As the media and entertainment sector continues to evolve, NAB Show is staying ahead of the pace of change and expanding its presence across the landscape of content creation.

“As NAB Show broadens its scope beyond its traditional broadcast audience, we are placing a greater focus on artificial intelligence, startups, live sports, streaming and the business community — key drivers shaping the future of media and content creation,” said Karen Chupka, managing director and global vice president, Connections & Events, at the National Association of Broadcasters.

“For more than 100 years, NAB Show has served as the industry’s launchpad for innovation,” she said. “As the industry continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, we recognized the need to expand its audience to reflect the shifting landscape. By embracing new sectors, NAB Show ensures it remains the premier destination for discovering future trends and cutting-edge technologies.”

One major area of emphasis for NAB Show is the creator economy. Independent creators, many of whom are using tools and techniques like those employed in Hollywood, have become a significant media presence, building large audiences and securing brand partnerships.

That economy now employs some 50 million people around the world, according to Goldman Sachs, with its value projected to reach nearly $500 billion. NAB Show’s Creator Lab has been expanded to serve this burgeoning audience.

“NAB Show serves as a crossroads for these industries, fostering collaboration across film, broadcast, streaming and digital-first content,” Chupka said. “The newly expanded Creator Lab will offer education, demonstrations and networking opportunities to help creators utilize cutting-edge tools and strategies to enhance storytelling, grow their audiences and unlock new revenue streams.”

Also keeping revenue in mind is NAB Show’s new two-day Business of Entertainment track, produced in partnership with The Ankler, a digital media company covering the business of Hollywood. Sessions will offer insider perspectives on crucial industry shifts, Chupka said, including media dealmaking, content bundling, emerging ad models, evolving audience trends and the growing intersection of Hollywood and the creator economy.

“With thought leaders driving these discussions, the Business of Entertainment track will deliver sharp analysis and candid conversations on the future of the industry,” Chupka said.

NAB Show will spotlight the vital role of live sports in driving real-time, must-see content for the television industry. The three-day Sports Summit brings together broadcasters, streaming services, athletes, leagues, technologists, policymakers and brands to explore end-to-end solutions for live sports production and delivery, Chupka said.

Topics to be tackled include AI, data analytics, remote production, cloud-based workflows, ultra-high-definition streaming, sports wagering technology and more.

“The Sports Summit will highlight innovations in fan engagement and monetization, ensuring that NAB Show remains at the forefront of sports media’s evolution,” she said.

Perhaps no technology has more potential to revolutionize how content is created than artificial intelligence. It offers broadcasters new opportunities to deliver alerts more quickly, present more localized news and personalized experiences, streamline workflows and optimize engagement, Chupka said.

NAB Show will showcase the latest cutting-edge tools, training and insights to help professionals integrate AI into their workflows, which you can find across the show floor, specifically in the AI Innovation Pavilion and PropelME, a dedicated area for startups.

Early-stage companies exhibiting in PropelME make it a prime spot for entrepreneurs, investors and industry professionals to explore emerging technologies and innovations paired with expert discussions on the new Startup Stage. A new partnership between NAB Show and FBRC.ai will bring in pitches and programs designed to forge relationships.

“Both PropelME and theAI Innovation Pavilion feature cutting-edge solutions where industry leaders and decision-makers connect, explore innovations and engage through networking events,” Chupka said.

Further Forward
In 2024, according to Chupka, more than half of NAB Show attendees who were buyers attended the show for the first time. The shift in strategy should provide NAB Show’s more than 1,150 exhibitors from 41 countries with more new business opportunities and exposure to an evolving market. Nearly $17 billion in business is generated through connections made at NAB Show each year, Chupka said.

For longtime attendees, this evolution presents an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve.

“As new storytelling methods, platforms and technologies emerge, industry veterans can gain fresh insights, expand their professional networks and explore innovative solutions that complement traditional media practices,” Chupka said. “In blending the tools and expertise of Hollywood, cinema, broadcast and digital creators, NAB Show fosters a unified community of storytellers, ensuring that those who have been attending for years continue to find value in its ever-expanding offerings.”

© NAB

With less than a week to go until the start of the 2024 NAB Show New York, the National Association of Broadcasters has planned an event that highlights tools and technologies impacting the broadcast, media and entertainment industry.

NAB Show New York will take place October 9–10 (Education October 8–10) at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with industry experts through programming and with innovative exhibitors to discover the trends driving the future of content creation, distribution and monetization. Key trends and topics include artificial intelligence, the creator economy, live and virtual production, sports media and streaming.

Karen Chupka, executive vice president and managing director of NAB Global Connections and Events, said, “From AI to live production to sports, attendees will dive deep into the trends reshaping the future of media and discover actionable insights to elevate their businesses,” said.

AI AND MACHINE LEARNING

Artificial intelligence and machine learning continues to influence everything from workflow efficiency to audience engagement. Attendees can explore its role in sports broadcasting, combating disinformation and enhancing media campaign planning.

Some sessions on the topic are “AI Takes the Field: The A-List Panel on the Future of Real-Time Sports Broadcasting,” “Deepfakes, Cheapfakes and Gen AI in the Election,” “Generative AI and the Role of the Cinematographer” and “The Transformative Potential of AI in Media Campaign Planning, Ad Sales and Trafficking Processes.”

Attendees can also learn more about AI and machine learning by visiting exhibitors on the show floor such as AWS, Maxon, Quantum, SDVI, Sony (Ci Media Cloud), Western Digital and Zero Density.

THE CREATOR ECONOMY

The creator economy continues to grow with the industry’s total economic value expected to reach nearly $500 million over the next few years, according to Goldman Sachs. NAB Show New York will focus on helping creators explore monetization, social engagement and independent success.

Sessions addressing the creator economy include “The Creator Era: How Creators Are Redefining Media, Marketing and Commerce,” “Thriving Solo: Navigating the Path of the Modern Solopreneur,” and “Turning Your Station’s Website Into a Local Social Hub.”

Some exhibitors featuring products for content creators include 1SourceVideo, AWS, Avid, B&H, Blackmagic Design, Canon, Fujifilm, Panasonic Connect, Quantum and Sony/Crispin.

PRODUCTION

Attendees hoping to learn more about products for both live and virtual production, from broadcasting to streaming, will benefit from visits on the show floor to Brainstorm Multimedia, Chyron, ENCO Systems, Evertz, EVS, Ikegami, Lawo, Quantum, Ross Video, Sony/Crispin, Technocrane and Zero Density, among many other.

Sessions that take a look a production and explore the increased use of cinematic tools, audience engagement and virtual production techniques include “AbelCine and The Garage Present: Behind the Scenes of Virtual Production Unplugged,” “Innovation and Impact: Building the Studio of the Future” and “The Filmmaker's Toolbox: Crafting Stories On and Off Screen with Fujifilm

RADIO, PODCASTING AND AUDIO

Radio, podcasting and audio marketing, technology and data insights are driving audience engagement and growth, as well as content production. Sessions in the Radio & Podcast Interactive Forum will help attendees discover how the latest tech and innovative strategies can elevate production and promotion.

