Winter 2011 Vol 16 • No. 4 National EAS test flawed but IN THIS ISSUE

successful; What’s next? Letter from the Editor The first-ever nation-wide test of the Emergency warning networks, such as cell phones, smart Alert System was generally successful phones, the internet and social media networks.” Sound Bites 2011 throughout the country but left much to work on for the future. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a Legislative Landscape in MA to

bill authorizing the Integrated Public Alert and Change in 2012

The test, occurring around 2 p.m. on November Warning System (IPAWS) in late November, with Entries must be received by February 24th, 2012. 24th, February by received be must Entries 9th was the first such test of any emergency the support of State Broadcasters Associations Back to Basics:

FROM THE EDITOR alerting system dating back to CONELRAD throughout the country. IPAWS, if the bill were easy! that It’s Radio. HD portable LocalBroadcastSales.com

(Control of Electromagnetic Radiation), EBS (the to pass as is, will, among other things: Red Mighty a you send we’ll Airwaves next the in story your print we If event. AIRWAVES Emergency Broadcast System) and the current the of summary brief a with along up, scrounge can you else whatever or

• Incorporate multiple communications day EAS system. letters articles, newspaper pictures, Send difference. a make to television or

As “The Voice” said in Field of Dreams, “If technologies (i.e. smart phones, social

you build it, he will come.” Here at the radio local using you’re how us tell and line subject the in letters call your and

Massachusetts Broadcasters Association About four seconds into the audio message, networking sites, etc.);

we’re hoping to do the same. No, we’re there was a loud echo of the alert. This was due Community” the to “Connected with [email protected] to email an

not busy building a baseball field in the • Be designed to adapt to and incorporate Send community. your help to doing is station your what know to want We

