Issue #210 |  August 28, 2020  |  View online
Highlights In This Issue:
More news below!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Focusing on Compliance, FCC Rescinds Some Political File Consent Decrees
More than one hundred broadcasters have signed consent decrees with the Federal Communications Commission to close investigations over whether they did not put required documents into their political files quickly enough. But some of those agreements are now being rolled back as part of a deal with the National Association of Broadcasters that sets a one-time violation threshold as radio adapts to the realities of a now-online political file, according to to a report in InsideRadio. Read More

C-band Earth Station Licensee Can Elect Lump Sum Reimbursement Payments for Repacking Costs by September 14 - NAB Webinar Helps Clarify the Choice
By: David Oxenford,
Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP

Many broadcasters who receive satellite-delivered programming do so through satellite dishes picking up transmissions from spectrum referred to as the C-band. Part of that spectrum is to be auctioned to wireless users for 5G service starting in December. Because of that auction, those using the band to receive satellite-delivered programs will be compressed into a smaller swath of spectrum which will require the reconfiguration of their technical facilities. Those broadcasters who timely registered their dishes are entitled to reimbursement for the costs of the changes in their technical facilities necessitated by this repacking - but they have a choice to make by September 14 as to how to receive that reimbursement. Read More

ENGINEERING & EAS
WKAR's Gary Blievernicht Announces Retirement
Gary Blievernicht, highly respected engineer in the Michigan broadcasting industry and nationwide, has announced his retirement from WKAR and MSU, effective early February 2021. Blievernicht is senior director of engineering for WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University. Read More

ABIP Inspector Will Travel Through Thumb, Northern Lower Michigan in September
The MAB has limited openings still available in our 2020  Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program, (ABIP) season. Our inspector will travel through Bay City, the Thumb Area, Ludington, Traverse City, Cadillac, Petoskey, Alpena, Chalevoix and Harrisville from September 14 to 21. Read More

IN THE NEWS
NAB Launches Broadcast Resource Hub with Access to New Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resource Center
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) today announced the launch of the Broadcast Resource Hub, a comprehensive one-stop-shop for resources, tools and information on the most relevant issues impacting local radio and television stations. The online portal provides access to various resources created by NAB and the NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF). Read More

2 Michigan Broadcasters Named as Radio Wayne Finalists
RadioInk has announced the finalists for the 2020 Radio Wayne Awards, to be presented virtually September 15 on Facebook and YouTube. It's the 28th year Radio Ink will present Radio's most prestigious awards in sales, marketing, and management. Read More

With COVID-19, West Michigan iHeart Stations to Present 'Flashback Fridays'
MLive is reporting that West Michigan iHeart stations, faced with the postponement of the 2020 high school football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be offering sports fans "Flashback Fridays" beginning August 28. Read More

WLAJ-TV and WBMI-FM Sales Announced
A couple of Michigan station sales have been announced this past week. An application for assignment of WLAJ-TV (Lansing) was filed with the FCC on August 21. Read More

MHSAA Issues New TV Broadcast Rules; No Changes for Radio
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) has notified Athletic Directors around the state that they've updated their rules on live video broadcast/streaming of events with limited spectatorship.  While radio rules remain the same, these changes loosen the rules for television and local over-the-air TV stations and cable channels may now broadcast games live. Read More

Michigan Ag Today Continues Growing, Adds New Affiliates
Michigan Ag Today (MAT) announced this week that several leading radio stations have joined its growing farm radio network. These stations will bring the timely, relevant and credible programming on MAT to the farming community in north central and northwest Michigan. Read More



CONNECTING TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
WDIV Hosts Virtual Education Town Hall on Return-to-School Plans
On August 13, Graham Media Group's WDIV-TV (Detroit) hosted a very successful live, virtual "Education Town Hall" on the return to school plans amid the coronavirus pandemic. Read More

WKFR Roof Sit Nets Nearly $55,000
Townsquare Media's WKFR-FM (Kalamazoo) held its annual Roof Sit to help victims of child abuse August 20 through 22 on the top of the Helzberg Diamonds building in Portage.  This year's Roof Sit was a bit different due to COVID-19 concerns.  This year the station held its first ever Roof Sit online auction, where listeners could bid on a variety of items from merchandise to gift cards to restaurants to entertainment and sports venues. A total of $54,709 was raised. Read More

WQHH Holds 7th Annual Backpack Giveway
For the 7th year in a row, MacDonald Broadcasting's Power 96.5 WQHH-FM (Lansing) held its annual Backpack Giveway on August 20.  This year's event, held at the Don Johnson Fieldhouse in Lansing took all precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

WSGW and Gray Television Receive NAB Leadership Foundation 2020 Service to America Awards
On August 22, The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation presented the 2020 Service to America Awards, recognizing outstanding community service by local broadcasters. Winners were announced during the Celebration of Service to America Awards program, which aired on hundreds of stations nationwide. Read More

MAB FOUNDATION 


Looking for Sales Professionals?

