1. House to Hold Hearing on AM Radio

The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a legislative hearing on April 30 titled “Preserving Americans’ Access to AM Radio.”

• What you can do: Air these radio spots in English and Spanish to engage listeners in the campaign to keep AM radio in cars. These spots, along with digital ads, talking points and more are part of NAB's ongoing Depend on AM campaign.
• It is vital that we make our voices heard on this critical issue, and it is extremely impactful for members of Congress to hear directly from their constituents.
• 📣 Act now: Click here to urge your legislators to support AM radio.

2. Broadcast VOICES Act Introduced in Congress

Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-4) has introduced the Broadcast Varied Ownership Incentives for Community Expanded Service (VOICES) Act in the House and Sen. Gary Peters (MI) introduced the legislation in the Senate.

• Why it matters: This bill would reestablish a diversity tax certificate program to incentivize capital investment in women and minority-owned stations, as well as investment in the sale of stations to women and minority purchasers, throughout the broadcast industry.
• NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt: “Reinstating the diversity tax certificate program is a meaningful step to level the playing field and amplify underrepresented voices in media.”

3. NAB Board Election Results Announced

The results of the 2024 NAB Radio and Television Board of Directors elections have been announced.

• Effective immediately, Jerry “J” Chapman, president and majority owner, Woof Boom Radio, will assume the District 10 (Ind.) board seat that was held by Michael Hulvey of Neuhoff Media.
• Starting in June 2024, Eddie Harrell, Jr., regional vice president and general manager, Radio One Markets in Ohio, will be appointed to the designated seat held by Alfred Liggins, Urban One, Inc.
• The full list is available here.

4. Contract Extension Announced for NAB President and CEO

NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the helm of NAB through 2029.

• NAB Joint Board Chairman Perry Sook: “Curtis has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic thinking and an unwavering dedication to the future of broadcasting, ensuring NAB remains at the forefront of innovation. We are confident in his ability to drive continued success for NAB and its members.”

5. FM and TV Self-Inspection Guides Now Available

NAB, in partnership with the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), has released updated self-inspection guides for FM radio and TV stations. 

• What are they? These guides provide up-to-date, standardized guidance to help comply with FCC rules and policies. The FCC stopped publishing self-inspection checklists in 2003, but rules and policies have continued to change since then. The guides are also intended to provide recommendation practices for the alternative broadcast inspections program (ABIP).
• Get started: The guides are available as a free benefit to NAB members, and can be downloaded at my.nab.org. Guides for AM and low-power stations will be available in the future.

Questions? Contact Bob Weller at rweller@nab.org.

6. NAB on the Move

John Clark, senior vice president, Emerging Technology, NAB and executive director, PILOT, spoke at the Heartland Media Conference in Fargo, N.D. His presentation was titled “Challenges and Opportunities of AI: Licensing, Verification and Deepfakes.”