Issue #65 -  June 29, 2017 | View online
In observance of Independence Day, the MAB offices will be closed  Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4 Regular office hours will resume on July 5. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Top of the News:

* Get the Scoop on 'Fake News' and Other Important   Issues at the 2017 Advocacy Conference
* MAB's Palombo Meets with D.C. Staffs ...
Michigan Radio Wins Two PRNDI Awards

All this and more below
DEADLINES
June 30:  Deadline for radio stations to move from AMC-8 to AMC-18 (see article below).

July 1: Captioning Deadline.  Television stations must be captioning clips of live or near-live TV programming used on their websites or mobile apps. This applies to all Full Power or Class A TV stations.

July 10:  Issues/Programs List for Q2-2017 due in Public Inspection File. 

July 10:  Children's Television Reports Due.  Records showing compliance with commercial limits on Children's Television Programming during Q2-2017 must be included in station's public inspection files.  Also, Children's Television Programming Reports for Q2-2017 must be filed with the FCC and included in the station's public inspection files.

July 10:  Class A Television Station Documentation Due.  Documentation of Class A Television continuing eligibility should be included in station's public inspection files on this date. 
ADVOCACY CONFERENCE
 
Get the Scoop on 'Fake News' and Other Important Issues

Learn from the experts at the 2017 Advocacy Conference & Annual Meeting.  This year's line up of speakers will offer valuable insight on the "fake news" phenomenon and other current issues that are important to the broadcast industry.  The MAB is excited to host Professor Esther Thorson, PhD from Michigan State University's School of Journalism.  Dr. Thorson is a nationally recognized expert on news consumption and will discuss recent "fake news" issues.  Read more here...


ENGINEERING & EAS
FCC Releases Updated ETRS Registration Information

While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has not decided whether, or when, to have another national EAS test this year, the FCC's EAS rules provide for yearly updates to the Form One information in the Electronic Test Reporting System (ETRS). On June 26, the FCC released a Public Notice containing instructions on how to register for ETRS using the Commission Registration System (CORES).   Read more here...
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
MAB's Palombo Meets with D.C. Staffs, Attends 'Service to America Awards'

MAB Government Relations Manager Elena Palombo went to Washington, D.C. last week to meet with the Michigan Congressional legislative staff to discuss issues affecting our members. Read more here...


State of Michigan Legislative Update 

Snyder Picks Mason as the New MEDC CEO

Gov. Rick Snyder has tapped Jeff Mason, Executive Director of the state's University Research Corridor, to replace Steve Arwood as the CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).    Read more here...
Federal/Congressional Update

FCC Seeks Public Comment on Blue Alert Legislation

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted unanimously in favor of an event code that would create a streamlined way for the media to issue Blue Alerts when a police officer has been threatened or harmed. The proposal will now be up for public comment for three months.  Read more here...


NAB Supports FCC's Decision to Raise Regulatory Fee Threshold

According to a report in Broadcasting & Cable, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) supports the FCC's decision to raise the regulatory fee exemption threshold from $500 to $1,000. In the comments filed by the NAB, it writes that the cost of collecting payments would most likely exceed the actual amount of the payment, while smaller and rural TV and radio stations would benefit significantly from the decision.
MABPAC Fundraiser Helps All Broadcasters
The MAB Political Action Committee (MABPAC) would like to invite you to their annual Summer Fundraiser. The event will feature a reception at the Mountain Top along with private chair lift rides at Crystal Mountain Resort with the breathtaking views of the surrounding area.  Read more here...


IN THE NEWS
WDIV Receives NABEF Service to America Award

Graham Media Group's WDIV-TV (Detroit) was presented with the Service to America Award on June 20 in Washington, D.C. by the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF). WDIV received the prestigious award for its ongoing commitment to outstanding community service. Read more here...


Lee and Formicola Posthumously Inducted Into Country Radio Hall of Fame

At ceremonies held in Nashville on June 21, former Detroit air personalities Linda Lee and Joe Wade Formicola were posthumously inducted into the 2017 Country Radio Hall of Fame.   Read more here...


NAB Releases Video Explaining TV Repack

The National Association of Broadcasters has created a YouTube video warning the public and the Federal Communications Commission about the challenges that lie ahead for the broadcast TV repack. The video highlights the possibility of radio stations going off the air, budget challenges, time constraints and the amount of work needed to safely update towers.  Read more here...


