1. NAB Advocacy Leads to $7 Million Regulatory Fee Reduction
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its regulatory fee order addressing NAB's longstanding concern that the regulatory fee methodology unfairly forces broadcasters to subsidize work performed on behalf of other industries.
The FCC has started to remedy this disparity by reallocating a portion of these costs to the industries that benefit directly from the work performed, resulting in significantly lower costs for broadcasters.
Moreover, small radio broadcasters below the de minimis level, including all those serving populations of less than 10,000, will be exempt from paying regulatory fees.
"This year's order is a significant step toward ensuring all parties benefitting from the FCC's work pay their fair share," said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt.
2. Broadcasters Provide Lifeline in Maui
With cell phone service and internet access disrupted in the wake of the wildfires in Hawaii, local broadcasters have stepped up to provide lifeline service, broadcasting live updates on the fires and keeping the community informed.
Read more about how Hawaii's local stations are supporting their community here.
3. New Content Preservation Webinar and NAB Show New York Session
NAB and the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF) will host a webinar on the importance of documenting and preserving broadcast history for future generations. The webinar will air on August 23 at 2 p.m. ET from NAB's state-of-the-art studio in Washington, D.C.
Register now for Part One: "Preserving Broadcast History."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the FCC will conduct a nationwide test of the emergency alert system (EAS) at 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
Broadcasters should take certain steps in advance of the test. Most importantly, confirm that your EAS equipment, software and firmware are upgraded to their most recent versions.
Broadcasters should also review the EAS Operating Handbook for next steps related to the test alert, ensure that your EAS equipment is configured to monitor the EAS sources indicated in your State EAS Plan and ensure that your EAS equipment clocks are synchronized to the official time.
All participating broadcasters must submit certain filings in the Commission's EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS). The next deadline is September 15, 2023. More information on how to access ETRS, the reporting deadlines and other important information regarding the test can be found here.
5. NAB Honored with Emmy Award
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will honor the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) with the Philo T. Farnsworth Corporate Achievement Award at the 75th Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Awards on October 18, 2023, in Los Angeles.
This award is given to an agency, company or institution whose contributions over time have significantly impacted television technology and engineering.
6. Can't Miss TV and Radio Sessions at NAB Show New York
Topics include AI, AM radio, connected car, NEXTGEN TV, sportscasting, audience engagement, preserving content, recruitment and more. Check out session highlights here.
7. Reminder: Must Carry/Retransmission Consent Election Deadline
All commercial and noncommercial television stations are required to place a carriage election statement stating whether they elect retransmission consent or must carry on cable and satellite in their online public files (OPIF) on or before October 1, 2023.
Stations that are changing their elections with respect to a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) must also email the affected MVPD and the Commission and attach that email to the statement they upload into OPIF.
This year, more than 150 members of Congress and their family members are featured in 30-second radio and television PSAs on meaningful social topics.
9. Recruiting Graduating Media Students
Heather Birks, executive director of the Broadcast Education Association (BEA), shares insights on the current batch of media students embarking on their final year of college and getting ready to enter the workforce.
Hear what they know, how they learn, what they're looking for from employers, what motivates them and how you can showcase your company to them and recruit this new generation into broadcasting.
10. Air New 9/11 Day PSAs Now
Refresh your station's public service announcement creative at NAB's Spot Center, a destination for local radio and television broadcasters seeking public educational materials from credible organizations.
The nonprofit 9/11 Day has released new TV and radio PSAs urging Americans to remember 9/11 through kindness and helping others.
The four new spots, featuring 9/11 survivors, first responders and family members who lost loved ones, are available to run from August 8-September 15.
11. NAB on the Move
Sue Keenom, senior vice president, State, International and Board Relations, NAB, attended the New Mexico Broadcasters Association (NMBA) annual convention and awards dinner last week as Paula Maes, executive director of the NMBA, was inducted into the NMBA Hall of Fame in recognition of 50 years in the broadcast business and 27 years at the helm of the NMBA.
