An Electronic Publication of the National Association of Broadcasters

Act Now: Urge Congress to Pass the Local News and Emergency Information Act

The Senate has indicated it will make an effort to act on COVID-19 relief legislation this week, and broadcasters continue to strongly urge Congress to expand access to the Paycheck Protection Program.

Please take action now to ensure broadcasters' voices are heard.

The pandemic has taken a severe toll on radio and television stations at a time when you are working to keep your communities safe and informed.

Act now to urge Congress to pass the Local News and Emergency Information Act, which expands access to Paycheck Protection Program loans for broadcasters, and increase federal advertising in local markets, or to thank legislators who already support this bill.

Air New Spots to Send an Important Message to Policymakers

Please download and air NAB's We Are Broadcasters spots showcasing stations' important role in delivering critical news and information to our communities. Now more than ever, what you do for your communities is vital.

This year our country has been devastated by a global pandemic, civil unrest has reached a fever pitch, hurricanes and wildfires have ravaged communities and we've embarked on one of the most bitter and raucous political elections of our lifetime. And through it all, broadcasters have been there, despite significant declines in advertising revenue. As we urge Congress to provide stimulus relief, we need your help in educating lawmakers on the incredible value broadcasters provide.

Please download new We Are Broadcasters spots for radio and TV stations that showcase the importance of our local stations and air them as often as possible to send a strong message to policymakers.

Children's TV Programming Reports for 2020 Now Available in FCC's Online System

Under Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules as modified last year, every full-power commercial and Class A TV station must file on an annual basis a Children's Television Programming Report reflecting their efforts during the preceding year to serve the educational and informational needs of children.

Reminder: NAB Resources to Help Ensure Compliance with the FCC's Political Advertising Rules

With Election Day right around the corner, now is the time to make sure your station is carefully complying with the FCC's rules for political advertising. The transition of stations' political advertising files to the FCC's online database has allowed for increased scrutiny of your compliance with the FCC's rules. The documents that stations must upload to the political file are now date-stamped and easily accessible to FCC staff and third-party groups. Therefore, it has never been more important that all required information about political advertising requests are promptly uploaded and that your political file is accurate and up to date at all times. The FCC is closely monitoring station compliance and initiating enforcement actions for violations.

Webcasting Royalties Proceeding for 2021 to 2025 Moving Forward at the Copyright Royalty Board

Every five years, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), an administrative body housed within the U.S. Copyright Office, sets the amount of royalties that digital music services, including terrestrial radio, must pay to record labels and artists when streaming songs.

Incentive Auction Reimbursement Deadlines Announced

Last week, the FCC announced deadlines for the Broadcaster Relocation Fund. Click here for the FCC Public Notice.

Many TV and some radio stations had costs associated with the post-incentive auction transition of TV stations to new channels. These costs included antenna and transmitter replacements, construction of new towers, erection of temporary or auxiliary antennas, engineering and legal fees and licensing and permitting costs. While the statutory deadline for obligating funds to reimburse TV and radio stations is July 3, 2023, the FCC has established earlier deadlines for submitting invoices.

House of Representatives Passes Heroes Act

Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act, which includes provisions to expand eligibility for U.S. Small Business Administration loan access to struggling local newspapers and radio and television stations. Read NAB's full statement here.

House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee Releases Report on Competitive Power of Technology Platforms

The House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee released a long-awaited report on technology competition issues. The report addressed the major tech platforms' overwhelming competitive power and its impact on local media outlets' ability to invest in, produce and deliver local news and information.

Supreme Court Grants Review of Media Ownership Ruling

The Supreme Court granted an appeal by the FCC and NAB to a lower court ruling blocking changes to broadcast media ownership regulations. For almost two decades, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked common-sense changes to outdated broadcast ownership regulations to the detriment of local journalism. The time has come to allow the FCC to modernize its rules. NAB looks forward to presenting the case before the Supreme Court this term. Read NAB's full statement here.

Make Sure Your Listeners and Viewers are #VoteReady

Election Day is around the corner! Are your viewers and listeners #VoteReady? This year more than ever, local stations play a critical role in encouraging audiences to register and exercise their right to vote.

