FCC Gets Transition Help from Grassroots Organizations.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it has selected 12 grassroots organizations and local agencies to help over the air viewers prepare for the digital transition. The Commission sought proposals to conduct outreach in all parts of the country, with a particular focus on the 82 markets with the highest over the air television populations. In particular, the FCC selected organizations dedicated to serving across the country populations most at risk in the digital transition including senior citizens, people with disabilities and Spanish-speaking households. Specifically, the FCC sought the assistance of local, regional and national organizations with converter box procurement and installation, establishment and staffing of local call centers, educating consumers about the transition and other local grass roots efforts. On September 15, the FCC initiated a broad public request for proposals to conduct community-based grassroots outreach work for the digital television transition. The Commission sent copies of the procurement documents to dozens of organizations, who could potentially assist over the air viewers in getting ready for the digital television transition. Additionally, the Commission’s Consumer Advisory Committee worked to ensure that all of the potentially impacted communities were aware of the request for proposals. Groups selected across the country to help with the outreach include AARP, Communication Service for the Deaf, the Hispanic Information and Telecommunication Network as well as the Iowa Public Broadcasting Board and Wisconsin Public Television. Last September, as part of the Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2009, Congress appropriated $20 million to the FCC to help fund its digital television outreach efforts. According to the Commission, the grassroots selections are worth up to $8.4 million and are the culmination of a full and open procurement process.

About.com - Information Super Highway Leader Answers to HD with Markertek !

Pflugerville, TX. - Markertek is the industry leader in immediate technology solutions to the Internet innovation industry. We just shipped HD testing equipment to About.com at its location in Pflugerville, TX. About.com is among the USA’s top 15 websites and is the online source for information and advice. According to web traffic analysis service Compete.com, the domain about.com attracted at least 448 million visitors during 2008. The site consists of articles or commentaries written by authors - called Guides - as well as providing links to pertinent web sites related to their topic. Some linked sites have dictionaries, how-to lessons, and free e-Courses. As the Internet progresses by the minute, so does need for media products and diagnostic supplies. Markertek is proud in serving technology companies, such as About.com with the latest and most advanced tools to bring HD content to the planet and beyond.

Intel & Adobe to Extend Flash Platform to TV.

In an effort to provide consumers with richer and more seamless Web-based and video viewing experiences through advanced set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, digital TVs and retail connected AV devices, Adobe Systems Incorporated and the Intel Corporation have announced plans to collaborate on the development to port and optimize Adobe Flash technology for Intel's Media Processor CE 3100. According to Intel, the high-definition capabilities of its new, CE 3100 media processor - the first in a new family of purpose-built Intel System on Chips (SoCs) for CE devices - creates a robust entertainment hub when combined with the high-definition capabilities of the Adobe Flash Platform. The two companies are working together to optimize both Adobe's Flash Player and Flash Lite to provide content across PCs, laptops, netbooks, mobile Internet devices (MIDs) and televisions. "The Intel Media Processor CE 3100 is a highly integrated solution that provides a powerful, yet flexible technology foundation that will bring to life the high-definition capabilities of Adobe Flash," said William O. Leszinske Jr., general manager of Intel's Digital Home Group. "Our effort with Adobe is poised to accelerate a rich, yet relevant Internet experience on the TV that will provide consumers with access to a growing number of Flash based applications that will ultimately be enjoyed across a number of screens seamlessly, from the laptop to a MID and now the TV." Intel plans to ship the first CE3100 with support for an optimized implementation of Adobe Flash Lite before mid-2009.

Time Warner Cable, Viacom Reach Agreement.

Time Warner Cable and Viacom have jointly announced that the companies have reached an agreement in principle to renew carriage for Viacom's MTV Networks including Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, VH1 and 15 other networks owned by the company. Viacom's networks were set to go dark on Time Warner Cable systems at midnight Wednesday, December 31, as part of a license agreement renewal dispute between the two companies. According to Viacom, its channels have been undervalued by Time Warner Cable for some time now. The dispute asked for an increase of roughly 25 cents per month, per subscriber, adding up a 10% increase over last year for MTV Networks' channels. "We make this request because TWC has so greatly undervalued our channels for so long. Americans spend more than 20% of their TV viewing time watching our networks, yet our fees amount to less than 2.5% of what Time Warner generates from their average customer." Time Warner said Viacom's demands would have cost the cable operator roughly $39 million more annually. The agreement, which was reached just after midnight Eastern Time, is expected to be finalized over the next few days. Philippe Dauman, President and CEO of Viacom said, "We've been partners with Time Warner Cable for a long time, and we're happy to be renewing that partnership for the benefit of their customers and our loyal viewers. It's gratifying that we could reach an agreement that benefits not only our audiences but that is also in the best interest of both of our companies."

Markertek Welcomes to the Family this Week:

Vox Network Solutions
Audiotek Corp
American Forces Network
Florida Atlantic University
IRMCO
Todd Rundgren
City Of Fort Wayne
Commworx
Food and Drug Administration
University Of Missouri
WNTK Radio
Meritronics
Mindsmack.tv
US District Court
Naval Undersea Warfare Center

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