IBA officially forms new organization

It’s official.  The newly created Independent Broadcasters Association (IBA) will be officially forming a new entity within the next tow weeks & hope to soon get to work representing the needs of “indie” & small broadcast groups to the FCC & the public.  Organizer & head of  the lobby group, Ron Stone told Radio Online: “We have 496 owners and operators representing just under 3,000 stations that have signed up supporting the idea of the organization. The next step is the actual formation of the IBA into a legal entity, forming an initial board and getting to work on all the elements we have been discussing that will benefit independent operators choosing to be members of the IBA Stone added, “We will see more owners and operators sign up now that the decision has been made to launch, as many have said to me ‘I will sign up when I know it is real.’ The IBA will make a significant impact on independent broadcaster’s bottom line. In three years, every member will echo that the IBA was exactly the right organization at the right time to meet the needs of independents.”

Many are now questioning the cost to station & group owners for membership investment in the new organization.  Stone says he expects to have that answered soon as the board will take that up as its first task adding that “membership will be affordable and will not be a burden for any size operation.” He added: “We will see more owners and operators sign up now that the decision has been made to launch, as many have said to me ‘I will sign up when I know it is real.’ The IBA will make a significant impact on independent broadcaster’s bottom line. In three years, every member will echo that the IBA was exactly the right organization at the right time to meet the needs of independents.”

Mike Cherry

retired broadcaster: on-air, MD, PD, asst PD, Prod Mgr, IT, station technician/engineer, pioneer Internet webcaster, station installation/maintenance; 12 years in commercial radio, 17 years volunteer in campus/community radio in B.C., Alberta & Wash. Amateur radio operator & “DXer” specializing in AM night-time DX, short-wave DX/listening & remote SDR DXing/listening