Facebook Not Fact-Checking Candidate Ads – Looking at the Contrast Between Online Political Ads and Those Running on Broadcast and Cable

This weekend, the New York Times ran an article seemingly critical of Facebook for not rejecting ads  from political candidates that contained false statements of fact.  We have already written that this policy of Facebook matches the policy that Congress has imposed on broadcast stations and local cable franchisees who sell time to political candidates... Continue Reading…

PIRATE Act Passes Senate, and Now on to the President for Signature – Provides for Big Fines and Enforcement Sweeps in Big Markets

The PIRATE Act, to crack down on pirate radio, passed the Senate this week after having passed in the House of Representatives last year.  It now goes to the President for signature.  We’ve written about this legislation several times before (see for instance, our articles here and here).  In this final version, it provides more... Continue Reading…

A Broadcaster’s 2020 Regulatory Calendar – Looking at Some of the Important Dates for the Year Ahead

Here we are, more than a week into the New Year, and already we’ve written about a host of regulatory issues that will be facing broadcasters in the first month of the year (see for instance our articles here and here).  But what about the rest of the year?  As we do most years, we’ve... Continue Reading…

Comments Due March 9 on FCC Proposal to Allow All-Digital AM Stations

The FCC’s proposal to allow AM stations to voluntarily transition into all-digital operations (see our post here for a summary of the FCC’s proposal) was published in the Federal Register today.  That sets the comment deadlines in this proceeding – with initial comments due March 9, 2020 and reply comments due by April 6.  AM... Continue Reading…

While You Were on Vacation….Looking at FCC Regulatory Actions over the Holidays and Deadlines for January

While many of us were trying to enjoy the holidays, the world of regulation kept right on moving, seemingly never taking time off.  So we thought that we ought to highlight some of the actions taken by the FCC in the last couple weeks and to also remind you of some of the upcoming January... Continue Reading…

January 22 Deadline for Comments on FCC Proposal to Change Rule Prohibiting Duplication of Radio Programming

The FCC recently proposed modifying its rules prohibiting a radio station in one service (either AM or FM) from duplicating more than 25% of the weekly programming of another station in the same service if there is more than 50% overlap of the principal community contour of either of the stations.  The FCC this week... Continue Reading…

2020 Required Monthly Test Schedules

2020 SoNV RMT Schedule

2020 WNV RMT Schedule

2020 ENV RMT Schedule  ... Read More

FCC Postpones Filing Deadline for First Annual Children’s Television Programming Report and Announces Effectiveness of Other Changes in Children’s Television Rules

The FCC gave a present to TV broadcasters at the end of the week before Christmas by issuing a Public Notice announcing the effective date of the remaining changes to the children’s television rules, and postponing the filing date for the initial Children’s Television Programming Report, which was to be filed by January 30, to... Continue Reading…

January Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists, Children’s Television Annual Report, EEO, License Renewal, Political Rate Windows, FM Auction Dates and More

With many Americans using the holiday season to rest and recharge, broadcasters should do the same but not forget that January is a busy month for complying with several important regulatory deadlines for broadcast stations.  These include dates that regularly occur for broadcasters, as well as some unique to this month.  In fact, with the... Continue Reading…

Election Season in High Gear for Broadcasters – Lowest Unit Rate Windows to Begin in Iowa This Week, New Hampshire Next and Other States Soon to Follow

While political broadcasting never seems to be totally off the airwaves, the 2020 election season is about to click into high gear, with the window for lowest unit rates to begin on December 20 for advertising sales in connection with the January Iowa caucuses. That means that when broadcasters sell time to candidates for ads... 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