Sessions being presented in the forum include “How Marketing and Technology Work Together to Grow and Engage Audiences,” “Innovative Sound Design and Video Strategies for Radio and Podcasts,” “It Takes a Team: How Talent Works Across the Team to Create Winning Shows” and “Leveraging Data Insights to Improve Programming, Promotions and Bottom Lines.”

Exhibitors to visit are Orban Labs, Stream Station, Telos Alliance, Wheatstone Corp.

SPORTS

Sports is top of mind with evolving sports media rights and innovative production techniques driving change in how sports content is delivered and consumed. Some sessions covering these topics include “Beyond the Game: Working With Athletes to Build Media Businesses,” “Changing the Game – Evolving Broadcast Rights in Sports,” “From Studio to Stadiums: The Journey from Broadcast Storytelling Into Immersive Fan Experiences” and “The New Playbook: Producing Innovative Sports and News Content.”

Attendees can learn more about products and technologies through exhibitors such as Avid, Clear-Com, EVS, Fujifilm/Fujinon, Grass Valley, Multidyne, Panasonic, Riedel Communications and Ross Video.

STREAMING

Streaming trends center on the growing importance of cross-platform measurement, innovative monetization strategies for AVOD and FAST channels and the increasing role of AI and distributed technologies in optimizing content delivery and audience engagement.

Attendees will benefit from visits to AWS, Blackmagic Design, Haivision, Harmonic, Imagine, Signiant, Telestream and TVU, as well as other exhibitors to view the products and processes available.

Sessions covering streaming and FAST channels include “KEYNOTE: How Tubi Is Surging in the Streaming Wars,” “Advanced Streaming and FAST Revenue Strategies for Local TV,” “How Do I Deal With All These Live Streams?” and “Subtle Changes, Bigger Profits: How Payments Optimization Drives Digital Revenue.”

Visit the NAB Show New York website to register.

Broadcast, media and entertainment leaders will gather once again at NAB Show New York in October to explore key innovations and strategies reshaping how content is created, distributed and monetized in today’s fast-evolving media landscape as the industry prepares for key moments such as the 2024 presidential election and the major fall sports seasons.

“Whether you are dealing with the complexities of election coverage or the excitement of live sporting events, NAB Show New York is the platform for discovering new technologies, engaging in crucial conversations and connecting with industry leaders,” said Karen Chupka, executive vice president and managing director, NAB Global Connections and Events. 

Election Coverage Summit
As the upcoming election approaches, NAB is reinforcing its commitment to supporting and safeguarding journalists as they navigate the unique challenges of political reporting. The Election Coverage Summit will deliver essential guidance on maintaining audience trust, ensuring safety in the field and combating the rise of misinformation, including the growing impact of deepfakes and AI-generated content. This summit will equip media professionals with the tools and strategies needed to deliver accurate and reliable news during an increasingly complex political landscape.

Sports Media Insights
Sessions focused on sports media will offer crucial insights into how new technologies and strategies are transforming the industry. Key sessions will cover the growth of women’s sports, the impact of emerging technology on fan engagement and evolving media rights deals. Attendees will also hear how athletes are building personal brands and shaping the future of content delivery. 

Sessions include “Deepfakes, Cheapfakes and Gen AI in the Election,” “Safety in Political Reporting,” “Changing the Game — Evolving Broadcast Rights in Sports” and “The New Playbook: Producing Innovative Sports and News Content.”

Discussions will be led by industry leaders such Valari Dobson Staab of NBCUniversal Local; Jennifer Mitchell of CBS News and Stations; Liz Alesse of ABC Audio, ABC News; Jonathan Williamson of Men in Blazers; Ray Chao of Vox; Bill Ordower of National Women’s Soccer League; Doug Perlman of Sports Media Advisors; and more.

The event is scheduled for Oct. 9–10 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, with educational opportunities planned for Oct. 8–10.

Visit NAB Show New York for more information and to register for the show.

WASHINGTON—Broadcasters from around the country are gathering in Washington this week for a two-day event focused on two important issues affecting the future of radio and television broadcasting. Hosted by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations (NASBA), the conference will focus on a regulatory proceeding examining carriage of broadcast television programming on streaming platforms as well as broadcasters' response to certain automakers removing AM radio from their newer model vehicles  

During the event, which takes place June 13-14, attendees will discuss the FCC’s nearly decade-long proceeding examining streaming platforms, or virtual multichannel video programming distributors (vMVPD), that offer linear programming. The briefing will cover the FCC’s ongoing proceeding regarding whether vMVPDs require federal regulations that treat them on more equal regulatory footing with cable and satellite systems.

(See also: Battle Among Networks, Affiliates and Streamers Heats Up)

Attendees will also discuss the latest radio and automotive trends and how AM operators can prepare their stations for the future. Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) will also offer insight into recently introduced legislation aimed at preserving AM radio in automobiles and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will discuss AM radio’s critical role in the National Public Warning System.

Following the conference, attendees will travel to Capitol Hill to speak with lawmakers about the importance of in-vehicle AM radio, especially during times of emergency. Attendees will encourage congressional passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 3413/S. 1669), legislation that would direct the Secretary of Transportation to ensure consumer access to AM radio in all automobiles. Attendees will also ask lawmakers to encourage the FCC to refresh the record in the vMVPD proceeding and collect up-to-date marketplace information reflecting the increased influence of digital distribution platforms.

"This conference will tackle head-on two unique challenges facing radio and television broadcasters," said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. "Broadcasters serve their communities with unmatched local news, information and entertainment, and policymakers in Washington have a role to play in ensuring consumers retain access to their favorite stations. We look forward to working with lawmakers on preserving and protecting a vibrant broadcasting industry."

"Through their service to every community in every corner of the country, America’s local broadcasters understand their audiences and how best to serve their need for information, especially during times of emergency," said Dewey Bruce, president of NASBA and the Montana Broadcasters Association. "Broadcasters are galvanizing this grassroots strength into action by educating lawmakers about two issues affecting the future of our industry to ensure we can continue serving Americans with local news, weather, community affairs programming and lifesaving emergency coverage."

WASHINGTON—Television Board Chair Perry Sook has appointed Steve Haro, executive vice president for government affairs for TelevisaUnivision, to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Television Board of Directors.

The appointment was made in accordance with NAB by-laws and is effective immediately. Haro assumes the Board seat of Chris Wood.

Haro joined Spanish language media enterprise TelevisaUnivision in April 2022 and currently oversees all policy, advocacy and political work for the company.

Prior to joining TelevisaUnivision, Haro was a consultant for the government affairs firm, Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas. Previously, Haro served as chief of staff to Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). In 2015, he was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate as assistant secretary for legislative and intergovernmental affairs at the Department of Commerce.

Haro has worked with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as its western regional political director and national Hispanic outreach director. He previously served as senior adviser to former Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and as Colorado communications director and chief spokesperson for Sen. John Kerry’s presidential campaign.

