Not New York…Not Philadelphia: But New Jersey!

To coin a phrase!  New Jersey will host Super Bowl 48 in 2014. And why not? After all, two of the biggest franchises in the NFL play ball in the Meadowlands, which is in New Jersey. This week, New Jersey finally gets credit for hosting these mega teams at home and New Jersey Broadcasters were celebrating the NFL’s decision to award the 2014 big game’s venue to the Garden State this week. And Judy Battista’s story in the New York Times was great news for New Jersey. The N.F.L. awarded the 2014 Super Bowl to New York-New Jersey, making the New Meadowlands Stadium the host of the first outdoor cold-weather Super Bowl in history. Judy reported that the  idea for the New York area hosting an outdoor Super Bowl was hatched nearly four years ago, when the Giants and the Jets agreed to build a new stadium together in the Meadowlands. The Jets’ hopes for an enclosed stadium on the Far West Side of Manhattan had fallen through, even though N.F.L. owners had awarded them a Super Bowl that was conditional on getting the stadium built. So when the teams joined forces, the Jets’ owner, Woody Johnson, brought with him the pie-in-the-sky notion that the game should come to New York, anyway.  “Why not,” Johnson said after the vote. “We play every other game in cold weather, rain and snow. Governor Christie said it was a great decision that would bring over $500m of business into the Garden State and drive Jersey’s morale and image to new heights. With less than 1,400 days to go, the countdown to Super Bowl 48 begins for New Jersey. You can make sure that New Jersey broadcasters will be there to make the event memorable and the NJBA is glad to give New York and Philadelphia a chance to get a little closer to the Super Venue.

Broadcaster’s Conference Just One Week Away

And it’s gonna be great! Make sure you attend this year’s Mid Atlantic Broadcasters Conference in Atlantic City, which will be held on June 8^th and 9^th at Trump Plaza. In addition to the great content and networking opportunities, registered attendees will have a chance to win thousands of dollars in great prizes including big screen TV’s, Radios and even an iPad, which will be raffled off to support the Broadcasters Foundation of America. Make sure to check out the schedule of events at www.NJBA.com.  Registration closes today at 5:00PM.  We’ll see you at the shore!

Don’t Touch That Wire

NJBA Board member Dick Swetits reported on a new bill in the New Jersey Legislature that would make the theft of copper wire from any broadcast antenna tower or facility in the Garden State a Class One Felony carrying a minimum one year jail sentence upon first offence conviction. Dick tells QuickNews that this is a serious and growing problem in the state as the cost of fungible metals has skyrocketed over the years. The NJBA supports this legislation and we will keep our members posted as the bill progresses in Trenton. Thanks Mr. Swetits for your ongoing contributions to the NJBA!

FCC to Focus On Stations Public Service

The FCC says “dramatic changes” in the marketplace mean the agency needs to take a “fresh look” at the current ownership rules to determine whether they still promote media competition, localism and diversity. Inside Radio says it could mean stations will soon be graded on how well they’re serving their community. Regardless, if the FCC was really serious about diversity and localism it would do more to protect all radio stations; especially smaller, local broadcast operations like many of the class “A” stations in New Jersey, from harmful interference and toxic fees like the Performance Tax, which if implemented, would throw localism and diversity right out the window. The NJBA has a strong commitment to localism and diversity and has advocated on behalf of broadcast friendly regulation, consistent with FCC rules and Congressional mandates, not broadcast destructive ones, which seem to be the fashion of the day. We recognize that stations service markets and audiences, not contours, and we encourage the FCC to keep that in mind if they are to be vigilant in their mission to regulate the airways fairly.

Key New Jersey Market Opts Out of PPM

Monmouth-Ocean, NJ became the second market to pass on PPM.  Inside Radio reports that a majority of local broadcasters in Arbitron market #51 have said “thanks, but no thanks” to electronic measurement.   New Orleans previously opted out of PPM. Three New Jersey broadcasting companies dominate the Monmouth/Ocean market’s above-the-line, home-to-metro stations. Arbitron needed two of the three to subscribe to PPM to bring the service to the market.  Only one, Millennium Broadcasting, would agree to the upgrade.  Press Communications and Greater Media took a pass.