The MAB Foundation Board of Directors approved a new partnership with Central Michigan University's School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts for the Fall 2020 semester.
The partnership will focus on developing mentoring relationships between students with an Electronic Media Sales Minor and broadcast industry professionals. 
Contact Rachel Krause for more information.

TRAINING & EDUCATION
Webinars are FREE to MAB members and all are archived for later viewing. Questions? Contact Jayne Hodak at 1-800-YOUR-MAB.
How to Give Your National
Superstars Home Court Advantage
with Kipper McGee, Media Brandwith Strategies

Thursday, September 17, 2020 | 1:00 p.m.

Are any of YOUR stations running syndicate programming? Whether a weekend countdown, or a weekday mainstay, ALL formats are airing more network programming. That leaves two options. SMART or NOT. Veteran broadcast exec Kipper McGee unveils how he took WDBO/Orlando to its first #1 book in decades, and kept WLS/Chicago Top 5 by integrating network programming to be part of the local 'team'. Learn HOW you can, too (with music, sports or talk formats) in this one-hour webinar! Register Now

Writing and Speaking for Broadcast
with Joe Little,KNSD-TV (San Diego)

Thursday, October 15, 2020 | 11:00 a.m.

Writing and Speaking for Broadcast captures a lot of the writing and performance aspects. SO MANY reporters speak like police officers and use words lifted from a press release. Yet, broadcasting is supposed to be a conversation. It needs to be HUMAN. We shouldn't sound like we're reading a newspaper out loud, which is awful. Register Now

Digital Marketing: Assisting Your Clients as They Reopen in Today's Environment
with Greg Gibbons, LBS Digital Expert

Tuesday, September 8, 2020 | 12:00 p.m.

In this extraordinary session, managers and sellers will discover a practical and useful understanding of how to integrate digital into their station's selling culture. Why should we approach businesses with digital strategies during these stressful times? Why is a digital strategy necessary today? How can I keep a digital schedule from moving money away from my advertisers' broadcast budgets? What percent of an advertiser's budget should you recommend for digital marketing? How can my advertisers not get lost in all the political advertising activities? Plus, you'll see examples of successfully integrated broadcast and digital campaigns. Make your reservation today, and don't miss this one! Learn More and Register

Halloween/November Holidays!
Sally Kohn brings us some great promotional ideas that we can use around the themes of Halloween and Thanksgiving. These ideas will get you thinking beyond the normal retail targets that initially come to mind for these holidays!

The MAB is excited to share that Local Broadcast Sales (LBS) is available free to members in 2020.
DIGITAL / SOCIAL / WEB
Protect Your Radio Station From Digital Disruption If An Employee Leaves
By: Seth Resler,
Jacobs Media Strategies

Unfortunately, in the wake of the ongoing pandemic, we are seeing radio stations lose staff members to budget cuts. Even in the best of times, staff turnover can create disruption for radio stations that are unprepared. Often, that disruption looks like this: An employee departs and that person is the only one who has access to important digital accounts. Best case, they left under good terms and are willing to help the station get access to what it needs. Worst case, the departure left a bad taste in people's mouths, and the former employee is unwilling to help. Read More

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CALENDAR
September 8
Free LBS Webinar: "Digital Marketing: Assisting Your Clients as They Reopen in Today's Environment" with Greg Gibbon (Learn More)

September 14

New C-Band Lump Sum Payment Deadline

September 17 | 1 pm.

Free MAB Webinar: "How to Give Your National Superstars Home Court Advantage" with Kipper McGee (Learn More)
CAREERS

Executive Producer
WNEM-TV (Saginaw)
Posted: August 24, 2020

Sports Multimedia Journalist
WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids)
Posted: August 21, 2020

Account Executive
WHMI-TV (Howell)
Posted: August 18, 2020

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MAB FOUNDATION
The MAB Foundation's mission to encourage, support, and sponsor educational activities for students interested in broadcasting cannot be accomplished without supporters like you. The Foundation wouldn't exist without your continued support and interest in the mission. The Broadcasters must work together to sustain the future of this industry by encouraging the brightest, most creative and energetic students to choose broadcasting as a career. You can make a difference by MAKING A DONATION TODAY at MABFgive.com


THANK YOU 
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John E. Fetzer Memorial Trust
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