I would like to start this
month’s update by congratulating the NAB team and thanking the industry
for supporting the 2009 NAB Show. In the midst of a tough economic climate, the
NAB Show was a successful event – with more than 83,000 in attendance, including
more than 23,000 international attendees. Research has shown that exhibitors generate
more than $50 billion in sales as a direct result of the NAB Show each year. NAB
is grateful for the strong support of both the exhibitors and attendees who once
again made the NAB Show the most important annual event for the electronic media marketplace.
The digital television (DTV) transition will be complete just days from now,
and I am extremely proud of the success broadcasters have achieved. NAB and television
broadcasters put this campaign in front of Americans everywhere – our messages
appeared on TV, in planes, on buses, on the radio and on the Internet. We even
reached consumers at gas stations and state and local fairs.
And we united
more than 240 business, trade, industry and consumer groups, as well as grassroots
organizations in these efforts with the Digital Television Transition Coalition.
NAB’s massive campaign, valued at more than $1.2 billion, is on track to
ensure all Americans are informed about the benefits of DTV and how they can prepare
for the transition before the switch.
More than 700 stations across America
have already made a smooth transition to all-digital broadcasting and awareness
of the DTV transition among over-the-air households nationally recently hit a
record high of 98 percent thanks to the efforts of broadcasters. The significance
of this campaign cannot be overlooked and its success reminds all of us of the
power and importance of broadcast television. It also underscores the strength
of our industry when we all unite behind a common cause.
A large part
of the success of the DTV transition is a direct result of the outstanding leadership
of NAB’s Television Board of Directors. Throughout this campaign, there
has been a strong voice in D.C., which has allowed Congress and the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) to see first-hand the positive leadership role broadcasters have taken.
Fighting the performance tax continues to be NAB’s top radio priority.
Thus far, a majority of the House – more than 220 members – are supporting
the pro-radio resolution. Having the support of a majority of the House is a great
achievement, however, we must continue to build more cosponsors to signal to the
House leadership that members of Congress are opposed to this onerous tax.
We are taking our fight to the airwaves, informing listeners that the music
and stations they love are under attack by the record labels. You can and should
be engaged in this effort. Visit www.NoPerformanceTax.org for resources such as pre-produced
spots, scripts, talking points, Web videos, online banner ads and more. Broadcasters
will continue to engage members of Congress and their staff on this issue and
are dedicated to preserving free local radio. And NAB’s Radio Board of Directors
has been intimately involved in the strategy and has been very active in leading radio broadcasters on this issue.
NAB also continues to work to ensure the retransmission consent process remains
fair and market-driven. This issue will be discussed as part of the upcoming negotiations
on the Satellite Home Viewer Extension Reauthorization Act (SHVERA), which is
up for renewal by the end of 2009. SHVERA is expected to be the most significant
legislation affecting the television business in the 111th Congress, and absent
attention, satellite carriers may be able to import distant network digital signals
into local markets. NAB is working with members of Congress on this issue and
is in talks with one of the major carriers.
NAB is prepared to meet this
challenge head on – two separate task forces on retransmission consent issues
and SHVERA legislation have been formed to help guide broadcasters efforts and
NAB will oppose any attempts by pay television companies to tilt the playing field
in their favor on marketplace issues.
ABC, CBS and NBC affiliate organizations
have been on Capitol Hill talking with key members of Congress about the SHVERA
legislation. The Fox affiliate group is expected to be in Washington soon.
Thus far, 2009 has been an extremely busy year on the legislative and regulatory
front. But your association is aggressively working on behalf of broadcasters to ensure your voice is heard.
As many of you know, on May 6 I announced I would be leaving NAB. It has been
an honor serving America’s radio and television broadcasters and seeing
NAB’s growth as the broadcast industry’s strongest advocate.
I
want to thank you for your support and involvement during my tenure. I hope our
paths cross again in the future. Until then, I can be reached at drehr@davidrehr.com,
(202) 510-2148 or 1025 Connecticut Ave, Suite 401, Washington, D.C., 20036.
Onward.
Best wishes.
David
