Jessell at Large

Broadcasting Needs To Party Like It's 1999

When I say broadcasting needs a party, I'm not being flippant. The industry needs a place where it can celebrate its accomplishments and convince the world that its best is yet to come, and the NAB Show may be just the ticket. It could demonstrate to regulators, Wall Street and ambitious young people that broadcasting is a vital and creative industry and go a long way toward repairing industry morale, which may have hit bottom in the wake of the layoffs, furloughs and wage freezes of 2009. But to do that, TV station groups have got to begin sending more of their general managers, news directors and chief engineers just as they used to.
TVNewsCheck,

You know what local TV broadcasting needs right now?

A good party.

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It needs a place where it can celebrate its accomplishments and convince the world that its best is yet to come, where it can demonstrate to regulators, Wall Street and ambitious young people that it is a vital and creative industry.

Such a gathering would also go a long way toward repairing industry morale, which may have hit bottom in the wake of the layoffs, furloughs and wage freezes of 2009.

NATPE used to be such an event. Just a decade ago, if you went to NATPE, you felt that you were part of the most exciting business in the land. Dealmaking was non-stop, bands played, big-shot executives strutted and TV stars swept through exhibit halls with actual entourages.

But NATPE is anything but a party these days. I came away from the 2010 edition last week in Las Vegas trying to shake the notion that TV broadcasting was, indeed, limping toward extinction.

To be kind, the mood was subdued.

Few broadcasters attended and the domestic syndicators scaled down their presences. None of the majors were on the exhibit floor, opting instead for hotel suites.

It didn't help that NAB scheduled its winter board meeting on the very same days as NATPE, thereby discouraging some of the top station group heads from attending and, perhaps more important, signaling that NATPE doesn't much matter.

The biggest story in broadcast syndication last week was Sony's Nate Berkus, the lifestyle show incubated on Oprah. Would Sony be able to cut a deal with the NBC O&Os to insure the show's national rollout this fall?

Well, the answer turned out to be yes. They struck a deal last Friday and announced it formally on Monday. The only thing was, Sony and NBC negotiated the deal far from NATPE and the Mandalay Bay Hotel. From what I could gather, neither Sony's domestic team nor the NBC O&Os had a single representative at NATPE.

NATPE was far from a total bust. On day one, Twentieth Television injected some life into the proceedings. It announced a new game show, Don't Forget the Lyrics!, for the fall and, getting a jump on the eventual syndication sale of Modern Family, its popular rookie sitcom on ABC, it hosted a lively reception and dinner with the show's talent.

B&C's Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Awards on Monday evening continued to draw some glamour and marquee names to the show. And honorees Jeff Gaspin, Irwin Gottlieb, David E. Kelley and Judge Judy Sheindlin all hung around to kick off the Tuesday conference with one-on-one sessions.

NATPE has not outlived its usefulness. It's still the prime spot for players in the domestic syndication business. But the syndication business just isn't that big or exciting anymore.

This could change if the TV station business starts growing at somewhere near the rate it used to and some of the creaky, old syndicated shows finally retire and make way for the new. Until it does, expect more adjectives like "subdued."

After years in Las Vegas, NATPE is moving to Miami next year. I see the move as a tacit acknowledgment that the domestic syndication business will not come roaring back and that it is best to cater more to international buyers and sellers from Latin American and Europe.

In any event, it's not likely to provide the showcase broadcasting needs.

The next stop on the broadcast calendar used to be the Television Bureau of Advertising's marketing conference. Tied to the New York Auto Show in April, it was growing into a major gathering of the tribe before falling to the budget cutters last year. And it's not coming back this year.

That's a shame. Here was a place where the revenue producers of the industry -- the GMs, sales managers and account executives -- could gather and cheer themselves on.

So the great hope this year is the NAB Show, which begins a five-day run in Las Vegas on April 10.

As it has for years, broadcasting tends to get lost at the NAB convention, which has morphed into an exhibition of video production technology -- the world's largest, to be sure.

That's by design, of course. Long ago, the NAB decided to embrace the entire video world and it successfully did so. The millions that it reaps from the exhibition each year helps keep it among the top rank of Washington lobbies.

But, as I said, broadcasting tends to get lost at the show, mostly because not enough broadcasters are showing up. Standing on the exhibit floor, you simply don't see a lot of badges with call letters.

The TV broadcast leadership will be in Vegas. In addition to the NAB board, the affiliate boards of ABC, CBS, NBC and the entire Fox affiliate body are expected. Plus, the boards of TVB and the Association for Maximum Service Television are scheduled to meet.

