The NAB Pulse February 23, 2009

NAB.org | Industry Areas | News Room

Pro Radio Resolution Introduced in the House
On February 12, Reps. Gene Green (TX-29) and Mike Conaway (TX-11) reintroduced the "Local Radio Freedom Act" in support of the radio broadcast industry. H. Con. Res. 49 recognizes both the significance of radio and the important role radio broadcasters play in their local communities, and expresses opposition to the creation of a new fee or "performance tax" on local radio stations. NAB applauds Reps. Green and Conaway and the more than 100 lawmakers who have signed on to this bipartisan House resolution opposing the introduction of "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local radio stations.
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Agreement Reached on Online Streaming Rates for Local Radio Broadcasters
SoundExchange and the National Association of Broadcasters recently announced a comprehensive agreement on Internet streaming rates for local radio stations that simulcast programming over the Internet or that create new stand-alone Internet stations. The agreement provides discounts on previously set rates for 2009 and 2010 and establishes rates for 2011-2015, providing stations with an enhanced ability to serve listeners through online platforms.
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Broadcast Management Session Spotlight: Digital Audience Growth Strategies
In today's economy, developing strong, interactive programs to cultivate a sustainable digital audience is a must for radio stations. Learn methods to do just that during the information intensive, "Digital Audience Growth Strategies," part of the Broadcast Management Conference at the NAB Show in Las Vegas.
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First Wave of America's Switch to Digital TV Goes Smoothly
A third of all full-power television stations are now broadcasting only in digital, after completing the first wave of America's historic switch to digital television last week. On February 17, 421 stations switched to digital and joined 220 stations that had already switched successfully prior to that date.
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March 4 AE Webcast - Selling in a Difficult Economy
How can you increase your multimedia sales? How do you make the best use of your time - especially when you're expected to do more with fewer resources and against today's economic challenges? What are the qualities of the best and most successful sales people? These questions will be answered in the final session of the special NAB-TVB Account Executive Sales Seminar Webcast on "Selling in a Difficult Economy."
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In Brief

Spotlight on Service
This month, the spotlight is on WHUR-FM in Washington, D.C. The station held a Valentine's Day fundraiser to gather phone cards and postage stamps for service men and women stationed overseas. The fundraiser also provided a special Valentine's Day for 10 recently returned soldiers who were treated to dinner, flowers, limo service and tickets to see a Washington Wizards professional basketball game. Click here to read more about WHUR's fundraiser. To view hundreds more examples of broadcasters' community service or to share your station's public service story with us, visit www.broadcastpublicservice.org.

PSA Contest for College Communications Students
The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation and the Broadcast Education Association are accepting entries from college students for a public service announcement (PSA) competition that highlights the importance of free speech.
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Notice: 2009 NAB Board of Directors Election to be Conducted Electronically
The 2009 NAB Board of Directors election will be conducted by email from February 24 to March 30. The 2009 election is for odd-numbered radio districts and six of the at-large television seats.
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New Conferences at the 2009 NAB Show
Take your career to the next level with informative sessions, certified training and workshops for everything from video production, pro audio, broadcast management and engineering, targeted application for the government and military, mobile solutions, telecom, post-production and more. New this year: Advertising Innovations Summit, Military and Government Summit and Mobile Entertainment Summit.
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The 2009 NAB Legal Calendar is available here.