The savvy stations -- the ones that will not only survive, but prosper -- would do well to draw up some aggressive plans to deal with this to-do list of critical challenges and opportunities.

Broadcasters need to develop an ironclad system for distributing their signals locally over the Web -- one that will not only satisfy the copyright owners, but also themselves.

Obama's few comments on communications policy are not hostile toward broadcasting and the well-known communications advisers who will have a hand in picking his FCC chairman should recognize that broadcasting no longer dominates the mediascape as it did when they were running the FCC during the Clinton years.

The networks and their affiliates have amicably ended a seven-year fight over the networks' bullying tactics and their desire to own more stations. That's the good news. The bad news is that the end of hostilities underscores the networks' waning interest in station ownership.

Capitol Broadcasting's Jim Goodmon says the Wilmington, N.C., stations that are participating in the FCC's September test switch-over to digital will run explanatory information on their analog channels for viewers who aren't ready after the switch over. He's urging the FCC to allow all stations to do the same following next February's for-real transition.

With a growing number of stations defecting from the rep firm's two units--including five more last week--observers wonder whether it can find a way to continue to compete against rivals Katz and Cox.

In a world of almost unlimited viewing options, the broadcast networks need to reestablish themselves as the premier showcase of programming with the best viewer experience. Fox's "Remote-free TV" experiment is a good first step.

With economic hard times, broadcast groups are reporting disappointing first quarters almost across the board. And while there's still the expectation that the political ad bonanza will arrive later this year, broadcasters need to make good on their promises of new revenue streams if they hope to convince investors of their future.

The latest wireless cable scheme involving broadcast spectrum, cable networks, Internet access and a big, honkin' DVR could just work if stations don't decide to keep all their digital space for diginets or mobile. Other cyber musings from The Editor: Barrington Broadcasting; the FCC's search for one brave TV market; and kudos to CBS's John Orlando.

While expanding the already huge NAB Show by beefing up its programming agenda may make sense to the association, many on hand this year liked the smaller crowds and don't want it any larger. What would really serve the industry best would be a programming show in October, not April like NAB or January like NATPE.

The actor's speech was the talk of the NAB Show, with its criticisms of the media, the president and a few words the FCC wouldn't approve of. But, for all of that, it seems to have got people thinking.

Broadcasters still aren't making the most of their opportunities to promote themselves as the country's best post-analog television option.

The FCC commissioner's ideas on bringing back Roosevelt-era regulations to essentially force stations to do more news and public affairs programming are quaint at best and dangerous at worst.

Want to know why local newspaper Web sites usually draw far more visitors than the TV station-produced counterparts in most places? Better reporting and writing, that's why.

The NAB isn't going to take the FCC's enhanced disclosure rules lying down. It will appeal them at the OMB and the commission and may go to court if necessary. ... The association's former president, Eddie Fritts, got $7.4 million in 2006 even though he was gone the year before. ... I take the plunge and apply for two DTV converter coupons.

The NAB gets a light pat on the back for ameliorating the FCC's DTV PSA order, although it should have derailed it. At the same time, the commission gets thumbs down for sticking its nose into station affairs by investigating the 60 MInutes blackout on a Huntsville, Ala., station.

Rather than pretend that it had no idea the episode in question could be trouble, ABC should simply argue that the FCC indecency rules are flat-out unconstitutional.

What will it take for the FCC to address the looming catastrophe to the DTV transition that could result from Rembrandt Technologies’ attempt to siphon off millions from TV networks, stations, transmitter and set manufacturers through its questionable patent claims?

In a bid to save full-power stations from some new FCC requirements, the NAB is considering a commission plan that would have those stations carry LPTV stations on their new digital subchannels.

While the annual programming confab isn't what it used to be, there is still a need for this gathering place of buyers and sellers in the broadcast syndication business.

In one form or another, the Martin-led FCC seems determine to impose local programming standards on broadcasters. It's up to the industry's lobby to make sure it doesn't happen.

New set-top boxes from Apple and Netflix that deliver TV shows and movies to consumers' TV screens appear poised to offer a new alternative to the traditional viewing models.

While all eyes have been focused on the supposed tussle between NATPE and CES to be the video content trade show of choice, NAB has also thrown its hat into the ring.