WASHINGTON—Award-winning film producer Evan Shapiro will keynote the 2022 NAB Show New York opening event. In his presentation, “Bringing Media Into the Current Century, Now,” he will examine the shifts occurring in today’s media landscape.

In a press statement, Chris Brown, NAB executive vice president and managing director, Global Connections and Events, said, “With an impressive resume of award-winning projects, unique insight into the competition for audience’s attention and influential thinking about the future of the business, Evan Shapiro is a sought-after voice for preparing media professionals for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.”

Shapiro’s address will take place in the Content Theater located on the show floor following welcome remarks by NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt.

“We are excited to have Evan share his perspective with our community as we kick off the return to an in-person NAB Show New York,” said Brown.

Shapiro is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer of film, TV and podcasts. He is a professor of Media Studies at New York University and Fordham University schools of business. He also is the co-host of a podcast called “Cancel Culture.”

NAB said “many in media know him as the official, unofficial cartographer of the media universe. Using his specific point of view, Shapiro has mapped the tech and entertainment ecosystem, and through his essays, helps chart media's future. Shapiro uses these insights to power his change agency, ESHAP, which offers partners and consumers media insight as a service.”

Shapiro will also participate in an exclusive interview on NAB Amplify as a preview to his NAB Show New York keynote address.

NAB Show New York returns to the Javits Center Oct. 19–20.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters announced several appointments to its board of directors.

Catherine Badalamente, president and CEO of Graham Media Group, and Phil Tahtakran, senior vice president, head of Federal Government Affairs for NBCUniversal, were appointed to the NAB Television Board of Directors.

Badalamente currently oversees broadcast TV stations in seven local media hubs for Graham Media Group, as well as Graham Digital, a digital media and technology development group, and Social News Desk, which provides social media management tools to connect newsrooms with users.

According to NAB’s announcement, Badalamente holds positions on several other boards including the Local Media Association, the Local Media Foundation and the Alliance for Women in Media. In 2017, she received the Digital Leadership Award from NAB. She holds a B.A. in communications from John Carroll University.

Tahtakran , as part of the senior leadership team at NBCUniversal, represents the company before Congress and the Administration on legislative priorities and other policy issues. He serves as NBCUniversal’s representative in various trade associations and coalitions focused on entertainment, broadcasting and telecom policy issues.

Before joining NBCUniversal in 2010, Tahtakran spent several years as a senior aide in congressional offices in the Senate and House of Representatives. He holds a J.D. degree from The George Washington University Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

 Kevin Godwin, senior vice president for Townsquare Media, was appointed to the NAB Radio Board of Directors.

WASHINGTON—Tamron Hall, two-time Emmy Award-winning talk show host, journalist, producer and author, has been appointed to the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF) Board of Directors. She also will serve as industry ambassador and work with NABLF on campaigns and fundraising efforts to help shape the future of the foundation.

As industry ambassador, Hall will help NABLF honor community service efforts by broadcast radio and television stations through the foundation’s annual Celebration of Service to America Awards, which Hall hosted in 2020. She also will promote other NABLF initiatives, such as the Broadcast Leadership Training Program, Media Sales Academy and the newly announced Emerson Coleman Fellowship.

In a press statement announcing the appointment, NAB Leadership Foundation President Michelle Duke said, “Tamron Hall exemplifies the values of NABLF through her commitment to service, advocacy and diversity.” Duke cited Hall’s “strong record of public service and leadership” as what makes her “uniquely qualified to serve as a champion for the Foundation and for broadcasting.”

Hall has earned two Daytime Emmy Awards and a Gracie Award for her self-titled nationally syndicated daytime talk show, produced and distributed by ABC News and The Walt Disney Co. Throughout her career, she has worked at several local television stations, including Gray Television’s KBTX (Bryan, Texas); CBS’s KTVT (Dallas, Texas); and Fox Television’s WFLD (Chicago, Ill.). She went on to work at MSNBC and NBC, where she anchored award-winning programming including “The Today Show,” where she became the first African American woman to co-host the program in 2014.

In looking ahead to her work with the foundation, Hall said, “More than ever, we need to ensure that the broadcast industry has a pipeline of future leaders that reflect our diverse audiences. It's been an honor to work with the foundation in the past and I look forward to furthering this work as a member of the Board.”

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters announced the promotions of four staff members in several departments to senior vice president.

Nicole Gustafson and Josh Pollack were promoted to senior vice president, Government Relations. Both joined NAB in 2017 and advocate before Congress and the Administration on behalf of broadcasters regarding legislative and federal policy issues. Gustafson previously served in offices of Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA); former Majority Leader/Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA); and Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Pollack previously served as special assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs during the Obama Administration and as a congressional aide to former Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD).

Laura Kaufman has been promoted to senior vice president and corporate counsel, Legal and Regulatory Affairs. She joined NAB in 2019 and also serves as secretary and corporate counsel for the NAB Leadership Foundation. She previously worked in the law firms of BakerHostetler and Seyfarth Shaw.

John Clark, who joined NAB in 2016, has been promoted to senior vice president, Emerging Technology and executive director, PILOT. In his position, Clark leads NAB’s PILOT initiative, a coalition of innovators, educators and advocates dedicated to advancing broadcast technologies and cultivating new media opportunities. He was previously the executive director of the Reese News Lab in the School of Media and Journalism at the University of North Carolina.

“These well-deserved promotions recognize the leadership and integral role that Nicole, Josh, Laura and John have played in so many of NAB’s recent accomplishments on behalf of broadcasters,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “NAB is fortunate to have individuals of their talent and experience working every day to ensure a bright and vibrant future for broadcast radio and television stations across the country.” 

WASHINGTON—Sophi.io, a suite of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions that help content publishers identify and leverage the value of their content, has joined PILOT, an initiative of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) bringing together a coalition of innovators, educators and advocates dedicated to advancing broadcast technologies and cultivating new media opportunities. 

PILOT comprises broadcasting and technology stakeholders, such as new media broadcast operators, measurement and attribution companies, advertising partners and technology providers. Among other goals, PILOT’s working groups and committees strive to drive the creation and implementation of new technologies and solutions for the media industry. 

Sophi.io is an artificial intelligence (AI) platform tailored to optimizing revenue and engagement for media companies. Through its powerful prediction algorithms, Sophi Automation serves the right content to the right audience at the right time across text and video. Sophi's core product suite offers automated content curation, personalization and dynamic registration that facilitate first party data acquisition, viewer engagement and monetization of video and text content across multiple channels including web, app, OTT and streaming.

"It's great to have Sophi.io join PILOT given their experience developing and implementing strategies for digital revenue around first party data,” said NAB PILOT Executive Director John Clark. “We look forward to working with Sophi.io to drive those opportunities forward in the industry."

"We're looking forward to working more closely with PILOT and its members and collaborating on some new ways to help the industry address the challenges of first party data activation, automated curation and revenue optimization," said Sophi.io Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer Gordon Edall.

