1. State Broadcasters Support the Broadcast VOICES Act
Fifty state broadcasters associations, including the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, sent a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (LA-4) and Senate and House Leaders Chuck Schumer (NY), Mitch McConnell (KY) and Hakeem Jeffries (NY-5) in support of H.R. 8072 and S. 4158, the Broadcast VOICES Act.
Why it matters: The Broadcast VOICES Act would reestablish a diversity tax certificate program to incentivize capital investment in women and minority-owned broadcast stations, as well as investment in the sale of stations to women and minority purchasers, throughout the broadcast industry.
2. Last Chance to Enter the Marconi Radio Awards
Deadline today: The 2024 Marconi Radio Awards nomination window closes at midnight tonight.
Winners will be announced during a special dinner program on October 9, 2024 at the Javits Center during NAB Show New York, held October 9-10.
✏️ Get started: All nominations must be submitted through the NAB member portal. The complete list of entry rules and qualifications can be found here.
In preparation for the 2024 hurricane season, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct an exercise of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) from June 10-12, 2024.
What's happening: The planned exercise will help ensure that broadcasters and other communications providers can access and file in the DIRS system and update DIRS contact information.
On December 4, 2023, the legacy DIRS system was decommissioned in favor of a new platform, which is accessible here. Instructions for updating or creating a DIRS account that can access the new DIRS system can be found here.
What to expect: The exercise will begin with the FCC’s Public Safety Bureau sending a mock activation letter to all registered DIRS participants on June 10. The letter will state that this is only an exercise. The letter will provide a list of pre-selected counties in the mock disaster area.
Providers will be asked to report data on any communications assets it has in the affected area. If a provider does not have any communications assets in the affected counties, it can still participate in the exercise by reporting mock data for the pre-selected counties.
The FCC asks that exercise participants provide their initial data sets by 10 a.m. EST on June 11 with an updated report filed by June 12 at 10 a.m. EST. The Bureau will send a deactivation letter by 3 p.m. EST on June 12.
How to participate:
Stations that would like to participate in this voluntary exercise should email michael.caiafa@fcc.gov and john.healy@fcc.gov by June 3 with the following information in Excel format:
Name of the provider
Names of all participants from the provider
Email and phone numbers of all participants from the provider
Specific geographic areas (counties, state) that the provider would like to have included in the disaster area for this exercise (optional)
No response is necessary if you do not wish to participate in this exercise. More information can be found here.
4. FCC Lifts Freeze to Allow LPTV and Class A Channel Changes
The FCC announced it will lift its 2010 freeze order on major change applications for Class A, LPTV and TV translator stations to allow those stations to change their existing channel. The FCC hinted that it may lift the freeze entirely soon to allow new LPTV and TV translator stations and other major changes to existing stations.
What’s happening: Beginning August 20, 2024, all Class A, LPTV and TV Translator stations will be permitted to file a major modification application to change channel. No other major changes, such as transmitter relocation greater than 30 miles, will be permitted at that time. Minor changes such as relocation of 30 miles or less can be included on the same application.
Applications will be processed on a rolling (first come, first served) basis with all applications received on the same day treated coequally. The usual fees of $865 for LPTV and TV translator stations apply.
Questions? Contact Bob Weller at rweller@nab.org or the FCC contacts listed in the public notice.
5. Now Available: 2024 Election Toolkit
NAB's 2024 Election Toolkit provides you with ideas and resources to help increase voter registration, education and turnout.
With an increased focus on fighting misinformation and intentional disinformation, the toolkit provides tips on fact-checking and identifying false information online, as well as examples of broadcasters’ work in action.
It also offers broadcast-ready television and radio spots in English and Spanish, produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters’ Vote411.org, to encourage voter participation.
Don't forget to send examples of your fact-checking projects and voter education public service to WeAreBroadcasters@nab.org so we can feature them on our social channels.
6. Member Benefit of the Month: Save up to 35% with Avis and Budget
Travel for less this summer and book a rental car today. NAB members can enjoy savings of up to 35% on Avis and Budget Pay Now rates when renting a vehicle from a participating location in the contiguous U.S. and Canada. Start saving now.
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