MEL KARMAZIN ‘DISAPPOINTED’ WITH NAB Jeffrey Yorke – Radio and Records
The Sirius CEO, when asked by Newsweek this week for his reaction to the NAB’s recent request to the FCC to investigate decency standards on satellite radio said, "An organization like the NAB should be a proponent of free speech. There’s certainly disappointment on my part, and I know others who are saying 'Gee, that’s not what the NAB should be doing.'”
In the Q&A with the magazine, Karmazin also reiterates his long-held belief that Sirius will move into the black by the fourth quarter of this year, adding “I think it’s so important that we generate this free cash flow and that we do generate a billion dollars by 2010. That would clearly say that this [satellite radio] is a good business.“
Karmazin makes it clear that he wasn’t a proponent of the Viacom-CBS split. In fact, he’s the guy who put the two companies together. “It’s only been about six months since the split. Do the math, and the stock is down significantly from that time.”
Asked by R&R for his take on what Karmazin had to say about the broadcaster’s association's request, NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton responded, "NAB believes responsible self-regulation is preferable to government regulation in areas related to program content. However, if there is government regulation, satellite radio ought not get a free pass given the explicitness of its content." |