PILOT members help define key areas for development of innovative technologies and services for media companies. As associate members of NAB, PILOT members will also participate in NAB technology program development, conventions and networking events.

Washington—Award-winning journalist Lester Holt will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame for his contributions to broadcast television at the 2021 NAB Show held Oct. 9–13 in Las Vegas. Holt will accept the honor during the NAB Show Welcome event on Monday, October 11 at 9 a.m.

“Lester Holt’s integrity, gravitas and dedication make him one of the preeminent journalists in America today,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. “Millions of Americans turn to him every day to find out what is happening in their communities and deepen their understanding of the world. We are delighted to recognize his contributions to broadcast journalism by inducting him into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame.”

Holt serves as the anchor and managing editor of NBC’s flagship news broadcast “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.” He has also served as principal anchor of “Dateline NBC” since September 2011 and leads NBC News’ special reports, breaking news and primetime political coverage. He also anchors “Nightly News Kids Edition,” a digital newscast aimed to inform and inspire children, which he launched at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Holt joined NBC News in 2000 and served as an anchor of “Newsfront” and “Lester Holt Live,” a daily news show on MSNBC, before becoming co-anchor of “Weekend TODAY” in 2003 and anchored the weekend editions of “NBC Nightly News” beginning in 2007. During his time at NBC News, Holt has moderated presidential debates; reported from breaking news events in the U.S. and abroad including terrorist attacks, natural disasters and civil unrest; anchored numerous specials and investigative series; interviewed national and international newsmakers; and covered every Olympics since the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Before joining NBC News, Holt began his television journalism career at local broadcast stations WCBS-TV in New York, KCBS-TV (then KNXT) in Los Angeles and WBBM-TV in Chicago, where he worked for 14 years including as the afternoon and evening news anchor.

Holt was honored with the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism in March 2021. In 2019, he received the prestigious Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism and was honored with Quinnipiac University’s Fred Friendly First Amendment Award in 2017.He has been recognized with multiple Emmy Awards and received a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award in 2000 for his work on CBS News' broadcast 48 Hours: No Place Like Home.

Holt was also named one of the world’s “100 Most Influential People” by TIME and was named “Journalist of the Year” by the National Association of Black Journalists in 2016.

Registration for the 2021 NAB Show and the co-located Radio Show and Sales and Management Television Exchange (SMTE) is available here.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters’ technology innovation initiative, Pilot, will be accepting submissions for this year’s Pilot Innovation Challenge through 5 p.m. ET on July 9.

The program will provide mentorship and promotion to winning proposals, along with an opportunity to demonstrate their products at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, Oct. 9–13, 2021. 

“The Innovation Challenge offers a platform for developing technologies that will help broadcasters better serve their audience, while providing emerging companies a showcase for their cutting-edge products,” said Pilot Executive Director John Clark in a press statement.

This year’s challenge seeks startups and growing companies that provide solutions to some of the challenges and opportunities facing broadcasters over the next two to three years. The challenge is looking for products or prototypes that are focused on the following areas:

—Edge technologies that drive new revenue opportunities for broadcasters, such as through geo-targeted content, location-based advertising, accurate audience measurement and augmented experiences;

—Technologies that enhance broadcast journalism to help viewers and listeners get more from their most trusted source of local news, including tools to better aggregate and verify crowd-sourced news reports, enhancements to news-gathering technologies such as drones, or avatar news anchors to deliver personalized updates on a myriad of topics; and

—In-vehicle technologies that deliver more value out of broadcasting, including technologies that enhance the in-car experience for radio listeners, as well as technologies that harness the mobile reception capabilities of the NextGen TV standard to deliver even more rich data services or back-seat entertainment. 

Individuals, teams, companies, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply subject to the official rules of participation. Up to 10 finalists will be selected by a panel of industry experts by early August, with up to three winning proposals being notified by September 1.

Three winners will be selected to receive relevant mentorship, feedback, numerous opportunities to engage with broadcasters and a trip to the annual NAB Show. They will be provided exhibit space in the “Startup Loft” to demonstrate their prototype to potential customers, investors and partners.

To learn more, visit NAB’s Pilot website.

Washington, D.C.—The National Association of Broadcasters will host a special event to announce and celebrate the 2021 recipients of the NAB Engineering Achievement Awards and Digital Leadership Award. It will be held June 17, 2 p.m. EDT on NAB Amplify.

The special session titled “The Future of Media and NAB Technology Awards” kicks off with a keynote conversation with Mike Chapman, a partner and Americas Media Lead at Kearney, a management consulting firm specializing in corporate and growth strategy and business transformation. Chapman will discuss the future of media, including trends to watch, with Sam Matheny, executive vice president and chief technology officer of NAB.

“We are excited to announce the technology award winners publicly for the first time through this special session on NAB Amplify,” said Matheny in a press statement. “As with so much of our industry, we are doing things differently this year. We invite the entire NAB Show community to join us for the reveal of the winners and to celebrate their amazing engineering and digital leadership.”

NAB has presented the Engineering Achievement Award to an individual for their outstanding accomplishments in the broadcast industry since 1959. In 1991, the Association began giving two awards—one for achievements in radio and the other for television.

The Digital Leadership Award began in 2015 and is given annually to honor an individual at a broadcast station, group or network who has had a significant role in transforming a traditional broadcast business to succeed on digital media platforms in a measurable way through the use of technology, mobile applications, social media, or web-based information management and marketing.

The Service to Broadcast Engineering Award is presented periodically to individuals who have provided extraordinary service to the industry.

Register for NAB Amplify to access these sessions.

The National Association of Broadcasters will present its 2021 NAB Technology Awards at an online event hosted by NAB Amplify on June 17. This annual event typically takes place during the spring NAB Show. The awards highlight significant achievements in the fields of broadcast engineering and digital leadership.

The Radio and Television Engineering Achievement Awards are presented to individuals for their outstanding accomplishments in the radio or television broadcast industry, respectively. Last year’s recipients were James Stenberg (Television) with American Tower Corp., and Jeff Welton (Radio) with Nautel.

The Digital Leadership Award honors an individual at a broadcast station, group or network that has transformed a traditional broadcast business to succeed on digital media platforms in a measurable way. Entercom Chief Digital Officer J.D. Crowley received last year’s award.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters has hired Charlyn Stanberry as vice president of Government Relations. She will report to Shawn Donilon, executive vice president of Government Relations.

“Charlyn has excelled on Capitol Hill, in the private sector and in the legal community, and commands expert knowledge of the legislative process,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. “America’s local broadcasters will greatly benefit from Charlyn’s work on their behalf and we are delighted to welcome her to NAB.”

Stanberry joins NAB after serving as chief of staff for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), for whom she previously served as legislative director and counsel. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of the District of Columbia where she teaches Foundation Civics and Ethics & Values.

Stanberry also served as vice president of External Affairs for Net Communications; counsel for the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council; and as a professional staff member for the Congressional Black Caucus.

