeaux? April 8, 2020
Also, go online and prepare for a virtual wine tasting Two weeks ago, we wrote about the joy of drinking the red wines from... The post Which wine wins with you, Burgundy or Bordeaux? appeared first on The Philly Files.
4 tips to train your pet April 7, 2020
Training a pet can be a rewarding process. It takes some time and patience, but it can also be a way to bond with... The post 4 tips to train your pet appeared first on The Philly Files.
Social distancing: 7 ways to protect your energy and mental health April 6, 2020
As a result of national social distancing efforts, spaces we usually turn to for in-person connections — schools, churches, gyms, cafes, restaurants — have... The post Social distancing: 7 ways to protect your energy and mental health appeared first on The Philly Files.
Stuck at home: 6 ways to keep kids happy and healthy April 5, 2020
Due to the spread of COVID-19, school and daycare closures are keeping families around the world stuck at home together in unprecedented numbers. You,... The post Stuck at home: 6 ways to keep kids happy and healthy appeared first on The Philly Files.
5 tips for talking to your children about COVID-19 April 4, 2020
Schools are closing, family vacations are being postponed and sports games are being canceled. While this viral pandemic may feel overwhelming as an adult,... The post 5 tips for talking to your children about COVID-19 appeared first on The Philly Files.
4 steps to better health with black foods April 3, 2020
Get your antioxidants from black foods Remember those sayings you grew up hearing: once you go black … the darker the berry …? When it... The post 4 steps to better health with black foods appeared first on The Philly Files.
Seasonal home supplies for spring April 2, 2020
Between spring cleaning and spending additional time outdoors (or both), the spring season can bring a lot of changes to your home. From insect... The post Seasonal home supplies for spring appeared first on The Philly Files.
Wine, memories and making plans April 1, 2020
As we write this column, most people are confined largely to their homes as the Coronavirus continues to spread across the country. Like you,... The post Wine, memories and making plans appeared first on The Philly Files.
Coronavirus: Should you be worried? March 31, 2020
So far, according to official World Health Organisation reports as of March 29, the Wuhan novel coronavirus, called 2019-nCoV, has sickened 638,146 people and led to... The post Coronavirus: Should you be worried? appeared first on The Philly Files.
7 ways to boost immunity March 30, 2020
As coronavirus runs roughshod across the country, having an immune system functioning at its peak is critically important. Vitamins and supplements may promise to... The post 7 ways to boost immunity appeared first on The Philly Files.

April Fools' DayApril 1, 2020

April Fools' Day is an annual custom on April 1 consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting "April fools" at the recipient. There are many disputed origins between April 1 and foolishness, but playing harmless pranks upon one's neighbor has been relatively common in the world, historically. It’s only a public holiday in Odessa, Ukraine. People there observe "Humorina" by dressing up in costumes and fooling around, while pranking others passing by.