NAB CEO TO ADDRESS NBA
Gordon Smith -- two-term United States Senator (R-OR), a successful businessman with deep roots in rural Oregon and currently the President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, has scheduled an important breakfast meeting with Nevada television and radio general managers. The meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 8, 2011, from 9 AM - 10:30 AM. The meeting will be held in the board room of the Nevada Broadcasters Association, 1050 East Flamingo Road, Suite 102 -- in Las Vegas.
Thirteen members of the NBA Board of Directors recently went to Washington, D.C. to participate in the annual NAB State Leadership Conference. Meetings were held with Senators Reid and Ensign; and with Congressmen Berkley, Heller and Heck. A critical meeting was also held at the FCC with Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski.
With both the future of television and radio in peril as a Spectrum Auction is looming in the distance and a defeated Performance Tax may result in "an attack of a thousand cuts" -- the NBA together with the Board of Directors continues to be vigilant and aggressive in protecting the voice of every Nevada broadcaster. On a scale of one to ten, the upcoming meeting with Gordon Smith is a ten. Each and every Nevada television and radio station should be represented at this meeting.
For northern and rural broadcasters who are unable to be in Las Vegas on April 8, the meeting will be carried on a statewide conference call. For further information including the dial-in number and pass code, contact Adam Sandler at the NBA office.
TELEVISION FCC WEBINAR
Tuesday, April 5, 2011,
10 am
Nevada television management are asked to join FCC Media Bureau Chief Bill Lake and Rebecca Hanson, Senior Advisor, Broadcast Spectrum, in a live webinar that will describe the financial opportunities offered by voluntary incentive auctions, as proposed in the FCC’s National Broadband Plan. According to the FCC: "Incentive auctions for TV spectrum seek to offer broadcasters new business model options involving their voluntary contribution of some or all of their licensed spectrum, including options that allow broadcasters to participate and continue to broadcast." This webinar will give an overview of those opportunities and will provide an opportunity for the FCC representatives to respond to questions, including questions about the need to repack the remaining television channels following the auction.
THE NBA AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS TAKEN A STRONG POSITION IN LINE WITH THE NAB -- THAT (1) BEFORE AN AUCTION CAN BE CONSIDERED, THERE NEEDS TO BE AN AUDIT OF THE SPECTRUM TO SEE IF SUCH AN AUCTION IS EVEN NEEDED; AND (2) THE VOLUNTARY AUCTION MUST REMAIN VOLUNTARY. Among the topics to be discussed: How would an incentive auction work? Broadcaster Opportunities, channel-sharing, and VHF; and Repacking Implications
The NBA wants to monitor the station registration for this webinar. For further information about registration please contact either Bob Fisher or Adam Sandler.
FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING
The Nevada Department of Emergency Management together with Douglas County is working closely together with the Nevada Broadcasters Association in helping to move forward the Broadcaster First Responder Training Program. Since the passage of our historic legislation two years ago, a Public Warning committee was formed under the leadership of Adam Sandler and Adrienne Abbott to develop the curriculum. The curriculum will now be reviewed by the DEM.
Yesterday, an important conference call was held with the DEM leadership currently most involved. Among those who participated were Kelli Baratti -- who continues to do such an outstanding job of developing a credential process; Michele Candee -- whose expertise in training will strengthen our program; Interim Chief Jim Wright -- whose support is valued; Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini and Deputy Fire Chief Dave Fogerson.
Two recommendations came out of yesterday's conference call. We will approach Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs about addressing their upcoming May meeting being held in Carson City. And we soon will begin promoting registration for the first class that will undergo training to receive their certification.
For further information please contact either Adam or Adrienne.
