NJBA Weekly Newsletter Friday, September 14, 2007

Here’s what happened while QuickNews was on vacation:

New “Jersey Guy” On 101.5

Casey Bartholomew is the new Jersey Guy. He replaced NJ 101.5’s co-host, Craig Carton, who went to work at WFAN in New York City as a replacement, along with a sidekick, for Don Imus. Casey has worked in many major markets, is married and has a daughter.  He joins longtime co-host of the “Jersey’ Guys”, Ray Rossi every weekday afternoon. 

Longtime Operations Manager Gone

Allen Lewicki, operations manager for many years, with WAWZ in Zarephath, owned by the Pillar of Faith Inc. saw his job eliminated. Lewicki spent his entire career at the station. Lewicki serves the NJBA as 2^nd Vice President and an Executive Board member. 

On The Federal Front:

It’s been a very busy summer. The FCC and Congress have come up with all types of schemes and threats to free over the air radio and TV broadcasting.

TV Whitespaces:  Next week, Broadcasters from all over the country, will converge on Washington, DC to visit with their Congressmen to help defeat the so called “White Spaces” proposed by computer and internet companies. These companies, Microsoft, Google and others, have asked the FCC to allow them to use unlicensed devices on unoccupied channels in cities. For example, using channel 8 in New York City or channel 2 in Philadelphia.  According to the FCC’s own engineering reports, these unlicensed devices will cause interference to existing analog and digital television reception.  Once these devices are in the hands of consumers, all control of them is lost and the interference could cause problems for digital television.

FCC Passes Dual Must Carry:  On Tuesday, 9/11/07, the FCC passed rules to ensure all TV stations Dual Must Carry on Cable systems for 3 years, after the switchover from analog to digital broadcasts.  TV stations must stop broadcasting in analog by February 17, 2009 and must telecast in digital only. However, the FCC ordered the cable systems to continue to carry an analog TV signal until February 2012. The cable companies are required to down convert the digital signal and carry both an HDTV and analog signal for each station that selects must carry. Those stations requesting retransmission consent will have to negotiate coverage with the cable operators. 

Stations Attend NJBA Survey Presentation

The NJBA hosted a presentation of the entire Edison Research Survey for all of its member’s management teams at the Sheraton Hotel in Eatontown. Over 40 New Jersey Broadcasters attended the event, which was lead by Tom Webster, VP of Edison Research.  All stations have been provided with copies of the survey.

Double check your ABIP status.  Don’t let your insurance run out!

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