NAB Tells FCC: Don’t Make Any Changes in Ownership Rule…

Thursday, May, 8, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

Well you really can’t tell the FCC to do anything because they’ll do what they damn please anyway but the NAB has filed a 32-page request  that the commission not make any ownership rule changes.   In December, 2007 the agency adopted a rule that allows newspaper ownership of one broadcast outlet per top 20 market and waiver applications for combinations in smaller markets.  On the radio ownership side, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 essentially said if you can fog up a mirror, you can own as many stations as you can file for…

The NAB says, that works for us.  the 1996 act “has enabled radio owners to achieve significant efficiencies and financial stability, thereby allowing stations to serve their local communities more effectively” or in other words, “in light of the increasing numbers of audio outlets, audience fragmentation and increased competition for advertising, there are no competition-related reasons to roll back radio ownership and that empirical studies don’t support a rollback on localism or diversity, related grounds.”  Huh?  Who writes this stuff anyway?  We get the point.  The NAB is saying we’re fine just the way we are, thank you…

Whether you like the idea of fat-cat ownership or not, you have to admit that given the current lack of radio savvy operators, radio is getting what it deserves - ownership that’s based on getting in, making a profit and getting out, just like real estate - no more, no less…

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1886]  Things go better with coke: Atlanta pharmacist John Styth Pemberton  invents the flavored syrup for Coca Cola.  The drink originally contained a dash of cocaine used in the 1880s for stomach distress…
2. 1926]  Fenway fire sale:  A fire destroys the left field stands at Fenway Park.  The bleachers along the left field foul line are not replaced, giving outfielders a chance to catch fly balls before they go into the stands… 
3. 1935]  Not DOA:  Jockey Ralph Neves is declared dead after being trampled by four horses during a race at California’s Bay Meadows.  Placed in a storage area, somehow he is revived.  Ralph hails a cab for home and comes back to race the next day…
4. 1961]  Meet the Mets:  The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc. announces the new team nickname:  The Mets…
5. 1970]  Limping to victory:  Willis Reed  limps out on the court and inspires the Knicks to join the Mets and Jets as world champions of their sport (in the same season) with a 113-99 win over the Lakers to wrap up the NBA title.  This was voted the NBA’s Number One  Top 10 Heroic Playoff Moment…
6. 1978]  Son of Sam:  David R. Berkowitz  a.k.a. Son of Sam  pleads guilty to 6 murder charges in Brooklyn…
7. 1982]  ‘Happy Trails’:  Record executive Neil Bogart dies from cancer and lymphoma at 39.  Neil was way ahead of his time in the development of the disco, glam-rock eras and played a key role in the careers of Donna Summer, Kiss, T-Rex and others…
8. 1987]  No more Monkey Business:  Gary Hart, hounded by questions about the Donna Rice  boat cruise aboard ‘Monkey Business’, withdraws his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination…
9. 1988]  Tyson cracks up:  Mike Tyson  crashes his $183,000 Bentley on Varick Street in Manhattan.  He didn’t see the fire hydrant on the sidewalk…
10. 1999]  Citadel goes Coed:  The Citadel, South Carolina’s formerly all-male military school, graduates its first female cadet…

Music Memories:

• 1969]  Number One on this date:  “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” - 5th Dimension…1977]  “When I Need You” - Leo Sayer…1988]  “Anything For You” - Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine…
• 1970]  Released on this date:  “Let It Be” (LP) - Beatles…
• 1977]  Debuted on this date:  Olivia Newton-John makes her New York City debut with a concert at the Metropolitan Opera House.  She almost wasn’t allowed in because she wore cowboy boots (true!).  I was in the audience for this great debut.  Here’s my favorite Olivia hit…

Commentary:

Congratulations to Bill Rock, John Gambling’s new “imaging announcer” on WOR.  Says Bill, “I am glad to be part of a program with historical significance.  The Gamblings are an institution in New York.  Bringing him back is like capturing a little of the golden age of broadcasting in the city on one of America’s truly great radio stations - WOR”.  Bill also adds that he’s been on the air in New York since 1970 (38 years) on WWDJ, WNBC, WYNY, WCBS-FM, Sirius, NBC-TV, MSNBC & CNBC.  I’ve known Bill since 1976 when he was my production director at WNBC…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday”:

John Maine (27), Enrique Iglesias (33), Melissa Gilbert (44), Philip Bailey (57), Toni Tennille (64), Angel Cordero Jr. (66), Theodore Sorenson (80), Don Rickles (82) and David Attenborough (82)…

Timeline Countdown:  3 days until Mother’s Day, 18 days until Memorial Day (observance) and 38 days until Father’s Day…

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