Radio World continues its aggregation of COVID-19-related updates and news for the radio industry. This is what’s happening Friday, March 19.
— The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has upped the number of radio PSAs it’s airing specific to COVID-19 in target markets, including Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Houston. The chart at right shows the change from February compared to thus far in March.
— The National Association of Broadcasters has tallied up the value of the airtime donated to coronavirus PSAs since March 12, and they say the nearly 36,000 PSAs are equivalent to $10 million of radio and TV ad spots.
NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith said, “I am so proud of the unprecedented level of support for this PSA campaign from local TV and radio stations. As our nation faces these challenging times, broadcasters will be there to report the facts, keep the public informed and help in the education effort to keep people safe.”
— The National Radio Talent System has cancelled all eight of the Radio Talent Institutes scheduled for summer 2020. However, NRTS President Dan Vallie said they have begun plans for the 2021 events. Vallie made the announcement “with regret, but also great concern for the health of all involved.”
— The Caribbean Broadcasting Union has cancelled the conference sessions and events related to its annual general assembly, which was scheduled for August. CBU President Gary Allen told members in an email, “We determined that even if public health conditions improved [by August] reliable travel and confidence in travel will not be quickly lifted and the unlikelihood of members, presenters, observers and exhibitors participating would not change.”
— Beasley Media Group has rolled out a new hashtag and PSA campaign. The #WeAreGrateful initiative is intended to thank “first responders, healthcare industry workers, retail employees, utility workers, transport drivers and others who are making a difference.”
