Net Soup: Frank Beacham

Frank Beacham is a New York City-based writer and producer. Visit his Web site at www.frankbeacham.com. E-mail: frank@frankbeacham.com.

NBC Shifts New York O&O to All News

by Frank Beacham, 6.11.2008

This is a move to hyperlocalism—one designed to re-invent the major NBC stations before they are absorbed into the 500-channel abyss of pay television channels. more

The MPAA Makes A Big Mistake

by Frank Beacham, 3.26.2008

This is a story about a big mistake. It’s also about numerous educational institutions in this country too afraid to confront their suspicions. In both cases, it represents a very sad state of affairs. more

When TV Cameras Bite Back

by Frank Beacham, 1.09.2008

Over the past decade, those of us who live in big cities have seen a remarkable cultural change enabled by the combination of the video camera and computer networks. This change is being sold in the name of public safety—another tool against terrorism. I’m not so sure it’s not a new form of tyranny. more

Find a Way to Use ‘White Space’ Spectrum

by Frank Beacham, 10.17.2007

Spectrum “white space” is an incredibly valuable public resource that could provide wireless broadband access for as little as $10 a month. For that reason alone we must find a way to work out any technical flaws that might block its quick deployment for unlicensed use. more

Apple’s iTunes ‘Privacy’ Transcends Music Piracy

by Frank Beacham, 7.11.2007

Privacy is one of those issues that tend to separate old codgers like myself from the children of the digital era. Most young people tell me to forget about it—the concept of personal privacy is long dead and who cares anyway? more

Phone Recording: Essential Knowledge

by Frank Beacham, 5.30.2007

In the course of one’s daily work, basic skills are acquired. Once learned, it’s easy to forget that this essential knowledge may not be widely known by others. Thus, a new generation struggles to reinvent the wheel. more

Question for Broadcasters: What Do We Get for Our Spectrum?

by Frank Beacham, 4.02.2007

With the demise of analog television fast approaching, over-the-air broadcasters have made a lot of noise lately in favor of educating America's television viewers about the digital transition. more

Corporations Co-opt Citizen Journalism

by Frank Beacham, 2.07.2007

Advertising forecasters predict double-digit growth for online media outlets in the new year. more

Television News: Version 2.0

by Frank Beacham, 12.06.2006

Within days of NBC Universal's recent announcement that it would eliminate 700 jobs in its broadcast operations, a "Career Fair" for job seekers was held at NAB New York, an expo and series of conferences billed as an East Coast "content creation" show. more

Can the Internet Save News Reporting?

by Frank Beacham, 10.04.2006

When I began working in the news department at an NBC affiliate in the late 1960s, ratings were never discussed and no one cared about the hair style of reporters. The most important thing was accuracy-getting the facts straight. more

A Decade Later, 'Net Issues Remain the Same

by Frank Beacham, 8.09.2006

It was 1996, almost exactly a decade ago, when I wrote a column for this publication posing some questions about the future of the Internet. more

Revisiting a '50s Audio Classic

by Frank Beacham, 7.26.2006

In the rush of new production technologies that constantly come and go, it's easy to forget valuable tools that have been around for a long, long time simply because they do a single job very well more

Videography Is More Than Wielding a Camera

by Frank Beacham, 5.24.2006

A few months ago--in a New York City coffee shop that I frequent--a waitress deposited her brand new $6,000-plus HD camcorder on just the spot I had been expecting my breakfast. more

News at the Crossroads of Multimedia

by Frank Beacham, 5.10.2006

At about the same time television news sold its soul to the devil, a savvy Internet innovator was standing at the crossroads to salvage the wreckage. more

Broadcasters Engulfed In 'Perfect Storm'

by Frank Beacham, 4.24.2006

America's over-the-air broadcasters are facing the threat of a new kind of convergence--this one consisting of a volatile mix of right-wing politics and alternative distribution technologies. more

Digitizing a Box of Media Assets

by Frank Beacham, 3.08.2006

Over the past year there's been much news about the distribution of television programming over the Internet. However, a revolution in the work habits of those who use the 'Net to research stories and collaborate in the making of films and television programming has been less visible. more

Sony Produces an Instant Podcast Classic

by Frank Beacham, 1.11.2006

As a child of the 1970s "Portapak" revolution, I'll always have a weak spot for Sony--the visionary company that fired the engines of the portable video revolution. more

Here's to the Visionaries!

by Frank Beacham, 12.07.2005

When I began working in broadcasting in the mid-1960s, most of the equipment in the local radio and television stations was from the Radio Corporation of America. The cameras, microphones, audio consoles--even the "on-air" lights--had that distinctive RCA logo. more

Making Podcasts More Personal

by Frank Beacham, 10.05.2005

Podcasting arrived out of nowhere, knocking the wind out of the "expert" prognosticators. more

Collisions Along The Internet Timeline

by Frank Beacham, 9.07.2005

A dozen years ago, in articles for this publication, I wrote of the great dispute over whether the Internet should become commercial. Yes, younger readers, there was a time when a substantial number of idealistic people, including myself, fiercely argued that the Internet should be free of all advertising. more