Effect of war on TV, radio unclear

Kevin Rademacher

Monday, April 7, 2003 | 10:57 a.m.

The future of the American broadcasting industry is being discussed in Las Vegas this week at the National Association of Broadcasters convention.

Despite war concerns, the event is expected to draw more than 90,000 attendees. Those radio and television industry executives will discuss everything from media ownership issues to the implications of digital technology.

During the convention, the Nevada Broadcasters Association will organize a radio and television career fair, host a dinner for station general managers from around the country, and conduct seminars on employment policies and the emergency alert system.

"We have all these wonderful people in town," said Bob Fisher, president of the Nevada Broadcasters Association. "We need to take advantage of this."

The effect of the war on the broadcasting industry is expected to be a topic of conversation. Fisher, in an interview with In Business Las Vegas last week, said the magnitude of the war's effect on local broadcasters is still unclear.

"It's too early to tell," he said. "Will there be revenue loss? Yes. Will it be tremendous? I don't know yet. I would anticipate that we're going to have a difficult time."

In Business is a sister publication of the Las Vegas Sun.

Gene Greenberg, KVBC-TV Channel 3 station manager, agreed that war talk will be heard throughout the convention, adding that the issue of digital and high-definition television will be frequent topics as well.

"Newsroom issues, technology-wise, are going to be of interest," he said.

While digital progress will allow greater flexibility in production and more options for viewers, regulatory issues must be decided, Fisher said. Stations, he explained, were mandated to make the conversion, but nothing has been done to solve transmission issues. That has left expensive investments on the part of broadcasters waiting to be put to full use.

"The broadcaster, the television station, has had to shoulder the whole expense," Fisher said. "Congress is dragging its feet. The FCC is dragging its feet. Everyone is dragging their feet except the television stations that were mandated to transition to digital. They are paying for electricity. They are paying for equipment. And they are not generating any income."

Controversy at the convention will be broken up by honors and awards to be handed out to some industry heavyweights.

At this morning's opening ceremony, ABC News reporter Cokie Roberts was to be presented with the National Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award.

Michael Eisner, CEO of the Walt Disney Co., was to accept a Hall of Fame award on behalf of the company's long-running television programs. The award was to be handed out at a television industry lunch at the Las Vegas Hilton. Also to be honored at the event was "60 Minutes" producer Don Hewitt, who is receiving the Spirit of Broadcasting Award.

Tonight, Bob Schieffer, anchor and moderator of CBS' "Face the Nation," was to receive the Paul White Award, which honors pioneering contributions to broadcast news.