The NAB Pulse October 6, 2008

NAB.org | Industry Areas | News Room

Radio Heard Here Campaign Unveils Radio Ads
The comprehensive Radio Heard Here campaign that was unveiled in April at the NAB Show provided stations across the country with its first five radio ads last week. Already, hundreds of stations across the country have downloaded the spots and are including them in regular rotation.
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NAB Statement on Senate Passage of Webcaster Settlement Act
On Tuesday, September 30, the Senate passed the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008, a bill that grants Webcasters, including radio stations that stream music over the Internet, the ability to negotiate new music streaming rates with SoundExchange, a group created to collect and distribute royalty payments. The negotiated rate, which must be settled by February 15, 2009, would replace the exorbitantly high rates set by the Copyright Royalty Board and would be active for 10 years.
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Call Your Congressman - Fight the Performance Tax
The controversial performance royalties legislation introduced in both the House and Senate will likely not see any more attention this year despite the unforeseen extension of congressional activities on Capitol Hill. This legislation is expected to receive more attention in early 2009.
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More Radio News

Election 2008 Materials Available from NAB Spot Center >

Reminder - Quarterly DTV Consumer Education Report All television stations must file Digital Teleivsion (DTV) Consumer Education Quarterly Activity Report (FCC Form 388) for the July 1 - September 30, 2008, calendar quarter by October 10. Stations must file electronically using the Federal Communcations Commission's (FCC) Consolidated DataBase System (CDBS). Stations must also place a copy of FCC Form 388 in their public file and must post the form on their station's Web site, if the station has one.
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NAB's DTV Road Show Visits Philly to Educate Football Fans
As football fans entered Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to cheer on their favorite teams, a giant TV set on wheels was there to remind them about the upcoming switch to digital television (DTV). During yesterday's sold-out Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles game, a DTV Trekker - a truck that looks like a huge analog TV - sat inside the stadium in HeadHouse Plaza with a two-person crew on hand to answer questions about the transition.
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In Brief

Congressional Black Caucus Members Express Concern Over FCC Localism Mandates
Twenty-seven members of the Congressional Black Caucus expressed concern to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin this week over recent FCC proposals that would dictate how broadcasters serve their local communities, placing additional regulatory burdens on local radio and television stations. To date, 28 senators and more than 150 House members have sent letters to the FCC expressing concern over the proposed regulation.
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New Regulation Requiring High-Visibility Vests for Those Working On Federal-Aid Highway Right-Of-Ways
A regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) affecting broadcasters goes into effect on November 24, 2008. The regulation will require everyone working on federal-aid highways to wear high-visibility vests. FHWA has interpreted this regulation as including members of the media within the definition of "workers."
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Member Service - 2008 Election Pak
During the 2008 political campaign season, NAB is pleased to provide members with important tools to help sales team navigate through political advertising transactions. The Election Pak contains free links to the "Political Broadcast Catechism," Agreement Forms PB16, Political Advertising Web cast and "50 Ways to Lose Your Licenses: Political Advertising Questions." If you have additional questions about political advertising, please call NAB's toll-free Legal hotline at (866) 682-0276.

The 2008 NAB Legal Calendar is available here.