NAB’S SMITH TESTIFIES
AT SMALL BUSINESS SPECTRUM HEARING

WASHINGTON — NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship regarding government efforts to expand broadband access in America. Smith’s remarks highlighted the role of local broadcasters and reiterated NAB’s support for spectrum inventory legislation.

Smith, a former two-term Senator from Oregon, emphasized NAB’s desire to see both broadband and broadcast flourish, and he stressed the important role broadcasters can play in furthering the rollout of nationwide broadband.

“Simply put, any notion that we’re looking at a world of broadband verses broadcast is false. It’s a false choice,” he told the committee.

Calling proposed spectrum fees “punitive,” Smith expressed concern that such regulatory action could be viewed as a mechanism to force broadcasters off the airwaves.

“Make no mistake: such a punitive measure, such a fee, would be a devastating blow to the small businesses that I represent in the broadcast industry,” Smith said.

Smith also outlined broadcast television’s efficient use of spectrum, noting that broadcasters provide entertainment programming as well as critical information during times of crisis. Because broadcast TV is a one-to-everyone delivery system, he said, viewers are never subjected to the network congestion routinely experienced by mobile phone users.

“Broadcasting is a highly efficient use of spectrum. It’s one-to-everyone. Broadband is one-to-one, and it’s spectrum hogging,” Smith explained.

A copy of Smith’s written testimony, submitted to the Committee earlier this week is available here in PDF format.

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.

MOBILE DTV MARKETPLACE SHOWCASES CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES AT 2010 NAB SHOW

–Showplace for Mobile DTV Consumer Devices Co-Sponsored by ATSC, CEA, OMVC, NAB–

LAS VEGAS — The Mobile Digital TV Marketplace at the NAB Show here this week is showcasing the wide variety of mobile digital television (DTV) consumer products coming in 2010, ranging from mobile phones and accessories, to USB receivers, in-vehicle displays, personal computers, portable TVs, and much more.

Under the banner “Experience the Power of Local Broadcast TV On the Go,” the Mobile DTV Marketplace is jointly organized by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), and the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC).

The Marketplace highlights the growing number of products developed by leading companies to receive the robust new signals based on the ATSC Mobile DTV Standard for broadcasting DTV to mobile and handheld devices. Products from more than a dozen companies will be on display in the Mobile DTV Marketplace, including:

Mobile DTVs. From LG Electronics is a new portable DTV built on a portable DVD player platform — the first consumer product to be certified under the new ATSC Mobile DTV Certification Mark program. Pixtree is also showing a Portable DVD product equipped with Mobile DTV reception capability.

Netbooks and Tablets. Bringing mobile DTV reception for the first time to netbooks is Dell, which is showing the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 that combines ATSC Mobile DTV, WiFi and broadband capabilities for a wide array of mobile video applications. Dell also is featuring other new devices, including a table computer with a 5-inch screen and Mobile DTV capability.

Mobile Phones. A specially modified, non-commercial prototype version of the “Moment” mobile phone from Samsung Mobile is a CDMA handset with ATSC Mobile DTV capability. It will be a featured device beginning in May at the Washington, D.C. Consumer Showcase that will involve hundreds of consumers. Also shown in the DTV Marketplace is a GSM handset from LG Mobile Phones, the “Maize” prototype already widely used by broadcasters on the air with Mobile DTV signals.

USB Receivers. Among the first Mobile DTV products to reach consumers will be tiny USB receivers that will pick up Mobile DTV signals and allow a laptop or other mobile internet device with a USB connection to receive and display Mobile DTV programs. USB Receivers will be featured from DTV Interactive, iMovee, and Hauppauge.

Specialized Accessories. Valups is showing the new Tivizen, a credit-card sized Mobile DTV receiver that beams TV signals to an awaiting Wi-Fi device like the iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, or laptop. Cydle is demonstrating its new i30A designed specifically for the iPhone, which offers Mobile DTV reception and battery backup for the iPhone in a clip-on case.

Automotive. SKE will show a Mobile DTV receiver for the car that can transform an in-car video screen into a Mobile Digital Television. iMovee will show a GPS receiver that double as a Mobile DTV display.

Services. Electronic Service Guide providers EXPWAY and Roundbox will both be showing their solutions that will speed navigation by viewers to their favorite channels while offering web-like click-through banners that can be used for advertising, public service announcements, and even polling. MobiTV will feature their mixTV service that blends broadcast and unicast media delivery to show free over-the-air content combined with Video On Demand and local services such as weather and traffic, interactive and dynamic advertising with click-throughs and socially engaging features like real-time voting to provide direct feedback on hot topics.

Joining senior executives of ATSC, CEA and OMVC to cut the ribbon on the Mobile DTV Marketplace, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith said, “Mobile DTV is a prime example of innovative broadcasting applications for the benefit of the public, and we’re proud to collaborate with these impressive partner organizations to tell the world all about this continuing technology success story. This impressive new exhibit showcases the rapid progress made toward bringing local broadcast mobile DTV service to the consumer marketplace.”

