Mission
The mission of the Alaska Broadcasters Association is to provide assistance which enables members to serve their communities of license through education, representation and advocacy. To that end, we recognize the following objectives of the Association:
• Improve broadcast services for the people of Alaska;
• Promote and protect a favorable economic and regulatory climate for broadcasting;
• Educate members and the public about the opportunities available and advances possible through the efforts of free, over the air, broadcasting;
• Enhance the application of new technology to benefit radio and television audiences;
• Facilitate communication among broadcasters and others in the allied fields;
• Expand job opportunities in the field of broadcasting;
• Encourage students to enter the profession through scholarships and educational programs; and
• Coordinate mutual efforts with educators and educational institutions to improve instruction available to prospective members of the profession.
The Alaska Broadcasters Association was founded in 1964 to serve broadcasting in the public interest and address matters of common concern to the Alaska radio and television industry. The Alaska Broadcasters Association is a vital and ever changing organization. With 100% Alaska TV stations and 96% Radio stations as members, the ABA represents the broadcast industry in Washington DC and at the state and local level. The ABA administers intern grants for stations and an annual scholarship. As part of a substantial member benefit program the ABA also provides a low cost tri annual Alternative Inspection Program.
In Memorium
August “Augie” Hiebert
Pioneering Broadcaster & Community Service Advocate
December 4, 1916
to September 13, 2007
Courtesy of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Photographer Clark Mishler.
History
December 9, 1964
Meeting was called by letter to all stations form Northern Television’s President A.G. Hiebert who was appointed temporary chair. Organizers included Al Bramstedt, Sr.; Matt Clapp, Miller Robertson and Jay Perry of KFQD Anchorage; Bill Allen of KHAR Anchorage; Charles L. Buck of KLAM Cordova; Fred Lambert of KCAM Glennallen; Bill Martin of KNIK Anchorage; S Sgt William D. Wright of Elmendorf Air Force Base’s AFRS and Charles Northrip of University of Alaska’s KUAC-FM Fairbanks. The eleven represented all five AK television outlets and 12 of the stat’s 16 radio stations. The group appointed Anchorage attorney Ted Stevens to be their legal counsel and Secretary. A.G Hiebert was unanimously elected first President, Chuck Buck was named Vice President and Al Bramstedt Secretary-Treasurer. Jay Perry and R.D. Jensen of Ketchikan’s KTKN and KATV-TV were named Directors.
December 9, 1964
ABA was founded.
Meeting was called by letter to all stations form Northern Television’s President A.G. Hiebert who was appointed temporary chair. Organizers included Al Bramstedt, Sr.; Matt Clapp, Miller Robertson and Jay Perry of KFQD Anchorage; Bill Allen of KHAR Anchorage; Charles L. Buck of KLAM Cordova; Fred Lambert of KCAM Glennallen; Bill Martin of KNIK Anchorage; S Sgt William D. Wright of Elmendorf Air Force Base’s AFRS and Charles Northrip of University of Alaska’s KUAC-FM Fairbanks. The eleven represented all five AK television outlets and 12 of the stat’s 16 radio stations. The group appointed Anchorage attorney Ted Stevens to be their legal counsel and Secretary. A.G Hiebert was unanimously elected first President, Chuck Buck was named Vice President and Al Bramstedt Secretary-Treasurer. Jay Perry and R.D. Jensen of Ketchikan’s KTKN and KATV-TV were named Directors.
1967
ABA brings Maj. Gen George Sampson, Vice President of Operations for COMSAT and FCC Chairman Rosel Hyde to Alaska. The construction of Bartlett Earth Station at Talkeetna was a direct result of this meeting.
December 1, 1969
ABA’s first major project was achieved with a 29% ACS tariff reduction.
July 1980
Under the leadership of Hank Hove, public stations joined the ABA.
September 1981
First “Alaska Day at the FCC.”
June 1982
More than 600 persons packed the Sheraton ballroom to see newly retired newsman, Walter Cronkite.
1981-1984
Senator Ted Stevens, ABA President Tom Busch, Augie Hiebert, and AK Public Broadcast Commission’s Herb Holeman lead the battle to preserve AM broadcast coverage with the resulting creation of a Class I-N FCC category just for Alaska.
1985
Broadcasters are inducted into the Hall of Fame, at the suggestion of ABA President Ron Moore.
1987
ABA President Ron Bradley begins two-year battle for overpayments for Broadcasters Workers Compensation. In 1990 over $800,000 was refunded to stations.
1995
The ABA starts participating in the national NCSA program.
September 1996
Second Alaska Day at the FCC.
Beginning of year 1998
ABA hires Linda Simmons as their first full-time Executive Director.
1998
ABA joins the 49 other state associations in a three-year legal battle with the FCC to fight unconstitutional reporting and list making for EEO requirements.
2000
The ABA brings the Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program to Alaska.
June 2003
Walter Cronkite makes a return visit to Alaska to visit friend Augie Hiebert and has “dinner” with a few friends (250) at the Hilton Hotel. The ABA presents Mr. Cronkite with the “:Augie Hiebert Lifetime Achievement Award” and Senator Ted Stevens presents Augie with a Senate Resolution. Senator Stevens was inducted into the ABA Hall of Fame.
Image of Walter Cronkite & Tom Busch courtesy of KNOM Radio Mission 96.1FM 780AM.
Memberships
An FCC station license or construction permit is the key to membership eligibility. Most Alaska stations, commercial, non-commercial and public are members of the ABA. ABA is flexible and structured to meet the changing needs of its members in a rapidly changing industry. If you are a broadcaster in Alaska, the ABA is FOR you. For others, the ABA is the first line of contact with the broadcasting industry. Here you can find out more about our organization and what is happening in this ever-changing field of broadcasting in Alaska and throughout the country. ABA is governed by a membership-elected board of ten (10) Directors, plus an Alternate Director, representing broadcasters from the four major districts of the state: Southeast, South Central, Interior, and Western Alaska. The Board then elects a President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. The Board meets on a monthly basis holding at least four meetings each year.Associate Membership
The Alaska Broadcasters Association is proud to have been helped over the years by many fine associate organizations: Manufacturers, consultants, service firms, and other companies and agencies recognizing the importance of continuous contact with Alaska's broadcast industry. Associate members are welcome to participate in ABA functions, with the single exception of station business meetings. Associate memberships are non-voting. Associates are entitled to advertise in publications. Listing in the ABA Membership Directory is also included in the associate membership free of charge. Please contact the ABA office to become an associate member. A good reference (and friend) for broadcast engineers, the SBE:
