This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters:  April 24, 2021 to April 30, 2021

Here are some of the regulatory developments of significance to broadcasters from the last week, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. The FCC’s new rules that permit AM broadcasters to convert to all-digital operations became effective April 29.  The new rules... Continue Reading…

FCC Rules for All-Digital AM Radio Become Effective – Will There Be a Flood of Applications?

The FCC’s order adopted in late October authorizing AM stations to voluntarily convert to operations in a fully-digital mode became effective yesterday when the approval of its information-collection obligations under the Paperwork Reduction Act was announced in the Federal Register.  This means that AM stations can opt for full-digital operations, which many have argued will... Continue Reading…

May Regulatory Dates: Auction Applications for AM and FM Construction Permits for New Radio Stations, New DTS Rules, License Renewals and More

May is somewhat lighter on broadcast regulatory dates and deadlines than some recent months, but there are still dates to note.  Among other things, the FCC will begin the process of auctioning 140 construction permits for new AM and FM radio stations across the country.  Also, broadcasters in several states, with an eye on the... Continue Reading…

Missing Music On Streamed TV Programs Highlights Rights Issues for Podcasters and Video Producers

Last week, the NY Times ran an interesting article, here, about how many old TV programs now available on streaming services are missing music that was featured on the original broadcast.  This was because when the music rights were initially purchased,  their use was limited to over-the-air broadcasts or was limited to a short period... Continue Reading…

Effective Date Set for New Rules on TV Distributed Transmission Systems (Single Frequency Networks) – An Assist in the Roll-Out of Next Gen TV 

In January, the FCC adopted new rules for Distributed Transmission Systems (DTS) for TV broadcasters (the FCC’s order is available here).  Last week, the rules were published in the Federal Register, setting the effective dates of these new rules as May 24, 2021 (except as they apply to Class A TV, LPTV and TV translators,... Continue Reading…

This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: April 17, 2021 to April 23, 2021

Here are some of the regulatory developments of significance to broadcasters from the last week, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. At the FCC’s regular monthly Open Meeting, the Commissioners voted to adopt new rules mandating sponsorship identification of foreign government-provided... Continue Reading…

FCC Announces that Window to Apply for New Noncommercial FM Stations Will Open in November

The FCC released its decision to limit to 10 the number of applications that can be filed by one party in the next window for new noncommercial FM stations in the reserved FM band (those channels below 92.1 on the FM dial).  No party can have attributable interests in more than 10 applications filed in... Continue Reading…

FCC Being Anything but CALM About Congressional Letter – Asks for Public Comments on CALM Act Enforcement

Earlier this week, we highlighted a letter sent last week from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo asking the FCC to review CALM Act compliance.  The letter noted that the FCC has received thousands of complaints about loud commercials in the decade that the law has been in effect without having taken any enforcement action.  The FCC wasted no time in reacting, with Media Bureau issuing a request late Monday for comments on the current rules which implement the law and whether changes to those rules are needed.  Comments are due June 3, 2021, with reply comments due by July 9.  ... Read More

A New TV Station in Your Future?  Lifting of TV Freeze Brings Proposals for New Allotments

While the pandemic has focused much attention on streaming television services, at least some companies believe that over-the-air television still has a future, as evidenced by recent proposals to allocate new TV channels which, if adopted, could result in brand new TV stations.  As we wrote here, last year the FCC  lifted the freeze on... Continue Reading…

Congressional Letter to FCC on CALM Act Violations Puts Focus on FCC Enforcement Issues

As we highlighted yesterday in our weekly summary of regulatory issues for broadcasters, last week saw a letter from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo to the FCC asking for the FCC to review the enforcement of the rules established by the CALM Act, which prohibits loud commercials on TV stations.  The letter cites news reports of thousands... 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