The Powers That Be: Daily Carr Trouble at the F.C.C.
7 snips
Apr 25, 2025 Eriq Gardner, a journalist specializing in media and entertainment law, joins Peter Hamby to shed light on FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's controversial actions and their implications for the media landscape. They discuss Carr's slow approach to the $8 billion Skydance-Paramount merger and his fiery criticisms of giants like Comcast and Disney. The conversation dives into Carr's possible motivations, questioning whether he's angling for a position in MAGA media. They also explore how regulatory challenges shape the future of streaming and the delicate balance of media independence.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Carr's Slow-Walk Strategy
- Brendan Carr is deliberately slow-walking the $8 billion Skydance-Paramount merger, causing frustration for the deal's backers.
- He uses procedural delays and opens proceedings without voting, possibly to kill the deal without formal rejection.
Media Under Carr's Scrutiny
- Carr employs the "news distortion" statute to challenge big media companies like Comcast and MSNBC for perceived biased coverage.
- These actions serve as tactics to scrutinize media companies under the guise of public interest broadcast licensing.
Broad Media Target List
- Carr targets varied media issues including diversity practices and potential religious content discrimination on platforms like YouTube TV.
- His media interventions extend beyond broadcasting to negotiation tactics with local TV affiliates and more, signaling broad regulatory scrutiny.