This Week in Broadcast Regulation: January 2, 2021 to January 8, 2021

Here are some of the regulatory developments of the last week of significance to broadcasters, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations.  Also, we include a quick look at some important dates in the future. The Enforcement Bureau advised broadcasters (and other... Continue Reading…

Copyright Royalty Board Announces SoundExchange Audits of Royalty Payments for Webcasters (Including Broadcast Simulcasts) and Other Digital Music Services

The Copyright Royalty Board today published a Federal Register notice announcing that SoundExchange was auditing a number of broadcasters and other webcasters to assess their compliance with the statutory music licenses provided by Sections 112 and 114 of the Copyright Act for the public performance of sound recordings and ephemeral copies made in the digital transmission process by... Continue Reading…

Copyright Office Begins Review of Changes in Satellite Television Statutory License for Carriage of Local Television Stations

A Notice of Inquiry from the Copyright Office was published today in the Federal Register, announcing the initiation of an inquiry into the effects of the 2019 changes in the statutory license under Section 119 of the Copyright Act for satellite television providers to retransmit local television stations.  Pursuant to that license, a satellite carrier can retransmit local television stations into their own markets without having to negotiate with each copyright holder in the programming carried by local stations.  Instead, the satellite carrier pays a license fee set by the statute and the proceeds of that license are redistributed through proceedings held by the Copyright Royalty Board to the copyright holders.   ... Read More

A Broadcaster’s 2021 Regulatory Calendar – Looking at Some of the Important Dates for the Year Ahead

Here we are, in a new and hopefully more “normal” year – wondering what will be ahead.  Each year, at about this time, we put together a look at the regulatory dates ahead for broadcasters – or at least the primary ones that we already know.  This year is no different – and we offer... Continue Reading…

The Last Two Weeks in Broadcast Regulation: December 19, 2020 to January 1, 2021

Here are some of the regulatory developments in the last two weeks of significance to broadcasters, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. The FCC released an order revising its fees for broadcast applications and other filings. The fees were adjusted to... Continue Reading…

More FTC Consent Decrees Emphasize Prohibitions on Advertising of Unproven Health Benefits of CBD Products

Just before Christmas, the Federal Trade Commission issued consent decrees with six companies resolving proceedings alleging that their marketing of CBD products was deceptive.  The consent decrees included monetary penalties as high as $80,000 and compliance plans to ensure that the named companies would not engage in future marketing of unproven health benefits of CBD products.  The FTC issued a press release on the consent decrees (links to the decrees and related documents can be found on the same webpage as the press release).

Some of the health claims that the FTC found problematic were very specific,  ... Read More

January Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – A New FCC Administration, Quarterly Issues Programs Lists, KidVid, Comment Deadlines and a Supreme Court Oral Argument on Ownership Issues

The holiday season is nearly behind us and many are looking forward to putting 2020 in the rearview mirror with a hopeful eye on 2021.  The new year will bring big changes to the Washington broadcast regulation scene, with the inauguration of a new President and installation of a new FCC chair who will make... Continue Reading…

Outgoing FCC Chairman Pai Calls for Modernization of Media Ownership Rules – Audio Competition Issues for the New FCC To Consider  

Last week, Chairman Pai gave a speech to the Media Institute in Washington, talking about his deregulatory accomplishments during his tenure as FCC Chairman.  Central to his speech was the suggestion that the broadcast ownership rules no longer made sense, as they regulate an incredibly small piece of the media landscape, while digital competitors, who... Continue Reading…

This Week in Broadcast Regulation:  December 12, 2020 to December 18, 2020

Here are some of the regulatory developments in the last week of significance to broadcasters -and a few dates to watch in the week ahead – with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. The FCC issued an order that locks in its... Continue Reading…

This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: December 5, 2020 to December 11, 2020

Here are some of the regulatory developments of the last week of significance to broadcasters, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. The FCC, at the last of its monthly open meetings of 2020, voted to adopt new rules for Broadcast Internet... Continue Reading…

2019 Recap

2019 was an outstanding year for our Association, despite a devastating fire that completely destroyed our office back in June.

Throughout the year we continued our aggressive lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill and in Carson City. We lobbied members of Congress on such issues as the Local Radio Freedom Act which prevents the enactment of a royalty tax on local radio stations. Our actions helped efforts dealing with the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization. We also joined an effort to legalize radio and television advertising for CBD products in states where it is legal.

In addition, we successfully killed several negative bills at the state legislature, one of which dealt with automobile advertising on television and radio stations.

In 2019 we had multiple meetings with Nevada’s Congressional delegation. We met with the Governor, key members of the state legislature and held receptions for elected officials throughout the state.

I’m honored to continue serving as a voting member of the Homeland Security Commission, a gubernatorial appointment which was codified into law during the 2019 Nevada Legislature.

Because of the generosity of our member stations we continue to assist non-profits and state agencies in communicating their messages to television viewers and radio listeners throughout the state. One of those campaigns resulted in this Association winning an Emmy for the production of a documentary on the opioid crisis.

Throughout 2019 we continued our Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP), a program which is free to members of the Nevada Broadcasters Association and we continued to facilitate the state’s EAS and Amber Alert systems.

We had one of the most successful Hall of Fame Galas in the history of the Nevada Broadcasters Association. With your support we have made it possible to distribute 168 scholarships to deserving Nevada students, enabling them to attend a Nevada college or university. And we're pleased to announce that our Board of Directors approved the hiring of a permanent staff member to assist in the administration and development of our Foundation and the Tony and Linda Bonnici Scholarship Program.

I’d like to thank the NVBA Board of Directors, the Executive Board, prior Chairwoman Viola Cody and current Chairman Chris Way for their outstanding leadership.

Introducing New NVBA Chairman Chris Way