NJBA Weekly Newsletter, Friday, September 21, 2007

White Spaces, New TV Threat

A group of Silicon Valley Companies including Microsoft, Google, Dell and others have petitioned the FCC to use the so called unused channels in a market, for example, channel six in New York City or Channel 2 in Philadelphia. These so called unused channels are in fact being used to respect the integrity of the TV channels by market, for medical monitoring, and police and fire responders in the top 19 markets. These companies could easily get the entire spectrum they need for their unlicensed devices by buying it from the federal government, during its present auction of channels 51+. They are trying to get spectrum for free. The harm to the TV audience of interference is incalculable and once these devices are out in the public, no one knows where they are and who has them. MSTV and NAB have joined forces to prevent the FCC from granting Microsoft, et al these channels, and New Jersey Broadcasters, along with most other state associations were in Washington this week calling upon Congress to prevail upon the FCC to say “No”. Members of the New Jersey delegation are in the main supportive of the TV Broadcasters and more importantly the viewers whose expensive HDTV sets will not operate because of this interference. 

Off To Charlotte

Next week, broadcasters from all over the state will be heading to Charlotte, NC to attend the NAB Radio Show.  The show promises to be a very exciting event, with vendors exhibiting what’s new and exciting in the radio industry.  Look for innovative ideas in combining on line and over the air sales turning your website into a profit center and new computer programming designed to make your station’s web experience easier.  NJBA President and CEO Phil Roberts will be attending to audition sales trainers for the NJBA Conference in June in Atlantic City.  Also attending will be NJBA’s Chairman, Andy Santoro. 

Amber Alerts and EAS Summit Coming Up

The Department of Justice will be hosting a four day Amber Alert Conference in Denver, and both the NJBA and the New Jersey State Police have been invited to attend. The conference is scheduled for November and will explore what is right about Amber Alerts and what needs to be improved. The entire question of EAS, including the technology question, using 1960’s technology in 2008 will be explored.

Sound Exchange Sez “No”

Sound Exchange, the fee collecting arm of the Record Industry Association of America finally told the NAB that the NAB’s member station fee proposal for digital streaming was no good. David Rehr, President and CEO of NAB immediately contacted Sound Exchange and told them they misunderstood the NAB’s proposal. If this situation cannot be resolved soon, a very large number of stations will have to stop streaming because of the high music fees involved. 

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