ONLINE PUBLIC FILE CHECKLIST FOR KBA MEMBERS
John F. Garziglia
Partner
As you are aware, the FCC’s staff is reviewing broadcast station FCC online public files, and sending notices to stations that are missing, in particular, the quarterly Issues/Programs Lists.

In order to assist KBA member station staffs in keeping their FCC online public files up-to-date and complete, I have prepared a “Kentucky Broadcasters Association One-Page FCC Public File Checklist” . Click here for the checklist.

From my experience, there are a number of stations that either: (1) failed to upload quarterly Issues/Programs Lists at all; or (2) have not timely uploaded recent quarterly Issues/Programs Lists.

The KBA One-Page FCC Public File Checklist is a good guide for station management and staff to familiarize themselves with the required contents of a broadcast station’s FCC online public file, as well as serve as a periodic check to be sure that the required materials are properly uploaded. It can also serve as an internal guide for a new employee in familiarizing himself/herself with what is expected to be in the FCC's online public file -- note that there are FCC rule sections associated with each item for further information.

When license renewal time for Kentucky radio and TV stations comes around in 2020-2021, stations will be required to certify that required public file materials were timely uploaded, or if not, to explain why not. Late or missing public file documents could be the basis for substantial fines or worse at license renewal time.  

The KBA One-Page FCC Public File Checklist indicates with “up-arrow” (↑) those items which the FCC itself now uploads to the online public file. All remaining documents are the responsibility of the station itself to upload.

This checklist is also available online at:  www.garziglia.com/checklists/KBA-2019.PDF
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Chris Winkle
President/CEO
@kbachris
With less than a week before Christmas, I wanted to share with you an observation and comparison that I made this week while visiting one of our member stations. Sitting in the lobby and staring at their Christmas tree, I realize the similarities between the tree and the station itself. Let me explain. You see, a tree without decorations is nothing more than an evergreen tree placed inside your home or station. While the pets may be fond of the idea, it would be somewhat unusual. However, when you add twinkling lights, colorful ribbons, sparkling garland and cherished ornaments to the otherwise plain tree, a Christmas tree is born.

More often than not, these decorations have tremendous sentimental value, reminding us of loved ones past, precious moments with our children and places that we have visited. You see, my tree is not the same as your tree. And your tree is not the same as your neighbors tree. That’s because they uniquely represent our interests, experiences and styles.

So, how in the world are Christmas trees and stations comparable? For all intents and purposes, an over-the-air signal differs very little from place to place (a plain tree, if you will). It’s an electronically generated pathway through the spectrum that connects the station to its listeners. But, what makes that signal unique, much like decorations on a Christmas tree, is the people who bring it to life. From on-air talent to engineers, marketing reps to traffic, management to promotions and everyone in between, each carefully chosen for their talents, abilities and passions. Just like on a Christmas tree, no single ornament is responsible for the overall splendor. Rather, it's a culmination of different sizes, shapes, colors and patterns, all carefully placed to create a visual experience that is nothing short of magical.

Over the next several days I hope that you will take a moment to appreciate the individual ornaments (people) on your Christmas tree (station) that make it distinctively different than any other.

Wishing each of you a very Merry Christmas!

KBA Staff
NEWS & NOTES
HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE HEARING ON RAY BAUM’S ACT
Earlier this year, broadcasters were successful in securing $1 billion in reimbursement funds for stations impacted by the spectrum repack. This was a significant accomplishment for our industry. Last week, the House Energy and Commerce telecommunications subcommittee held a hearing on the legislation authorizing those funds, as well as consumer education funds - RAY BAUM’S Act. National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Executive Vice President of Government Relations Curtis LeGeyt testified on behalf of NAB, along with representatives from PBS, the wireless industry and public safety.

In his  testimony , LeGeyt thanked Congress for the additional funds and identified obstacles impacting broadcasters’ ability to meet repack deadlines, including tower crew availability and weather delays. Several members of Congress engaged LeGeyt on issues surrounding the repack timeframe, agreeing that viewers should not lose service if a station is unable to meet its deadline for reasons beyond its control.
LeGeyt also highlighted NAB’s advocacy priorities for 2019, including the expiration of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization, and assurance that any Federal Communications Commission (FCC) action to repurpose portions of the C-band protects television and radio broadcasters. LeGeyt also noted that the SANDy Act, included in RAY BAUM’S Act, ensures broadcasters can access their facilities and other critical resources during emergencies, helping fulfill their roles as first informers.
BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE
(From WVLT, Knoxville, TN) A Kentucky radio station is wading into the controversy over the classic Christmas song, 'Baby, It's Cold Outside.' While stations across the country are pulling the song from their playlists, WAKY in Elizabethtown held a two-hour marathon this weekend.
"I'm not sure why it's controversial," said Joe Fredele, director of programming for WAKY. "We've played this song for years, you know, this song is older than WAKY is. It's almost 70 years old."

