NAB Claims $10.3 Billion in Public Service

NAB CLAIMS $10.3 BILLION IN PUBLIC SERVICE
[SOURCE: National Association of Broadcasters]
The National Association of Broadcasters has released its "National Report on Broadcasters Community Service," claiming local radio and TV stations around the country delivered $10.3 billion in community service last year. The figure was derived from an industry census sent earlier this year to more than 11,000 full-power commercial radio and television stations. Broadcasters were asked to document from January 1 - December 31, 2005 the number of PSAs they aired, the amount of money raised for charity through direct station fundraising appeals and funds raised for disaster relief. "This year's survey affirms the longstanding fact that local over-the-air radio and television stations are collectively the number one provider of public service in America," NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr said. "Whether it's donating airtime for valuable public service announcements or raising money for charity and disaster relief, local broadcasters nationwide can be proud of the tremendous contributions they make in their communities everyday."
http://www.nab.org/xert/corpcomm/newsletters/radioweek/2006/061906/05communityservicereport.asp
http://www.nab.org/xert/corpcomm/newsletters/tvtoday/2006/061906/05communityservicereport.asp

See also --
* What Community Service?
Even thought more than three-quarters of U.S. adults rely on local TV news, according to a January 2006 Harris Poll, the NAB doesn't tout the service delivered by local television newscasts; this article explains why.
http://www.benton.org/benton_files/whatservice.doc