In Springfield, Ill., local public access television producers are hoping to pick up where Comcast will leave off next month, when the cable provider ceases operation of Access 4.

If the telcos and cable companies can't run profitable businesses without government protections, maybe we should let them go under and allow entrepreneurs to pick up their assets and make them work instead. Government should be fostering a lot of competition in the access business.

DirecTV Chairman John Malone hasn't ruled out a possible takeover by AT&T or Verizon, saying they will likely have closer ties to his company as they develop packages of phone and television service.

Two bits of news from the last couple of days point to a new trend: Unsubsidized phones being offered without contracts. While these phones cost a pretty penny upfront, not being forced into a contract -- and having the freedom to switch from carrier to carrier -- is sounding mighty attractive these days.

The FCC has notified Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) that his Oct. 16 letter to Chairman Julius Genachowski will not be considered in the commission's review of the shared services agreement between KGMB-TV, KHNL-TV and KFVE-TV.

Songwriters get royalties but not recording artists. Bills now being considered should pay performers fairly, protect against abuses by powerful industry players and promote the availability of music.

General Electric and Vivendi are at least $1 billion apart on their valuation of the French group's stake in NBC Universal. The situation dims hopes for a quick resolution to a standoff that is delaying Comcast's bid for NBC Universal.

The headline read: "Next up on KENC radio, a wedding." It might have gone off without a hitch, too, if a FCC agent hadn't read it, investigated and found Stayton's nonprofit, low-power community radio station and the fellow who operates it -- the groom -- allegedly violating government code.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday failed to approve a bill that would establish a federal shield law to protect journalists from certain suits requiring them to reveal news sources. Bowing to opposition from the panel's Republican members, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) decided to postpone markup of the measure to a later date.

A coalition of minority journalists is looking to drum up support for the FCC's proposed codification and expansion of Net Neutrality guidelines. That comes against a backdrop of some difference of opinion in minority communities on whether that proposal could work for or against the interests of communities of color.