Massachusetts Broadcasters' Association blog

Copps: Maybe Broadcasters Deserve To Lose Their Spectrum

Deanna — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:53:46 +0000

FCC commissioner also criticizes media coverage of ownership issues By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/3/2009 10:28:09 AM FCC Commissioner Michael Copps took it to broadcasters again Tuesday, saying that if the FCC can't rejuvenate shuttered newsrooms, put the brakes on "mind-numbing 'monoprogramming' and otherwise turn the tide (he calls it a "tsunami"), of consolidation, then "maybe those who want the spectrum back have the better of the argument after all." Related...

A look back – one year later.

Deanna — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:24:06 +0000

Admittedly, it’s been a difficult year for Massachusetts' broadcasters. Today marks a year since we lost our former president, Al Sprague. It seemed like a perfect storm. The organization was suddenly without it’s leader at a time when stations were struggling financially, people were losing their jobs and meanwhile we were preparing for the DTV transition and Congress was proposing bills like the performance royalty tax and other legislation that threatened our already-wounded broadcasters....

Little-known musician knows he won’t get any performance royalties

Deanna — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:31:36 +0000

From Radio Business Report... There is no doubt in the mind of a musician who was displaced to Little Rock from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina that all artists, including musicians, are underappreciated. But Ted Ludwig isn’t sure that getting a performance royalty from a radio station would be better than simply getting ON the radio station. He realized that the name recognition necessary to make a comfortable living as a performing artist mainly comes from radio. Related...

Senate Judiciary Comm. passes Performance Tax – tell us why this is bad news for your station!

Deanna — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:40:49 +0000

As you may have heard, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Performance Royalty Tax legislation yesterday. This is a long way from being decided, however. There are 251 members of the U.S. House and 26 in the U.S. Senate that disapprove of this legislation and support local radio – including Representative Mike Capuano. Related posts:Performance Tax opposition reaches 251 in HouseLittle-known musician knows he won’t get any performance royaltiesPerformance Tax call to action

Looking for a job?

Deanna — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:39:43 +0000

Seeking a broadcasting sales individual to rep this new program series through commission. We are partnering with Jerome Press (Show of the Month Club) and have interest from several potential sponsors. WBZ Radio is enthusiastic about airing the series. . Related posts:Little-known musician knows he won’t get any performance royaltiesSenate Judiciary Comm. passes Performance Tax – tell us why this is bad news for your station!

FCC Postpones November 1 Ownership Report Filing Deadline

Deanna — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:24:55 +0000

As we wrote in an earlier Advisory, the FCC adopted an order in April 2009 revising FCC Form 323, its Ownership Report form for commercial stations. It also expanded the types of entities and licensees required to file Form 323, announcing that owners of all commercial AM, FM, TV, LPTV and Class A TV stations would need to file the new form by November 1, 2009. Related posts:Biennial Ownership Reports Due By April 1, 2009DTV Consumer Ed – Form 388 due October 10New DTV Education Rules

White House Seeks to Weaken Shield Legislation

Deanna — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:23:01 +0000

The Obama administration has proposed weakening a media shield bill that could protect reporters from being jailed if they decline to reveal their confidential sources. Related posts:Mass Firefighter to be honored Oct. 4Performance Tax opposition reaches 251 in House

Personalities get ad-vetting role by FTC

Deanna — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:18:23 +0000

From Inside Radio: Jocks have been endorsing products since radio’s earliest days, but new Federal Trade Commission guidelines will alter the rules of the advertising road. “Where things have gotten harsher is in the area of celebrities,” says Reed Smith attorney John Feldman. The new rules come as national marketers are increasingly looking for more endorsements [...] No related posts.

Local Broadcaster and former MBA Board member Don Thurston loses battle with Parkinson’s Disease

Deanna — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:02:07 +0000

From The Berkshire Eagle: Donald A. Thurston, a pioneer in local radio who became a leading voice on county politics and business matters, died Tuesday morning after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 79. “He was one of the most powerful voices in the Northern Berkshires for nearly 50 years,” said Mayor John Barrett III of [...] Related posts:No such thing as local radio?Little-known musician knows he won’t get any performance royaltiesLocal radio to the...

Kerry holds commerce hearing on consumer rights on television

Deanna — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:56:34 +0000

A Press Release from the Senator’s Office: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry, the Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, today held a hearing on the reauthorization of a law that gives consumers greater access to video broadcasting by allowing satellite companies like DIRECTV to carry broadcast signals like NBC and [...] Related posts:A look back – one year later.DTV Consumer Ed – Form 388 due October 10The Press Club of...