Greetings from your broadcast friends out on the Desert…
This is BDR Newsletter 872, Volume 17, #39 for April 29, 2026
FCC AT NAB
Each year, the industry does await the FCC’s comments. Often there is a “gift” to broadcasters. This year, the FCC Commissioners and staffers brought the news that they were open to ways to help AM radio survive, possibly including another FM translator window dedicated for AM stations, sometime in 2027. Regulatory burden relief may also be part of the continuing Delete, Delete, Delete initiative, adding to the 1,274 provisions already dropped from the FCC�s rulebook. With the 2027 radio renewal cycle ready to start next year, speculation but no specifics surround at what the FCC will be looking, although Chairman Carr has repeatedly noted the need for stations to operate “in the public interest” – with a focus on local community needs and programs that meet those needs.
A SHORTER HIKE
During the NAB Show, it was true that many broadcast companies were in the Central Hall, especially the upper level. Here is some of what we saw. That meant that while there was much more to see in Central, North, and West Halls, one did not have to walk back and forth nearly as much as last year when your Editor clocked over 15,000 steps in a day. This year, we topped out around 10,000 steps. (Oh, no .. we did not have to go near the South Hall. It was open, not for NAB, but for a wrestling event.)
MAKING YOUR SIGNATURE SOUND BETTER
Every station has a signature sound. It may be based partly or wholly on a preset. And you might be thinking that audio processing has gone about as far as it can. And you might be wrong. The Omnia XII was demonstrated at NAB 2026, and there was a line to see it. What makes this a great audio processor? Well, we have Frank Foti visiting with us this week to share the concepts and how it can be just what your station needs.
Join us at 2PM Thursday (tomorrow): the link request is at www.theBDR.net/TLG/ You can also go to youtubelive and subscribe to thebdrnet channel to get a reminder when live broadcast and videos are posted.
… and do not forget, on the same page we have over 200 videos you can use on subjects you will want to learn about.