Watching TV on a new 50-inch 720P set reveals more than just previously obscured frames of video. The old medium of television became new again over the holidays.

The recent op-ed piece in the New York Times written by the deans of eight prestigious journalism schools deserves an F for supporting the FCC proposal to require TV stations to set aside time and resources to cover local public affairs.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America handed out $450,000 this year to some 40 broadcasters in need. It would like to do more, but will need your support. Act now and claim an '07 tax deduction.

The FCC chairman wants to bring back local programming standards and make every station set up a local advisory board. That's clear. What's not is why he is picking on broadcasting all of a sudden.

The agency's newly adopted "enhanced disclosure" rules are taking broadcasting back to the not-so-good-old days when they had to meet certain public interest programming requirements and survey interest groups to be assured of license renewal.

Liz Burns and NBC have rebranded their TV station groups to reflect that their futures involve more than broadcasting. It's time for other broadcasters to consider doing the same.

To help out their affiliates, the Big Four should allow them to create zoned or time-shifted digital multicast channel using the best TV programming around--the networks' primetime fare.

Broadcasters in markets like Minot, N.D.,are waging an uphill battle to condition FCC approval of the latest DirecTV transaction on the satellite TV operator providing local-into-local service in all 210 markets. They call use a bit more help from the NAB.

The industry is going to find out next January in Las Vegas when the annual programming show convenes without CBS Television Distribution and the Fox affiliate meeting. But it still has Warner Bros. (back in an even bigger role) and President Rick Feldman who says the show will keep evolving to meet the needs of the programming community.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin may have to punt on relaxing the small-market duopoly rules because of the public uproar over media consolidation and his desire to deal with newspaper crossownership first.

Not entirely, but they are clearly having some trust issues. Why else would Martin be seeking rules that would force broadcasters to conduct a DTV awareness campaign that they say they will do voluntarily.

Democrats have to accept the fact that some folks are not going to understand that their over-the-air analog signals are going until after they are gone. So, if they want to help, they should make sure coupons and converter boxes are available after the cut-off.

Right now, nobody really knows what impact unlicensed wireless devices in the broadcast band would have on digital TV reception. And until definitive, independent research is available, MAP, NAF and Freepress.net would be smarter to back broadcasters.

The association's much anticipated effort to make sure Congress doesn't look bad when broadcasters generate their last analog signals on Feb. 17, 2009, has fallen behind.

With a vigorous marketing campaign, broadcasters can win back TV homes they lost long ago to cable and satellite and secure their place as the preeminent TV distributors.

Once again, self-righteous policymakers are thinking they can improve America by watering our down free-speech rights--this time by regulating violence on TV. It's too bad Jack isn't around the make the case and lead the charge against it.

Now that broadcasters are getting the upper hand in retrans negotiations, cable wants to gut broadcasters' rights in Washington. Fortunately, broadcasters hold the high ground.

TV has the opportunity to take the lead in saving their business by rallying behind TVB's new electronic national spot-buying system.

Lets face it: TV broadcasting has seen better times, but it's still a healthy business with great prospects. Here's the bad and the good and a few ideas for making it better.

The worst example of overreaching government by the Martin FCC is its current investigation into how TV stations are using video news releases. As RTNDA is asking, it needs to back off now.

America needs a TV counterpart to the New York Times, a newscast with credible, in-depth reporting and real bite. Dan Rather pledges he'll create that, with a tiny cable network as his outlet. Couric and Co., with a much bigger megaphone, sound alarmingly complacent.

By demanding upfront payment on top of monthly fees, Sinclair could be setting precedent that will benefit all broadcasters.

And it looks as if Fox is doing all it can to make the upstart network a winner. Note to Ailes: MNT and CW are not mutually exclusive.

CBS and NBC are right to do battle in court over the ageny's patchwork indecency rules in the wake of this week's 'shocking' actions. Fox, Tribune and others need to join the fray.

Built on just two shows in an unproven genre, My Network TV could quickly disappear in the ratings.

David Rehr wants to cozy up to the telcos, bring back the nets and spend big money on Capitol Hill. It all sounds good in theory, but...