The
National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors met this week
for its regularly scheduled winter board meeting. Below is a summary of
actions taken by the Board:
JOINT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JANUARY 30-31, 2012
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 October 2011 Board meeting were approved.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Mr.
Karpowicz announced that Radio Board members Joel Oxley, senior regional
VP and market manager, Hubbard Radio Washington Market; Rick Cummings,
president - programming, Emmis Communications Corporation; Ronald Davis,
president and general manager, KBOW-AM/KOPR-FM/KGLM-FM/KANA-AM/Butte Broadcasting
and Eric Brown, general manager, KRVN-AM are rotating off the NAB Board.
Mr. Karpowicz also announced NAB Television Board members David Barrett,
president and CEO, Hearst Television Inc; Lynn Beall, executive vice president,
Gannett Broadcasting and Madelyn Bonnot-Griffin, managing partner, National
Communications, Inc. are rotating off the NAB Board.
Mr. Karpowicz recapped the many legislative and regulatory issues faced
by radio and television broadcasters in 2011 and praised NAB's leadership
in protecting broadcasters' interests.
EXECUTIVE REPORT
NAB
President and CEO Gordon Smith expressed appreciation for broadcasters
maintaining a unified front in tackling issues of concern to the industry.
He recognized third-party initiatives, grassroots activities, state association
partnerships and other efforts as being instrumental in NAB's success
in Washington.
Mr. Smith congratulated E.W. Scripps Company for being selected to receive
the 2012 NAB Distinguished Service Award at the NAB Show in April. Mr.
Smith also acknowledged the passing of NAB senior vice president, Business
Development, David Dziedzic, who recently lost his battle with cancer.
Mr. Smith noted that the unity between NAB Radio and TV Boards has been
the hallmark of the association in the last two years, and has helped
broadcasters achieve public policy goals. He contrasted NAB's unity with
the partisan gridlock in Washington, where legislative efforts to reduce
the deficit and protect copyrights have stalled.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
NAB
Executive Vice President of Government Relations Kelly Cole provided an
overview on issues related to spectrum policy and NAB's efforts to secure
protections to ensure that television broadcasters choosing to stay in
business are held harmless.
Mr. Smith expressed cautious optimism that spectrum/incentive auction
language, expected to be included in a tax extender package, would contain
the protections for television broadcasters sought by NAB.
Ms. Cole also updated the Board on issues related to retransmission consent,
rogue websites (specifically the stalled SOPA and Protect IP Act) and
advertising guidelines designed to curb childhood obesity.
REGULATORY UPDATE
NAB
Executive Vice President of Legal & Regulatory Affairs Jane Mago discussed
the vacancy of two FCC seats and other staff changes at the Commission.
Ms. Mago updated the Board on regulatory issues related to spectrum, retransmission
consent, media ownership, the EAS national test and FCC order, public
disclosure related to online public file and Enhanced Reporting Form,
as well as the pending indecency case being considered by the Supreme
Court.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
NAB
Chief Technology Officer Kevin Gage provided an update on broadcast-related
technology trends seen at CES, including tablets, ultra high definition
television, smart TV technology and HD Radio in dashboards and on mobile
devices.
Mr. Gage updated the Board on plans for the development of NAB Labs, which
will serve as a showcase for technology, establish funding for research,
create awareness about over-the-air radio and television technology initiatives,
provide a platform for innovation and a venue for forging partnerships
and testing new technology.
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 to 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.
NABPAC REPORT
NABPAC
Chairman Larry Patrick updated the Board on activities and fundraising
efforts of NAB's political action committee and thanked the Board for
100 percent participation in NABPAC.
FINANCIAL REPORT
NAB Chief Financial Officer Joy Whitlow updated the board on budget-related
issues. The Board then voted to approve the FY 2012-2013 budget.
***
TELEVISION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 30, 2012
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 October 2011 Board meeting were
approved.
RETRANSMISSION CONSENT
Kelly
Cole briefed the Board on issues related to retransmission consent and
noted the numerous carriage deals reached in recent weeks demonstrates
that the market-based negotiation process is working as Congress intended.
