The ads feature celebrities such as Wanda Sykes and Hilary Duff with the theme “When you say, ‘That’s so gay,’ do you realize what you say?”

According to a website set up for the campaign, almost 90 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students report being verbally harassed at school because of their sexual orientation.

Peggy Conlon, president and chief executive of the council, told the New York Times, “We’re always looking for important messages on discrimination. We thought this would be a fabulous campaign to take on because it’s surprising how pervasive this language is.”

Stations can download MP3 radio spots and web banners at the Ad Council’s PSA Central website and television stations can order Beta copies of the campaign.

Contact TAB’s Craig Bean or call (512) 322-9944 for more information on public service campaigns.

The spots, from the office of Governor Rick Perry, encourage donations to the Texas Disaster Relief fund.

The Texas Disaster Relief Fund is a registered non-profit 501c(3) organization, designed to compliment, not duplicate, existing relief resources provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other insurance and non-profit organizations.

It gives Texans the opportunity to donate money that will go directly to Texas communities whose resources have been strained by hurricane relief efforts.

TAB distributed these announcements as a public service. This is not an NCSA campaign.

Visit www.TexasDisasterReliefFund.org or call (866) 292-5357 for more information.

TAB’s FCC legal counsel, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, advises TV stations are required to report on their third “calendar quarter” 2008 efforts on FCC Form 388 which must be electronically filed through the CDBS system.

On March 3, the FCC released a Report and Order outlining new requirements for the education of consumers regarding the Feb. 17, 2009 DTV transition to digital television service.

As a result of this Public Notice, stations were required to ensure that they elected one of the compliance “Options” contained in the Report and Order and began airing DTV consumer education announcements pursuant to their chosen “Option” no later than March 31.

 Download form

Every three years, commercial television stations must choose between retransmission consent and mandatory carriage, also known as must-carry status, for the carriage of their broadcast signal on cable and satellite systems in their market.

This upcoming election will determine how TV stations will be carried on cable and satellite systems in their markets for the next three-year period, which runs from Jan. 1, 2009, to Dec. 31, 2011.

Read more…

All stations, both commercial and noncommercial, must prepare and place in their public inspection files, a list of important issues facing their communities, and the programs aired in the months of July, August, and September dealing with those issues.

Currently, these reports comprise the only legally required documents that demonstrate how a station has met its public service obligations to its community of license and service area.

TAB Associate Member law firm Davis Wright Tremaine advises that the FCC has adopted new rules for television stations that, among other things, will require the use of a standardized form (Form 355) for reporting quarterly issues programs lists and significantly increase the recordkeeping and reporting requirements facing television stations.

The failure to have a complete set of Quarterly Issues Programs lists that were prepared and placed in the station’s public file at the proper time can lead to significant fines at license renewal time. Moreover, the failure to produce and document programs responsive to community needs could cause even greater problems for a broadcast licensee.

Read more…

Headlines include:

• Hurricane Ike challenges broadcasters
• Newsroom Workshop - Oct. 4 - Austin
• TAB presents on-demand sales training
• TAB to distribute U.S. Senate debate
• Broadcast Career Expo - Oct. 23 - San Antonio
• TBEF elects new board
• … and many more!

View the newsletter online

 Download PDF version 

Martin, in town for the NAB Radio Show, came by for a brief visit with the TAB Board of Directors.

(photo by Mike Wenglar)

Texas TV stations have fared far better, coming through the ordeal remarkably unscathed, although several reported losing shore power and resorting to backup generators.

The FCC is now stepping in to assist broadcasters with help securing generators, fuel and other needed items to resume broadcast operations.   Neither the FCC, or TAB is satisfied with the State response to broadcaster requests for such assistance. 

Generators and fuel
Since relief may only come from federal agencies, TAB encourages all broadcasters to continue the daily reports to the FCC’s Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS).  More details on DIRS are below.

Broadcasters should also continue to alert TAB as to station needs,  Please submit information in the following format:

DATE:
CALL LETTERS:
LICENSEE/OWNER:
STATION PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
 
CONTACT
Name:
Title:
E-mail:
Office Ph:
Cell Ph:
Home Ph:

ALT. CONTACT
Name:
Title:
E-mail:
Office Ph:
Cell Ph:
Home Ph:

NEEDS: describe any and all equipment needed to keep station on the air and operating.

Stations can also contact the FCC’s Allan Manuel, in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau directly if you are having trouble accessing fuel, facilities or need assistance in obtaining generators.   Allan’s direct dial at the FCC is 202-418-1164, or he can be reached at Allan.Manuel@fcc.gov.

