Lpfm, Iboc And Internet Head Nab Agenda

Television Digest with Consumer Electronics, August 30, 1999

Broadcast executives are gathering in Orlando for NAB Radio Show Tues.-Sat. and among subjects uppermost on their minds -- in formal sessions as well as corridor conversation -- will be 3 issues already well documented but unresolved: (1) FCC rulemaking to authorize low-power FM (LPFM) stations. (2) Upcoming era of in-band, on-channel (IBOC) digital audio broadcasting (DAB). (3) Effect of Internet on traditional broadcasting. NAB Pres. Edward Fritts conceded that preregistration "is a little soft, but we expect a surge" of on-site registrations. Last year's show in Seattle attracted 6,837.

FCC Chmn. Kennard's strong backing of LPFM proposal, along with vocal opposition by NAB and its supporters in Congress, have been well-documented on these pages. In fact, as we went to press, reply comments in FCC rulemaking were due Sept. 1, but there was strong speculation that deadline would be extended -- although probably not for 60 days that NAB and other broadcast groups are seeking. Sources report internal dispute at agency. We're told commissioners were expected to grant request for 16-day extension sought by N.Y. Thruway Authority, defer action on 60-day request.

Meanwhile, latest lawmakers to support NAB were House Telecom Subcommittee members Stearns (R-Fla.) and Oxley (R-O.). They said FCC before acting should "report back to us on your analysis" of NAB's study showing significant potential for interference (TVD Aug 9 p5), explaining how service could be implemented without such problems.

Major proponents of IBOC will be on exhibit floor and holding news conferences in Orlando. Still awaited, and being pushed by industry, is FCC's issuance of rulemaking on DAB. Said NAB: "We have long urged the FCC to start a proceeding on IBOC digital radio -- which it had promised to do this summer -- before going further down the LPFM road." Session titled "Radio Under Siege" raises problems and opportunities brought to radio by Internet with premise: "Find out what your new competitors are up to." (See separate IBOC report in Consumer Electronics section.)

NAB has signed 221 exhibitors, up from 181 in Seattle, Fritts said, and "we're still selling space." NAB is highlighting "Group Executive Super Session" Sept. 2 featuring 5 broadcasters -- Ed Christian, Saga Communications; Richard Ferguson, Cox Radio; Randall Michaels, Clear Channel Communications; David Field, Entercom; Kenneth O'Keefe, AMFM Inc. -- representing companies running 1,125 radio stations with combined billings of more than $4 billion. Former NAB Chmn. Richard Stakelin will receive Assn.'s National Radio Award at Sept. 1 lunch.

FCC participants will include Chmn. Kennard (who speaks and answers questions, at Thurs. breakfast), Comrs. Furchtgott-Roth and Tristani, along with usual coterie of Commission staffers, headed by Mass Media Bureau Chief Roy Stewart. Big-name entertainment includes Blood, Sweat & Tears and Lyle Lovett and his band. Year 2000 Radio Show will be Sept. 20-23 in San Francisco.