Nevada Broadcaster Oct 31, 2012

VOL. XVIII     NO. 11    October 31, 2012

Today, on the anniversary of Nevada statehood — Oct. 31, 1864

First Responders - First Informers

Radio doing what Radio does best! TV doing what TV does best!

The events of the past few days only serve to reinforce the undeniable fact that America's radio and television stations serve their communities as the audio and the visual for Public Warning in times of disaster.  In the case of Hurricane Sandy -- a catastrophic disaster. As a result, it is time for the NBA to begin to inform Nevada citizens of the value of the FM chip.

This morning RADIO INK reported that: " FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said 25% of wireless cell towers and a quarter of cable services in 10 states were knocked out as a result of the Hurricane. Genachowski also said service would get worse before it got better. Radio stations in the heart of the storm had wall-to-wall coverage of the storm, providing vital information to communities.

When stations, such as 1010 WINS in New York City went down due to damaged equipment, they quickly went to an FM (music) frequency to continue broadcasting. The station could also be heard live online without interruption.   A fully powered cell phone with an FM chip broadcasting local stations could have kept those residents who lost power and cell phone service fully informed as Sandy made its way through the storm zone. A chip broadcasting local stations does not use the data network."

Our Commitment to Community 2012 Nevada Senatorial Debate

The weeks have passed since the NBF/NBA Senatorial Debate.  Early Voting is about to end.  This coming Tuesday, the Election will be over -- at least the voting will be over.  And while our NBF sponsored / and NBA produced political event is now a distant memory, it is important to note that of every 2012 Nevada political debate aired over Nevada television and radio - it was the most watched and most listened to political event.  The audience was so large and the event was so significant -- that the state's largest newspaper, the Las Vegas Review-Journal commissioned their RJ Poll of the NBF/NBA Debate. The reviews indicated that the night was a success, both from the standpoint of the Heller and Berkley campaigns, and the political punditry.  Moderator Mitch Fox sent the following note to the NBA:  "Thank you for your kind comments to me immediately following the debate.
I think this one went really well and I really appreciated your support, guidance and input."

Lobbying Planning Begins Carson City and Washington, D.C.

Last week, NBA Chairman Brandy Newman and NBA Treasurer Darrin McDonald met together with our longtime state lobbyist Josh Griffin to begin laying the groundwork for the 2013 Legislative Session.  Earlier this week Bob Fisher and Adam Sandler held a follow-up meeting with Josh to set-in motion the specific goals outlined by Brandy and Darrin.  The NBA will be bringing two bills to the 2013 Legislature, and plans are underway to produce a revised format for 2013 Broadcasters Day in Carson City.

In addition, the NBA will provide the opportunity for more personal meetings with leadership legislators and members of the Executive Committee and the NBA Board of Directors.  Meetings will begin to be scheduled immediately following next week's general election.  In addition, the upcoming NBA Board of Directors meeting scheduled two weeks from now will spend a significant amount of time laying the groundwork for lobbying the new Congress that will be elected next week.

Board of Directors Meeting on November 16

The NBA Executive Committee has scheduled the next meeting of the NBA Board of Directors for Friday, November 16, 12 Noon at the NBA Office in Las Vegas.  The agenda will include a report and analysis of the FY 13 Budget; a report and analysis of our Investments; and developing our Lobbying Strategy for 2013 (state and federal).  If any Nevada broadcaster has any business to bring to this meeting, they are asked to contact either Bob Fisher or Adam Sandler.

2013 Membership Dues Resource for Lobbying

A letter accompanied by an invoice has been sent out over the past few days by Earlene Lefler to all statewide television and radio general managers.  We are asking for each station's support of our lobbying efforts in Carson City and Washington, D.C.  The invoice is for 2013 Membership Dues.  During this long economic recession there has not been any increase in membership dues, and Nevada has the lowest dues of any state broadcasters association.  The only revenue that the NBA can allocate for lobbying are the membership dues that are collected and received.  Dues has a separate bank account from any  NBA or NBF revenue.  Dues will be collected between November 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013.