Continued on page 2…
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Comments (11) -

PSIPthing Nickname posted over 2 years ago
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broadcasting-centric systems vendors tend to get lost at NAB. It almost should be called the NANB (non-broadcasters) show. Having broacast-centered vendors in one hall would help, but the vendors push back on that; they want to be in S. Upper.
Tones Nickname posted over 2 years ago
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I agree that we need some more "life" added to the party, but do have some mixed feelings about sending GMs, NDs, etc. to the convention. Even if you spend $1,000 or $2,000... or whatever that seemingly reasonable amount is... how do you justify that expense to your front-line people who make less competitive salaries than their counterparts from years past, but who are being asked to do much more work and to hold a wide variety of skill sets never demanded before... and who may have been involuntarily furloughed or very strongly encouraged to accept a furlough despite it breaking a contractual agreement between the employer asked the employee to sign? I'm sorry-- I know it sounds bitter. But there's a revolt brewing in stations across the country. Much of it related to money. People who are being asked to do so much are fed up... and to spend money to send managers to what's both an educational vehicle, but also a vacation (in a sense)... How do you justify that to your staff?
Thomas Scanlan posted over 2 years ago
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Speaking as one of the last 100% 'family owned' Mom 'n Pop TV station groups, the days when we had the cash flow to be able to attend all these events and not have that expense be anything close to what would be questioned by bankers and investors, I should remind all that in the late 1990's and early 2000's we saw FALLING revenues, RISING expenses, MANDATORY capital expenses (spell D-T-V) INCREASED media competition and TIGHTER credit, not to mention DISAPPEARING network comp! Now if someone could show me how it would benefit my company, long run or short run, by sending ANYONE to the national conventions, I'll buy you a Pasty for lunch! (OK, Pasty - a Meat Pie of sorts - baked crust, stuffed with potatoes, rutabagas, beef, pork, onion, etc, Its an Upper Peninsula thing!) Tom Scanlan Former WGTU/WBKP/WGTQ/WBKP owner/operator RETIRED Feb 04.
Rene Hodges posted over 2 years ago
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sorry - people who are still in TV have long since forgotten that it is show business. They don't seem to be able to see the forest for the trees. Use to be a great gig and you could make a decent buck, but more than anything - it was exciting and a lot of fun. RIP
Adam Armbruster Nickname posted over 2 years ago
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Well said Harry, I wonder if broadcast television thinks of itself as a relic of the past, or the most dynamic, local, video based advertising tool priced at a jaw-dropping penny a person for the advertiser. Broadcast tv ads are often 1/2 the price of other "new" media. Why not make THAT our new mantra instead of comparing ourselves to the TV station of the past?
formergm Nickname posted over 2 years ago
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I'm really sorry to be a party pooper, but it would be like dancing on station's graves. Every year will continue to see steady audience erosion as prime demo viewers continue to abandon local TV newscasts. Why is that? Because most station and corporate management are clueless. Why should viewers waste their time watching a half-hour newscast with 11 minutes of commercials and promos? Why should they waste their time watching mind numbing weather hype, car wrecks, and crime "news"? Why should they waste their time watching station's indulge in moronic self promotiion like repeating "we're on your side" every 30 seconds? Sorry, but it's awful.
Kathy Haley posted over 2 years ago
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Wow! Rarely have I heard such a depressed lot. Television broadcasting, now emerging from the worst economy since the 1930s and headed into a healthier ad market with costs trimmed, doesn't need a party. It needs a gathering where managers at all levels—not just the top level—can gather and compare notes on how they are reinventing their business. Top-down management isn't what the industry needs right now. It needs ideas and those bubble up from the ranks of smart managers who aren't stuck in the past. It needs team-work, team leaders and a solid team mentality in each business unit. A day-long conference at the NAB Show, devoted to the best and brightest ideas from TV networks and stations, would make a 3-day stay in Vegas, where hotel rooms can be had for $50 a night, well worth the trip. And the ideas won't just be about what's going on on the tube. They'll also be about how stations and networks are building businesses on the web, on mobile DTV and other media. Nor is NATPE dying.. It is evolving, just as the TV industry is. Hollywood studios will continue to produce for syndication, while medium-sized program distributors will grow into bigger players. Some of the best ideas for syndicated shows will continue to come from TV station groups, just as the idea for the Wendy Williams Show came from the Fox O & Os. Here again, the television programming industry needs a cross-roads and the NATPE convention can provide it. The best ideas flowing into the crossroads will come from the managers who are on the front line, reinventing their business every single day. Give them a break from the front line. Send those with a talent for programming to NATPE's crossroads. Send the gear-heads and the best all-around team leaders to NAB. On top of those two, fork over another $1000 per head and send forward-thinking news directors, GMs and engineers to the Consumer Electronics Show, where they'll start the year hearing about all the ways that consumers are using gadgets to find news and entertainment. That's right, consumers. Broadcast television doesn't just serve viewers anymore. It serves consumers and managers need to see the latest gadgets, including my personal favorite, the GPS monitor that toggles back and forth between driving directions and...you guessed it...local TV. Investment in these gatherings will pay big dividends if top management charges those who attend with clear goals. If you are afraid your best will use the show to get a new job, shame on you. Think instead about making your own company a place where the best want to work. So shoot the locks off your wallets and send your best and brightest to a convention or two. Hold contests to find the best and brightest, using travel to the events as a reward. And while you are at it, I've got some tee-shirts for the depressed lot. They have a big red circle on the front with a red line cutting diagonally across. And here's the message: Quit whining. For the non-whiners: Go get 'em. It's going to be a terrific year. Kathy Haley Publisher TVNewsCheck.com.
