NBC Rejoins NAB

NBC REJOINS NAB
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
NBC Universal is rejoining the National Association of Broadcasters after a seven-year absence. NBC and the other Big Four networks left the association after a bitter divide on the issue of the national station ownership cap. Networks wanted the FCC to loosen the rules to allow them to own more stations, while non-network owned members were concerned that would increase the network’s power unduly, including their bargaining position in affiliation contract negotiations. The commission ultimately raised the cap to 45% of TV homes, though Congress cut that back to 39%. ABC returned to the fold a couple of years ago, but CBS and Fox are still out. NBC’s co-owned Telemundo was not part of the announcement, but NAB says talks are ongoing to bring it into the fold as well. NAB now claims four network members: ABC, NBC, Univision and Ion. Rejoining the NAB along with NBC are its 10 owned and operated stations. NBC TV Stations President Jay Ireland will join the NAB television board.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6434047.html

* NBC U Rejoins NAB Fold
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6434185.html

* See NAB press release:
http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=News_Room&CONTENTID=8623&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm