The National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors met this week for its regularly scheduled summer board meeting. Below is a summary of actions taken by the Board:
JOINT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June 12-13, 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 January 2012 Board meeting were approved.
ELECTIONS
NAB Television Board First Vice Chair Michael Fiorile, vice chairman and CEO of The Dispatch Group, nominated Gordon Smith as NAB president and CEO. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Board.
Sally Brown, president and general manager, WSBT Radio/TV, nominated Chief Financial Officer Joy Whitlow as secretary/treasurer. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Board.
Raycom Media, Inc. President and CEO Paul McTear nominated Paul Karpowicz as joint board chairman. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Board.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Mr. Karpowicz welcomed new Radio Board Members: Pete Booker, president and CEO, Delmarva Broadcasting Company; Erik Hellum, executive vice president, Townsquare Media; Dick Lewis, president/market manager, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment - New Orleans; Frank Osborn, president, Qantum Communications; Mary Quass, president and CEO, NRG Media; Jose Valle, president, Univision Radio; and Bud Walters, president, The Cromwell Group.
Mr. Karpowicz also welcomed new Television Board Members: Steve Hammel, vice president and general manager, WRAL-TV; Dave Lougee, president, Gannett Broadcasting; DuJuan McCoy, President and CEO, Bayou City Broadcasting, LLC; and Jordan Wertlieb, executive vice president, Hearst Television, Inc.
Mr. Karpowicz provided an overview of legislative and regulatory issues faced by radio and television broadcasters in 2012 and praised NAB's leadership in protecting broadcasters' interests.
EXECUTIVE REPORT
NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith pointed out that radio and television broadcasting are mature and indispensable technologies that face challenges on several fronts, but remain well-positioned to win "big issues." He credited the unity of NAB Radio and TV Boards and leadership of the NAB Board Executive Committee for providing NAB with the stature to achieve public policy goals.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY UPDATE
NAB Executive Vice President of Legal & Regulatory Affairs Jane Mago discussed the two new commissioners recently confirmed to the FCC. Ms. Mago updated the Board on regulatory issues related to license renewals, indecency, media ownership and EAS/emergency alerting.
NAB Executive Vice President of Government Relations Kelly Cole provided an overview of congressional activities related to broadcasting issues including legislation affecting EAS/emergency alerting and issues associated with advertising, including a potential overhaul of the tax code that could affect advertising deductibility.
NABPAC REPORT
NABPAC Chairman Larry Patrick updated the Board on activities and fundraising efforts of NAB's political action committee.
NAB SHOW UPDATE
NAB Executive Vice President of Conventions and Business Operations Chris Brown recapped highlights and final numbers from the 2012 NAB Show, held April 14-19 in Las Vegas, and updated the Board on prospects for the 2013 NAB Show, which is already showing strong exhibit sales.
NAB EDUCATION FOUNDATION
NABEF President Marcellus Alexander provided highlights from the 2012 Service to America Awards celebration and noted activities and initiatives of the Foundation, including a ThanksUSA Country Music Concert fundraiser held at the 2012 NAB Show and the First Annual NABEF Congressional Golf Classic to be held September 24, 2012 at The Club at Creighton Farms, Aldie, VA.
FINANCIAL REPORT
NAB Chief FinancialOfficer Joy Whitlow updated the Board on financial matters and budget-related issues.
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TELEVISION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June 12, 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 January 2012 Board meeting were approved.
ELECTIONS
Alan Frank, president and CEO, Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc., nominated Marci Burdick as chairman of the Television Board. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Television Board.
Mr. Frank nominated The Dispatch Broadcast Group Vice Chairman and CEO Michael Fiorile as first vice chair of the Television Board. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Television Board.
Brian Lawlor, senior vice president, Television, The E.W. Scripps Company, nominated Dunia Shive, president and CEO, Belo Corp., as second vice chair of the Television Board. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Television Board.
Ms. Burdick noted that Martin Franks, EVP, Planning Policy and Government Affairs at CBS Corporation, will assume the designated network seat on the executive committee.
SPECTRUM
Jane Mago outlined initial steps by the FCC to implement incentive auctions, including a potential Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and workshops on topics such as channel sharing and relocation costs.
Kelly Cole briefed the Board on Congressional oversight related to spectrum incentives auctions and NAB efforts to work with Congress to ensure that provisions in the statute protecting broadcasters are met as the legislation is implemented.
RETRANSMISSION CONSENT
Ms. Cole briefed the Board on issues related to retransmission consent, specifically proposed legislation (Scalise/DeMint bills) and Congressional hearings focused on the "Future of On-Line Television" and the "Future of Video."
Ms. Cole also updated the Board on several successful network affiliate representative fly-ins and other grass roots activity conducted to educate Members of Congress on the issue of retransmission consent.
ONLINE POLITICAL FILE
Ms.
Mago reported on the status of the FCC's order related to public file
disclosure and potential implications for television broadcasters. Ms.
