KBA'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 19, 2020

GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCES NEW STATE-WIDE RESTRICTIONS

Governor Andy Beshear announced new measures yesterday meant to curb the exponential growth of COVID-19 infection rates across Kentucky. And while it is difficult to argue with the necessity of some restrictions, radio and television stations will be affected in no less than 3 ways.

OPERATIONS:

Professional services and office-based businesses, like our stations and studios, must mandate remote work when possible. Offices that remain open must ensure that no more than 33% of employees are physically present in the office any given day.

ECONOMIC IMPACT:

As the data from earlier this year showed, restrictions directly or indirectly create a sense of uncertainty with local business owners. Restaurants and bars, who have been on a figurative COVID rollercoaster since March, are once again back in the restriction spotlight with prohibited indoor dining. At this time there are no changes for retail stores, child care facilities, barbershops/salons, manufacturers or hospitals.

HIGH SCHOOL WINTER SPORTS:

In a separate but related announcement on Wednesday, the KHSAA opted to delay the start of winter sports. Thus leaving stations with an unexpected hole in the sports revenue bucket for December.

The new restrictions, shown HERE in Governor Beshear's Executive Order, will go into effect at 5pm on Friday and continue through Sunday, December 13th.

MAYOR GIVES COVID BRIEFING FROM WHOP

Wendell Lynch, the mayor of Hopkinsville, recently gave a daily briefing from Forcht Broadcasting's WHOP. The video gives a brief tour and history of the station prior to the briefing. Click HERE to view the video on Facebook.

MICHAEL JOHNATHON WINS TOP AWARD FOR THE ARTS

Congratulations to folksinger Michael Johnathon of the WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour for being honored with the Milner Award, the most prestigious of the Governor's Awards for the Arts.

“What an incredible honor,” says Johnathon. “I am humbled and sincerely moved and I want to think Governor Beshear and the Kentucky Arts Council. To stand in the company of Wendell Berry, James Still, Jesse Stewart, my friends Jean Richie, Homer Ledford and so many other proud artists of Kentucky, it is deeply moving and I am more than grateful.”

Broadcasting on over 500 radio stations, nationwide on public television including KET, American Forces Radio in 177 nations and every military facility in the world, coast to coast on the RFD TV Network and in schools across America his live audience celebration of grassroots music, the “WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour” recently recorded its historic 1,000th program from the Lyric Theatre in Lexington. WoodSongs is unique in the world of radio and television in that it is completely volunteer run. WoodSongs has attracted everyone from Judy Collins, Roger McGuinn, Norah Jones, Blind Boys of Alabama, Emmylou Harrisand scores of others to the bluegrass to appear on the show.

RISING ABOVE 2021 - CLIMBING HIGHER

Featuring lessons from the best trainers in the business (Derron Steenbergen, Speed Marriott, Laurie Kahn, Bonnie Hagemann, Jamie Aplin, Jessica Jett-Hill, Chris Lytle, Gerry Tabio, and Sally Beamer) Rising Above: Climbing Higher will be a day and a half live virtual training event that will teach, coach, inspire and motivate your members to rise above the challenges of today’s sales and management environment.

This multi-day event will kick off on Wednesday, January 27th for Leaders and Manager and then again on Thursday, January 28th for Sellers.

Save the dates. FREE for KBA member stations. Registration details coming soon!

NEWSLETTER QUICK NOTES...

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Media Bureau announced further steps in the transition of broadcast applications from the Consolidated Database System (CDBS) to the Licensing and Management System (LMS). Starting this Wednesday, November 18, all broadcast license assignment and transfer of control applications must be filed in the LMS system and can no longer be filed using CDBS. Click HERE to read more.

The FCC's Media Bureau recently announced the lifting of its long-term freezes on filing certain full-power and Class A TV station minor modification applications and full-power TV station rulemaking petitions to amend the DTV Table of Allotments. With the completion of the DTV transition in 2009 and the post-incentive auction transition period in July 2020, the Media Bureau found these freezes no longer necessary, and they will be lifted effective November 27. Click HERE to read more.