NATPE SEEKS TO BE RELEVANT TO TV STATIONS IN NEW ENVIRONMENT
Times have changed dramatically in TV syndication world and as result NATPE admits it’s in the process of “reinventing itself” to become more relevant to needs of both its TV station and syndication members as Jan. 21-24 convention approaches in Las Vegas. Assn. next month is placing heavier emphasis on advertisers and their agencies with back-to-back sessions. There also will be greater emphasis than in past on sports programming and regulatory issues -- with all 4 FCC commissioners participating, along with 14 members of Congress (CD Dec 20 p5).
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Defections of major programmers from NATPE exhibit floor to Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas has been well documented (CD Dec 13 p7), which NATPE calls “a purely economic decision” on their part. “The fact of the matter is, they are still coming to NATPE and they are still doing business here,” said Nick Orfanopoulos, NATPE senior vp-conferences. Said Richard Askin, pres. of defector Tribune Entertainment: “I think the reality is, the entire business [is] looking to the NATPE organization to make some changes that are consistent with where the business is going and what it may be in future years.”
To that end -- and with expected attendance loss of about 40% (record 19,834 attended Jan. 2001 convention) -- NATPE has formed 7-member task force to map its future. Headed by incoming NATPE Chmn. Tony Vinciquerra, who earlier this month moved from Hearst-Argyle to pres. of Fox TV Network, task force is scheduled to make its recommendations to NATPE board in April. There have been many suggestions that NATPE meet in spring (as more timely for both stations and syndicators) and combine with other broadcast organizations. After several years of holding its convention in conjunction with NATPE, ALTV won’t meet in Jan. in Las Vegas, citing economy. New media and international TV executives have been major NATPE growth area of recent years, and that trend is continuing for 2002, Assn. said. There were 4,525 registered from outside U.S., 2,590 from new media, last Jan.
Staple of many previous NATPE conventions had been get- togethers of Big 4 TV networks with affiliates, although CBS didn’t host meeting last Jan. Only Fox plans to meet with affiliates this year. TV station groups (more than dozen) we have asked about NATPE said they would be represented -- but with much smaller delegations and some for only one or 2 days. One very large station group said it was sending only one person, “but this is more a reflection of the dysfunction of NATPE rather than the economy.” CEO of smaller group told us all his gen. mgrs. attended NATPE last Jan. but he was only one who would be in Las Vegas next month. Longtime small syndicator was especially harsh on NATPE: “There are a lot of foreign guys running around looking for cheap product.” Of station executives that attend, he said, “they don’t buy anything.”