The Advanced Television Systems Committee is an international, non-profit organization developing voluntary standards for digital television. The ATSC member organizations represent the broadcast, broadcast equipment, motion picture, consumer electronics, computer, cable, satellite, and semiconductor industries. ATSC creates and fosters implementation of voluntary Standards and Recommended Practices to advance terrestrial digital television broadcasting, and to facilitate interoperability with other media.

The Consumer Electronics Association unites 2,000 companies within the consumer technology industry. Members tap into valuable and innovative members-only resources: unparalleled market research, networking opportunities with business advocates and leaders, up-to-date educational programs and technical training, exposure in extensive promotional programs, and representation from the voice of the industry, CEA, promoting and advancing member needs and interests. Invest in the Consumer Electronics Association to strengthen your business’ future.

The Open Mobile Video Coalition is an alliance of U.S. commercial and public broadcasters formed to accelerate the development and rollout of mobile DTV products and services. The OMVC is committed to maximizing and developing the full potential of the digital television spectrum.

The National Association of Broadcasters is the voice for the nation’s radio and television broadcasters. As the premier trade association for broadcasters, NAB advances the interests of our members in federal government, industry and public affairs; improves the quality and profitability of broadcasting; encourages content and technology innovation; and spotlights the important and unique ways stations serve their communities.

NBC SPORTS TO BE INDUCTED
INTO NAB BROADCASTING HALL OF FAME

–Chairman Dick Ebersol to accept award on network’s behalf–

WASHINGTON, DC- NBC Sports will be inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame during the NAB Show Television Luncheon. Accepting this honor on behalf of NBC Sports is Emmy Award winner Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. The Luncheon, sponsored by VCI solutions, will be held on Monday, April 12, in Las Vegas.

“From the Olympics to its coverage of the NFL, The Kentucky Derby and Wimbledon among other sports franchises, NBC Sports has always been a pioneer in storytelling and a leader in ‘must-see’ over-the-air broadcast programming,” said Marcellus Alexander, NAB Executive Vice President of Television. “We’re thrilled to have Dick Ebersol, one of the true giants of broadcasting, on hand to accept this prestigious honor.” 

NBC Sports broadcasts a number of impressive sports properties, including the Olympics, the National Football League (NFL), the National Hockey League (NHL), Notre Dame football, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, the PGA TOUR, the United States Golf Association (USGA) Championships, Wimbledon and the French Open.

Under Ebersol’s leadership, NBC Sports has become synonymous with superior production that elevates the event, broad promotion and mutually-beneficial partnerships. He has produced eight of the top 10 most-watched television events in U.S. history and recently produced three milestone television events: the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 became the most-watched event in U.S. television history with a record 215 million viewers; the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games in 2010 were the second-most watched Winter Olympics in history with 190 million viewers, trailing only the Lillehammer Games in 1994; and Super Bowl XLIII in February 2009 produced, at the time, the largest-single audience in U.S. television history with a record 152 million viewers. It is currently the second-most viewed program of all time.

Over more than three decades in television, Ebersol stands alone as an executive who has played a prominent role in the wide-ranging fields of sports, entertainment and news by possessing the rare combination of a producer’s creative vision, a CEO’s business acumen and a partner’s genuine desire for cooperation.

Ebersol’s crowning achievement has been establishing NBC Universal as the home of the Olympic Games. Beginning in 1967, when he temporarily dropped out of Yale University to join Roone Arledge and ABC Sports as television’s first-ever Olympic researcher, his passion has been the Olympics. In 1989, Ebersol returned to NBC as president of NBC Sports. He served as executive producer for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, his first Olympics since Munich in 1972 for ABC, and then began an unprecedented run of Olympic rights agreements that established NBC as “America’s Olympic Network.”

Ebersol’s career is unique, in part, because of its diversity. In addition to his sports prowess, Ebersol, along with Lorne Michaels, whom he hired, conceived and created “Saturday Night Live.” As an independent producer, he created iconic, Emmy Award-winning programs such as “Friday Night Videos” and “Later with Bob Costas.” Ebersol even served as senior vice president of NBC News. 

Previous NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame television inductees include Bob Newhart, Bob Barker, NBC’s” Meet the Press,” Regis Philbin, “The Tonight Show,” “Saturday Night Live,” Ted Koppel, “M*A*S*H,” “60 Minutes,” “The Today Show” and “Star Trek,” among others.

About the 2010 NAB Show
The NAB Show will take place 10-15 April, 2010 in Las Vegas (exhibits open 12 April). It is the world’s largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. Complete details are available at www.nabshow.com.

News media registration is now available online. Click here to register as press for the NAB Show.

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.