The NAB Radio Show was held last week in Seattle USA at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Sessions included:
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Super Session: Independent Promotion – What’s Goin’ On. The relationship between stations and independent promoters has gotten a lot of attention lately. This session discussed the advantages and pitfalls of these relationships and what areas lead to scrutiny by government officials.
NAB Marconi Radio Awards Reception, Dinner & Show where the best stations and personalities were honored. Comedian and radio host Jeff Foxworthy hosted the show.
Keynote Address by Bill O’Reilly, host of the new Westwood One radio program The Radio Factor preceeded by NAB President and CEO Eddie Fritts.
Speaking at the conference opening NAB President & CEO
Edward O. Fritts commented on digital radio (IBOC) and had some criticisms for emerging competitor Satellite Radio:
Thank you… to Bob Struble, thank you for that excellent report from iBiquity. Going digital is potentially the biggest change for radio since the introduction of FM broadcasting.
Welcome to the NAB Radio Show… Along with the rest of the nation, broadcasters faced unprecedented challenges in the past year – and you have met those challenges with great distinction. The radio industry has helped lead the country through an extremely difficult emotional and economic period. I’m very proud of what broadcasters are doing in holding our country together and rallying the American Spirit — last September and beyond.
As we look at radio in 2002, what do we see?
By all accounts, radio is alive and well – largely due to its greatest strength – localism. Radio continues to be an integral part of the community, delivering a local service highly valued by its listeners. That service encompasses not only information, entertainment and assistance in emergencies — it includes giving freely of airtime and staff time to help local groups and charities.
Transitioning to digital will give radio even better opportunities to serve our listeners. We have urged the FCC to give broadcasters the green light to begin implementing the iBiquity HD Radio System in a real-world environment. At this convention, we’ve assembled the latest information and equipment on HD Radio technology. I think you’ll find it very exciting, including the possibilities for datacasting that radio will have for the first time.
New technology is bringing us wonderful opportunities. New technology is also bringing us new competitors — like satellite radio.
You know, our satellite friends – XM and Sirius – have been trying to build their business by criticizing local radio. They say they will do for radio what cable did for television. I say if you like Cable Radio, you’ll love Satellite Radio. You know, the other day, someone told me he can drive all the way from New York to Los Angeles listening to satellite radio and never turn the dial. My response was, “How many times have you done that?” I forgot to ask him how he felt about having no local traffic reports, local weather or local news on his $400 system for $9.95 a month!
NAB will continue to insist that XM and Sirius are held to the rules under which their national digital satellite service was licensed. That means using their hundreds of repeaters to fill gaps in coverage — not to sneak in locally originated programming or advertising.
As your voice in Washington, NAB in the coming months will continue to seek the support of individual broadcasters as we pursue your interests on Capitol Hill, in the courts and at the FCC. By working together, we have helped shape policies that benefit Radio. But most importantly, they have benefited our listeners…
Let me say a word to our very vocal critics with us here in Seattle, who claim radio has become homogenized and lacks diversity. The facts show otherwise. Broadcasters know that in all respects diversity is good for radio and is on the rise. Diversity of formats and diversity in our radio workforce enrich the community and attract more listeners. Our NAB Career Fair – just concluded – is one of our investments in diversifying our workforce. Our future depends on finding and training the broadcasters of the future — and in making sure there is a place on the dial for every listener and every voice.
Many have tried to ring the death knell for radio. I can assure you that local radio is here to stay and will not only endure but prevail. For more than 80 years, individual broadcasters have worked passionately to create and grow a radio system that is envied around the globe. In 2002, your communities remain your first priority. I am proud of the great service you provide and remain your greatest fan. Keep up the good work, and enjoy the rest of the show…
The reference to iBiquity Digital was because the company displayed and spoke about HD Radio™ IBOC technology, featuring live digital broadcasts from
local AM and FM stations, KBKS 106.1 FM, KIXI 880 AM and KISW 99.9 FM.
Lincoln, Visteon and iBiquity teamed up to feature a 2003 Lincoln
Navigator on the show floor with a fully functioning Visteon
HD Radio receiver.
For the first time ever, a major retailer, Good Guys,
hosted a listening event featured Kenwood radios receiving a live
HD radio broadcast from KBKS 106.1 FM in the Good Guys store.
iBiquity says they “are on target for commercial rollout of HD Radio technology in
2003.”