Actions of the NAB Board of Directors

The National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors met this week for its regularly scheduled Fall board meeting. Below is a summary of actions taken by the Board

JOINT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OCTOBER 24-25, 2011

CALL TO ORDER

NAB Joint Board Chairman Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith Corporation - Local Media Group, called the meeting to order. After roll call, the minutes of the June 2011 Board meeting were approved.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Mr. Karpowicz welcomed new Board members and noted the success of the recently-concluded Radio Show held in Chicago as well as the Small Market Television Exchange held in Austin. Mr. Karpowicz discussed the developments of issues impacting television and radio broadcasters and praised the leadership of NAB in protecting broadcasters' interests.

EXECUTIVE REPORT

NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith expressed appreciation for NAB staff and identified several individual staff members. Mr. Smith then updated the Board on policy issues impacting radio and TV broadcasters, particularly proposals to authorize incentive auctions for spectrum, spectrum fees and retransmission consent.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

NAB Executive Vice President of Government Relations Kelly Cole discussed spectrum policy, outlining scenarios by which legislation could be enacted in the coming months and highlighting NAB's ongoing effort to seek protections for TV broadcasters. Ms. Cole also updated the board on spectrum fees proposed in the President's Jobs Act, advertising guidelines designed to curb childhood obesity and retransmission consent.

REGULATORY UPDATE

NAB Executive Vice President of Legal & Regulatory Affairs Jane Mago provided an update on the FCC and the impending vacancy of two Commission seats. Ms. Mago updated the Board on regulatory issues related to spectrum, retransmission consent, media ownership, EAS National Test, programming content and public disclosure, including an FCC proposal to require stations' public files be made available online.

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

NAB Chief Technology Officer Kevin Gage asked the Board for consideration of a proposal for NAB to develop and host a new NAB Lab intended to cultivate and establish thought leaders and push the limits of technology to enhance the broadcast industry. The proposed Lab would incorporate the current NAB FASTROAD program and provide a showcase for technology and funding for research. It would also provide a platform for innovation, a venue for forging partnerships and testing new technology, as well as an education component to create awareness about over-the-air radio and television technology initiatives. Lab organizational structure and funding decisions will be forthcoming.

NAB SHOW UPDATE

NAB Executive Vice President of Conventions and Business Operations Chris Brown updated the Board on the status of the 2012 NAB Show including new themes, programming and exhibit offerings. The show will be held April 14-19 in Las Vegas.

NAB EDUCATION FOUNDATION

NABEF President Marcellus Alexander, executive vice president of Television for NAB, updated the board on activities and initiatives undertaken by the NAB Education Foundation.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

NAB Chief Operating Officer Chris Ornelas provided an overview of NAB's Strategic Planning including fundraising efforts of NAB's political action committee, third-party initiatives, grasstops activities, state association partnerships and other grassroots efforts.

FINANCIAL REPORT

NAB Chief Financial Officer Joy Whitlow updated the board on budget-related issues.

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RADIO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OCTOBER 24, 2011

CALL TO ORDER

NAB Radio Board Chair Caroline Beasley, executive vice president and CFO of Beasley Broadcast Group, called the meeting to order. After roll call, the minutes of the June 2011 Board meeting were accepted.

RADIO TECHNOLOGY ISSUES

Kevin Gage introduced Rey Mena, co-president, Emmis Interactive, who provided a presentation on a collaborative effort by iBiquity, Intel, NAB FASTROAD and Emmis Interactive to create compelling HD Radio on smartphones. Mr. Mena discussed an HD Radio smartphone app in development that will provide enhanced advertising functions, interactivity and emergency alerts.

AM RADIO DISCUSSION

Ben Downs, vice president and general manager, Bryan Broadcasting Corporation updated the Board on activities related to improving AM radio opportunities. Kevin Gage presented an AM Engineering Study proposal that would examine options for AM broadcasters from an engineering perspective with a focus on where technology will be in 5 - 10 years.

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

Jane Mago led a discussion and gathered input from the Board on the issue of an expected upcoming review of media ownership rules. Ms. Mago provided the Radio Board with a status update on activities related to low power FM, FM translators, FM radio interference standards and the upcoming national emergency alert system test.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

Kelly Cole provided the Radio Board with a status update on activities related to spectrum fees and performance tax.

RADIO SHOW RECAP

NAB Executive Vice President of Radio John David and Chris Brown noted that the Radio Show in September was an overwhelming success and provided video highlights from the event. Mr. David provided an update on plans slated for the 2012 Radio Show to be held in Dallas.

RADIO MEMBERSHIP

John David updated the Radio Board on membership and radio-related activities underway at NAB.

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TELEVISION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OCTOBER 25, 2011

CALL TO ORDER

Television Board Chairman Marci Burdick, senior vice president of Broadcasting and Cable, Schurz Communications, Inc., called the Television Board to order. After a call of the roll, minutes of the June 2011 Board meeting were approved.

SPECTRUM UPDATE

Gordon Smith outlined current spectrum issues and NAB efforts to ensure contour protections for broadcasters that choose not to participate in incentive auctions. He also noted concerns of television stations along the Northern Border that could lose service under an FCC repacking proposal.

SPECTRUM POLICY NORTHERN BORDER IMPACT

Kevin Gage presented an NAB analysis on the potential impact of the FCC's National Broadband Plan to reclaim 20 broadcast TV channels. Mr. Gage highlighted the possible profoundly negative impact on local TV stations in states along the Northern Border due to treaty obligations with Canada.

SPECTRUM ADVOCACY

Kelly Cole discussed spectrum policy developments in the Congressional "Super Committee" and NAB's ongoing effort to protect TV stations that don't choose to participate in an FCC incentive auction plan.

Shermaze Ingram, Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing, updated the TV Board on advocacy tools developed by NAB on the issues of spectrum and retransmission consent, including issue specific websites, the distribution of regular issue updates, and advertising initiatives.

OTHER LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ISSUES

Jane Mago provided updates to the TV Board on issues related to retransmission consent, rogue websites, the CALM Act, video description and closed captioning, as well as preparation for the November EAS National Test.

TELEVISION MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES

NAB Executive Vice President of Television Marcellus Alexander briefed the TV Board on membership status and ongoing activities related to television. Mr. Alexander noted the success of the recently-concluded Small Market Television Exchange, which had record attendance, and discussed plans for the upcoming Future Summit as well as other events and programs.

About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.