Mago further briefed the Board on NAB's petition filed last month with
the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
requesting a review of the FCC's order requiring stations to publish political
advertising-related information online.
Ms. Cole discussed NAB efforts to encourage vigorous Congressional oversight authority over the FCC rulemaking process and pointed out opposition expressed recently by Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Chairwoman Jo Ann Emerson to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski's agenda on the issue.
VIEWABILITY
Ms. Mago updated the Board on the FCC's "viewability" order which, despite opposition from NAB, consumer groups and others, will allow cable operators' requirement to provide must-carry digital broadcast signals in an analog format to expire in six months. Ms. Mago also presented options going forward including possible requests for reconsideration or court action.
DEFINITION OF MVPD
Ms. Mago provided background to the Board on the FCC proceeding concerning the definition of a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) and outlined the contents of NAB's position with respect to retransmission consent and exclusivity rights of television stations.
ACCESSIBILITY
Ms. Mago briefed the Board on issues related to accessibility, specifically video description requirements and IP captioning.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
NAB Chief Technology Officer Kevin Gage provided an update on technology trends and discussed the importance of preserving the viability of broadcast television in a multiplatform environment. Mr. Gage provided an overview of NAB Labs Technical Committee Structure and led a discussion on NAB's role in exploring transmission standards options to ensure broadcast remains a robust and flexible platform that meets consumer demands and industry objectives.
TELEVISION MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES
Marcellus Alexander briefed the Board on membership status and ongoing activities related to television, highlighting upcoming events such as the Small Market Television Exchange, Futures Summit and various training programs.
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RADIO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June
13, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
NAB Radio Board Second Vice Chair Don Benson, president and CEO of Lincoln Financial Media, called the meeting to order and welcomed new Board members. After roll call, the minutes of the January 2012 Board meeting were accepted.
ELECTIONS
Following a nomination from Mike Novak, president and CEO of Educations Media Foundation, Don Benson was elected Radio Board chair by unanimous vote.
Following a nomination from Joe Schwartz, president and CEO of Cherry Creek Radio LLC, John Beck, senior vice president and market manager, Emmis Communications St. Louis, was elected Radio Board first vice chairman by unanimous vote.
Following a nomination from Sally Brown, president/general manager at WSBT Radio/TV, Caroline Beasley, executive vice president and CFO of Beasley Broadcast Group, was elected Radio Board second vice chairman by unanimous vote.
Following a nomination from Amador S. Bustos, president of Bustos Media Holdings, LLC, Jose Valle, president, Univision Radio, was elected to the Radio Board's major group representative seat by unanimous vote.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY UPDATE
Jane Mago updated the Board on FCC actions related to the FCC's implementation of the Local Community Radio Act (LCRA) including low power FM and issues surrounding FM translators and second adjacent-channel waivers. Kelly Cole confirmed NAB's continued advocacy and willingness from legislators to ensure LCRA implementation is consistent with legislative intent.
PERFORMANCE TAX
Kelly Cole provided an update on issues and developments surrounding the performance fee issue, briefing the Board on the recent "Future of Audio" hearing and a review of the Clear Channel/Big Machine royalty deal. The Radio Board agreed that this privately negotiated free market agreement demonstrates that there is no need for Congress to get involved in legislation on this issue.
COPYRIGHT/ROYALTY BOARD REFORM
Ms. Cole briefed the Board on the Copyright Royalty Board/D.C. Circuit court case and possible Congressional actions to reform the CRB. Ms. Cole led a discussion and gathered input on the ramifications of a possible court decision that would challenge the legitimacy of the CRB.
RADIO-ENABLED CELL PHONES
Kelly Cole provided an update regarding efforts to educate lawmakers on the benefits of radio chips in cell phones, citing nine House members who recently made floor statements thanking broadcasters for providing lifesaving information during times of crisis. Ms. Cole also pointed out the effective testimony given by Steve Newberry, president and CEO of Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation, and Jeff Smulyan, chairman and CEO of Emmis Communications, at the "The Future of Audio" hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology last week.
Mr. Smulyan provided a summary of strategies to educate policy makers and the public on the importance of radio enabled cell phones, noting that cell carriers prefer charging escalating rates for streaming applications rather than activate radio chips for free broadcast radio.
Michelle Lehman outlined available tools and resources offered by NAB to educate the public on the benefits or radio enabled cell phones. These include online and advertising resources as well as messaging points.
PATENT INFRINGEMENT UPDATE
Ms. Mago updated the Radio Board on the status of the Mission Abstract Data patent infringement lawsuit/case.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
Kevin Gage briefed the Radio Board on activities of the Radio Technology Committee and discussed the continued evaluation of the AM Engineering Study to determine recommendations regarding AM regulatory options. Mr. Gage also briefed the Board on audio technology trends and HD Radio developments.
RADIO MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
NAB
Executive Vice President of Radio John David provided an update to the
Radio Board on membership initiatives NAB Show highlights 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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