WASHINGTON, DC -- NAB issued a statement today responding to comments made by Michael Copps, Acting Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Earlier today, Chairman Copps said that radio and television broadcasters should be required to renew their licenses every three years, rather than the current standard, which is every eight years.
Commenting on Chairman Copps's statement, NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton issued the following statement:
"NAB would respectfully oppose attempts to shorten license renewal terms. Congress wisely reformed license renewal terms to allow broadcasters to better compete against our pay platform competitors. Reducing a broadcaster's term of license would actually harm localism by injecting greater uncertainty into a business model facing the worst advertising downturn in decades."
About
NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association
for America's broadcasters. As the voice of more than 8,300 radio and
television stations, NAB advances their interests in legislative, regulatory
and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables
broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses
and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.