White House officials acted to quell criticism on Hill about meri...

Tauzin (R-La.) and appeared to soothe situation somewhat, Tauzin spokesman Ken Johnson said. “The idea of spectrum fees [for broadcasters keeping analog spectrum] is probably DOA,” he said, but Tauzin staffers were finding on rest of package that “there appears to be some merit to parts of it… It certainly opens the door to at least some discussion.” Johnson said several Committee staffers were preparing to brief Tauzin fully on issue today (Mon.), at which point he could be ready to take position, “consulting with [Telecom] Subcommittee Chmn. Upton” [R-Mich.]. “The Administration has indeed been in contact with our office,” said spokesman for Senate Communications Subcommittee Chmn. Burns (R-Mont.), who has ambitious spectrum plans of his own. “We're confident that everything is going to be worked out,” he said: “There’s a lot of communication going on right now.” Spokesman said Burns wasn’t ruling out plan to delay spectrum auctions. “We're willing to work with the Administration and see what can be done,” he said, adding that “the devil will be in the details.” It wasn’t clear last week that broadcasters would be able to take unified position. “We're still studying the proposal,” NAB spokesman said. Source said some broadcasters with lower audiences (Paxson was mentioned) might “want to get out early” from analog spectrum and “get their money from the wireless carriers.” On other hand, we're told, for stations whose primary asset is large audience, such as CBS affiliates, it may be attractive to delay loss of analog spectrum as long as possible.