An Electronic Publication of the National Association of Broadcasters

Broadcast Spectrum Repack Ends July 3

Phase 10, the final phase of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) spectrum repack, is set to end on Friday, July 3, 2020. In total, almost 1,000 TV stations will have changed frequencies since the spectrum repack began in September 2018. NAB applauds these stations and their dedicated staff for the tireless work these transitions involved.

If your station will not be able to meet the July 3 deadline, contact your FCC regional coordinator as soon as possible. If your station is operating on temporary facilities or for any reason is having difficulties transitioning, please let us know at NABMarketing@nab.org. NAB's consumer education campaign, TV Answers, will continue until all stations have transitioned to their permanent facilities, and tools and resources for your station will remain available at TVAnswers.org/tools.

Michelle Duke Named NAB Chief Diversity Officer

Last week, NAB president and CEO Gordon Smith announced that Michelle Duke will assume the role of NAB Chief Diversity Officer, effective July 1. In the newly created position, Duke will spearhead NAB's internal efforts to further equity and inclusion at all levels of the organization and elevate NAB's external role as a resource to NAB member companies in their efforts to increase and promote industry diversity.

Duke will also continue in her current role as president of the NAB Leadership Foundation, where she focuses on delivering the Foundation's mission of providing broadcast training programs that help recruit and strengthen the industry's human capital, as well as initiatives in support of community service, diversity and philanthropy.

Census Bureau Accepting Ad Buy Proposals from Local Stations

NAB has been aggressively seeking federal advertising opportunities for local radio and television stations facing enormous economic challenges due to the pandemic. To that end, NAB has been in contact with the Census Bureau on utilizing local broadcast advertising to increase response rates to the census in areas where they fall below the national average. We're pleased that the Census Bureau just announced a $75 million RFP process for spots that will target mostly rural areas beginning in August and September. As the media planning and buying window is extremely tight, we encourage stations that are interested in submitting a proposal to do so as soon as possible.

Defending Journalists' Rights: Resources Available to Stations Covering Protests

NAB is gravely concerned about recent violence against journalists who are legally covering the protests taking place across the nation. Click here for a list of resources and information to help stations navigate these dangerous situations.

Furthermore, NAB and the NAB Leadership Foundation have worked closely with broadcast journalists, station managers, news industry leaders and journalism educators to create a toolkit with guidelines for reporting on sensitive matters of race and religion. Access the Awareness in Reporting toolkit to learn more.

We're Adding Additional Content to NAB Show Express

NAB Show Express wrapped up last month, but it isn't over! Content is still available on-demand with more being added in the coming months. We'll continue to feature sessions covering the trends and topics relevant to your career to keep you up-to-speed and your skills sharp. Exhibitors have setup dynamic profiles for you to explore their products and take your questions. Continue to check out the website to see the added content.

Fighting for Additional Coronavirus Relief for Stations Legislation

As broadcasters continue to confront the challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis, including a steep decline in advertising revenue, NAB's advocacy team has been fighting for legislative relief for broadcasters.

More than 300 House and Senate members have gone on record to support broadcast relief through either expansion of the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan program or through additional federal advertising support.

In addition, the House passed legislation - the HEROES Act - last month that expands eligibility for broadcasters to participate in the SBA loan program. And, bipartisan, stand-alone legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate.

Helping Stations Navigate the Pandemic

As states begin to reopen, broadcasters and other businesses are still grappling with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. While stations have been on the front lines keeping communities connected and informed, NAB has been working around the clock to provide vital resources and support your needs. We are fighting for congressional and regulatory relief and providing tools to help your station continue to serve your local communities.

Reminder: COVID-19 Spots that Focus on Mental Wellness Available

NAB has produced public service announcements (PSAs) for stations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are available here for TV stations and here for radio stations. The PSAs focus on a mental wellness message of hope and encouragement for Americans, and direct listeners and viewers to WeAreBroadcasters.com/Hope.

COVID-19 Webcast: Guiding Your Community

NAB and research firm SmithGeiger provide timely and detailed information on how broadcasters can best operate during the coronavirus pandemic.

REMINDER: July 10 Filing Deadline Approaching

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) previously extended until July 10 the deadlines for broadcasters to submit their first quarter issues/programs lists, originally due April 10, and their first annual Children's Television Programming Report, originally due March 30. See the Media Bureau's March 27 Public Notice announcing these deadline changes here.

Stations Must Add Carriage Election Contacts to Online Public Files by July 31, 2020

OIn July 2019, the FCC modernized its carriage election notice rules by permitting broadcasters to post their carriage elections online, and to send notices to covered multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) by email only when changing their carriage election status. The approach replaces the requirement to send a paper notice via certified mail to MVPDs every three years. A key element of the new system is the requirement for stations to establish a contact email address and phone number for any carriage-related questions from MVPDs and to post that contact information in their public files.

Attention All Commercial TV Stations: File Your Cable Royalty Claims by July 31, 2020

Commercial television stations whose signals were carried as distant signals by at least one cable system in 2019 must file a claim with the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) no later than July 31, 2020. If a station fails to file within this time frame, it cannot collect any royalties for 2019. As of 2017, this is now a two-step process: (1) If you did not do so last year, you must register through the new eCRB system and then (2) file your claim by July 31, 2020. Details on how to register and file a claim are provided in an NAB counsel memo, available here.