The NAB Pulse February 2, 2009

NAB.org | Industry Areas | News Room

Congress to Vote on Possible DTV Transition Delay This Week
Last Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted down S. 328, the DTV Delay Act, to extend the DTV transition date to June 12. The final outcome was 258 to 168, which did not clear the hurdle for a two-thirds vote on legislation placed on the House "suspension" calendar. However, the Senate on Thursday passed, under unanimous consent agreement, language very similar to the House version of the legislation. The bill will now return to the House for consideration. At this time, the House Rules Committee is expected to address the bill Tuesday, February 3 and send the bill to the House floor on Wednesday, February 4. After going through the Rules Committee, the bill will only require a simple majority to pass.
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NAB Crystal Radio Award Entries Due Tuesday
All entries for the NAB Crystal Radio Award must be received by Tuesday, February 3 to be eligible for this prestigious award. If you have any questions, contact NAB Radio's Chris Suever at (202) 775-3511.

Radio Heard Here: Reaching Insiders through Radio World
NAB President and CEO David Rehr recently spoke with Radio World at the CES Show in Las Vegas, Nev. The interview was coordinated as part of the Radio Heard Here campaign to showcase technological innovation in the radio industry. The full interview is available here.

NAB and MSTV File Comments Supporting New DTV Translator Rules
NAB and the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) filed a pair of joint comments in the last few weeks largely in support of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) efforts to create a new class of digital translator that will help broadcasters ensure complete digital coverage post-transition.
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Selling in a Difficult Economy Webcast - Register by February 3
What does it take to sell effectively in today's challenging economy? How can you help your sales team get its share of business when ad budgets are being cut?
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In Brief

Submit your Celebration of Service to America Awards Entries Today
Deadline to Enter is February 6
On one special night each year, broadcasters are acknowledged and thanked for their outstanding service to their communities. On Monday, June 8, 2009, the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation is hosting the Celebration of Service to America Awards on to honor the outstanding efforts of local television and radio broadcasters. Showcase your station's commitment to localism. Submit your Celebration of Service to America Awards entries today. The deadline for entries is February 6, 2009. For more information, including award categories, criteria and rules for entry, go to www.nab.org/servicetoamerica.

2009 NAB Futures Summit
The 2009 Futures Summit will be held March 22-24, 2009, in Monterey Calif. The economy is top-of-mind for all key corporate decision-makers. For broadcast companies concerned about surviving the economy, this year's sessions will focus on strategies to remain competitive and approaches to position companies for the future. The executive-to-executive insights shared are designed to help formulate new strategies at this unique meeting, which serves as a platform for delivering bold, innovative, useful ideas. Topics on this year's agenda include mobile strategies, generating non-traditional revenue, open media platforms, wireless TV broadcast services, automated closed captioning, Internet TV, social networking and enhancing value. Executive presenters from TiVo, Google, Hulu, Intel, Harris, McKinsey, MobiTV, Clear Channel Radio, Emmis Interactive, Cnet, Alpine, UStream and Sun Microsystems are among those invited to speak. Learn more at www.nab.org/futures or call (202) 429-5425.

Visionary Malcolm Gladwell to Present Keynote at NAB Show
Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author of The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers, will present a morning keynote discussion with NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr at the 2009 NAB Show on Wednesday, April 22 in Las Vegas. Gladwell, who was named one of Time magazine's Most Influential People in 2005, will also engage in an interactive dialog with audience members during the thought-provoking discussion entitled, "A Conversation with Malcolm Gladwell."
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NAB Hotel Discount Program
A selection of Washington, D.C., hotels offer reduced rates for NAB members and their guests. Hotels in the program have been chosen based on proximity to NAB headquarters while keeping in mind varied personal tastes, expectations and budgets. Making reservations is easy. Simply call the hotel numbers provided in this guide and ask for the NAB preferred rate. Click here for more information.

NAB There...at the NAB Show
Advance your knowledge and your network with a unique and diverse education offered nowhere else, which provides you with a competitive edge and immediate return on your investment - the NAB Show! Return to your office with real-time solutions that can be shared and implemented immediately - without wasting countless hours in independent research. Make professional contacts with whom you can consult with all year long. Free exhibits-only registration - use code PP01 by April 16.

NAB International Broadcasting Excellence Award
The NAB International Broadcasting Excellence Awards are given to licensed non-U.S. radio or television stations in recognition of their exceptional leadership in advancing the broadcast industry and the services they provide to their community and audiences. The deadline for applications is 13 February 2009. Winners are honored at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, Nev., USA, in April 2009. Nominee does not have to be an NAB member. To apply for the award, visit www.nab.org/InternationalAward. Apply today!

NAB Insurance tip: 8 Ways to Prepare for Lightning Strikes
Repeated lightning strikes on broadcast towers can cause arcing at tower joints, strip away galvanizing, and degrade hardware. And, with more than 140,000 amps of electrical current in each bolt of lightning, transmission and studio equipment are at jeopardy with every lightning storm. Click here for 16 loss control tips on lightning prevention, preparedness and recovery from the NAB property and casualty program sponsored by Aon.

The 2009 NAB Legal Calendar is available here.