WASHINGTON, DC -- The National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors met in Washington, DC this week for its regularly-scheduled Fall board meeting. Below is a summary of actions taken by the Board.
JOINT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OCTOBER 25-26, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
NAB Joint Board Chairman Steve Newberry, president and CEO of Commonwealth Broadcasting Corp. called the meeting to order. After roll call, the minutes of the June 2010 Board meeting were approved.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Mr. Newberry updated the Board on developments impacting the radio and television business since the June Board meeting. Mr. Newberry noted the success of the recently-concluded Radio Show, held in Washington, DC and praised the leadership of NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith.
EXECUTIVE REPORT
Sen. Smith updated the Board on activities of NAB following the June board meeting. He noted the numerous policy issues impacting radio and TV broadcasters including ongoing discussions with the music industry over a performance fee and issues of retransmission consent and spectrum.
NABPAC REPORT
NABPAC Chairman Larry Patrick updated the Board on activities and fundraising efforts of NAB's political action committee.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
NAB Executive Vice President of Government Relations Laurie Knight discussed the 2010 midterm elections and policy issues related to campaign finance reform and advertising.
REGULATORY UPDATE
NAB Executive Vice President of Legal & Regulatory Affairs Jane Mago provided an update on issues related to media ownership, EAS and programming content.
FINANCIAL REPORT
NAB Chief Financial Officer Janet McGregor updated the board on budget-related issues.
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.
RATIFICATION
Actions taken by the respective TV and Radio Boards of Directors were ratified by the Joint Board of Directors.
RADIO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OCTOBER 25, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
NAB Radio Board Chair Caroline Beasley, chief financial officer of Beasley Broadcast Group, called the meeting to order. After roll call, the minutes of the June 2010 Board meeting were accepted.
RADIO TECHNOLOGY ISSUES
NAB Senior Vice President of Science & Technology Lynn Claudy provided an overview of technological innovations impacting the radio business, including in-dash automobile audio and broadband technologies, as well as personal addressable HD Radio receivers.
PERFORMANCE FEE DISCUSSION AND ACTION
The NAB Radio Board voted in favor of presenting musicFIRST representatives a legislative "Term Sheet" designed to resolve the longstanding performance fee issue. The Radio Board conditioned their support for the Term Sheet on the understanding that all provisions would remain part of any legislative package.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ACTIVITIES
Laurie Knight and Jane Mago provided the Radio Board with a status update on activities related to FM translators, low power FM and radio-enabled mobile devices.
INDEPENDENT ARTIST PROJECT
NAB Radio Board Member Ben Downs, vice president and general manager of Bryan Broadcasting Corporation, presented a proposal related to an independent artist project.
RADIO MEMBERSHIP
NAB Executive Vice President of Radio John David updated the Radio Board on membership and radio-related activities underway at NAB. Mr. David encouraged members of the Radio Board to attend the upcoming NAB Futures Summit to learn more about emerging technologies in the media business.
RADIO SHOW RECAP
Mr. David and NAB Executive Vice President of Conventions & Business Operations Chris Brown provided an update on the recently concluded Radio Show produced by NAB and RAB. They noted that the Radio Show was an overwhelming success, and provided an update on plans slated for the 2011 Radio Show to be held in Chicago.
TELEVISION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OCTOBER 26, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Television Board Chairman Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith Corporation - Local Media Group, called the Television Board to order. After a call of the roll, minutes of the June 2010 Board meeting were approved.
CONVERSATION WITH PHIL WEISER
Phil Weiser, senior advisor for technology and innovation to the National Economic Council Director, spoke before the TV Board of Directors. Weiser and members of the TV Board discussed issues related to spectrum policy.
NATIONAL STUDIES ON RETRANSMISSION CONSENT AND SPECTRUM
Kieran Mahoney with The Mercury Group presented results of focus group studies related to retransmission consent and spectrum issues.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ISSUES
Jane Mago and Laurie Knight updated the TV Board on issues related to retransmission consent and spectrum, noting that a Senate subcommittee hearing will be held in November on the issue of retransmission consent. Ms. Knight and Ms. Mago also provided updates to the TV Board on issues related to satellite television reauthorization, disabilities legislation and the CALM Act.
INTERNET DISTRIBUTION OF BROADCAST TV
Lynn Claudy and Jane Mago updated the Board on issues related Internet streaming services like FilmOn and Ivi, which are transmitting broadcast programming without the authorization of broadcasters. Mr. Claudy also updated the TV Board on a technology known as Syncbak, which will apply the concept of localism to a broadcast station's Internet initiatives.
OMVC UPDATE
NAB TV Board Member Brandon Burgess, chairman and CEO of ION Media Networks, updated the TV Board on initiatives from the Open Mobile Video Coalition.
TELEVISION MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES
Marcellus Alexander briefed the 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 encouraged members to attend the upcoming Futures Summit.
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.
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