1. Regulatory Fees Continue to Drop Due to NAB’s Aggressive Advocacy
Regulatory fees for Fiscal Year 2024 continue to drop as a result of NAB’s advocacy efforts at the FCC. Because the Commission adopted an improved methodology last year at broadcasters’ request, the broadcast industry’s share of FY 2024 regulatory fees decreased by 7%, building on FY 2023’s significant decrease. Since FY 2022, broadcasters’ share of regulatory fees has decreased by 20%, while at the same time, the FCC’s budget increased 2%.
It is important to note that these fees are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 26, 2024. Payments that are not submitted by the due date through the Commission Registration System (CORES) are subject to a 25% late payment penalty, so don’t delay.
Next steps: The FCC has issued a detailed fact sheet that provides information regarding broadcasters’ regulatory fees and directions for paying the fees through CORES. Broadcasters should carefully review this information and ensure that their fees are received by the due date. Additional guidance regarding the FCC’s payment procedures can be found here.
The FCC also issued a Public Notice outlining the procedures that must be followed for filing requests for waiver, reduction, deferral and installment payment of Fiscal Year 2024 regulatory fees. Requests for fee relief must also be received by September 26, 2024.
2. New California Big Tech Deal Hurts Local Journalism
A last-minute closed door deal between Google and the state of California has succeeded in shelving popular bipartisan state legislation that would have fairly compensated local newsrooms for their valuable journalism, setting a dangerous precedent that could cripple trusted news outlets.
Dig deeper: Read more about why Congress needs to pass the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act on the NAB Blog.
3. ICYMI: Election Preparedness Webinar Now On Demand
“Building and Maintaining Trust in Election Coverage,” presented by NAB and the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) is now available to watch on demand.
🤝 Why it matters: Experts discussed strategies for building trust with your audience and combating disinformation during the 2024 election season.
Dig deeper: Download NAB’s Election Toolkit for more tips on voter engagement strategies, trust-building with audiences, field safety and best practices from leading broadcasters.
Then, join us at the Election Coverage Summit at NAB Show New York on Thursday, October 10. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to get resources to deliver accurate and reliable election coverage across all platforms.
Register today and use promo code ELECTION1 to get a free Exhibits Pass and complimentary access to the summit.
4. NAB Hosts Futures: AI
NAB hosted NAB Futures: AI in Washington, D.C., this week, where attendees heard from leaders in the AI space. Pictured here is NAB Executive Vice President, Technology and Chief Technology Officer Sam Matheny in conversation with Tom Rubin, chief of Intellectual Property and Content, OpenAI and Varun Shetty, head of Media Partnerships, OpenAI.
5. New Broadcast Station Self Inspection Guides Now Available
These tools are designed to help broadcasters effectively conduct self-inspections and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Guides for low-power and translator stations are expected to be released soon.
The guides are available as a free resource to NAB members on the member downloads section of the NAB website. SBE members may also access the guides directly through the SBE website.
6. Application Window Closing Soon: Media Sales Academy and Technology Apprenticeship Program
The NAB Leadership Foundation’s Media Sales Academy (MSA) delivers a comprehensive curriculum for college students who want to give themselves a significant edge in going into a sales career in the broadcast industry.
This is a fully funded program. This means that students will receive training and hands-on learning at no cost to them. In fact, at the core of the program is a paid internship at a local television or radio station.
The Technology Apprenticeship Program (TAP) is designed to train and inform students on engineering, information systems and emerging technologies in broadcasting, including AWS cloud-based instruction.
This year, the heart of the student experience will be paid internships at local stations.
7. Last Chance: Workforce and Inclusion Forum Happening Soon
Registration is open for the annual Workforce and Inclusion Forum, hosted in partnership with the NAB Leadership Foundation.
đź“… This exclusive event will be held at NAB headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Friday, September 20, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The forum is an exclusive event that brings together the broadcast industry’s human resources (HR) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) professionals.
8. LISTEN NOW: Jennifer Hudson Reflects on Her Talk Show and Award-winning Career
Hear from EGOT winner and entertainment icon Jennifer Hudson as she sits down with NAB’s April Carty-Sipp on the NAB Podcast to reflect on the journey of her award-winning career across music, television, film and Broadway.
Nicole Gustafson, senior vice president, Government Relations, NAB, presented an issue briefing at the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) Annual Convention along with David Oxenford, partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP and Derek Bauer, partner, BakerHostetler.
Bob Houghton, past president of the GAB, was surprised with the Broadcaster of the Year Award at the annual Gabby Awards. Pictured here are Sue Keenom, senior vice president, State, International and Board Relations, NAB; Randy Gravley, president, GAB and former NAB board member; Houghton; Nicole Gustafson and Greg Davis, president and CEO, Davis Broadcasting and NAB board member.
10. Register Now for Inaugural Business of Entertainment Summit
You are invited to Los Angeles for the Financial Times' inaugural Business of Entertainment Summit September 19-20, 2024, a premier gathering to forge powerful connections with top-tier industry minds across film, TV, music and gaming and to discuss what's next for the industry.
You’ll hear from top-tier industry speakers such as Eva Longoria, founder, Hyphenate Media Group; Greg Peters, co-CEO, Netflix; Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group; Tony Vinciquerra, chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment and many more.
As a valued member of NAB, click here to save 20% off your pass using code NAB.