Special Temporary Authority (STAs) and Waivers
Please follow normal FCC procedures during business hours (see STA Bureau and Office contact list at http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/services/sta.html).
 
For requests outside of 8-5:30 pm M-F (EASTERN), call the FCC Operations Center at 202-418-1122 or 202-418-1192

FCC DIRS
DIRS is a voluntary program the FCC uses to assess, on a daily basis, communications outage information during a disaster.  Because broadcasters play a critical role in keeping citizens informed during disasters, the FCC is ready to assist broadcasters in their efforts to restore communications in areas affected by a disaster.

It is important for stations to enroll in the program and provide the FCC with daily updates regarding station operations.

The FCC uses the information reported through DIRS to track problem areas, to establish priorities, and designate federal resources to help resolve operational issues for broadcasters.

DIRS has been activated for portions of Texas and Lousiana.  The area of interest for this activation is focused on those areas projected to be hardest hit by the storm.  If your station is one of the following Texas counties, you should sign up on DIRS if you have not already done so:
 
Anderson, Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Colorado, Falls, Fayette, Fort Bend, Freestone, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Robertson, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Wharton

Accessing DIRS
Go to:  https://www.fcc.gov/nors/disaster/

Time Schedule 
Reports should be made by 11:00 am (Eastern Time) every day while DIRS is activated.

DIRS Help
There is a User Manual available at the DIRS website.  Please feel free to contact John Healy, FCC, at 202-418-2448 or at 215-847-8094 (cell) if you have any questions.  The information collected by DIRS will be treated as presumptively confidential by FCC employees. 

Generators
The following is a list of generator suppliers that may be able to assist stations still in need of one:

Kohler Rental Power
Steve Jackson, 281.310.6858, or 713.992.9432 (cell)
Tom Wieghrad, 281.310.6858

Stewart & Stevenson
Kendall Archer, 903.758.5562 or 903.241.5051 (cell)
Eric Terkelsen, 903.758.5562 or 903.241.5060 (cell)

Global Power Supply
Ron Zamir, 805.683.3828 X309

Cummins
Mark Commins, 713.725.1000

Sierra Mountain Construction
Doug Benton, 209.988.2282

Decker Mechanical
Vince Hood, 469.446.8754

Generator Super Center
Andrew Spitzmueller, 866.516.7199 or 832.492.2046 (cell)

ARR.LLC
Mike Nelson, 208.756.8056 or 208.756.8060
 
Emergency Alert System
TAB remains in contact with the State of Texas Division of Emergency Management (DEM) on the EAS.  It does not appear that there will be post-storm activation by the State of Texas.

Former TAB Chairman Ben Downs will serve as President.

Texas State Networks’ Dan Bell is the newest member of the board.

View full list

TBEF, TAB’s scholarship foundation, annually provides eight $2,000 scholarships for Texas students.

More about TBEF

As of Noon today, the State of Texas and the National Guard have not been able to provide any assistance to any Texas broadcaster in the way of generators or fuel.

TAB has made several requests on behalf of stations with the Guard and the State of Texas, but no relief has been provided. 

At the Federal level, the FCC may be able to redirect federal resources to broadcasters. 

Stations should continue to use the TAB form to alert us as to individual station needs.  TAB will follow up on these with the State of Texas, National Guard and the FCC.

Since relief may only come from federal agencies, TAB encourages all broadcasters to enroll in the FCC’s Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS).  More details on DIRS are below

Here’s what TAB has ascertained thus far:

Access
The State of Texas considers communications service providers (not news teams) as essential service providers.    This means your engineering staff may get access to tower sites, etc., but there’s no guarantee news crews will get access to where they want to go.
 
The County Judge/Emergency Manager/Sheriff/Chief of Police controls access at the local level.

Fuel / Generators
The State of Texas is not providing fuel or generators for broadcasters at this time.   The National Guard has yet to provide a station with one, despite repeated requests.  It is possible that the federal government, through the FCC’s assistance, may be able to assist in this regard.
 
If your normal suppliers cannot assist you—per the State—as a last resort, you may contact the Industry Rep at the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Debbie Hastings at 512-633-2909.
 
Before reaching out to Ms. Hastings, please feel free to contact the Federal Emergency Support Function #2 (ESF #2) desk at FEMA’s Joint Field Office, which coordinates the needs of commercial communications providers with the State.  You may reach the Federal ESF #2 team by telephone at 512-465-3805, 512-465-3814 or 512-465-3815. They do not have a functioning e-mail address.

Stations can also contact the FCC’s Allan Manuel, in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, if you are having trouble accessing fuel, facilities or need assistance in obtaining generators.   Allan’s direct dial at the FCC is 202-418-1164, or he can be reached at Allan.Manuel@fcc.gov. 
 
