NAB STATEMENT ON CTIA’S
ANTI-RADIO LETTER TO LAWMAKERS

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Broadcasters issued a statement today in response to a letter sent by several wireless industry representatives to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The groups expressed their opposition to the adoption of a radio receiver in cell phones.

Commenting on the letter, NAB Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton issued the following statement:

“Countries around the globe have added radio-enabled cell phones that are increasingly popular with consumers. The reality is that 239 million Americans tune in to free and local radio every week, and seven million new radio listeners were added just last year.

“Day in and day out, local radio stations serve as a reliable lifeline in times of crisis and weather emergencies. In an increasingly mobile society, it would be unfortunate if telco gatekeepers blocked access to public safety information offered by free and local radio.”

About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America’s broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.

NAB MARCONI RADIO AWARD NOMINATIONS BEGIN MAY 1
 
WASHINGTON — The 2010 NAB Marconi Radio Awards nomination process will open May 1, NAB announced today. The award recognizes overall excellence in radio broadcasting. To be considered for a 2010 NAB Marconi Radio Award, general managers may nominate their station in the “Station of the Year by Market Size” and/or “Station of the Year by Format” categories, as well as one of their outstanding air personalities in the “Personality of the Year by Market Size” category. They may also submit nominations for “Legendary Station” and “Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year.”

Stations must submit their nominations online at www.nab.org/marconis. All nominations must be received by May 31. Finalists will be announced in July.

On September 30, the winners will be announced during the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner & Show at the Radio Show in Washington, DC (September 29-October 1).

Winners are chosen by the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Selection Academy. The Academy is made up of general managers, program directors, regional radio executives, owners, programming consultants and former radio executives. Applications for membership into the Academy can be received by contacting Susan Platt at splatt@nab.org.

About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America’s broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.

BIPARTISAN HOUSE OPPOSITION TO
RIAA PERFORMANCE TAX REACHES 260

WASHINGTON — Reps. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) and Tim Murphy (R-PA) have become the latest House co-sponsors of a bipartisan Congressional resolution opposing a performance tax on local radio stations. The Local Radio Freedom Act (H. Con. Res. 49), which opposes “any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge,” is now backed by 260 House lawmakers. An identical Senate resolution is supported by a bipartisan group of 27 U.S. Senators.

The growing Congressional opposition comes as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) continues to lobby in support of legislation that would require local radio stations to pay an additional fee for every song aired free to listeners.

“Local radio broadcasters and our 239 million weekly listeners appreciate the growing Congressional opposition to RIAA’s performance tax campaign,” said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton. “We remain cautiously optimistic that Congress will ultimately reject RIAA’s effort to enact this job-killing legislation, which would threaten the very future of a musician’s greatest promotional vehicle: free, local radio.”

“Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings,” reads The Local Radio Freedom Act, which was unveiled at a 2009 Capitol Hill event hosted by the Free Radio Alliance. The resolution was introduced by Reps. Gene Green (TX-29) and Mike Conaway (TX-11) in the House and by Sens. Blanche Lincoln (AR) and John Barrasso (WY) in the Senate.

The 260 House cosponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act include:

The Local Radio Freedom Act’s 27 Senate cosponsors are:

About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America’s broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.