The Third Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday threw out two FCC auction rules that required small businesses to hold their winning spectrum for at least 10 years before reselling it and prohibited them from leasing more than 50% to third parties. The court concluded that both rules were imposed without sufficient notice and comment and were a violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. But it did not invalidate the relevant wireless spectrum auctions conducted under those rules, which were the $14 billion 2006 auction of Advanced Wireless Services spectrum in 2006 and the $19 billion 20008 auction in the …

The Emmy Awards could be up for some stiff competition soon. A small faction of TV execs are quietly moving ahead with plans for a rival TV awards show to be sponsored by the Paley Center for Media. Chaired by Sony Pictures TV president Steve Mosko, Fox Networks Group CEO Tony Vinciquerra and Lippin Group chairman Dick Lippin, the execs are eyeing a 2012 launch date for the awards ceremony, reports Variety. It would be held mid-May, before the Emmys. To make the Paley Center awards a more palatable alternative to the Emmys, the committee is said to …

Jon Stewart's made an interesting point on "The Daily Show" about Fox News mosque controversy. That is, that the potential Park51 funder that they accuse of having dangerous Middle East ties is also the second-largest shareholder in Fox's parent company, News Corp. Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal owns about $2.3 billion in stock with News Corp. and is an ally of Rupert Murdoch's. But Fox commentators would have you believe that you should be worried about him funding Park51 because he is dangerous, and "funds radical madrassas all over the world." Obviously, Fox News working up fears to keep …

ESPN has decided to prohibit Jenn Brown, who serves as a reporter for the network, from serving as spokeswoman for MillerCoors LLC's Icehouse brand, a spokesman for the beer brewing joint venture said Tuesday morning. "We have learned from sources at ESPN that the agreement is not moving forward as planned," said Julian Green, spokesman for Chicago-based MillerCoors, which operates a major brewery and has administrative offices on Milwaukee's west side. ESPN historically has allowed its on-air employees to enter into outside deals, provided they are approved by the network, Green added. MillerCoors hired Brown, who is …

TiVo, the digital video recorder maker, reported a narrower loss than expected on Wednesday as it slowed the rate of decline to its subscription service. The company posted a second-quarter net loss of $15.3 million, or 13 cents a share, compared with a loss of $2.7 million, or 3 cents a share, a year earlier. The average analyst estimate was for a loss of 15 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. TiVo's revenue beat analysts' expectations of $41.87 million. Revenue fell 10.4 percent to $51.6 million in the quarter ended on July 31 from a year earlier. …

U.S. broadcast networks head into the fall television season armed with more than three dozen new shows and billions of dollars in advertising commitments -- but a few wicked plot twists may still be in store. Ahead of the 2010-2011 TV season, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox have sold about $8.2 billion in advance commercial time, up around 17 percent from last year, with higher prices and sales volume. But analysts caution that the confidence advertisers showed in early sales could be slipping, and prices could come under pressure if the broadcast networks failed to deliver a few breakout …

Infiniti and NBC are putting the finishing touches on a custom advertising showcase featuring the cast of "Community" and the 2011 Infiniti QX sports utility vehicle. As the official automotive sponsor of the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards, Infiniti will be the focus of three NBC-produced vignettes set to air during the network's August 29 broadcast. Decked out in their Emmy finery, the gang from Greendale will make their way to an after-party in a new Infiniti QX. When viewed in succession, the vignettes will unspool like a fun-size episode of NBC's Thursday night comedy. Per terms of the deal, …

Apple Inc. reportedly is set to launch a new version of Apple TV it will call iTV next month. Digg founder Kevin Rose reported on his blog that iTV will use the iOS operating system, sell for $99 and run apps. Rose said that the apps for users TVs will include "sharing/streaming/recording apps, interactive news apps, and of course games," reports San Jose Business. Rose says that Apple will integrate iAds in the product, allowing content producers to directly monetize and distribute content, which he predicts will "eventually destroy the television side of the cable and satellite industry." …

Jimmy Fallon wants your tweet to be part of the Emmy Awards.This year's awards host said the public will be able to submit an introduction through Twitter for up to 15 Emmy presenters, or about half the celebrities who will be handing out trophies. He'll read the best tweet as each star comes on stage. Starting Wednesday, a list of the presenters involved will be posted at NBC's Web site, along with a Twitter link to enter suggested introductions. So far they include Jon Hamm and January Jones of "Mad Men." The Emmys air live Sunday, Aug. 29, …

McDonald's has elevated Steve Easterbrook to executive vice president, global chief brand officer, a new position at the fast-food giant. He takes over chores from former worldwide marketing chief Mary Dillon, who left McDonald's in May for the chief executive slot at U.S. Cellular. In addition to marketing, Easterbrook's mandate also covers menu innovation and consumer insights. McD's estimated annual global media outlay approaches $2 billion, almost half of that spent in the U.S., per Nielsen. Omnicom's DDB is the chain's lead shop, with sibling TBWAChiatDay and Publicis' Leo Burnett in supporting roles. Easterbrook will report to McDonald's president …