Nancy Logan posted over 2 years ago
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Bravo Kathy! Broadcasters were once major innovators and just like many other dominant businesses (hello...the recordinng industry!)...had fallen into the 'fat times' of complacency and driven by Wall St., chasing current revenue, not anticpating how revenue models will evlove, looking forward and driving innovation but just trying to keep up or even resist it. Presenting the value proposition to the American public is paramount. Deliver substance, service and meaningful content. Yes, content is still king... distribtion channels will only increase and the industry is still in an incredible position to deliver and remain vital. Party On and invite your audience to particpate!
RustbeltAlumnus2 Nickname posted over 2 years ago
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I remember going to NATPE from 1976 through 1987. Good times. Celebrities, open bars, lavish entertainment, great food, big crowds. But that was before cable started eating our lunch. NATPE may be evolving but I see very few signs that broadcasting is.
Tones Nickname posted over 2 years ago
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Kathy: I really agree with your overall premise and think you're right on about so much. And I appreciate your encouragement for us all to see the brighter side of things. However, be careful about how you define "whiners." There are many people who want to whine about the challenges we face, but do nothing about them and who ultimately should not be in this field. There are also people who -- even if you call them "whiners"-- love the field, but have very legitimate concerns. One concern might be high-paid, out-of-touch managers getting sent to Las Vegas while co-workers are getting shoved out the door. To not address the growing number of smart, savvy, and passionate people who've had enough with TV and decided to put their talents towards better-paying, lower-stress, and perhaps more rewarding fields is to act foolishly. I cannot tell you how many people are leaving the business, and how many people in younger generations have absolutely no interest in TV. TV used to rely on droves of young people who'd give their right leg to be in the industry. There was so much supply, TV stations could be poorly managed and employees would be forced to "pay their dues." But those days are gone. Want to fix TV? Start treating people the way they should be and quit labeling the ones with the fortitude to stand up for themselves and for the craft as "whiners."
Gordon Hastings posted over 2 years ago
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And why not throw into the mix the next generation of broadcasters. They understand better than most where we are going or more important where we should be going. And it is equally as important for the radio industry to be there! Below is a recent posting on my blog gordonhastings.tumblr.com which addresses the same sublect. TAPPING THE INTELLECTUAL RESOURCES OF THE NEXT GENERATION. BRING THEM TO THE NAB! Gather in one place the brightest young minds in radio and TV to interface with their counterparts and envision the future of broadcasting. The time is due for broadcasting’s young talent to be provided with a platform to develop new ideas. Bring them together with their peers across all media in an environment where no concept is out of bounds. The annual NAB Convention is the natural place for this industry brainstorm. Broadcasting’s future leadership must be united with colleagues from the worlds of emerging technology such as online media, open source software, crowdsourcing models and social networking platforms. Such an idea and information exchange would be enormously rewarding to a generation of broadcasters that understand and currently participate in the new world order of communications technology. Participants would return to their respective radio & television stations with renewed enthusiasm for our industry and empowerment to take the lead in driving a renaissance in broadcasting. The radio and television industries have many common challenges and it is important that everyone in broadcasting gather in one place to participate in a productive dialogue with those in communications who are advancing concepts, content and technology at lightning speed. A combined radio and television convention would have greater resources to bring these individuals and organizations together. Selected participants could engage separately by industry and in group forums to hear and meet the most progressive minds to focus on change, direction and strategic planning. Prior to the event, participants in teams could be challenged with developing new business plans and pitching their ideas live, in front of an audience of their peers and mentors at the convention. The team with the best business plan would be provided $25,000 in seed money by the NAB to begin that game-changing venture. The program should be organized with the help of outside planning resources to provide the structure for meaningful progress. MBA programs such as those at Wharton, Harvard, NYU and Northwestern in addition to the nation’s top communications schools could be an important source in structuring such a program. The aforementioned would all participate in the judging of contests. This would also require reaching outside the broadcasting industry to the young achievers working in all other communications platforms. The benefits of a next generation conclave would result in far reaching and permanent solutions to current challenges and provide a roadmap for those who in fact will be entrusted with the future of broadcasting. ghh ghhMANAGEMENT

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