Haitian relief efforts and the death of former Federal Communications Commissioner James Quello were among the issues on the minds of the NAB board as it met in Washington.
Board members reiterated that Feb. 1 will be “Broadcasters for Haiti Day,” a time for stations to air dedicated fundraising relief efforts, telephone banks, radiothons and telethons.
In a resolution passed by board members, they stated: “NAB is grateful for Jim Quello’s unwavering support for free and local broadcasting and applaud his bipartisan approach to public policy debates. We have lost a true friend.”
On regulatory issues, NAB is supporting a texting and driving public service campaign. Its members pledged to work with the federal government and private sector to promote and encourage safe driving practices. “NAB believes that text messaging on portable devices while driving is incompatible with safe driving,” stated board members in a resolution.
NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith updated the board on association activities and provided insight on the recording industry’s attempt to win a new performance royalty from radio and proposals from some Washington groups to reallocate broadcast TV spectrum for wireless broadband devices.
Executive Vice President of Legal & Regulatory Affairs Jane Mago discussed issues related to spectrum reallocation, the FCC’s ownership proceeding and content regulation, according to a summary from the association. The board heard updates on low- power FM and the proposed HD Radio power increase.
Mago and NAB Senior Vice President of Science and Technology Lynn Claudy reported on the NAB’s FASTROAD (Flexible Advanced Services for Television and Radio On All Devices) project, designed to help spur the inclusion of live, local radio and TV signals on mobile devices such as cell phones and laptops.
As he has before, iBiquity President/CEO Bob Struble also briefed the radio board on developments related to the rollout of HD Radio.
Radio Board First Vice Chair Caroline Beasley, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Beasley Broadcast Group and member of the Radio Music Licensing Committee, discussed rate talks with BMI and ASCAP.
