What the future sounds like

Its a big week for David Rehr, point man for the NAB.

From the post:

"Internet radio sounds like the future. Wireless sounds like the future. High def sounds like the future. YouTube, Google, iBiquity sound like the future. What does 'free over-the-air broadcasting' sound like? I think you know."

Rehr concluded, "Here's the big picture: we need to reframe and rebrand not only those issues but perceptions about the broadcasting business itself."

Terry Heaton's NAB message

Terry is heading to the NAB and has three main message points.

From the post:

1. "The key disrupter to the business of media is people, not technology. This is the key to understand all that’s taking place, because the press-public dynamic has been flip-flopped, with the public now clearly calling the shots. When we look at it as only technology, we drift down a path that won’t do much to resolve the disruption to our bottom lines. Relevancy is determined, after all, by them, not us.
2. None of this is “all-or-nothing,” and those who paint it as such generally have a big stake in the game, usually the status quo. Broadcasting will continue and we’re not all going to die tomorrow. There certainly is an evolution underway, but let’s not get caught up in the hype of the all-or-nothing crowd.
3. People want to know what we know and do what we do, and business models that support this will succeed in the near and long-term future. Think Gordon Borrell’s “ammunition” scenario: “The deer now have guns. What do you do when the deer have guns? Get into the ammunition business.” YouTube is the textbook example of this, a business that enables the deer to share their work with others."

NAB Fastroad: Do what?

I am sensing a theme today. With the NAB just around the corner expect a number of whaa??? moments. Getting an early start David Rehr, NAB CEO and Dennis Wharton, NAB spokesman outline NAB Fastroad (Flexible Advanced Services for Television and Radio On All Devices).

From Mediaweek:

“As we move into the digital era, the most successful local broadcasters will be those who continue serving the core audience in their local community while aggressively embracing new technologies to expand the reach of their high-value content,” said David Rehr, president and CEO of the NAB.

“We want to make sure broadcasting is on every gadget and device that is out there,” said Dennis Wharton, spokesman for the NAB.

From Lost Remote:

"Nice sentiment, but a terribly wrongheaded use of resources. The market gets to decide demand - not the NAB.

The NAB should be focusing its efforts helping broadcasters adjust to the realities of the new media marketplace - not getting the new media marketplace to adjust to its old rules.

Convincing everyone who makes MP3 players to include the functionality that is in your interest to save is not going to happen.

This makes as little sense as insisting that cable boxes also come with over-the-air tuners. The NAB should be focusing its tech efforts on helping its constituents think forward - come up with clever new ways for stations to become creative local media outlets regardless of their platform. This plan will get applause at next week’s convention - and will result in little else."