DECEMBER 29, 2022

ONLINE PUBLIC INSPECTION FILE

REPORTS DUE JANUARY 10, 2023

Quarterly Issues/Programs List Due - All full-power radio, full-power television, and Class A television stations must upload to their Public Inspection File by this date the Quarterly Issues/Programs List covering the period October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.


Class A Television Continuing Eligibility Certification - Class A television stations are required to maintain documentation in their Public Inspection File sufficient to demonstrate continuing compliance with the FCC’s Class A eligibility requirements. We recommend that by this date Class A television stations generate such documentation for the period October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 and upload it to their Public Inspection File.


Quarterly Fundraising Reports - All noncommercial educational TV and radio stations that changed or suspended their regular on-air content to conduct third-party fundraising to benefit a non-profit organization must generate relevant documentation for the period October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 and upload it to their Public Inspection File by this date.

WELCOME BACK TO FRANKFORT

RECEPTION IS NEXT WEDNESDAY

A reminder that the annual Top Shelf Lobby Welcome Back to Frankfort Reception will be held next Wednesday, January 4th @ 5PM ET, at Top Shelf Lobby, 302 Shelby Street in Frankfort. If you are planning to attend, please let Chris know at chris@kba.org.

CONGRATULATIONS

ASIA BURNETT NAMED MANAGER AT WKMS

Asia Burnett has been named Station Manager for Murray State University's WKMS-FM, a non-commercial National Public Radio-affiliated station operated by the University, located in Murray, Kentucky. Asia has served as interim Station Manager since July of this year and previously served in the roles of Assistant Station Manager and Development Director from July 2021 to July 2022, Development Director from January 2013 to July 2021, and Underwriting Representative from February 2012 to January 2013.


Burnett holds both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Murray State University.


"Public radio is all about building community and I've been so fortunate to be part of the WKMS community for over a decade,” said Burnett. “I'm excited to see what the future will bring for WKMS and Murray State - two places that will always feel like home for me. Thank you for listening and entrusting me to help in this important work."


“Asia Burnett is an invaluable part of our Racer family, the public radio sector and throughout our multi-state region, and I am very pleased with her decision to step into the important role of WKMS Station Manager,” said Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson. “With over 10 years of experience at WKMS and a proud alum of Murray State University, we look forward to her continued development of the station under her strong leadership and direction.”

EAS CYBERSECURITY ISSUE

KBA JOINS OTHER STATES TO FILE COMMENTS

The Kentucky Broadcasters Association, in combination with the state broadcasters associations of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, filed Joint Comments arguing against the FCC’s proposed imposition of new EAS cybersecurity monitoring and reporting obligations and harsh enforcement policies on EAS Participants like broadcasters until the FCC has at least undertaken a number of other steps to improve the safety and security of EAS. In its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”), the FCC indicated that the most recent National EAS Test revealed a large number of EAS Participants were unable to receive and/or retransmit the test due to equipment failure and that 5,000 EAS Participants reported using outdated software or equipment that no longer supported regular software updates. Based on this, the FCC proposed that EAS Participants (1) report any EAS equipment outage to the FCC and repair the equipment according to an ill-defined “reasonably prompt and diligent” performance standard; (2) adopt cybersecurity plans covering “all communications systems and services” that might affect the ability to provide EAS alerts, including constantly monitoring the cybersecurity threat landscape and upgrading cybersecurity plans on an ongoing basis in response to new threats; and (3) report to the FCC any unauthorized access to EAS equipment or any communications systems or services affecting the ability to provide EAS alerts within 72 hours of when the station knew or should have known of the unauthorized access. The Joint Comments also urged the FCC to work with EAS device manufacturers to incorporate features like (1) modifications that automatically require password updates, (2) integrated firewalls and multifactor authentication, and (3) alerts for software patches and updates. The Joint Comments also recommended the FCC explore more secure alternatives to the public Internet for transmitting EAS communications. Finally, the Joint Comments argued that the FCC should retain the current rule that allows broadcasters to take broken EAS equipment out of operation for a period of 60 days without Commission notice or authorization, work with broadcasters to develop cybersecurity plans or incident reporting protocols rather than place that full burden on broadcasters without guidance on what the FCC will find satisfactory, and reject the punitive enforcement stance outlined in the NPRM.

JOINT COMMENTS

THIS WEEKS MEMBER PIC

CHRISTMAS IN THE MOUNTAINS

The Christmas in the Mountains toy drive/giveaway was a HUGE success!


All the toys that were collected over the past several weeks from WAIN/Columbia, WTLO/WYKY-Somerset, WWEL/WFTG/WANV-London, WSIP/WKYH/WKLW-Paintsville, and WXKQ/WTCW-Whitesburg were distributed to kids in Whitesburg/Letcher County before Christmas. The event included live radio remotes and Facebook Live sessions, appearances by Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Santa.


The location of the event is a former high school and now home to a non-profit (C.A.N.E.S Kitchen) that has been providing free meals to victims of the July flooding for the last few months. They provided a free meal to everyone that came for toys. At least 750 meals and well over 2,500+ toys were handed out during the two-hour the event!

SALES TIP OF THE WEEK



STOP CALLING IT TERRESTRIAL RADIO

A few months ago the RAB presented the Rising Through The Ranks program in Nashville for 24 amazing female professionals. 


I learned a valuable lesson from Erica Farber our President and CEO.  When discussing all the different audio options, I used the term “terrestrial” radio to differentiate our AM/FM stations from all the other audio options.  Erica rightly called me out and shared with the group:


STOP CALLING IT TERRESTRIAL RADIO.


She explained the origin of the term.  When Sirius and XM began as satellite companies they were largely staffed by former radio people.  As a classic branding strategy to differentiate their products from us they started using the term satellite radio and began rebranding us as terrestrial radio.  Erica asked, “Why did we let them define our brand?  Worse we started calling it terrestrial ourselves and gave into their branding strategy. We let them define who we are, and we need to stop.”


We are radio. They are satellite. We are in the radio business they are in the satellite business.  We need to retake the ownership of brand radio. We are the original social media, we are connected with communities, and we are engaged with our audience.  We help local businesses grow and expand.  We are radio they are satellite.


Radio used to be a device that was in your car or a box that sat on a shelf.  Radio has grown and expanded our platforms to include streaming and app-based listening opportunities.  Radio is no longer the device it’s the content we provide.


McDonald’s would never let Burger King define who they are, why have we let others define who we are?  Radio is our platform, it’s our content, it’s our delivery.  We are radio.  Be proud and be loud and call it what it is – RADIO

Jeff Schmidt is the SVP of Professional Development at the Radio Advertising Bureau. You can also connect with him by email JSchmidt@rab.com or on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Your active KBA membership entitles you to the following:

DATES TO REMEMBER

JANUARY 4, 2023

5pm - Welcome Back to Frankfort Reception @ Top Shelf Lobby


FEBRUARY 16, 2023

9am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - to be held virtually


*All times shown are Eastern

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