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| Engineering & Technical Information | |
Michigan Participates in National EAS Test As most broadcasters are aware, the nation’s first full test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) occurred on November 9, 2011. In the sense that this was "test", it was successful as it pointed out some major problems and flaws in EAS. Larry Estlack, MAB's Director of Technology and State EAS Chairman, summarized the problems in a November 12 letter to station engineers throughout the state. Estlack's report was compiled from over 60 e-mails from engineers, as well as many phone calls and mp3 recordings of over-the-air signals of numerous stations in Michigan which were received at the Michigan EAS office. Findings were compared with many other recordings from stations all over the country that were posted on the internet, and some other state associations, the BDR Newsletter and other sources. Although the FCC is gathering data from all stations and which may yield more detailed information, much of that may be held at a confidential level for some time. Here are the major problems that occurred:
It is understandable that many Michigan broadcasters and cable systems that experienced these problems were both very disappointed and embarrassed. However, in an overwhelming number of stations in Michigan, the EAN message was delivered, albeit, with the severe audio problems noted above. That was surely not the fault of any station or the State’s distribution network. Estlack intends to test to find where the faults lie and correct them. We can only request that FEMA does the same. Estlack also notes that in the South Central Michigan EAS area, just two days after the National EAN test, a Required Monthly Test was performed. Every indication is that it went perfectly. This was the first time an EAN has ever been attempted in the U.S. and there is more work to do. Estlack and the MAB will keep you updated on our progress. |
| MAB Awards Information |
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Call for Nominations: Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Awards and Do you know an excellent engineer who should be recognized for his or her work in broadcasting? The MAB Board of Directors is taking nominations for the 2012 Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Awards and Associate of the Year Award. Nominations are due to the MAB no later than Monday, December 19, 2011. Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award Nomination Information and Form (.pdf) Associate of the Year Award Nomination Information and Form (.pdf) Does your station have some exemplary projects from 2011 that deserve to be recognized? Have you been waiting for an opportunity to show off those projects to your peers? Then your wait is nearly over! The MAB's 2011 Broadcast Excellence Awards program is just around the corner. This is your chance to highlight your station's best work. The online entry system will open December 12, 2011 for those stations who want to get an early jump start on submitting your entries. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by 11:59pm. Be sure to check out all of the changes for this year's program here. Below is a list of highlighted changes: • Addition of the New Media division and categories |
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| Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference & Expo |
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Plan Now to Attend the 2012 Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference! Registration is now open for GLBC! Register today to attend these sessions in person on March 14, 2012. Below is a highlight of some of the newest sessions added: X-Treme Co-op and Alternative Funding
Finding the Right Mix of IT in Broadcast Solutions Media Editor’s Panel Attention Engineers! Convergence is Here! Sessions and speakers are being updated as they are confirmed. To register and see the full line-up of national caliber speakers, visit http://www.michmab.com/ProgramsEvents/GreatLakesBroadcastingConferenceGLBC |
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| State & Legislative News & Information | |
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The Senate Passes Legislation to Set Up Health Care Exchanges in Michigan After weeks of Senate committee hearings and stakeholder testimony, Senate Bill 693 passed the Michigan Senate in early November creating the state’s health care exchange program. Under the legislation, Michigan will comply with the federal health care reform law by setting up MIHealth Marketplace website designed to function as a clearing house (think Orbitz.com format) for available health insurance plans and different payment options. The bill passed 25-12 with opposition votes coming solely from the GOP members. Senator Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair) was absent for the vote. All 12 Democratic Senators voted in favor of the bill, stating that the legislation would advance access to care for thousands of Michigan small businesses, individuals and the uninsured. Thirteen Senate Republicans supported the bill, stating that they did not want Michigan to be forced into the federal healthcare exchange model, should the Federal Affordable Care Act be upheld in the courts. Senator James Marleau (R-Lake Orion), Chair of the Senate Health Policy committee and bill sponsor, said the measure expands choices and competition in the health insurance sector: "If the website is not used, it will just completely go out of business. Not a single Michigan tax dollar will pay for the MIHealth Marketplace." Instead, the website would be supported by the user fees paid by the health insurance providers. The remaining 12 GOP members argued that the bill does not provide a free market alternative, but pushes Michigan further under the control of the federal government. Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township) said that he originally co-sponsored SB 693, but removed his support later, stating that the exchange was out of control: "My alternative solution would (rein) in the scope of the 'Exchange' to focus on the determination of eligibility for government assistance to citizens and the definition of data exchange standards that would enable private exchanges to provide consumers with apples-to-apples comparisons of health policies. Instead, we have before us a bill that creates a Michigan Health Marketplace that performs 'All Exchange Duties' in a bill with no definition of what an exchange is. By serving as a middle man for financial transactions, I am concerned that the exchange may actually increase insurance costs because of the potentially significant payment delay to insurance providers." The Senate Chamber immediately took up Senate Resolution 95, which expresses support for Attorney General Bill Schuette's lawsuit against the federal health reform. Democrats objected, saying Republicans could not ratify a program that will help Michigan residents and at the same time oppose the law that gets that program in place. Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) said Republicans who voted in favor of both, SB 693 and the Senate Resolution 95, were following "the footsteps of Mitt Romney" for choosing how to vote depending on how the wind blows. Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) said he “had to hold my nose and vote to approve the exchange,” but wanted to support the resolution to express, “We support you, Bill Schuette. Fight it!” The resolution was adopted by 20-17 vote. |
