By Peter Kaplan 23 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission has approved new rules giving broadcasters more flexibility in making the switch to digital television from traditional analog signals.

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The rules would, among other things, allow some broadcast stations to make a "phased transition" to digital broadcasting.

Stations also will be allowed to reduce or terminate their analog service before the February 17, 2009 deadline for the transition "if doing so is necessary to achieve their transition," the FCC said Monday.

"The rules we adopt in this item attempt to provide broadcasters the flexibility they need while at the same time ensuring that any disruption to over-the-air viewers is minimized to the fullest extent possible," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in a statement.

Congress ordered the switch to digital television to free up public airwaves for other uses, such as for police and fire departments. The switch will also to improved picture and sound for TV viewers.

U.S. lawmakers, many of whom face re-election in November, are closely watching the switch because their constituents, who own analog television sets, will be unable to watch programs sent via digital signals unless they subscribe to satellite or digital cable, get a converter box, or buy a new digital TV.

The government will subsidize the cost of buying a digital-analog converter box by offering $40 discount coupons to anyone who owns an analog television set.

Democratic FCC commissioner Michael Copps said that even though he supported the new rules, he was frustrated that the FCC had not acted more quickly on the digital TV transition.

Copps said he and the other commissioners were discussing the idea of conducting "one or more" digital transition tests around the United States before the nationwide deadline.

"I recognize there may be legal, technical, and practical challenges with planning and conducting such a test this close to the national transition date. But I believe it can be done. At least — for the sake of a successful DTV transition — let's hope it can," Copps said.

Reuters

29 minutes ago

AUGUSTA, Ga. - The legal feud over the estate of James Brown is stalling the release of the soul legend’s final recordings, his longtime adviser said.

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Brown cut an album in Los Angeles the summer before he died in December 2006, but the songs are not being released because of courtroom disputes about who should benefit from his legacy and music royalties, said attorney Buddy Dallas. There are also between 50 and 60 other previously recorded songs in vaults, Dallas said.

Brown’s fourth son, Daryl, is one of five heirs trying to have their father’s will voided because they say his former advisers — including Dallas — used undue influence to get the singer to create charitable trusts from which the advisers would profit. The other advisers named in the lawsuit are Alford Bradley and David Cannon.

Dallas quit as an estate trustee in November but now is trying to retract his resignation.

Daryl Brown, who is lead guitarist for his father’s backing band, the Soul Generals, says he is not aware of any recordings done in California in 2006. Brown and the Soul Generals were working on an album at a studio in Georgia, but they only finished two songs before the singer died, his son said.

But he said there are dozens of unreleased songs stored in vaults and on master tapes at Brown’s Beech Island, S.C., estate.

Brown died on Christmas Day 2006 of heart failure. He was 73.

20 minutes ago

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Jessica Simpson is in the early stages of recording a country album in Nashville, a project slated for a 2008 release via Columbia Records.

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Simpson said she had always wanted to make a country album, but was waiting until the right time.

"I think there is a strength in female country artists," Simpson said, citing Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Reba McEntire as some of her inspirations.

She said she would be involved in the creative process.

"Writing is a release for me," she said. "It's a way for me to tell my story. That's not to say I wouldn't record a song that I didn't write."

Her last album, "A Public Affair," spent just nine weeks on the Billboard 200 in 2006. Her most recent movie, "Blonde Ambition," was recently released in a handful of theaters in her native Texas en route to DVD stores.

Reuters/Billboard

By The Associated Press 16 minutes ago

TELEVISION

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1. “Sunday Night Football: Washington at Minnesota,” NBC.

2. “CSI: Miami,” CBS.

3. “60 Minutes,” CBS.

4. “NCIS,” CBS.

5. “Criminal Minds,” CBS.

(From Nielsen Media Research)

FILM

1. “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” Disney.

2. “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” Fox.

3. “I Am Legend,” Warner Bros.

4. “Charlie Wilson’s War,” Universal.

5. “Juno,” Fox Searchlight.

(From Media By Numbers LLC)

HOT FIVE

1. “Low,” Flo Rida featuring T-Pain. Poe Boy/Atlantic.

2. “No One,” Alicia Keys. MBK/J/RMG.

3. “Apologize,” Timbaland featuring OneRepublic. Mosley/Blackground/Interscope.

4. “Kiss Kiss,” Chris Brown featuring T-Pain. Jive/Zomba.

5. “Clumsy,” Fergie. will.i.am/A&M/Interscope.

(From Billboard magazine)

ALBUMS

1. “Noel,” Josh Groban. 143/Reprise/Warner Bros. (Platinum)

2. “Growing Pains,” Mary J. Blige. Matriarch/Geffen/IGA.

3. “As I Am,” Alicia Keys. MBK/J/RMG. (Platinum)

4. “Long Road Out of Eden,” Eagles. ERC. (Platinum)

5. “Hannah Montana 2 (Soundtrack)/Meet Miley Cyrus,” Miley Cyrus. Walt Disney/Hollywood. (Platinum)

(From Billboard magazine)

CONCERT TOURS

1. Genesis.

2. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

3. Van Halen.

4. Mana.

5. Dave Matthews Band.

(From Pollstar)

VIDEO SALES

1. “Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird,” Warner Home Video.

2. “Yoga Conditioning for Athletes,” Gaiam Video.

3. “Frosty the Snowman,” Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

4. “Disney’s Sing Along Songs: 12 Days Of Christmas,” Buena Vista Home Entertainment.`

5. “The Great Waltz,” Warner Home Video.

(From Billboard magazine)

VIDEO RENTALS

1. “The Bourne Ultimatum,” Universal Studios Home Video.

2. “Superbad,” Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

3. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” Warner Home Video.

4. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

5. “Live Free or Die Hard,” 20th Century Fox.

(From Billboard magazine)

DVD SALES

1. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” Warner Home Video.

2. “The Bourne Ultimatum,” Universal Studios Home Video.

3. “High School Musical 2,” Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

4. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

5. “Superbad,” Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

(From Billboard magazine)