Be Prepared as Hurricane Season Approaches

Hurricane Seasons starts next week. And the Garden State is no stranger to sever weather, which is why the NJBA has been haranguing government officials to get off the stick when it comes to getting a modern (Read: working) Emergency Alert System in place in New Jersey ASAP. The FCC warns broadcasters that Federal officials are forecasting above-average hurricane activity along with Southeast coast this year, and the agency is reminding broadcasters and all communications service providers of FCC emergency contact information. Broadcasters needing STAs or asking about recovery efforts can call the 24/7 operations center at 202-418-1122 or fccopcenter@fcc.gov; more contact information and details on the STA process are available on their website and http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/services/sta.html.  The FCC is also urging all communications services providers to participate in the voluntary Disaster Information Reporting System to report on infrastructure and the situation when a crisis is in progress. By participating in DIRS, communications service providers can facilitate federal efforts to assist in the restoration of essential services affected by the disaster. All New Jersey Broadcasters that have previously registered in DIRS should ensure that their contact information is current and accurate. We also urge all members who have not yet submitted their emergency contact information to please register in DIRS at the following URL: https://www.fcc.gov/nors/disaster/Login.cfm."

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Piece

Literally. The simple truth is the radio industry cannot survive a Performance Tax, despite pleas from local radio stations, listeners, and civil rights leaders, If enacted, a majority of the new fee would go directly into the coffers of the foreign owned  record label companies. The NJBA is certainly not happy to see new pressure from Unions affiliated the P-Tax proponents using pressure to “turn” support for Free radio in favor of voting for the toxic Performance tax and our great New Jersey radio stations are airing new P-Tax spots urging our loyal listeners to contact Congress and thank our supporters and explain to our opponents why the P-Tax is so bad for New Jersey.  NJBA President Paul Rotella will be visiting Members of NJ’s Congressional Delegation who are still in favor of this industry crippling legislation in DC and asking our NJBA members to schedule appointments to see their Congressmen and Senators while they are home on summer recess next week. 

NJBA members should call to applaud the solid leadership of Representatives Rob Andrews (202)225-6501, Frank LoBiondo (202) 225-6572, Frank Pallone (202) 225-4671; John Adler (D-3^rd) 202-225-4765 and 856-985-2777;  Albio Sires (202) 225-7919; Bill Pascrell (202) 225-5751; Christopher Smith (R-4^th) 202-225-3765 and 609-585-7878 and 732-350-2300; Leonard Lance (R-7^th) 202-225-5361 and 908-518-7733; Scott Garrett (R-5^th) 202-223-4463 and 201-712-0330 and 973-300-2000; and Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11^th) 202-225-5034 and 973-984-0711, all of whom are all solid friends of free-over-the-air-radio for all New Jersey residents, and are also part of the 196 members who have co-sponsored H. Con. Res. 49, the “Local Radio Freedom Act”. More importantly Call Congressmen Steven Rothman (D-9^th) 202-225-5061 and 201-646-0808 and 201-798-1366;Donald Payne (D-10^th) 202-225-3436 and 908-629-0222 and 201-369-0392; and Rush Holt (D-12^th) 202-225-5801 and 609-750-9365; Representatives Holt, Payne and Rothman are currently in favor of the Performance Tax and the NJBA continues to work with them to help them understand the devastating issues facing all NJ residents if this Tax is imposed on Radio stations. Learn more at www.noperformancetax.org .

