The NAB Pulse October 19, 2009

NAB.org | Industry Areas | News Room

New Study Highlights America's Opposition to Performance Fee
A clear majority of Americans oppose legislation backed by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) that would force local radio stations to pay an additional fee for every song aired free to listeners, according to a poll released today by the National Association of Broadcasters. The poll reveals that 75 percent of participants do not support a performance fee levied on radio stations, and 85 percent recognize the promotional value radio airplay brings to artists and their music.
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Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Performance Rights Act
On Thursday, October 15, the Senate Judiciary Committee marked up S. 379, the Performance Rights Act. The bill passed on a voice vote. As expected, the committee adopted the Leahy-Hatch Manager's Amendment. Similar to what was offered during the House markup, this amendment creates tiers of royalty payments based on the gross annual revenues of the station.
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House Committee Approves Local Community Radio Act
On Thursday, October 15, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved, by voice vote, H.R. 1147, introduced by Reps. Mike Doyle (PA-14) and Lee Terry (NE-02). The bill would remove third adjacent channel protection for full-power FM stations and allow many more low-power FM operators in the FM band.
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More Radio News

Crystal Award Entry Information Now Available >

SHVERA Passes House Commerce Committee
On Thursday, October 15, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved by voice vote, H.R. 2994, the Satellite Home Viewer Reauthorization Act of 2009. Prior to final passage, the Committee approved two amendments. The first amendment was a manager's amendment offered by Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (CA-30) that made changes to the version of the bill the House Telecommunications, Technology, and the Internet Subcommittee approved earlier this year. The second amendment was offered by Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-14) and would require the DISH Network to carry local public television stations in high definition if they carry other local stations in high definition.
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In Brief

Actions of the NAB Board of Directors
The NAB Board of Directors met last week in Dallas, Texas. Click here for a summary of their actions.

FCC Postpones Filing Deadline for Form 323 Ownership Reports
Last week, the FCC issued an order postponing the filing deadline for Form 323, which provides ownership information about station facilities. Broadcasters will not be required to file until the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approves the recent revisions to Form 323.
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NABEF and AAF Webinar Event
The NAB Education Foundation and the American Advertising Federation have partnered to produce webinars which will focus on best practices in broadcast multicultural marketing. The webinars will be integrated into the AAF Web seminar series "From the Source."
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NABEF and BEA Announce PSA Competition Winners Event
The NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) and the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) announced the winners of their Freedom of Speech public service announcement (PSA) competition for college communications students. The winners were acknowledged during a Freedom of Speech luncheon held at the NAB on Thursday, October 15.
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2010 NAB Show Call for Speakers and Proposals - Deadline Extended
Military and Government and additional conference programs call for speakers submission deadlines have been extended to October 23. Broadcast Engineering submissions are also due at that time. Don't miss this opportunity to share your ideas with the Broader-casting™ community!
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The 2009 NAB Legal Calendar is available here.