Gonzalez Appointed Director of Digital Engagement at WLEN

Lenawee Broadcasting Company/WLEN Radio (Adrian) has announced that Ashley Gonzalez will assume the position of Director of Digital Engagement. Ashley joined Lenawee Broadcasting in the sales and marketing department earlier this year.  Read more here...


WDVD Extends Blaine Fowler Contract


Cumulus Media has announced that it has signed Detroit Hot AC WDVD-FM morning show star Blaine Fowler to a long-term contract extension.  Fowler's eponymous morning show has aired weekday mornings since 2003 on the station. Read more here...


WXYZ's Galli to Host 'Inside Michigan Football Radio Show

The University of Michigan Athletic Department and The Michigan IMG Sports Network has announced that WXYZ-TV (Detroit) sports anchor Brad Galli will host the "Inside Michigan Football" radio show, held Mondays throughout the football season. Read more here...


'99.3 The Lift' Launches in Houghton

At 3:00 p.m. on June 16, Houghton Community Broadcasting launched a new contemporary hit radio station in Houghton:  "99.3 The Lift."  The station is a combination AM station (WCCY, 1400) and FM translator (W257CZ 99.3).  Read more here...


National Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2017 Class of Inductees

The 25-person National Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee presented 24 individuals and shows worthy of consideration to listeners and industry peers and the voting results are in.  Read more here...


FCC Watch: Translator Upgrades and Ownership Changes

Here's the latest Michigan-related FCC broadcast filings:  Read more here...
TRAINING & EDUCATION
New P1 Learning Training Course: Customer Service: Helping Customers Decrease Expenses

Course Description: We've covered Service Quality Indicators and the things that you can do to increase your customers' revenue. The final component to providing valuable customer service is helping your customers decrease expenses. In this course, we'll cover the five things that make up expenses and discuss the three largest expense items for organizations: Cost of goods, cost of labor, and direct expenses. We'll also go over the different ways that you can help reduce those numbers for your customers.  Click here to log in and watch this course...

Support: For questions, support or additional information please contact our amazing support team by email at support@p1learning.com or by phone at (888) 944-9377.

Don't miss out on your opportunity for free, online training as an MAB member! Sign your staff up today!
PROGRAMMING
Remotes:  Make 'Em Great
By: Gary Berkowitz
Berkowitz Broadcast Consulting

From radio's earliest days, remotes have been a part of our landscape. Today, they still cause much talk at radio stations. Should we do remotes or not is the most commonly asked question (especially among programmers). At many stations, remotes are necessary, especially this time of year (summer).  So, with that in mind, here are a few tips to make them work for the client as well as your station.  Read more here...

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB
5 Tips for Writing Better Headlines on Your Radio Station Website
By: Seth Resler,
Jacobs Media Strategies

When you write news articles or blogposts for your radio station's website, the most important line is the headline. That's because the headline will appear all over the internet: when people share the post on social media, find it in their search results, pull it into their RSS reader, open to it in an automated email campaign, etc.  Read more here...
MABF
Feeling Lucky? Be a Winner at this year's Advocacy Conference
Great prizes are in store for you as part of the Annual MAB Foundation Raffle!  You could win $300 cash, four tickets to a Detroit Tiger's Game or an overnight stay with a choice of golf or skiing at Crystal Mountain Resort.   Read more here...
MAPB
Michigan Radio Wins Two PRNDI Awards

Michigan Radio was honored on June 24 with two awards from the Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI).  The station received a First Place award in the Large Newsroom-Nationally Edited Continuing Coverage category for its on-going reporting about the  Flint water crisis Read more here...

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In This Issue
New Student Memberships!

High school or college students interested in the broadcasting and media industry can now get a yearly membership for $15!


CALENDAR

Thanks for the Support of Our Associate Members!

Adrian College/WVAC-FM  



Bell Media Inc.











Hillsdale College/WRFH-LP

Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan






Michael Murphy




Robert Ridder Broadcasting Consultants









Michigan Assoc. of Broadcasters | 517-484-7444 | mab@michmab.com | http://www.michmab.com
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