Ms. Mago updated the Board on pending rulemakings at the FCC and NAB's
continued efforts to emphasize the fundamental fairness of the present
retransmission consent system.
Gordon Smith stressed the need to quantify the number of deals that are
done successfully, while respecting the confidential nature and terms
of these negotiations. He urged Board members and all broadcasters to
publicly announce each of the many carriage deals that are successfully
concluded to combat a misinformation campaign by cable TV companies suggesting
that the retransmission consent system is malfunctioning.
NAB Executive Vice President of Marketing Michelle Lehman updated the
TV Board on the development of new retransmission consent advocacy tools
including an issue-specific website, online and social media initiatives
and educational materials.
Kieran Mahoney with The Mercury Group presented results of focus group
studies related to retransmission consent.
ROGUE WEBSITES
Ms.
Cole discussed the indefinite postponement of recent copyright legislation
- SOPA and Protect IP Act - that met fierce opposition from the tech community.
OTHER REGULATORY ISSUES
Ms.
Mago provided updates to the Board on issues related to the CALM Act,
video description and IP captioning relative to accessibility, on-line
public file disclosure, enhanced disclosure form and the Public Notice
issued by the FCC proposing possible changes to the Sports Blackout Rule.
SPECTRUM UPDATE
Gordon
Smith led a lengthy discussion related to the technical, business and
political implications of NAB's strategy for preserving spectrum for those
TV stations choosing not to participate in the FCC's incentive auction
proposal.
Jane Mago outlined next steps for how the FCC would potentially proceed
with incentive auctions rulemaking.
Kevin Gage led a discussion on the history of transmission standards,
implementation of ATSC 2.0 and 3.0, global trends and options available
to ensure broadcast remains a robust and flexible platform that meets
consumer demands and industry objectives.
SYNCBAK PRESENTATION
Syncbak
Founder and CEO Jack Perry provided a presentation on Syncbak, a media
technology company that has built a connected broadcast platform that
enables broadcasters to distribute live and on-demand content OTT.
TV MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
NAB
Executive Vice President of Television Marcellus Alexander updated the
TV Board on upcoming television activities and membership initiatives.
Alexander noted that the NAB Futures Summit will be held November 11-13,
2012 at Laguna Beach, Calif.
Mr. Alexander also praised the success of the Small Market Television
Group Roundtable & Exchange and commended Madelyn Bonnot-Griffin for
her continued leadership in co-chairing the event.
***
RADIO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 31, 2012
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 October 2011 Board meeting were accepted.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY UPDATE
Kelly Cole provided an update regarding efforts to educate lawmakers on the benefits of radio chips in cell phones. Ms. Cole also briefed the Radio Board on NAB's concerns related to felony streaming language in copyright legislation SOPA and "PROTECT IP" Act, now stalled indefinitely. Ms. Cole also provided updates on the status of issues related to performance tax and spectrum fees.
Jane Mago led a discussion and gathered input from the Radio Board on the issue of an upcoming review of media ownership rules. Ms. Mago also provided a status update on activities related to low power FM and FM translators.
PATENT INFRINGEMENT UPDATE
Bart Stringham, senior vice president corporate counsel, Legal and Regulatory Affairs, briefed the Radio Board the status of the Mission Abstract Data patent infringement lawsuit/case and urged the Board to feel free to contact him if they receive a letter seeking licensing fees.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
Kevin Gage briefed the Radio Board on FASTROAD initiatives related to the development of HD Radio technology. Mr. Gage also presented a summary of the AM Engineering Study, conducted in collaboration by NAB and consulting firm Hammett & Edison, to cover the full gamut of future technical options for AM broadcasters.
RADIO MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
NAB Executive Vice President of Radio John David provided an update to the Radio Board on membership initiatives and upcoming events. Mr. David updated the Radio Board on the 2012 Radio Show, sponsored by NAB and the Radio Advertising Bureau. The event will take place September 19-21 in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole.
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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