The song has come under fire as the #MeToo movement has brought the issue of consent to the forefront with critics saying the song sends the wrong message.
"We really need to think about the impact that songs have, not just 'Baby, It's Cold Outside,' but numerous songs that we decide to play on the radio," said Amy Turner, the director of sexual assault services at The Center for Women and Families.

Fredele said he supports the #MeToo movement but does not understand why this particular song is being singled out. "This song is not about that. All it is, is a dialogue between a man and a woman, and at the end of the song, you hear them harmonize together, so they're agreeing basically," Fredele explained.

WAKY played five versions of the song, which has been remade by dozens of artists since the original was released in 1944, exclusively Sunday morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
"It's just a fun way of saying, 'Hey this our vote for that song. It's a fun song. It's a romantic song, don't pick on it,'" Fredele explained.

While The Center for Women and Families does not have an official position on the song, Turner said she believes the controversy shows progress.
"The reason that there's any sort of conversation is because there is a conversation about sexual assault and the treatment of women in particular," Turner said.
NEW LAW WOULD PUT EAS ALERTS ON REPEAT

(From Inside Radio) Emergency Alert System warnings would become a lot harder to miss under a bill advancing in Congress. It would allow the government to put the alert on repeat while a threat remains pending. The proposal is part of a series of EAS rule changes following last January’s erroneous missile alert in Hawaii. Under the proposed Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act or “READI Act” ( S.3238 ), the Federal Communications Commission would be given six months after the bill’s passage to determine how to implement the EAS repeats. But the bill does give some guidance, saying it would cover any messages that have been issued by the President or administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“When a missile alert went out across Hawaii in January, some people never got the message on their phones, while others missed it on their TVs and radios,” bill sponsor Brian Schatz (D-HI) said. “Even though it was a false alarm, the missile alert highlighted real ways we can improve the way people receive emergency alerts.”

Schatz secured John Thune (R-SD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) as cosponsors and that helped clear the way for the READI Act to be unanimously passed by the Senate late Monday. It now moves on to the House, where Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) introduced companion legislation ( H. R. 6427 ) in July. Supporters are working to make it one of a flurry of bills to win approval during the remaining days of the lame duck session.

In addition to putting an EAS message on repeat, the legislation would also require the FCC to conduct an inquiry into the feasibility of expanding EAS to online audio and video streaming services, such as Pandora, Spotify and Netflix. It would also explore a more broad distribution of alerts across the internet in general. The FCC findings would then be reported back to Congress which would decide whether any changes were needed in federal law in order to create such a mandate.

Other proposals in the READI Act include elimination of the option that currently allows the public to opt-out of receiving certain federal EAS messages on their mobile devices. It would also establish a reporting system for false alerts like the one that occurred in Hawaii earlier this year so that the FCC can track when they occur and examine their causes.
KBA RENEWS CONTRACT WITH RAB FOR 2019
The Director of Sales for the Radio Advertising Bureau, Kim Johnson was kind enough to put together some yearly preview schedules for the 2019 management and seller webinars. Please note: topics, dates, times and presenters are subject to change and we will keep you posted monthly via our Friday eCasts. Please click below to view the upcoming schedules and mark your calendars.


DATES TO REMEMBER
JANUARY
10th @ 2pm (ET) Member Services Committee Meeting (Elizabethtown)
24th @ 9am (ET) KBA Board of Directors Meeting (KBA Headquarters)

FEBRUARY
13-16 Country Radio Seminar
26-28 Washington DC Annual Fly-In
TRAINING FROM LBS
LBS Webinar Series

Drive Them To The Website: What Your Clients' Broadcast Ads Must Do to Increase Online Sales 

Presented by Tim Burt. 
Tuesday, January 8th, 2019 - Noon ET  

Learn the five hurdles that a salesperson must successfully complete before a client's web traffic will increase. LBS creative and broadcast expert Tim Burt will explain why these things should be incorporated correctly when talking about any advertiser’s website. Plus Tim will discuss the responsibilities that the broadcast seller has during the sales and creative process. A bonus topic will include using websites for station-specific promotions. Be prepared to position yourself and your station as real game changers for your clients! 

Perfect session for Broadcast Sellers, Digital Specialists, Local Sales Managers, General Sales Managers and anyone at your station involved with broadcast and digital solutions.  Register today http://localbroadcastsales.com/lbswebinars/

Did you know you can add all team
members at your station to the eCast distribution list?
Simply send a list of all email
addresses that need to be added to  kba@kba.org
The next required monthly test will be Wednesday, December 12 @ 12:07AM (EDT) and will originate from WUKY-FM.
ECAST SPONSORED BY:

This eCast is sponsored by
"Wedding Planning with Pem," a
sweet fit for your advertisers.


KENTUCKY BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION STAFF:
Chris Winkle, President/CEO

Karen Mucci, Director of Member Services

Liza Livers, Administrative Assistant

Lisa Gross, PEP Coordinator
pep@kba.org
Our PEP Sponsors...
Chris Winkle
KBA President/CEO
Marti Hazel
KBA 2018 Chairperson