middle of nowhere (although that would be to an equipment malfunction at one of the 63 future technologies; Elected for 2012 was: great). We’re trying to build a bigger and Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations. It echoed Radio! HD Win an an Win Sound Bites 2011 better association for you, our members. its broadcast back onto the audio network where Chairman: It’s a slow process but we’re making steady • Be designed to provide alerts to the largest it was then picked up by the other PEP stations. Bill Pepin – WWLP-TV, Lin Media progress each day, week, month and year. portion of the affected population, including FEMA has identified and resolved this issue. In 2011 we expanded our scholarship remote areas; Vice Chair Radio: program, doubling the number of Initial reports from the FCC indicate that about Joe Flynn – WSRS-FM/WTAG-AM, Clear scholarships awarded. We are constantly • Promote local and regional public and private impressed by the talented and driven young 87% of the broadcast stations across the country Channel Communications students we are able to help each year. partnerships; and did receive and forward the alert, which is far These scholarship recipients are the future Vice Chair TV: of our industry and you should be proud to better than expected. It is consistent with the • Provide redundant alert mechanisms where be part of an organization that is able to Alex von Lichtenberg – WUNI-TV/WUTF-TV, Alaska tests that were conducted in January practicable in order to reach the greatest help them reach their goals. Entravision Communications 2010 and 2011. While detailed results are not number of people possible. Sound Bites, the MBA’s Annual Meeting and yet available, the preliminary results from the PRSRT STD Mingling event in November was, hopefully, U.S.POSTAGE PAID Secretary: a stepping stone to creating something FCC reporting indicate that the test did propagate The bill would also install specific requirements PERMIT NO. 417 The Beechwood Hotel in Worcester set the – just log onto LocalBroadcastSales.com and Phil Weiner – Weiner Broadcasting our entire membership looks forward to throughout Massachusetts with the exception for the FEMA administrator and create an attending each year. We encourage your IPAWS Advisory Committee composed of MANCHESTER, NH scene for Sound Bites 2011, the MBA’s click “Ask LBS”! feedback and suggestions for 2012. We’ll of Berkshire County. The Local Primary there Treasurer: 1-800-471-1875 Annual Meeting and Mixer, which took be planning it soon! did not receive the test from its monitoring federal, state and local representatives as well Merril Leferman place on Thursday, November 2nd. To start Later in the day, the MBA briefly held its assignments. members who represent various industry groups We also continued to offer 24/7 access the day, LocalBroadcastSales.com founder Annual Meeting and election of officers. to LocalBroadcastSales.com, our online including a consumer/privacy advocate. The Directors: Stephen Warley presented “Jumpstart Your training website, offered a reduced rate on The test seems to have served its purpose, committee is instructed to: meet at least once a VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.MASSBROADCASTERS.ORG Then the fun really began when the Adam Ezra Bill Fine – WCVB-TV, Hearst Corporation inspections with our Alternative Broadcast Digital Sales,” an educational seminar to help Inspection Program and fought for over-the- which was to identify gaps in the Nation’s EAS year; consult with outside groups to consider new Job Banks | Member Lists | Legal Information | Everything You Need To Keep Your Station Up-To-Date Group took the stage and rocked the house with broadcasters use digital media more effectively, Craig Swimm – WMAS-FM/WHLL-AM, air radio and television stations on Beacon system. What those problems are, specifically, and developing technology; and issue a yearly their acoustic guitars and catchy lyrics. Many Hill and in Washington, DC. both for their stations and as a sales tool. Not Cumulus Media is still being determined. At press time the report to Congress with recommendation on members of MBA and its Board of Directors only did Stephen show how to sell results These accomplishments are just the data from stations across the country were still improvements to IPAWS. enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, dinner and drinks. Bill Macek – WPKZ-AM/FM, Central tip of the iceberg for the MBA. In 2012, being submitted to FEMA via their online Test (not impressions!), but he also took audience we plan on launching a number of new Some attendees even went home with door Broadcasting Stay tuned to the MBA blog, newsletter and questions and turned them into learning member services to make your life in Reporting System. prizes - an iPad2 or a Mighty Red HD radio! broadcasting a little easier. Pay attention social media outlets for updates on this important opportunities for everyone in attendance. Have David Isby – WSBS-AM, Vox Communications in the months to come and you’ll learn The question now is, “What’s next?” Damon legislation. Although the FCC has made it clear a question for Stephen, but didn’t attend the about some great benefits that anyone Feeling a little left out? Don’t worry, the MBA will be able to take advantage of. Until Penn, Assistant Administrator for National they will not use the test as an enforcement seminar? He and his team at LBS are always has plans for a 2012 event and you won’t want Carl Strube – WNBP-AM, Port Broadcasting then, we wish everyone a very happy and Continuity Programs at the Federal Emergency tool, they do expect stations to follow up on any available to answer MBA member questions to miss it! safe holiday season. As always, I can be Associate Director: reached by phone at 800-471-1875 or email, Management Agency, said in his November failures and document the action taken to correct Karl Renwanz, Video Transfer [email protected]. 9th blog post that this is the first step in a larger them. If you or your staff has any EAS related effort “to strengthen and upgrade our nation’s Sincerely, questions, please call Mark Manuelian, SECC, IN THIS ISSUE public alert and warning system.” Further, he 617-787-7054. stated, “We will continue to test the other newer Legislative technologies and communications tools that landscape in are also going to be part of our public alert and LETTER FROM ma to change in back to basics: THE EDITOR Sound Bites 2011 2012 lbs online OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION

