MAB to Co-Host DTV Technical Workgroup with NCTA & MCTA
On April 30, the MAB, in conjunction with the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and the Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association (MCTA), will host a workgroup meeting for broadcast and cable engineers in East Lansing. The meeting is designed to bring together technical personnel from both cable and broadcasting to work together to explore the challenges of DTV and ensure a smooth transition.
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90 Days Later...The Latest & Greatest from research and focus Groups...
By Gary Berkowitz, Berkowitz Broadcast Consulting
As a programming consultant, I travel well over 100,000 miles a year visiting radio stations from Bend to Boston! After being on the road non-stop since January, here is a summary of the most commonly discussed programming points that I have been hearing in focus groups, research presentations and just plain dinner conversations with broadcasters.
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Motown Media Blitz Offers Help and Hope
By Suzan Hiltz, Ad Council-Central Region
An estimated one million families will face foreclosure this year. Foreclosures have a disastrous financial impact on families and harsh consquences for entire communities. According to local statistics, Detroit has the ninth highest foreclosure rate in the country and statewide Michigan's foreclosure rate is 1 out of every 420 households.

In an effort to offer help and hope, the Ad Council's Detroit Leadership Committee targeted a four-week media blitz dedicated to Foreclosure Prevention which began in mid-December.
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Staying Prosperous
By Joe D. Buys, Crystal Clear Concepts
It's funny that we know the things we have to do to stay healthy, like exercise, eat a proper balanced diet and get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. However, in spite of all our best intentions, many of us just seem to fall short. Staying prosperous now, that's a different story, isn't it?
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Protect Your Copper!
By Larry Estlack, MAB Director of Technology
A problem that once was confined primarily to a few large urban areas, is now on the move. The price of copper has nearly quadrupled in the last 12 months with a world shortage, it’s now being targeted by thieves much more than ever before. In many cases, this is not casual theft, but well organized "hits". Broadcasters, especially at unmanned transmitter sites, are among the easier targets.
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2008 ABIP Windows Announced
Sign-up and inspection windows for the 2008 Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP) have been announced. The program is a no-risk way to check your station's FCC compliance. The MAB's ABIP is an official program recognized by the FCC. Stations which pass the alternative inspection receive a 3-year exemption from routine FCC inspections.

The MAB is holding pricing the same as 2007 and also offering two significant discounts for stations that register and pay in full by May 15.
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MAB Welcomes Dan Kelley
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) is pleased to welcome Dan Kelley as the new Web and IT Manager. Dan joined the MAB in December and is overseeing the web and IT functions of the organization. Prior to joining the MAB, Dan was Operations Director and Program Director for Citadel Broadcasting’s WJIM-FM and WMMQ-FM in Lansing.
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Reminder: Localism Comment Deadline Fast Approaching. Broadcasters Need to Speak Up!
Monday, April 28 is the deadline for broadcasters and all interested parties to file comments on proposed FCC rulemaking that could have a devastating effect on radio and television broadcasters, both large and small.

The MAB urges its members to let their voices be heard, to get involved and to file comments now.
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Ross-Blackburn Localism Letter Delivered to FCC Chairman Martin
More than 120 Congressional signatures were collected and added to a letter sent to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin on April 15, 2008. The letter, originally penned by Congressman Mike Ross (AR-4th) and Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7th) addressed several localism issues and strongly urged the FCC not to “turn back the clock” and revert to regulation that was abandoned 30 years ago.
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State Broadcasters File Petition for Reconsideration of TV Online Public File Rule
By Richard Zaragosa, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
On Monday, 45 State Broadcasters Associations filed a Joint Petition for Reconsideration of the FCC's new TV Online Public File Rule. Just as the owner of a newspaper is a publisher, any person or entity, including a television station, that operates a website is a publisher. The Joint Petition demonstrates that the Commission’s action adopting the Online Public File Rule infringes the First Amendment rights of television broadcasters, and is arbitrary and capricious.
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Michigan Stations on Latest FCC EEO Audit List
The FCC has released its April 2008 list of EEO audits and on the list are ten stations in the State of Michigan (2 TV/8 Radio). See the FCC list here.