In 2020, Stanberry received the Lawyer of the Year Award from the Washington Bar Association, the Public Sector Award of Excellence from Women in Government Relations and was named a Top 40 under 40 Nation's Best Advocate from the National Bar Association.

WASHINGTON—RaMona Alexander and Dan York were appointed to the NAB Television Board of Directors. The appointments were made by NAB Television Board Chair Emily Barr.

Alexander serves as vice president and general manager for WDBD, a local Fox affiliate in her hometown of Jackson, Miss., owned by American Spirit Media. She is also part of the management team that oversees WLOO, the local MyNet affiliate through a joint sales agreement with Tougaloo College. Additionally, Alexander is responsible for Program Acquisitions at American Spirit Media.

Before joining WDBD, Alexander worked as a corporate broadcast trainer for Gray Media’s owned-and-operated TV stations and in executive sales positions for broadcasters such as Fox Television Stations O&O and Local TV LLC. She began her career at WJTV-12, in Jackson, Miss.

York joined Cox Media Group in spring 2020 as president and CEO and is responsible for managing the company’s TV, radio, digital and national advertising platforms and overseeing CMG’s long-term strategic priorities.

Previously, York helped build AT&T and DIRECTV’s video business over 15 years, serving most recently as chief content officer and senior executive vice president, and previously as president, Content and Advertising Sales.

Rob Babin senior vice president, head of radio for Cox Media Group, was appointed to the Radio board.

WASHINGTON—Fourteen-time Emmy Award-winning host, broadcast anchor and executive producer Meredith Vieira will receive the NAB Show New York Impact Award during NAB Show New York. National Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Gordon H. Smith will present the award and deliver comments on Oct. 23.

 The NAB Show New York Impact Award honors innovative leaders in media and entertainment for their impact and influence on the industry, as well as in the city of New York. The award presentation is open to all attendees.

 Vieira is currently the host and executive producer of Fox Television’s “25 Words or Less.” She is well known as the original moderator of “The View” and recently hosted the PBS series “The Great American Read.”

 Vieira’s national broadcasting career began at CBS News, where she spent more than a decade serving as co-anchor of “CBS Morning News,” news editor for both “60 Minutes” and “West 57th” and as a Chicago bureau reporter.

 After leaving CBS News in 1993, Vieira went on to co-host “The View” and the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?,” during which she concurrently served as co-anchor for NBC’s “Today.”

 Vieira is the founder and CEO of Meredith Vieira Productions, and appeared as host and executive producer on her nationally syndicated talk show, “The Meredith Vieira Show.” She was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

 Registration for NAB Show New York is available at NABShowNY.com.

The broadcast industry has lost one of its native sons with the passing of Walt Wurfel.

Known for his kindness, compassion and professionalism, Wurfel was a broadcast professional who with experience in dozens of separate communications sectors: as a reporter, news director, press secretary, editor, radio station owner and ham radio operator.

His work as a journalist began after he graduated from Stanford University and the Columbia University School of Journalism. That path took him to the Washington Evening Star as a reporter, to the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times as foreign editor and political editor, and to WTSJ(TV) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as an assistant news director.

Both a fluent Spanish speaker and a dedicated ham radio operator, Wurfel — signing off and on as W4ZPQ — used both of those skills in 1989 during Hurricane Hugo. He monitored ham radio reports during the deadly Category 5 hurricane as it traveled over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and contributed to coverage of the storm by The Washington Post, where his wife, Sara Fitzgerald, worked at the time.Wurfel had a foot in the political field as well, serving as deputy press secretary for the Carter White House as well as press secretary to the presidential primary campaign of Hubert Humphrey in 1972.

As deputy press secretary for the Carter administration, it was clear that one of Wurfel’s early priorities was connecting with small town journalists.

“[We] basically figured that Jimmy Carter was a president that would understand the value of the local news media, perhaps more than anybody else,” Wurfel said in an exit interview he gave in 1979 after serving as deputy press secretary. “[Local media] was the only media coverage he was getting [previously] and I think he has a full blown idea of how valuable it is. … What we wanted to do was have somebody whose sole job was to respond to the local news media and to help them.”

In that interview, Wurfel laid out the basic tenants that any viable journalist or member of a press office should possess. It’s a list that’s as true today as it was in 1979: intelligence, a sense of self security, conscientiousness. “You can overcome all kinds of other sins by understanding, respecting, and responding to deadlines and being generally helpful in trying to get information to people,” he said in that interview.

His foray into the broadcasting corporate ranks included serving as vice president of corporate communications at Gannett Co., as director of radio stations in Middletown and Utica, N.Y., for Straus Broadcasting Group, and as part owner of radio station WXGM(AM/FM) in Gloucester, Va.

He also served as senior vice president of communications at NAB from more than 10 years beginning in 1986, and served as treasurer and member of the board for the National Press Foundation for many years.

Wurfel passed away at the age of 81 at an assisted living facility in Falls Church, Va., where he had been living for the last year and a half.

A memorial service for Wurfel will be held on Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. at Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ in Arlington, Va.

WASHINGTON—NAB urged the FCC Nov. 27 to initiate a thorough examination of a TV white space database operated by Nominet UK for errors that if left unaddressed could lead to television stations experiencing harmful interference from TV white space devices.

The request, made by Patrick McFadden, associate general counsel for NAB during a telephone call with Alison Steger, who works in the office of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, was part of a broader discussion about the trade association’s petition of reconsideration of the Office of Engineering and Technology’s approval for Nominet to operate the database.

In a notice of ex parte communications dated Nov. 29 regarding the call, NAB asked the FCC to confirm that Nominet has fixed database errors it says have been corrected. “This is not the first time Nominet has made that claim,” the ex parte letter said. “In response to previous errors NAB identified, Nominet asserted in August that it had ‘addressed each technical issue’ with its database and would ‘continue to exercise rigorous ongoing oversight of its database.’”

However, NAB pointed out that subsequent to those assurances at least 200 full-power TV stations were listed in the database with incorrect channel information.

“The commission should not simply take Nominet’s word on this subject given the scope of the problems NAB identified,” it said. Rather, the agency should launch “a comprehensive review” of the database to verify available channels for use by TV white space devices, NAB said.

NAB also called on the FCC to reexamine the procedures used to certify a database administrator that “had committed potentially catastrophic errors,” it said.

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House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) Monday (July 23) launched another effort at massive communications deregulation, one he has been pushing for most of a decade, so far without success.

Scalise has reintroduced a discussion draft of his Next Generation Television Marketplace Act, which repeals must-carry and retransmission consent rules and the compulsory license. That is the license that allows broadcasters to include nonlocal programming in their retrans deals without having to secure individual rights from national network and syndication rightsholders.

The bill would also "eliminate the government's role in defining the scope of programming exclusivity" and "codify the repeal of certain limitations imposed on local broadcasters that prevent them from adapting to today’s dynamic communications marketplace."

Like previous incarnations, the bill also includes eliminating the network nonduplication and syndicated exclusivity rules, as well as broadcast ownership limits.