MBA 1101 Airwaves Winter 2012.indd 1 12/14/11 4:19:26 PM 2011 FCC filings recap More Sound Bites 2011 Legislative landscape in MA to change in 2012 JOBS Act Broadcast Provisions Summary With district realignment and the retirement of Below is a summarized list of the filings the MBA signed onto in 2011 to date. These examples of advocacy before the FCC illustrate how vigorous the participating State Broadcasters Associations have Greg Walden (OR-2), Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, released the “Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum” (JOBS) two longtime Congressmen, Massachusetts’ been in protecting and advancing the best interests of the free, local, over-the-air, radio and television Act of 2011. As expected, the bill includes provisions granting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authority to conduct voluntary incentive auctions of TV Congressional delegation will look a bit industries before the FCC. For a complete summary of each filing, head to Massbroadcasters.org, move broadcast spectrum. This bill takes significant steps toward protecting broadcast television stations through the incentive auction repacking process. different in 2012. your mouse over the “Member” tab and click “FCC Filings.” 2010 Census numbers showed a population Below is a breakdown of the major provisions in Chairman Walden’s JOBS Act that impact broadcasters: April 25, 2011 - In the Matter of Innovation July 29, 2011 - In the Matter of Review decline in Massachusetts that is forcing the in the Broadcast Television Bands: Allocations, of the Emergency Alert System; Independent Section 103 – Incentive Auction Authority • When repacking, the FCC “shall make all reasonable efforts” to preserve state to go from ten members of the House Channel Sharing and Improvements to VHF. Spanish Broadcasters Association, the Office a station’s coverage area and population served, “as determined using the of Representatives to nine. Recently the • FCC “may encourage” a licensee to relinquish its license in return for auction (Rule Making Pending) of Communication of the United Church methodology described in OET Bulletin 69.” This is much improved Massachusetts House and Senate approved a proceeds. Value of the “relinquished rights” to be determined by reverse of Christ, Inc., and the Minority Media and The major door prize of the night - an iPad2! language from what the Committee initially suggested in July. redistricting map that includes a new district auction. May 27, 2011 - In the Matter of Amendment Telecommunications Council, Petition for Congratulations to Jeff Kline of WLYN-AM in South Eastern Massachusetts where • The FCC cannot involuntarily relocate a station from the UHF band to the of the Commission’s Rules Related to Immediate Relief; Randy Gehman Petition for and WAZN-AM. • $3 billion from incentive auction of broadcast spectrum under Section 104 to no incumbent currently lives. Freshman VHF band, and from high VHF to low VHF. Specifically, the ban on moving Retransmission Consent. (Rule Making Pending) Rulemaking. (In response to the Petition, on go toward broadcast relocation costs, if the FCC elects to hold an incentive Congressman William Keating, whose family from high VHF to low VHF is new and improved language. September 15, the Commission agreed to extend auction under that section. This is $2 billion more than what was allocated in owns a house on Cape Cod has said that he June 17, 2011 - Regarding Notice of Public the deadline to June 30, 2012.) the Senate bill, S.911. would run in the district. Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by Relocation Costs • No less than 3 months before an incentive auction, the FCC must report to the FCC, Comments Requested on whether October 27, 2011 - In the Matter of • The FCC shall reimburse “costs reasonably incurred” by: Elsewhere, the First Congressional District in the FCC’s public inspection file rules should be Congress on methodology it will use to set the incentive payments. Standardized and Enhanced Disclosure 1. Broadcast television licensees that move from one UHF channel to Western Massachusetts was essentially carved retained in their present form. (Matter Pending) Requirements for Television Broadcast Licensee another or from one VHF channel to another. This language currently up and divided between Rep. Richard Neal Public Interest Obligations; Extension of the Section 104 – Broadcast Spectrum and Rep. Jim McGovern of Springfield and July 20, 2011 - In the Matter of Review does not provide payment for stations that incur costs but do not Filing Requirement for Children’s Television Worcester, respectively. The First District is of the Emergency Alert System; Independent Auction procedures move channels, although committee counsel has indicated this was an Programming Report. (Rulemaking Pending; oversight and plans to make this change. currently represented by Rep. John Olver, who Spanish Broadcasters Association, the Office representing Massachusetts, told reporters that Association, especially when pertinent Joint Comments currently being drafted in Jim Smith (L), Merril Leferman and Joe Flynn • The FCC must use a reverse auction system to solicit from broadcasters the announced his retirement after his current term of Communication of the United Church 2. MVPDs to continue to carry stations that move to a new channel or “there are other things I would like to do with legislation, like the spectrum incentive auction, response to rulemaking) of the MBA were in attendance. price