The MAB has been assisting its members with EEO compliance through Broadcast Compliance Services. The MAB also has an EEO Compliance Guide available in its Members Only section of the MAB website and offers other EEO-Friendly programs.
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WXYZ-TV Announces 29th Annual Project Healthy Living
The 29th annual Project Healthy Living, sponsored by WXYZ-TV/Channel 7, Astra Pharmaceutical Company and the United Health Organization, is being held through Tuesday, May 6. Project Healthy Living features 20 health screening sites in the City of Detroit and the counties of Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne.
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WWTV/WWUP-TV Supports Local Food Pantries During Trail Mixer
WWTV/WWUP-TV (Cadillac/Traverse City), along with Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital, is promoting a healthy lifestyle and supporting local food pantries at the same time during the Community Trail Mixer on Sunday, May 4.
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WNBY Broadcast to Benefit Area Youth Center
WNBY Radio of Newberry will hold a fundraiser on Wednesday, April 23 from 10:00 a.m. - noon to benefit the Luce County Community Resource and Recreation Center (LCCR&R).
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Deadline Approaching: MAB Lifetime Achievement Award and Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame Nominations!
The nomination deadline for the MAB Lifetime Achievement Award and Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame is quickly approaching. All nomination forms with supporting information must be turned in by Friday, May 2, 2008 to be considered for this year.
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RIF's Doug Podell Wins Honor at FMQB 40th Anniversary Awards Dinner
Doug Podell, Director of Rock Programming for WRIF-FM 101.1 and WCSX-FM 94.7 was named major market Program Director of The Year at the Friday Morning Quarterback (FMQB) 40th Anniversary Awards Dinner held on Thursday, April 10 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Philadelphia, PA.
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WZZM-TV’s Lessens Honored by GRCC
WZZM-TV Chief Meteorologist, George Lessens has been awarded the “Distinguished Alumni Award” from Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) for 2008.
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MAPB Sponsors Candow Training Session
The Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters (MAPB) and the Michigan Public Radio Network (MPRN) are stepping up their training efforts.
MAPB sponsored public broadcasting trainer David Candow for a return engagement in April.
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Rich Homberg named President/General Manager of Detroit Public Television.
Ritschard (Rich) Homberg has been named President and General Manager of Detroit Public Television, it was announced by Stephen Strome, chair of the Board of Trustees.
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CMU Public Television presents "Caring For Your Parents"
CMU Public Television aired “Caring For Your Parents” in early April to help viewers learn more about the aging process and how to deal with an unprecedented social, economic and personal revolution as they transition into the primary caregiver role for their aging parents.
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WKAR to Host Free Wheelchair Awareness Event
WKAR-TV will host “Rolling: Focusing on Ability,” a day-long event for the community designed to provide resources about wheelchair use and other special needs from a variety of organizations in the mid-Michigan area. In addition, an inspiring program will focus on the abilities and achievements of wheelchair users.

The free event will take place at WKAR on Saturday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and include both an extensive resource room and a program featuring several speakers, a musical performance and a preview of the national documentary.
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Join the MABF for Golf and Wine Tasting in July!
Make plans now to join the MAB Foundation for the Golf Scramble and Wine Tasting Tour of Leelanau Peninsula fundraisers. Both events will take place Tuesday, July 15 in conjunction with the MAB’s Annual Meeting & Leadership Retreat at Crystal Mountain Resort. Proceeds will go to future broadcast programs, internships and scholarships.
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MABF Internship Program Offers Students, Stations Excellent Training Opportunities
The MAB Foundation’s Internship Program, since its inception, has seen more than 30 Michigan college students experience real world work experience at Michigan broadcast stations. This experience has been invaluable both to the student and to the stations that participate.
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MABF: It’s Spring Cleaning Time!
It is that time of year…where the dust flies, fresh air abounds and the smell of window cleaner fills the air. While you are doing your spring cleaning this year, why not keep the MAB Foundation’s Online Auction in mind? Do you have an extra set of football or basketball tickets that will not be used this year? How about a golf or ski package that you could donate?
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