[Read: Retransmission Overhaul Launched]

“Innovation tends to follow the path of least government resistance. For proof, look no further than the growth of online streaming services that are operating in a completely free market, while competing against other platforms that are regulated as if they were still monopolies from the 1990s," said Scalise. "My legislation will level the playing field so consumers can benefit from even more freedom in the video marketplace.”

Broadcasters wouldn't mind getting rid of more ownership restrictions, but getting rid of must-carry and retrans and network nondupe and exclusivity rules are nonstarters. The National Association of Broadcasters will strongly oppose the bill, according to an NAB spokesperson, as it has previous versions.

“Today’s media marketplace has never been more robust, with consumer access to broadcast programming on more platforms than at any time in history," said NAB EVP Dennis Wharton. "Unfortunately, the Next Generation Television Marketplace Act would undermine this great American success story. It would severely damage broadcasters’ ability to serve local communities and hurt tens of millions of viewers who rely every day on broadcast TV for news, entertainment and lifeline weather coverage."

But the bill has plenty of supporters.

"As the former president of an association of local TV stations, former president of network distribution for Fox, former president of the ABC Television Network, former executive VP of The Walt Disney Company and a former law professor, I write to strongly support House Majority Whip Steve Scalise’s Bill, The Next Generation Television Act," blogged Preston Padden, whose resume includes expert witness on the Hill for why the compulsory license should go.

"His Bill would repeal a steaming pile of outdated, conflicting and unnecessary government interventions into the market for distributing television programming," said Padden.

"The bill would at long last eliminate or substantially curtail legacy video regulations based on perceptions of the market in the early 1990s, or even earlier," said Free State Foundation President Randolph May. "If adopted, the NextGen TV Act would bolster free market competition and free speech in the video services market."

“The American Television Alliance, a voice for the TV viewer, commends Congressman Steve Scalise for his thoughtful leadership to reform and update America’s broken and outdated video laws," said the American Television Alliance, which has been advocating for major retrans reform in the face of what it says are skyrocketing broadcaster fee asks and blackouts. “The Next Generation Television Marketplace Act will jump-start and elevate a long-overdue conversation about modernizing the rules of the road for how Americans access and pay for video content. The legislation is forward-thinking, free-market oriented and pro-consumer."

"ACA applauds Rep. Scalise for introducing legislation designed to overhaul archaic media laws and policies," said ACA President Matt Polka. "The Scalise bill, to its credit, will prompt lawmakers and stakeholders to begin important conversations that should result in legislation next year that will truly serve the public interest."

“The regulations used to govern the video marketplace are out of date and no longer reflect the options and ways consumers obtain and view their content," said Verizon SVP Robert Fisher. "Congress should consider the changing technology enabled by a growing internet ecosystem as they create a new video marketplace framework....This legislation will begin the conversation to modernize our nation’s video policies as the marketplace responds to rapidly changing consumer demands.”

“Dish commends Rep. Scalise for his continued leadership on behalf of consumers," said Dish SVP Jeff Blum. "The broken retransmission consent regime is in dire need of comprehensive reform, and customers have been left paying the price through broadcaster blackouts and skyrocketing retransmission consent rates.”

“NTCA appreciates Congressman Scalise’s willingness to take on the difficult issue of updating video policy by introducing this legislation," said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. "As consumer consumption of video continues to evolve, it is essential to examine video marketplace failures and consider updates to existing laws and regulations, especially in rural areas where many residents can’t receive broadcast signals. We look forward to engaging in this important discussion with Congress, and ultimately to the passage of legislation that will address the critical shortcomings in the existing rules governing this marketplace.”

“Charter applauds Majority Whip Steve Scalise for reintroducing the Next Generation Television Marketplace Act," the company said in a statement. "Congressman Scalise is rightly reexamining a broken system that has resulted in retransmission consent fees rising exponentially over the last decade. We look forward to working with him and his colleagues in Congress to reform the outdated rules and better protect consumers.”

WASHINGTON — NAB and the National Translator Association separately this week filed comments with the FCC stating their objection to allowing wireless services to share or use C Band satellite spectrum.

NAB told the agency that the 3.7–4.2 GHz band is widely used to distribute television and radio content to broadcasters. “Virtually every U.S. television and radio household relies on C Band satellite operations for content distribution in some manner,” NAB said.

Thousands of MVPDs, more than 1,000 TV stations, OTT service providers and radio stations rely on C Band. National Public Radio uses C Band for reliable distribution of content to 475 public radio earth stations, a critical link in the distribution chain of content to 42 million Americans every week, NAB said.

NAB also told the FCC that practical alternatives to C Band, such as fiber, “are significantly overstated.” Often alternatives aren’t available, and in areas where fiber is present “it may not be economically viable,” NAB said.

The FCC should not assume that technical solutions will be created that makes sharing the spectrum possible, the association said. “NAB reiterates that, as a practical matter, this means the commission should acknowledge that terrestrial users cannot share C Band frequencies based on geographic separation alone,” it said.

[Read: More Broadcasters Weigh in on C Band Sharing]

NAB pointed out that C Band facilities are highly sensitive to enable signal reception from an orbiting signal source more than 22,000 miles over head. As such, they are quite vulnerable to terrestrial interference. The association also told the FCC that it should reject any proposal to do away with or constrain its full-band, full-arc earth station licensing policy.

In its comments, the National Translator Association pointed out the FCC has asked a question in its public notice that cannot be answered. “It asks: ‘How should we assess the operations and possible impacts of sharing on Federal and non-Federal users already operating in this band?’” NTA quotes the public notice as saying. The FCC has made registration of domestic receive-only C Band terminals optional since a 1979 deregulation. “No one knows how many private, public, commercial or noncommercial R/O users there are here,” NTA said.

While the FCC has set up a way to register R/O C-band users recently, it “is obvious that more users are out there — many more — than are aware of the registration deadline or are willing and able to pay the [registration] fee,” NTA said.

As a result, if new users are allowed into the C Band, it is certain only registered users will be protected and “many other existing users will be harmed, and some will be driven out of business,” it said. Many LPTV and translator stations will face an added problem because they are required to migrate to new terrestrial channels as part of the TV spectrum repack. Many will need to geographically relocate, which means “affected parties cannot file [C Band receive site registration] now to protect facilities that they do not yet know will be needed.”

NTA urged the agency “to start over” and “determine that all C Band dishes serving existing TV or radio distribution as of a certain date — whether registered or not — shall be automatically protected against harmful interference from subsequent arriving users.”

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WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation is now accepting entries for the 2017 Celebration of Service to America Awards recognizing outstanding community service by local broadcasters. Winners will be honored at the 19th annual Celebration of Service to America Awards gala, held Tuesday, June 20 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Categories for the Service to America Awards include:

Service to America Community Awards for Radio and Television, honoring broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.

Service to Children Awards for Radio and Television, recognizing broadcasters for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements that serve the children of their communities.

Service to America Television Award, acknowledging a television station for the totality of its efforts and commitment to excellence in serving its community.