at which they will relinquish their license. ends in 2012. The 75-year old Olver is serving of Christ, Inc., and the Minority Media and stations that channel share. my life,” although he vowed to stay involved is circulating around Washington. We will • Relinquishment is defined as (1) turning over license to the Commission; (2) his eleventh term in Congress and sited “family Telecommunications Council, Petition for with issues he felt were important. quickly work to establish a strong relationship November 1, 2011 - In the Matter of Closed moving from UHF to VHF; (3) channel sharing. • In lieu of reimbursement for relocation costs, a broadcast television licensee circumstances.” His wife is sick with cancer. Immediate Relief; Randy Gehman Petition for Captioning of Internet Protocol-Delivered Video may ask for a waiver of the Commission’s service rules to allow the licensee, with any and all newly elected officials in 2012 Rulemaking. (Rule Making Pending with the • FCC must keep submissions and related information confidential, including As always, keeping in close contact with Programming; Implementation of the Twenty-First subject to interference protections, to make flexible use of its spectrum. The Also announcing his retirement in November and continue to update members when news exception of the request for further extension of identity of auction participants. Massachusetts Congressional delegation is a Century Communications and Video Accessibility waiver shall remain in effect only so long as the licensee provides at least one was Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts’ Fourth develops. the CAP deadline, which has been granted.) high priority for the Massachusetts Broadcasters Act of 2021. (Rule Making Pending) • Stations that elect to channel share retain must carry and carry-one, carry-all television program stream that is free to the public over its spectrum. Congressional District. Frank, in his 32nd year rights. • The Commission may not make reimbursements for lost revenues, and • The FCC must then conduct a forward auction of the spectrum to new users. payments must be made within 3 years of the completion of the forward Scholarship process If proceeds are not sufficient to cover the incentive payments and relocation auction of the broadcast spectrum. costs, then the auction fails. Stephen Warley (L) and Ed Wozniak of Other Limitations Back to Basics: LocalBroadcastSales.com LocalBroadcastSales.com. Stephen presented • The Commission may conduct one incentive auction of broadcast spectrum How can we help you sell today? That question is what makes the broadcast sales training at resumes in January “Jumpstart Your Digital Sales”. • Until the incentive auction is completed/fails/September 30, 2021 (whichever under Section 104, and the reverse auction/forward auction must be LocalBroadcastSales.com (LBS) different from any other training available. As a member of the It’s almost that time of year again! In January the • Distribute and collect student applications is earlier), the FCC is prohibited from involuntarily modifying a broadcast completed no later than September 30, 2021. Massachusetts Broadcasters Association, this valuable online sales tool is free to use! MBA will begin the scholarship process with a letter television licensee’s license except: asking for your station’s participation. Stations can • Participate in the evaluation process • Relocations and reassignments of broadcast stations are not effective until the So what is it? LBS is an online sales tool, available to you and your sales team 24/7, 365 days receive partial EEO credit for participating in the completion of the forward auction and, to the extent practicable, must occur 1. In accordance with Section 104; or Since 2003, the MBA has invited member stations of the year. LBS experts develop training videos and guides based on a sales question they’re scholarship program. simultaneously. 2. In the case of a violation of the terms of the license or a statute/ to take part in the Massachusetts Broadcasters currently facing, an opportunity they need to learn more about, or questions from members in regulation. In order to get your station full credit for this activity, Association Student Broadcaster Scholarship Repacking the “Ask an LBS Expert” section of the website. Program, giving qualified students a scholarship to 3. The Commission also may not grant a move by a station from the a participating station must: • For purposes of moving forward with the forward auction, the Commission pursue a degree in over-the-air broadcasting. VHF band to the UHF band during that same time period, unless such Don’t have access to LBS? Call Jordan Walton or Anne Shea shall evaluate the broadcast bands, and may repack stations (the term of art is • Donate a prescribed amount of money to the a move would increase the total amount of UHF spectrum available at 800-471-1875 for the MBA access code and get started today! “make reassignments of television channels”). MBA Student Broadcaster Scholarship Program In 2011 the MBA doubled the number of for an incentive auction. scholarships awarded from five to ten and will Attendees of Sound Bites 2011 enjoyed hors • Help promote the program to students via maintain that commitment in 2012. d’ourves and cocktails at the Beechwood Hotel. PSAs, station websites and other avenues

Visit www.facebook.com/MassBroadcasters Follow along at www.twitter.com/mabroadcasters Get LinkedIn with the MBA.

MBA 1101 Airwaves Winter 2012.indd 2 12/14/11 4:20:07 PM