NAB Asks Stations to Donate Gear; Arbitron Uncertain of Impact of Storm

Numerous broadcasters moved this week to raise money to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Clear Channel station KZPS(FM) in Dallas, for just one instance, said it would do a live broadcast from a local Hooters restaurant to raise money for the American Red Cross Storm AID. Sister station KDMX is hosting a fundraising drive at NorthPark Center.
The NAB meanwhile has asked its members to donate equipment to any radio and TV stations hurt by the hurricane. It also posted radio PSAs on its site advising consumers how to donate money for victims through the American Red Cross. The spots feature the song “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
Separately, Arbitron said it is “closely monitoring” the aftermath of Katrina and the possible effects on summer and fall 2005 surveys. Eight weeks of the summer survey had been completed.
“The Arbitron survey processing team has been meeting several times daily to track the impact of the storm and make any necessary adjustments in our procedures,” a company spokesman said in a statement. “At this time, we are not making any decisions on the status of radio surveys in these markets. It’s too soon to tell what the most appropriate decision would be.”