NJBA Weekly Newsletter Friday, July 10, 2009

FCC Sets New Rules On Translators
The Federal Communications Commission has codified the standard under which it has been granting limited waivers to enable FM translators to rebroadcast certain AM stations.  Currently, the rules limit the source of FM translator programming to the signal of an FM primary station. The Commission’s Report and Order praised the role AM stations continue to fill in serving local informational needs, noting in particular that 90% of all news/talk formats are on the AM band.  At the same time, the FCC recognizes the escalating challenges posed by higher-fidelity alternative media, limited operating hours, signal propagation shortfalls, and the defection of younger listeners.  Although the Commission twice had rejected prior proposals to enable AM stations to use FM translators as a fill-in service, it feels that the time is now ripe for such relief in order to help revitalize the AM service.  It specifically cited the experience of recent recipients of interim special temporary authority who have been able to use FM translators to extend reliable service throughout their protected AM listening areas.  

FCC Disaster Prep Webinar Set for this Tuesday

The NJBA and NAB are encouraging broadcasters to participate in the FCC’s Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). A free 30-minute webinar will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 starting at 3:30 p.m. EDT, to explain the benefits for broadcasters that participate in DIRS, and provide step-by-step instructions for obtaining a DIRS account and reporting a station's situation during a major disaster. Additional information on this webinar is available on the Internet at www.tvworldwide.com/events/nab/dirs/090714/.  DIRS was launched on September 11, 2007 to help the FCC, FEMA and other public safety organizations collect accurate information regarding the status of communications services (including broadcasting) during a major disaster, particularly during restoration efforts. DIRS is a voluntary, web-based system that broadcasters can use to report their operational status during times of crisis. The FCC, FEMA and local public safety officials rely on the information in DIRS to identify and potentially help broadcast stations in need of fuel, generators and other needed equipment during times of emergencies. Because the information that communications companies input to DIRS is sensitive, for national security and/or commercial reasons, DIRS filings are treated as confidential. The EAS system will be analyzed partially on information acquired through registration. All NJBA members are encouraged to sign up for NAB’s webinar on July 14^th and to visit the FCC’s website for more information on how to sign up for DIRS:  http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/services/cip/dirs/dirs.html.

Orlando's Name Keeps Coming Up for New NAB Prez
Across the board, CBS lobbyist John Orlando’s name keeps coming up on the short list of candidates mentioned as possible successors to David Rehr’s throne. No one will confirm (or deny) these reports, but the search is intense and the propaganda pandemic. 

Coastal Broadcasting Sells Shore Station
Rick Brancadora announced his purchase of WILW, which will be known as WIBG-FM, from Bob Maschio’s Coastal Broadcasting Systems this week. It will be relocating its transmitters from Cape May Court House to suburban Atlantic City to try and capture more of the lucrative Jersey Shore market.

Most Americans Pay Attention To Radio Ads

Inside radio reported the results of a new AdweekMedia/Harris Poll survey conducted by Harris Interactive, which found that 46 percent of Americans "tend to ignore" Internet banner ads, while just 9 percent said the same about radio spots. Seventeen percent ignore Internet search ads, 13 percent pay no attention to TV ads, and 6 percent say they tend to ignore newspaper ads. Nine percent, meanwhile, said they don't ignore any of those types of ads. The poll of 2,521 American adults was conducted online between June 4 and June 8.

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