Has the PRA sort of taken a back seat to FM chips in cell phones…great friends…great causes..and more..



…fascinating to see the PRA negotiations goings on along with its loaded other “asks”!....the NAB releases a study by a very reputable research firm showing the “peeps” want their free radio on their mobile devices….did they also commission a study of ALL broadcasters on whether they want a $100m deal with the labels? Why not a full study on the impact of the AFTRA deal that broadcasters of their own free will agreed to that is now in the PRA package to have it tossed…wouldn’t a study of the onerous impact of the CRB agreement be appropriate to present to congress as well…..nope…only a study of the acceptance of FM chips in cell devices…






…I’m a major advocate of the chips in cells and other devices (alarm systems, internet desktop radios, etc.)….and I’m mostly an advocate as a device to save lives…but through much more than the antiquated EAS system….the EAS MUST be updated….and there MUST be a uniform way for RDBS technology to transmit short messages advising of imminent danger…(i.e., “CHEMICAL SPILL…EVACUATE IMMEDIATLEY..TUNE TO YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATION NOW FOR DETAILS”)….


…in a perfect world broadcasters and the carriers would figure this out to the satisfaction of both sides…The CTIA just says “nope” and has nothing to back up why the chip isn’t a valuable life saver….FEMA is/has conducted a study on the ability of chips to deliver short messages and EAS alerts and will deliver those results shortly…


…I hope this PRA offer wasn’t a clever way to get the chips introduced as a sort of “earmark” to the offer…..all of the issues presented in the original PRA plan are critical and deserve our close attention….for once, we need a totally unified radio industry stance…EVERYONE, stand-up, speak up, support or not and if you don’t say a word, then shut-up!


…Mark Ramsey has commissioned his own study on internet radio in the car….a very interesting read to say the least and you can check it out here….


The Broadcasters Foundation held their annual golf fund raiser this past Monday in Bronxville, NY…so many participants gave their time and cash to this great organization….a full field of golfers, silent auctions…and a terrific live auction that raised tens of thousands of dollars that go into the BFOA funds. The stories are always amazing and always anonymous…become a member…so many great broadcasters have found that they need our help and the BFOA is there to do it…read about the organization and join as a member here….


..a guy couldn’t ask for two better friends than Jim Thompson and Peter Doyle…their hospitality and generosity over this past weekend was over and beyond fantastic…we all have more fun than any humans should have…and the golf wasn’t bad either…I’m blessed to know them and count them as friends…


…seeing and visiting in-person is always a treat for this old campaigner…last weekend and Monday were fantastic….Spencer Brown, thanks for the golf and the always engaging biz talk….Julie Talbott…you are the best, thanks for the encouragement….Rick Buckley, Joe Bilotta, Stu Olds, Bob Ausfeld, Joe Reilly, Paul Rotella, Barry O’Brien, Alyssa Pollock, Renee Cassis, Nisha Sedaker, Bill Hogan, Dick Foreman, Ron Ruth, so great to see you pal….Jeff Healy….so many people and so many encouraging words…thanks folks…


…personal musings….I think I might like the Upper Course at Baltusrol better than the Lower Championship course……Siwanoy is a gem of a course and pleasure to play…Ryann O’Toole, LPGA player gave me a great lesson for short game control before the outing…she’s a player to watch next season on the LPGA…


…some tech stuff…About four in 10 adult mobile users have apps on their phones but only two-thirds (68%) actually use them, according to a new report by the Pew Internet Project. People are more likely to use their phones to take a picture, text-message, browse the Web, email, record a video, play music and send instant messages than they are to access an app…..Location-based services provider TeleNav Tuesday unveiled an ad platform for its mobile navigation app that promises to drive users right to the doorways of nearby businesses. TeleNav, whose GPS-based app allows smart phone users to get turn- by-turn driving directions, will now add a sponsored listing to the top of search results.


…no contract, no problem….Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will offer a cell phone plan under its own brand, a move that the company hopes will bolster its position as a low-cost provider of wireless services. Wal-Mart already offers cell phone plans through all the major U.S. carriers, including AT&T Inc., Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA. The Wal-Mart Family Mobile Plan, which runs on T-Mobile USA's network, will offer a range of low-priced cell phones without a lengthy contract for a flat monthly fee. The plan will be available starting September 20. Consumers will be charged $45 at the end of each month for unlimited calling and texting. Each additional phone line is $25 a month. Data will be sold in buckets rather than monthly. The first 100 megabytes are free, and more can be bought at a cost of $10 for 200 megabytes, $25 for 500 megabytes or $40 for 1,000 megabytes.


…looking forward to seeing many of you in DC for the combined NAB/RAB…have a great week and stay in touch….feel free, by the way to share this weekly musing…---teej