The Celebration of Service to America Awards are sponsored and produced by NABEF with major support from the National Association of Broadcasters, Bonneville International and Hearst Television. In recent years, Sharon Stone, Gary Sinise; Paul Simon; Stevie Wonder; Glenn Close; Jeff Bridges; Quincy Jones; Sir Elton John; Bill Clinton; Laura Bush; Muhammad Ali; Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter; among others, have been presented with the Celebration of Service to America Leadership Award at the event.

WASHINGTON—Two-term Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith stepped in to lead the National Association of Broadcasters as president and CEO in late 2009, and has since become known for his deliberate, measured and non-confrontational approach. In addition to his tenures on Capitol Hill, Smith is co-owner of a major frozen foods business as well as a published author. His book, “Remembering Garrett: One Family’s Battle with a Child’s Depression,” relates the story of the Smith family’s personal experience with suicide, and reveals the motivation behind Sen. Smith’s efforts to elevate awareness about mental illness and depression through the power of media.

Here, Sen. Smith obliged TV Technology with regard to questions about the NAB Show, his views on technology and policy, and the role of broadcasting in the culture and democracy.

TV Technology:How many NAB Shows does this make for you as president & CEO?
Smith: This was my seventh NAB Show.

TVT:Did youattend the Show before taking over the organization?
Smith: I served on the Senate Commerce Committee during my two terms representing the state of Oregon and became very familiar with the many issues impacting broadcasters. I always viewed NAB as one of the pre-eminent trade associations in Washington, but unfortunately I never made it to NAB Show.

TVT:What was the most exciting technological development you have seen at an NAB Show, including this year’s?
Smith: I’m always amazed by the displays showing crystal-clear pictures delivered using 4K, UHD and high dynamic range technology. I firmly believe consumer demand will continue to grow as more viewers experience this amazing picture quality.

TVT:Was there one moment more than any other in your tenure that you felt a profound sense of community at the NAB Show?
Smith: A few years ago, we came to the show after recently fighting back an attempt by the record industry to get Congress to pass a performance royalty bill on local radio. The bill had passed the House Judiciary Committee and had support from the Speaker of the House.
We put together an ad campaign and convinced our television members to join the fight and run the ads along with our radio members. Those combined efforts managed to swing the tide in the fight and we defeated that bill.
That was a testament to the power of broadcasters when all our oars pulling in the same direction. We’ve since has similar success with an ad campaign regarding the retrans fight and the STELAR bill, with our radio members assisting TV broadcasters in reminding members of Congress about the importance of free and local television.

TVT:In terms of technological development, what did you see as the overarching themes of the show this year?
Smith: Next-gen television has been in development for years, but I think it became a reality at this year’s NAB Show. We also saw exciting developments in virtual and augmented reality capabilities that create astonishing immersive experiences for consumers; while sophisticated advertising technology is offering a broader range of targeting opportunities for content owners and distributors. And drones were back, empowering content creators with a variety of applications from filmmaking to newsgathering. 

TVT:What are some examples of these themes?
Smith: Just before the show, we announced a petition was filed by NAB, along with consumer electronics, public safety and public television advocates, asking the FCC to approve a next-gen TV standard for those who voluntarily choose to adopt it. (See, “FCC Puts ATSC 3.0 Out for Comment,” April 27.)
At the Futures Park exhibit, we present a wide variety of ATSC 3.0-related demos—most shown for the first time anywhere—including live transmissions using the next-gen TV standard. The ATSC 3.0 Consumer Experience showcased exciting offerings on the consumer side.
NAB Show offered a deep dive into other emerging trends with a variety of new programs, conference sessions and exhibit areas including the new Kaleidoscope VR Showcase, Virtual Reality Production Summit, Advanced Advertising Theater and Aerial Robotics and Drone Pavilion.

TVT:Technology and policy have operated somewhat like church and state at the NAB Show. Do you see this changing?
Smith: We’ve certainly tried to showcase the intersection of technology and policy at the show. We saw some of that this year. Chairman Wheeler gave a shout-out to next-gen TV. Commissioner Pai moderated a panel about the post-incentive auction repack. Commissioner O’Rielly delivered a speech at a session on the set-top box issue.* Being at the show, the commissioners could also get a glimpse of advances in broadcast tech, such as next-gen TV.
It is true that technology tends to develop faster than public policy can keep up with, especially in such a divisive Congress, even though these issues aren’t partisan. That might be why there’s a perception that technology and policy are separated at NAB Show—the technology is more advanced than the current state of the policy. For example, we’re waiting on rules from the FAA on the use of drones and letting news outlets use them for newsgathering operations.

TVT:You delivered an impassioned keynote about the community service provided by local broadcasters, “not Google, not Apple, not Pandora, not cable or satellite.”
 Were you aware of this dynamic when you served in the Senate?
Smith: I knew about broadcasters’ localism when I was in the Senate, but I gained a greater appreciation for the role broadcasters play in local communities after joining NAB. It’s easy for members of Congress and the FCC to take broadcasters for granted, since we’ve been serving our communities for decades. It’s not something you think about often because it happens on a day-to-day basis. That’s why I encourage broadcasters to reach out to lawmakers and make them aware of what they do day in and day out for our audiences.

TVT:How would you assess the rate of awareness among current lawmakers with regard to this dynamic?
Smith: There is a challenge to making sure lawmakers are aware of broadcasters’ importance with the turnover in Congress every election cycle. We’re also competing for attention with new online services—they’re the shiny new toy, while we’re a legacy service that has been around for a century. That’s why grassroots advocacy is so important for broadcasters. It’s how policymakers understand that while everyone wants what we have, they don’t want to do what we do. We are the only free and local service serving their constituents.

TVT:You have a personal interest in the power of the Public Service Announcements carried by broadcasters. Is there evidence PSAs have the impact intended?
Smith: NAB distributes radio and television PSAs on more than 150 topics via NAB Spot Center. Many of these PSAs, including the National Park Foundation’s “Find Your Park” and Disabled American Veterans’ “Promise” and “Victories” campaigns, have become nationally recognizable due to hundreds of thousands of airings across the country.
For the last 30 years, NAB’s Congressional PSA campaign has been a powerful tool for members and their families to reach their constituents with positive messages on issues that include mental health awareness, cancer prevention and support for returning troops. In 2015, 307 members of Congress and their families filmed more than 550 PSAs. The PSAs aired 170,000 times on television from July to December 2015.
NAB also spearheaded the “OK2Talk” mental health awareness PSA campaign, which launched July 23, 2013. The radio and television spots ran more than 231,000 times in 2013, which amounts to a generous donation of $26.4 million in airtime from broadcasters.