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| Federal & Regulatory News & Informaton | ||
Being Thankful… This is the time of year I like to reflect and think of all the things that I am thankful for. Not just in my personal life, but in my professional life as well. A couple weeks ago, I was posed the question: "If you were starting out, would you choose broadcasting as a career just as you did many years ago?” You bet I would. The broadcast industry is by far one of the greatest industries in the world. It allows us to help people each and every day. It gives the masses a voice in our destiny. It is a lifeline in disasters and emergencies. I have one of the greatest jobs in the world. I am thankful to be a broadcaster. I am thankful to be a broadcaster in America, where freedom of speech is still a highly regarded privilege. I am also thankful for all the wonderful people I have met along the way; people who are leaders in our industry and care about keeping broadcasting strong. There are also organizations out there for which I am thankful, including the NAB and the MAB. These organizations are filled with broadcasters, who work tirelessly on issues that are important to us and important to preserving the free voice that the American people rely on. As with any association, we will never all agree on every issue. There will be dissension among us. That's what makes for healthy conversation and debate, and willingness to agree to disagree is what makes us strong. NAB membership is worth its weight as one of the nation's strongest associations, protecting the broadcast industry for the future and for the American people. If you are not a member, please consider membership. The more voices we can join together, the stronger we become.
FCC Proposes Online Public Inspection File and New Form to Document Public Interest Programming In recent weeks, the FCC has begun two proceedings that have the potential to radically alter the way that TV broadcasters interact with the public – and with the public interest groups that monitor the performance of these stations. The first is a new proceeding to mandate an online public file for television stations. The second is a proceeding looking to adopt a new standardized form to document the public interest programming that TV stations provide. Comment deadlines on these proposals were not set as of the date this article was written, but we would expect that input from broadcasters and others will be due in late December or early January. While both proposals are currently for TV stations only, in each one the FCC made clear that their intent is to expand the obligations to radio in the future, so all broadcasters should be aware of these proposals and participate in the FCC proceedings proposing their adoption. The proposal for an online public inspection file is the most advanced, being embodied in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, meaning that, after comments are filed, the FCC could immediately adopt new rules. In contrast, the proposal for a new standardized form to document the public interest performance of broadcasters – replacing the Quarterly Issues Programs lists currently required and the Form 355 that was adopted in 2007 but never implemented – is only a Notice of Inquiry, meaning that, after receiving comments, the Commission will need to then narrow its proposal into a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and seek more public comment before any new form could be required. |
| Michigan AMBER Alert Information | ||||
AT&T Michigan Donates $10,000 to Support Michigan AMBER Alert Foundation The Michigan AMBER Alert Foundation (MAAF) is pleased to announce that AT&T Michigan has donated $10,000 to the MAAF to help support the ongoing effort to educate and protect the children of Michigan. The $10,000 donation is AT&T’s second such donation to the non-profit organization since its inception in 2009. However, AT&T is no stranger to the AMBER Alert program. In 2007, the AT&T Foundation awarded Michigan AMBER Alert a grant to help upgrade the computer system for the AMBER Alert program. Since the program’s inception in 2001 Michigan AMBER Alert has helped to safely recover over 300 missing and endangered children within the state of Michigan. Michigan Amber Alert Foundation financially supports the Michigan Amber Alert Program. If you have a child, grandchild or other little ones dear to you and your family, child abduction should be a concern. Help Michigan Amber Alert Foundation return children to their families by making your tax deductible contribution before the end of the year to receive your Michigan Charitable tax deduction. Click here to make a donation. Red Wings Fundraiser Aims to Generate Funds for Michigan AMBER Alert The Michigan AMBER Alert Foundation (MAAF) has teamed with the Detroit Red Wings for a special fundraising opportunity. For two special games, the Red Wings are offering discounted tickets to the MAAF, its partners and to the general public in an effort to bring awareness to the Michigan AMBER Alert program. Each ticket sold will yield a $5 donation to the MAAF. Individual tickets are on sale now for the games listed below. To receive the discounted ticket rate and to make a $5 donation to the MAAF you must go through the website listed below and use promo code: AMBER. Tickets start at just $25 (regularly $50) for general seating or you can upgrade to premium seating for $40 (Regularly $60). Additional taxes and fees may apply. See each game date for specific pricing.
RED WINGS vs. Buffalo Sabres RED WINGS vs. Nashville Predators Purchase Tickets at: www.DetroitRedWings.com/amber We Need Your Help! |
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