Special Temporary Authority (STAs) and Waivers
Please follow normal FCC procedures during business hours (see STA Bureau and Office contact list at http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/services/sta.html).
 
For requests outside of 8-5:30 pm M-F (EASTERN), call the FCC Operations Center at 202-418-1122 or 202-418-1192
 
FCC Contacts
SAFETY OF LIFE and 24/7 emergency support FCC Operations Center 202-418-1122 or 202-418-1192 or comm-ctr@fcc.gov
 
During normal operating hours, you may reach the following Media Bureau or Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau liaisons at the following numbers:

• Thomas Horan, Chief of Staff, Media Bureau: 202-418-2486
• Peter Doyle, Chief, Audio Division, Media Bureau: 202-418-2789
• Barbara Kreisman, Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau: 202-418-1600
• Jeffery Goldthorp, Division Chief, PSHSB: 202-418-1096
• Allan Manuel, Associate Division Chief, PSHSB: 202-391-5331

FCC DIRS
DIRS is a voluntary program the FCC uses to assess, on a daily basis, communications outage information during a disaster.  Because broadcasters play a critical role in keeping citizens informed during disasters, the FCC is ready to assist broadcasters in their efforts to restore communications in areas affected by a disaster.  

It is important for stations to enroll in the program and provide the FCC with daily updates regarding station operations.

The FCC uses the information reported through DIRS to track problem areas, to establish priorities, and designate federal resources to help resolve operational issues for broadcasters.

DIRS has been activated for portions of Texas and Lousiana.  The area of interest for this activation is focused on those areas projected to be hardest hit by the storm.  If your station is one of the following Texas counties, you should sign up on DIRS if you have not already done so:
 
Anderson, Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Colorado, Falls, Fayette, Fort Bend, Freestone, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Robertson, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Wharton

If and only if you have communications equipment in the disaster area, the FCC requests that you provide daily reports on the status of your equipment by using DIRS.

Accessing DIRS
Go to:  https://www.fcc.gov/nors/disaster/
Alternately, you can go to www.fcc.gov and find DIRS under e-filing. 

Time Schedule 
The FCC requests that you provide the first set of reports by 2:00 pm (Eastern Time) today. Subsequent reports should be made by 11:00 am (Eastern Time) every day while DIRS is activated.

DIRS Help
There is a User Manual available at the DIRS website.  Please feel free to contact John Healy, FCC, at 202-418-2448 or at 215-847-8094 (cell) if you have any questions.  The information collected by DIRS will be treated as presumptively confidential by FCC employees. 

Reminder on TV Station Closed Captioning
The FCC requires all television stations that provide emergency information to do so in a format that is accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Information that is provided in the audio portion of emergency programming must also be provided visually. 

At a minimum, the visual presentation must include critical information about the ongoing emergency, such as “specific details regarding the areas that will be affected by the emergency, evacuation orders, detailed descriptions of areas to be evacuated, specific evacuation routes, approved shelters or the way to take shelter in one’s home, instructions on how to secure personal property, road closures, and how to obtain relief assistance.”

Stations should be especially diligent in ensuring that they provide any emergency information in both audio and video format.  In addition to closed captioning, the FCC confirmed that the use of open captioning, crawls, scrolls, maps, signs and charts may be appropriate. 

The FCC has emphasized in past orders that regardless of the method of visual presentation used, stations must provide hearing and hearing disabled individuals with functionally equivalent access to the underlying emergency information.   The FCC has directed stations to ensure that any closed captioning does not interfere with other visual devices, and vice versa.

TAB strongly urges Texas TV stations to review continuous coverage plans as soon as possible to make sure they can comply with this FCC rule. 

The FCC has shown no hesitancy in imposing tens of thousands of dollars in fines on stations in three TV markets that failed to adequately caption their emergency programming.  

Emergency Alert System
TAB is in contact with the State of Texas Division of Emergency Management (DEM) to determine whether or not state activation of EAS is possible. 

TAB will advise stations of any developments in this area.

EAS was considered for the contra-flow evacuations along major highways out of the Houston/Galveston area during Hurricane Rita in 2005, but it was not activated.

TAB Staff Contact Info

You can reach the following TAB staff at anytime in the next several days:

Ann Arnold
O: (512) 322-9991
H: (512) 453-0223
ann@tab.org

Oscar Rodriguez
O: (512) 615-1510
C: (512) 771-0238
oscar@tab.org

Michael Schneider
O: (512) 615-1503
C: (512) 217-9948
michael@tab.org

TAB Assistance Form

Download here and e-mail to michael@tab.org