TVT:Do you see these types of outreach efforts as effectively propagated across other media platforms?
Smith: NAB launched OK2TALK.org on Tumblr in order to engage teens and young adults. In the first five months of the campaign, the online community received 713,000 page views and nearly 20,000 followers. Most importantly, the site received more than 64,000 clicks on the “Get Help” button, which takes visitors to mentalhealth.gov and suicide prevention resources. 
Many of the nonprofit organizations that are featured on NAB Spot Center effectively use social media channels in their campaigns. For example, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children recently launched a new radio and TV PSA campaign with a heavy tie-in to YouTube, as their channel provides a platform to share individual videos on missing children.
Local radio and television stations serve their communities in a variety of ways, using their airwaves and digital platforms to provide lifeline emergency information, public affairs programing, host political debates and raise money for charities.

TVT:In your NAB keynote, you said, “Lately, some at the FCC have been so enamored with mobile broadband and Silicon Valley that the commission’s policy choices have unwittingly put us on an unnecessary collision course toward two Americas—one where the video future is available to those who can afford to pay, and one where they cannot.” What, in your opinion, would be the ultimate impact of the current direction of communications policy on democracy?
Smith: I don’t believe the FCC is intentionally prioritizing broadband policy at the expense of broadcasting. It is easy to get distracted by the advances being made in Silicon Valley and forget about the importance of broadcasting.
[Former NAB CEO] Eddie Fritts once gave a speech at NAB Show in which he said that if broadcasting was invented today, lawmakers and the FCC would be declaring it a miracle technology. I think that continues to be true. We are free, we are local, and we are accessible throughout entire communities. When a storm is approaching, are you going to learn about it from YouTube or Pandora? Can you access Netflix or Sirius XM without a subscription? When an emergency strikes, will your phone network stay on the air or become congested? Broadcasting fulfills all these needs—we should make sure it stays that way.

TVT:Can and/or will technology erase socioeconomic barriers to access of information and related opportunities?
Smith: Possibly, but I think what we’re seeing right now is a growing gap between the Haves and the Have-Nots because of technology. There are often times nowadays when costs are too high for consumers, particularly low-income families who are most vulnerable. Wireless carriers are billing by the bit. Monthly cable and satellite bills are nickel-and-diming subscribers. Some companies have been accused of redlining and refusing to build out their services in poorer neighborhoods. Anytime there is a charge for access, there will always be barriers to information. This is why it is important that we preserve broadcasting and maintain a place for free and local audio and video services.

TVT:The NAB has petitioned the FCC to allow voluntary deployment of ATSC 3.0, which is now out for comment. What is the next step going forward?
Smith: We’re going to be working to get the FCC to endorse next-gen TV. I have to give tremendous credit to Chairman Wheeler and the FCC, which quickly put out our petition for comment by the end of April.
Currently, there is only one part of one layer of the next-gen TV standard that has been approved. The members of ATSC are busy developing the rest of those to fill out the details of the standard.

TVT:Will the NAB formally endorse ATSC 3.0?
Smith: Filing the petition with the FCC was our endorsement of next-gen TV. We were glad to also have the support of TV manufacturers through CTA [Consumer Technology Association] public broadcasters and public safety advocates. We continue to support a voluntary approach to the standard and believe it should be up to individual stations and groups about whether they want to implement it.

TVT:What impact, in your opinion, can the advanced emergency alert functions enabled by ATSC 3.0 have in a community in times of crisis?
Smith: I think viewers are going to benefit tremendously from the advanced alerting functions of next-gen TV. With the developments made through AWARN, I expect broadcasters’ role as “first informers” will be greatly enhanced.**
With the ability to “wake-up” devices that are off, the new standard can help get alerts to people who are unaware of approaching danger. For instance, if a tornado is approaching in the middle of the night, the standard could give people time to seek shelter.
The standard also permits broadcasting multimedia features during emergencies, such as maps, videos, evacuation routes and webpages when other communications may be down or congested. Multiple alerts in different languages can also be sent at the same time, so no one is left uninformed. The new standard also allows for geo-targeting, so warnings can be relegated to the areas in danger.

TVT:Is the definition of “broadcaster” changing? Could the NAB accept as members entities such as podcasters, Vimeo or even YouTube? 
Smith: This is not your parents’ broadcast business. We’re moving onto different platforms, not just the TV and radio. But just because we’re innovating how we deliver our content doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten who we are.
NAB represents licensed radio and television stations that serve the public interest. We have responsibilities, legal and moral, to serve our local communities, and we continue to broadcast our signal for free. No one else does that.
However, we do have opportunities to work with different businesses under the NAB name. We have associate members who aren’t in the broadcast business. We have also partnered with different industries through PILOT. [Formerly NAB Labs.]

TVT:The in-car dashboard media environment has already changed greatly thanks to smartphones and proliferating digital choices; now radio broadcasters are wondering what might come next, and even if self-driving vehicles will hurt their business model long-term. What do you think? And what might that mean for video providers?
Smith: We want to be the dominant player on the dashboard and we’re still the most-desired audio function for consumers on the dashboard. At the same time, we recognize the car is undergoing tremendous change that provides challenges and opportunities. I think one way we address this is by being on as many platforms as possible. By making our service ubiquitous, we maintain our primacy.
We’re working hard to get the wireless industry to activate radio chips in all cellphones. We’ve made progress with AT&T and T-Mobile announcing they’re joining Sprint in this but Verizon and Apple have been resistant. NAB recently secured more affordable streaming rates for stations that want to put their signal online. The AM revitalization proceeding is continuing to be explored at the FCC, and we are engaged with stakeholders so that this important service does not disappear forever.

TVT:Why is the NAB Show a week later in April yet again next year? Is this related to the cycle of demands in Washington, D.C.?
Smith: NAB Show dates are set based on space availability in Las Vegas and the timing of spring holidays.


* Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, FCC Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O’Rielly.

** AWARN, Advanced Warning and Response Network. See “NAB 2016: Sinclair, LG Test ATSC 3.0 AWARN,” April 18, 2016.

“Remembering Garrett: One Family's Battle with a Child’s Depression,” is available on Amazon.

WASHINGTON – The National Association of Broadcasters has announced that it is currently developing a new edition of the “NAB Engineering Handbook.” This will be the 11th edition of the reference book, which was first published in 1935, and is expected to be released in April 2017. NAB is currently seeking contributing authors to compile the 120 chapters of the handbook.

This new edition will cover new emerging technology topics and provide comprehensive revision of subjects covered in prior editions. The new handbook will also take on a more international scope. Some of the topics in the handbook include Internet-based radio and television streaming, fiber-optic transmission systems, broadcast signal measurement and analysis, and more. 

Garrison Cavell, president of Cavell Mertz & Associates, is serving as editor-in-chief. Associate editors include David Layer, senior director, advanced engineering at NAB; Thomas Osenkowsky, engineering consultant; and Skip Pizzi, senior director of new media technologies at NAB.

“My goal is for us to craft this latest edition not as a heavy scholarly work filled with equations and esoterica that will sit on shelves unopened,” said Cavell, “but as an approachable, easily understood reference that will be used often.”

Selected authors are expected to deliver one or more chapters, either independently or with a coauthor. Authors should be skilled in the subjects they are covering. Those interested should contact Garrison Cavell before Sept. 1. More information can be found here.