Small Market Operators Caucus

Tuesday, September 27, 2005 by Julie Koehn

September 2005 SMOC meeting notes

Small Market Operators Caucus
9/22/05
4:30pm
NAB Radio Show, Philadelphia, PA

Steve Newberry opened the meeting with a mention of the minutes, which were available in writing for anyone to view. There was a motion and a second to approve the minutes.

There was a brief discussion about the possibility that people on the listserve are not receiving emails due to filters they have to keep out spam.

There was a discussion on IBOC and the fact that small market broadcasters are at a disadvantage when it comes to fees. Ibiquity has agreed that it will not offer preferred fees to anyone. So, based on that you need to make your decision on IBOC based on the economic model that is presented now. There was discussion that small market was NOT invited to the table with Ibiquity to be part of the rollout.

There was discussion on the IBOC rollout and the lack of receivers for additional channels. What economic model will make that work? There are two ways to build out digital. Use an auxiliary antenna in addition to main with a smaller cable run, you can do that for about $40,000.00. How can we get financed for build outs?

Discussion on what to do with the auxiliary channel? Large market is blazing the trail. Car manufacturers, are they ready? It’s a timing issue for us. We don’t have to be the pioneers, but we can’t be last. Discussion on RBDS streaming. Maybe we can lead the way with RBDS selling advertising. You can put your call letters up for $300.00.

At the meeting in April at the NAB show there was concern raised that the SMOC Chair was an NAB board member. Although Steve feels that should not be a prohibition to being the SMOC chair, he has decided to step aside and has asked Ron Davis, General Manager of KBOW/KOPR Butte, Montana to take the reins of the organization. Steve addressed the group with some parting comments.

Mark Levy from the RAB made a short presentation on new products they are offering. Including a flex rate, rate class pricing system, and the RAB Ez Auction.

Ron Davis closed out the meeting, thanking Steve Newberry for starting the organization. Ron encouraged those in attendance to speak to other operators about SMOC. He noted that we don’t want to become a lobbying force or a legal enterprise. Since email is hard to keep up on, he suggested that we keep topics relevant to the group, and personal emails should be kept off the list.

Ron noted that the small market broadcasters made a difference with LPFM, with deadlines and comments. Other comments included the NAB’s involvement to get information, input and involvement from SMOC.

Finally, Steve Newberry commented that he is chairing the RAB Show. The show will not be held in New Orleans in February, but is tentatively scheduled for Dallas. New location, time and dates to be announced. SMOC members will receive an additional $50.00 discount to the RAB show. This is in addition to the early bird discount.

SMOC website address is www.smallmarket.org

Feel free to email Ron Davis with topics for the next meeting, which will be in Vegas at the NAB show in April. His email is rondavis17@hotmail.com .

Remember to speak about SMOC at your state conventions. We need to generate additional momentum for this organization and have a cohesive voice.

Submitted by Julie Koehn
WLEN Radio