As America reflects on and remembers the events of 9/11 this weekend, NAB is highlighting how stations across the country are honoring the date on air. We thank local broadcasters for covering the most impactful events of our lives.
ICYMI: New PSAs are available from the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance (9/11 Day) feature 9/11 families, survivors, first responders, Gold Star parents and others impacted by 9/11 and its aftermath, reminding fellow Americans to focus on their common humanity.
2. Save the Date: Town Hall with NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt
📅 Mark your calendars: NAB is hosting a members-only virtual town hall on Thursday, September 29 at 2 p.m. ET to discuss how we're advocating for broadcasters.
Watch your inbox for the official invite coming next week.
In the meantime, you can send us questions now for our team to answer during the town hall.
3. Senate Judiciary Committee Considers Bill to Level the Playing Field with Big Tech
Yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee took an important step forward on the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA), a bill that would level the playing field between local news outlets and Big Tech behemoths to ensure fair market compensation for local journalism when accessed through the largest online platforms.
In advance of the committee markup, former NAB President and CEO Gordon H. Smithwrote an op-ed for The Hill outlining why this legislation is fundamental for maintaining our democracy.
We appreciate the leadership of Sens. Amy Klobuchar (MN) and John Kennedy (LA) on this important legislation and look forward to working with the committee to finish its deliberation on this bill, and report it favorably to the full Senate in short order.
💰 Due to our aggressive advocacy on this issue, the proposed 13% increase has been cut almost in half, saving stations approximately $2.3 million from the original proposal.
"We hope the Notice of Inquiry serves as a springboard to a thorough modernization of the FCC's regulatory fee methodology to ensure all parties that utilize and benefit from the Commission's work pay their fair and appropriate share. It is no longer good enough to tinker around the edges," said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt.
5. Regulatory Fee Payments Due September 28
Broadcasters should ensure that their annual regulatory fees are received by the FCC no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 28, 2022. Payments received after this date will be assessed a 25% late payment penalty.
Broadcasters must make their payments through the FCC's CORES system. More information on how to make regulatory fee payments can be found here.
6. Upcoming Deadline to Comply with Foreign Sponsor ID Rules; Federal Court Changes Now in Effect
Under the FCC's foreign sponsor ID rules, broadcasters must provide disclosures of any programming they air under a lease agreement that is sponsored by a foreign governmental entity and take certain steps to determine lessees' status. The rules went into effect on March 15, 2022 with respect to new lease agreements. Stations had an additional six months to bring existing leases into compliance, and the deadline to comply is next Thursday, September 15, 2022.
In July, a federal court vacated the requirement that radio and TV broadcasters search federal government databases for information on lessees.
On September 6, the court issued its mandate, so the court's changes are now in effect.
Broadcasters must still inform lessees of the rule, inquire whether the lessee or anyone in the program production/distribution chain is a foreign governmental entity, keep certain records and make disclosures if necessary.
NAB filed comments with the FCC regarding the state of the NEXTGEN TV transition.
📺 NAB is urging the FCC to sunset the "substantially similar" requirement, which requires broadcasters to air the same programming on their ATSC 1.0 signal and 3.0 signal. Ending this requirement would allow broadcasters to offer unique programming and features on their ATSC 3.0 signals to provide additional value for viewers who choose to upgrade to Next Gen TV. NAB also noted that broadcasters are incentivized to offer their most popular programming on their 1.0 signal, which reaches the greatest number of viewers.
8. NAB Show New York Debuts New Cine Live Lab, Radio Reimagined Conference
Cine Live Lab is debuting at NAB Show New York, Oct. 19-20, providing hands-on experience with the latest tools and techniques in cinematic storytelling and live broadcast production.
🎥 Presented in partnership with AbelCine, presentation topics include managing cinematic multi-cam projects, audience experience goals, identifying production team member roles and equipment and skillsets required of crews.
The Radio Reimagined Conference is a must-attend for audio pros. Breakout personality Angela Yee will discuss how the evolution of an on-air personality's personal brand can be a win-win for the station and the talent.
