Last week, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith held a virtual town hall discussing spectrum reallocation and the critical time facing broadcasters – both television and radio. One of the greatest game-changing issues facing broadcasting continues to be congressional and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposals to reallocate spectrum.

These proposals could threaten free, local TV's ability to innovate and provide viewers with the news, emergency information and high-quality programs that they expect and deserve. Currently, congressional and White House leaders are negotiating national debt ceiling legislation, which could include spectrum auction authority. The timeline for reaching a deal on the debt ceiling legislation is August 2 unless an extension is secured.

NAB needs your help to send a strong message to Congress and beat back government intervention that could threaten the future of free, local television. You can engage in our on-air campaign by downloading the 30-second radio and TV spots at www.nab.org/TheFutureofTV. We ask that you air these spots as often as possible between now and August 2.

As a reminder, you must fill out the PB-17 form that we have customized for stations airing these spots and place it in your public file.

On this website, you also will find additional tools and resources to help you educate your members of Congress, as well as listeners and viewers on the spectrum issue. These resources include a spectrum primer called Spectrum 101 and print and banner ads. You will also have the ability to call or send an email to your legislators to express your concerns that TV viewers are protected in any spectrum proposal that may be included in debt ceiling legislation.

NAB thanks stations for your support and participation in our efforts. Working together, we will ensure a strong future for broadcasting.