Operation Medicine Cabinet NJ Featured in the Newly Released White House Office of Drug National Control Policy’s 2010 Strategy Report

The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and Drug Enforcement Administration New Jersey Division, have been featured in the 2010 White House Office of National Drug-Control (ONDCP) Strategy report. The NJBA was recognized by the partnership for its support of Operation Medicine Cabinet last year and will be spearheading a nationwide effort to promote this most worthwhile program through radio and television broadcasters around the country. The ONDCP recognized the success of the November 2009 Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey, the first in the nation statewide day of disposal of unused, unwanted and expired medicine. The event, which thousands of New Jersey residents in communities in all 21 counties participated in, was part of a comprehensive public health initiative sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General to raise awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse and provide a safe and legal means to dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine.

The event netted 9,000 pounds of medicine with a street value of more than $35 million during a four hour window on November 14, 2009. “We are extremely honored that Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey has been recognized as a national model,” declared Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ, "this program raised awareness of the dangers of medicine abuse and challenged residents to see their medicine cabinets as a potential source for young people to access these drugs and clear out their medicine cabinets."According to Valente, "As a result of the great success this program had in New Jersey of bringing together prevention, law enforcement and corporate stakeholders, the American Medicine Chest Challenge has been launched as a national day of disposal to address the issue of prescription drug abuse. It will be held in communities across the country on November 13, 2010." According to the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy, prescription drugs are the second most abused category of drugs in the United States, following marijuana. The New Jersey initiative is featured on page 29 of the report. A full version of the strategy is available on www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov.For more information about the American Medicine Chest Challenge please visit www.AmericanMedicineChest.com.

LUC Bill Moves Forward in House

Late last week, the House Administration Committee marked up its version of campaign finance reform legislation, HR 5175, the DISCLOSE Act. The House bill does not include language to expand Lowest Unit Charge (LUC) and no LUC amendments were filed or offered during the mark-up. NJBA, NAB and our industry allies are engaged and working to ensure that LUC provisions remain out of House bill as it makes its way to the House floor for a vote, possibly before the Memorial Day recess. We will continue to keep you updated. The DISCLOSE Act is the legislation response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United. Thank you to those of you who reached out to your members of Congress on this important issue.

 

The Trenton Report: From The Marcus Group

 

Governor Christie last week called on another former colleague from the U.S. Attorney’s office to join his administration.  Christie nominated Thomas Calcagni to fill the position of Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Calcagni has been an assistant United States Attorney for nine years and prosecuted federal fraud cases against former Senator Joseph Coniglio and former Bergen County Democratic leader Joseph Ferriero. At the New Jersey Legislative Correspondents Club Show last Wednesday, the Governor addressed his prosecutor-filled administration by joking they were the only ones willing to take the jobs.

Telecom Act Up For Grabs With Congress

A group of key Democratic lawmakers announced yesterday that they plan to "start a process to develop proposals to update the Communications Act." This according to Radio Ink. A brief statement from Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller (WV), House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (CA), Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet Chairman John Kerry (MA), and House Subcommittee On Communications Technology and the Internet Chair Rick Boucher (VA) says the first step in the process will involve a series of "bipartisan, issues-focused meetings" set to begin next month. Details on the issues to be discussed will be announced later. The announcement came as a group of 74 House and Senate Democrats wrote to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to express their "serious concerns about the proposed new regulatory framework for broadband and Internet." The lawmakers have doubts about Genachowski's controversial plan to partially reclassify broadband as a telecommunications service; they write, "The expanded FCC jurisdiction over broadband that has been proposed and the manner in which it would be implemented are unprecedented and create regulatory uncertainty." The Communications Act dates back to 1934 and was last overhauled in 1996, with the Telecom Act that opened the door to significant consolidation in the broadcast industry. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of the NJBA and QuickNews, we wish all of our valued NJBA Members and friends of New Jersey Broadcasters a very happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend. It is entirely fitting and proper that we come together as a people dedicated to liberty and freedom on Monday to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our nation and our Constitution. Let us never forget their brave sacrifice as we share this day with our loved ones and friends, and please take a moment to remember those who have fallen wearing the uniform in the defense of our country. May God bless them and our country, especially on Memorial Day.