New Election Legal Guide Now Available

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press released an updated Election Legal Guide with new information on the press and public's right to access ballots, voter rolls and the initial ballot counts and recount process in key battleground states to help broadcasters as they cover the election and the anticipated increased use of mail-in ballots. The guide also includes information on:

• Deadlines for counting and certifying state election results and where to find up-to-date results on the night of the election and thereafter in key battleground states
• Journalists' rights and restrictions regarding exit polling
• Newsgathering in or near polling places
• Laws pertaining to taking and publishing ballot selfies

Radio Show and Sales and Management Television Exchange Draw Nearly 3,000 Attendees, NAB Show New York Begins Today

The 2020 Radio Show and Sales and Management Television Exchange (SMTE) met successfully virtually this month with nearly 3,000 participants.

The Radio Show drew over 2,000 registrants and SMTE gathered 800 attendees who welcomed the opportunity to connect and gain valuable insights on how to navigate this challenging time and move forward as an industry.

The online Radio Show continues to offer access to more than 50 on-demand educational sessions, executive conversations and exhibits. Registration remains open at RadioShowWeb.com through the end of the year.

All content from SMTE 2020 is also now available for on-demand viewing. Watch each individual session by logging in and choosing the session you wish to view.

We hope to see you again at the NAB Show New York digital experience, online today through October 29. The event will showcase advances in next-generation technology and feature conferences, workshops and exhibits focused on television, film, online video, live events, advertising, corporate A/V, production and post. Registration for NAB Show New York is available at NABShowNY.com.

The Most Trusted Source – How Local News is Covering Campaign 2020

This week during the NAB Show New York digital experience, hear how Gray Television's Washington News Bureau works with their local affiliates to provide hyper-local coverage of Washington news and the 2020 campaign and how NAB is supporting local broadcasters' commitment to delivering the most trusted and essential news to listeners and viewers on the candidates and the issues. Panelists include Gray Television Washington Bureau Chief Jacqueline Policastro, WCJB News Director Jon Levy and NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. Learn more and save 50% on a Marketplace Pass at NABShowNY.com with code NABMEM. Discount applies for NAB members only.

Meredith Vieira to Receive 2020 NAB Show New York Impact Award

Fourteen-time Emmy Award-winning host, broadcast anchor and executive producer Meredith Vieira will receive the NAB Show New York Impact Award during NAB Show New York, Friday, October 23 at 12 p.m. ET. NAB President and CEO Gordon H. Smith will present the award. Vieira, currently the host and executive producer of FOX Television's "25 Words or Less," will also join Stephen Brown, executive vice president of Programming and Development for FOX Television Stations and First Run, for a conversation about her career.

Helping Stations Navigate the Pandemic

While broadcasters have been on the front lines keeping our communities connected and informed, NAB has been working around the clock to provide vital resources and support your needs. Our team is fighting for congressional and regulatory relief and providing tools to help your station continue to serve your local communities.

Click here to see how NAB is actively working to support your station and the resources available to you.

Your NAB membership means you have a team of professionals fighting for you every day in Washington, D.C. For assistance accessing these tools, don't hesitate to contact your NAB Membership Concierge at (202) 775-2555 or membership@nab.org.

On-Demand: Beltway Briefing - COVID-19 Broadcaster Relief

Learn more about NAB's efforts to advocate for additional COVID-19 broadcaster relief, so you can speak to your legislators about this important issue when they are in their home districts. Gain strategies for effectively communicating the importance of local broadcasting even when you cannot meet with policymakers face-to-face. This webcast is now available to watch on-demand, free for NAB members.

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.

New on the NAB Podcast: Inside Factory Outlets' Changing Business Model

Taken from the 2020 virtual Radio Show! Leslie Swanson, executive vice president of Operations, Tanger Outlets, spends a few minutes with Neuhoff Communications' Mike Hulvey detailing how the factory outlet retail sector has adjusted to meet the challenges of 2020 and where radio fits into their current media mix.

On-demand Webcast: Get Your Political Broadcasting File into Shape

Receive advice from FCC experts on what information must be placed in your online political file, when it must be filed and how to use the FCC's online public file database. This webcast is free for NAB members and $99 for non-members.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Prevent your station from becoming the next victim of a cybercrime and register your team for one or more of these courses today.

• Cyber Awareness for Broadcasters (Free)
• Broadcast Cybersecurity Certificate Program
• Broadcast Executive Guide to Cybersecurity
• Broadcast Cybersecurity Risk Planning and Management

Stay Connected with NABPAC

ICYMI - NABPAC Flash Briefing episode 17 featuring NAB Executive Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs Rick Kaplan focused on the Supreme Court's recent decision to hear an appeal by the FCC and NAB seeking to reinstate updates to the ownership rules, an update on white spaces and political ad filings, NABPAC's 100 Campaign update and round two of the 100 Second Challenge. Please reach out to jflemming@nab.org for a copy of the recording.