Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

NAB CEO Talks AM Radio, FCC Rules During Town Hall


Curtis LeGeyt
Curtis LeGeyt

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) hosted a virtual town hall Thursday to provide updates on NAB's policy priorities for the rest of the year and answer member questions. NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs April Carty-Sipp discussed the association's advocacy efforts, educational initiatives and innovation projects.

LeGeyt discussed his recent testimony at a House Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on the state of the video marketplace. He explained how NAB is urging the FCC to refresh the record in its 2014 proceeding on the regulatory framework for virtual multichannel video programming distributors. LeGeyt also answered questions regarding the ongoing Depend on AM Radio campaign and the status of the AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act, which now has more than 190 House and Senate cosponsors.

"Over the course of the last six months, local broadcasters around the country have been airing spots highlighting the importance of AM radio, the need for the automakers to maintain AM radio in the automobile. Local personalities have been highlighting this issue for their listeners, and as a result, those listeners have been taking action," said LeGeyt. "More than 360,000 emails have come from listeners across the country to members of Congress, another 40,000 or so hits on social media. So the volume that we've been able to raise on this issue has been absolutely incredible and I think all of that activity is really generating the momentum that you're seeing on Capitol Hill."

LeGeyt spoke about why it is critical that the FCC reform ownership rules from a bygone era that cause broadcasters to compete with one arm tied behind their backs in a crowded marketplace. He spotlighted NAB's successful efforts to reduce broadcast regulatory fees on local stations and the need for clarity in the FCC's merger review process, as well as provided an update on NAB's advocacy against performance royalty legislation and navigating partisan gridlock in Congress, among other topics. LeGeyt highlighted the importance of broadcasters' grassroots involvement towards ensuring commonsense, effective laws and regulations governing the industry.

"The fact is lawmakers, the FCC, they want to hear from local broadcasters across the country," said LeGeyt. "Certainly we can be making the policy arguments as a trade association here in Washington but our members need to tell the story of how this is impacting their service. And I would just urge you to visit our website - all the tools that you need are there - and staying in close partnership, that's how we are going to be successful in Washington."

LeGeyt and Carty-Sipp urged NAB members to take advantage of educational resources available to them, including professional development initiatives through the NAB Leadership Foundation, DEI resources for broadcasters to diversify their workforces and cost-saving benefit programs.

LeGeyt and Carty-Sipp gave NAB members an overview of the educational sessions and innovative products that will be on display at NAB Show New York, October 24-26. This includes showcases of radio in the automotive dashboard, sessions dedicated to strategies, insights and tools to enhance broadcast businesses, and the Marconi Radio Awards honoring radio stations and talent from around the country.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

2025 Local Radio Ad Revenue Projected to Reach $12.3B
RAB and BIA
RAB and BIA
The projected local radio ad revenue for 2025 is estimated to reach $12.3 billion, a stable comparison to the previous year. This projection covers both over-the-air and digital platforms, as outlined in the latest report by BIA Advisory Services. This analysis is part of a collaborative effort by the More

Veteran Radio Executive Patrick Crocker Dead at 65
Patrick Crocker
Patrick Crocker
Patrick (Pat) Crocker, a prominent figure in the radio industry with a career spanning nearly four decades, passed away unexpectedly due to a heart attack last night while playing ice hockey, his second favorite passion after radio. He was 65. Crocker, who served as Executive Vice President of Local More

Woodward Communications Expands Springfield Footprint
Woodward Communications
Woodward Communications
Woodward Communications Inc. (WCI), has announced its acquisition of four stations -- WNNS-FM, WQLZ-FM, WMAY-FM, and WMAY-AM -- from Mid-West Family. This marks WCI's continued expansion in the Springfield, IL, market following the acquisition of four other local More
Advertisement

KROQ/Los Angeles Welcomes Kevin Ryder Back for Afternoons
Kevin Ryder
Kevin Ryder
KROQ in Los Angeles welcomes back Radio Hall of Famer Kevin Ryder, weekdays from 3-7pm PT. Megan Holiday will now host evenings. Ryder first began his career at KROQ on January 2, 1990, alongside Gene "Bean" Baxter on "The Kevin & Bean Show." Together, they became the number one show in the market and the More

Jacobs Media to Unveil Key Insights from Techsurvey 2025
Techsurvey 2025
Techsurvey 2025
Jacobs Media will reveal the findings from its Techsurvey 2025, the radio broadcasting industry's largest annual survey, in a free webinar on Tuesday, April 15 at 2pm ET. This year's edition marks the 21st iteration of the study, drawing insights from nearly 25,000 responses More

NAB Urges FCC to Eliminate Natl. Broadcast Ownership Cap
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has formally requested the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to abolish the national broadcast ownership cap that currently restricts media companies from owning more than eight radio stations in a radio market with 45 or more stations and TV stations that More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement