National Association of Broadcasters

{{Short description|United States media lobby group}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{recentism|date=November 2011}}
{{Citation style|date=December 2019}}
}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = National Association of Broadcasters
| logo = National Association of Broadcasters logo.svg
| tax_id = 53-0114600
| status = [[501(c)(6)]]
| location = [[Washington, D.C.]], [[United States]]
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Curtis LeGeyt
| revenue = {{increase}} $92,404,239 (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/530114600|title=National Association of Broadcasters - Nonprofit Explorer|date=May 9, 2013}}</ref>
| website = {{official URL}}
}}
The '''National Association of Broadcasters''' ('''NAB''') is a [[Industry trade group|trade association]] and [[lobbying|lobby group]] representing the interests of commercial and non-commercial over-the-air [[radio]] and [[television]] [[broadcasting|broadcaster]]s in the [[United States]]. The NAB represents more than 8,300 [[:Category:Lists of radio stations in the United States|terrestrial radio]] and [[List of United States over-the-air television networks|television stations]] as well as [[broadcast network]]s.

As of 2022, the president and CEO of the NAB is Curtis LeGeyt.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Broadcasters|first=National Association of|title=Newsroom|url=https://www.nab.org/documents/newsroom/pressrelease|access-date=2022-01-11|website=National Association of Broadcasters|language=en-US}}</ref> 

==Founding==
[[File:National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).jpg|thumb|NAB headquarters in [[Washington, D.C.]]]]
The NAB was founded as the '''National Association of Radio Broadcasters''' ('''NARB''') in April 1923 at the [[Drake Hotel (Chicago)|Drake Hotel]] in [[Chicago]]. The association's founder and first president was [[Eugene F. McDonald|Eugene F. McDonald Jr.]], who also launched the [[Zenith Electronics|Zenith corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Schneider|first=John|title=Eugene F. McDonald Jr.: Broadcasting Pioneer|work=RadioWorld|url=http://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/0004/eugene-f-mcdonald-jr-broadcasting-pioneer/340017|date=July 13, 2017 |access-date=2017-07-24}}</ref> In 1951 it changed its name to the '''National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters''' ('''NARTB''') to include the television industry.  In 1958 it adopted its current name, "National Association of Broadcasters".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437703028.html|title=National Association of Broadcasters - Dictionary definition of National Association of Broadcasters - Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary|website=www.encyclopedia.com}}</ref>

==Commercial radio==
The NAB worked to establish a [[Commercial broadcasting|commercial radio]] system in the United States. The system was set up in August 1928 with the establishment of General Order 40—a radio [[Frequency allocation|reallocation]] scheme by the [[Federal Radio Commission]] which awarded the choicest frequencies and broadcast times to the then-emerging commercial radio industry. In the wake of General Order 40, a loose coalition of educators, [[nonprofit]] broadcasters, [[labor union]]s, and [[Religious denomination|religious group]]s coalesced to oppose the NAB and their allies through the 1920s and 1930s, and to develop a public, nonprofit, license-funded radio system without commercials (similar to what happened with the BBC). The coalition claimed that the commercial industry would only promote profitable programming, thereby reducing the quality and future potential of radio broadcasting.

Not having the political connections, resources, or publicity of the NAB and the commercial radio industry, the non-profit coalition eventually lost the fight with the passage of the [[Communications Act of 1934]].<ref>"The Battle for the U.S. Airwaves, 1928-1935", in ''The Political Economy of Media: Enduring Issues, Emerging Dilemmas'' by Robert W. McChesney (New York: Monthly Review Press, 2008).</ref>

The [[National Independent Broadcasters]] were formed in 1939 as part of the NAB, to represent stations that were not associated with any network, but the group split off in 1941.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vWBGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3294,2619757&dq=national-independent-broadcasters&hl=en |title=N.I.B. Votes to Form Own Organization |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[Schenectady Gazette]] |date=September 24, 1941 |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1941/09/24/99247417.pdf |title=Independents Act to Break N.A.B. Tie |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 24, 1941}}</ref>

==Satellite radio==
Many [[satellite radio]] enthusiasts have criticized the NAB for lobbying against legislation approvals for those services.  The NAB protested the FCC's approval of both satellite radio services in the United States—[[XM Satellite Radio|XM]] and [[Sirius Satellite Radio|Sirius]]—and furthermore criticized the 2008 [[Sirius XM Radio|merger of the two companies]], calling the merged company a "potential [[monopoly]]".<ref>[http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Press_Releases1&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=8316] 28 February 2007 testimony of NAB President David Rehr before US House Judiciary Committee Antitrust Task Force</ref>

==Digital transition==
In 2005, the NAB, together with the Association for Maximum Service Television Stations, Inc. (MSTV), commenced development of a prototype high quality, low cost [[Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program|digital-to-analog converter box]] for terrestrial [[digital television]] reception.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nab.org/documents/newsroom/pressRelease.asp?id=1133|title=MSTV & NAB Seek to Develop Digital to Analog Converter Box|date=June 15, 2005|work=NAB News Release|access-date=March 8, 2018}}</ref> The result of this project was a specification for the converter box, which was then adopted by the [[National Telecommunications and Information Administration]] as a [https://www.ntia.doc.gov/legacy/frnotices/2007/DTVFinalRule_2a.htm technical requirement] for [[Coupon-eligible converter box|eligible converter boxes]] for the Administration's [[Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program]].

==White space==
The NAB has lobbied against the use of [[White space (telecommunications)|white spaces]], unused broadcast spectrum lying between broadcast channels, for wireless broadband internet and other digital use.  The NAB has claimed that use of white space will interfere with existing broadcast spectrum, even though tests by the Federal Communications Commission at levels far stronger than that being advocated for in policy circles have not supported such claims.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/the-nab-vs-reality_b_137241.html] Tim Karr, "The NAB vs. Reality"</ref>  Indeed, the FCC has recommended the use of white spaces for broadband and other digital use.<ref>[http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog/2008/10/16/a-win-for-white-spaces/] Megan Tady, "A Win for White Spaces"</ref>
In 2011 the NAB funded an advertising campaign titled "The Future of TV",<ref>[http://thefutureoftv.org/]"The Future of TV"</ref> advocating for the private ownership of the spectrum, framed as a threat to free television.

==Free TV campaign==
In mid-2014, an NAB advertising campaign against a Congressional threat appeared, advocating viewers to defeat a cable-TV lobby.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/208111-senate-should-ignore-pay-tvs-stela-add-ons/|title=Senate should ignore pay-TV's STELA add-ons|first=Joe|last=Picard|date=5 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://keepmytv.org/|title=KeepMyTV.org|last=Graphicfort|website=keepmytv.org}}</ref>

==Similar organizations==
Organizations similar to the NAB exist in individual [[U.S. state]]s, including [[Georgia Association of Broadcasters]] (GAB) in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and the [[Illinois Broadcasters Association]] (IBA), in Illinois. In [[Canada]], the [[Canadian Association of Broadcasters]] (CAB) has a similar role.

==Gatherings==
[[File:NAB Convention Floor Las Vegas 2010.jpg|thumb|NAB Convention Floor, Las Vegas, 2010]]
NAB's annual spring convention is the [[NAB Show]]. It typically draws over 100,000 industry professionals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nabshow.com/|title=NAB Show|website=NAB Show}}</ref> NAB also manages the [[NAB Radio Show]] which is held each autumn and draws over 3,000 radio professionals.  At the 2010 and 2011 NAB shows, popular technology included stereoscopic video and editing software—a demand inspired by James Cameron's ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]''; point-of-view cameras, and DSLR cameras boasting shallow Depth of Field. Other strides in nonlinear editing technology included archival film restoration, digital audio mixing improvements, motion stabilization of hand-held footage and rotoscoping with one click. 

The annual [[NAB Show]] returned to Las Vegas April 23-27, 2022, after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary attendance figures indicated the show attracted more than 50,000 visitors from 155 countries.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Arnold|first1=Thomas|title= NAB Issues Preliminary Attendance Figures, Sets Dates for 2023 Show|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/nab-issues-preliminary-attendance-figures-sets-dates-for-2023-show/|work=[[Media Play News]]|date=April 27, 2022}}</ref>

==Censorship==

In 1952, the NAB created the [[Code of Practices for Television Broadcasters]], which banned profanity, the negative portrayal of family life, irreverence for God and religion, illicit sex, drunkenness and biochemical addiction, presentation of cruelty, detailed techniques of crime, the use of horror for its own sake, and the negative portrayal of law enforcement officials, among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://todayinclh.com/?event=tv-censorship-television-broadcasters-adopt-code-of-conduct|title=Television Broadcasters Adopt Code of Conduct|website=Today In Civil Liberties History|date=February 4, 2014 }}</ref> It was enforced by a committee appointed by President of the NAB.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6558/|title=The Creation of the Television Code of 1952|website=History Matters}}</ref>

After the courts struck down the Code as unconstitutional in 1983, the NAB board of directors issued a brief "Statement of Principles of Radio and Television Broadcasters" that encourages broadcasters to "exercise responsible and careful judgment" in the selection of material relating to violence, drug abuse, and sex.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benton.org/initiatives/obligations/charting_the_digital_broadcasting_future/appc|title=Statement of Principles|website=Benton Institute|date=December 23, 2008 }}</ref> 

On March 1, 2022 the NAB called "on broadcasters to cease carrying any state-sponsored programming with ties to the Russian government" in response to the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine]] the week prior.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nab.org/documents/newsRoom/pressRelease.asp?id=6412|title=NAB Statement|website=NAB}}</ref>

==Hall of Fame inductees==
{{Main|NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame}}
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Year
! Television 
! Radio
|-
|2000
|''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
|[[Tom Joyner]] 
|-
|2001
|[[Ted Koppel]]
|[[Bruce Morrow|"Cousin Brucie" Bruce Morrow]]
|-
|2002
|''[[Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In]]''
|[[Dick Orkin]]

|-
|2003
|[[Walt Disney anthology television series]]
|[[Scott Shannon]]
|-
|2004
|[[Roger King (producer)|Roger King]]
|[[Mormon Tabernacle Choir]] "[[Music and the Spoken Word]]"
|-
|2005
|''[[The Tonight Show]]''
|[[Jack Buck]]
|-
|2006
|[[Regis Philbin]]
|[[Dick Purtan]]
|-
|2007
|''[[Meet the Press]]''
|[[Rick Dees]]
|-
|2008
|[[Bob Barker]]
|[[Larry Lujack]]

|}

==NAB awards==
The NAB presents several annual awards:
* [[NAB Marconi Radio Awards]], to the country's top radio stations and personalities
* [[NAB National Radio Award]], to an outstanding individual leader in the radio industry
* [[NAB Crystal Radio Awards]], to radio stations achieving excellence in community service
* [[NAB Engineering Achievement Awards]], to an individual for their outstanding accomplishments in the broadcast industry
*NAB Distinguished Service Award, for broadcasters who have made a significant and lasting contribution to American broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Broadcasters|first=National Association of|title=NAB Awards {{!}} Overview|url=https://www.nab.org/events/awards/overview.asp|access-date=2021-06-22|website=National Association of Broadcasters|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Publications==
* Bruce A. Linton. ''Self-Regulation in Broadcasting''. Washington, D.C.: National Association of Broadcasters, 1967.
* ''Broadcast Self-regulation'', 2nd edn. Washington, D.C.: NAB Code Authority, 1977.
* ''The Television Code'', 22nd edn. Washington, D.C.: NAB Code Authority, 1981.
* Jean Benz, Jane E. Mago, & Jerianne Timmerman, eds. ''Legal Guide to Broadcast Law and Regulation'', 6th edn. Washington, D.C.: National Association of Broadcasters, 2015.

==See also==
* [[Code of Practices for Television Broadcasters]]—includes the NAB's ''Television Code'' and ''Seal of Good Practice'' and enforced from 1952 to 1983.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.nab.org/ NAB official website]
* [http://www.nabshow.com/ NAB Show]
* [http://www.nabradioshow.com/ NAB Radio Show]
* [https://archives.lib.umd.edu/repositories/2/resources/586 William S. Hedges] papers at the [[University of Maryland Libraries|University of Maryland libraries]]. Hedges was a co-founder of NAB and also served as its president from 1928-1930.
* [https://archives.lib.umd.edu/repositories/2/resources/1607 National Association of Broadcasters records] at the University of Maryland libraries. 

{{International broadcasting organizations}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:National Association of Broadcasters| ]]
[[Category:Radio organizations in the United States]]
[[Category:Television organizations in the United States]]
[[Category:Trade associations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1922]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies of the United States]]
[[Category:501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations]]