The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is a trade organization of radio and television broadcasters in the United States. Though best known for its broadcasting codes, the NAB also lobbies for favorable government action for broadcasters, conducts public relations on behalf of a significant portion of the broadcasting industry, and carries out studies and surveys in support of station operations.
Founded in 1922 in response to attempts by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) to secure royalties for copyrighted works broadcast over radio, the NAB's principal concern has been to protect the rights and interests of the broadcasting industry. Its efforts are focused on securing industry self-regulation, through adherence to NAB codes of practice, as an alternative to government regulation of broadcasting. In addition to maintaining the codes, the NAB engages in other activities to promote better broadcasting; these range from the education of broadcasters (NAB is affiliated with the Association for Professional Broadcast Education) to the provision of information and guidelines for station editorials and operations. Among the organization's most notable endeavors are its frequent studies and surveys of programming, advertising, and viewer sentiment.
The NAB's Board of Directors is composed of elected representatives which establish policy for the association. The Board is subdivided into a Radio Board and a Television Board, each with its own chairperson. Since 1938 the NAB has employed a full-time paid president and staff. The association has an extensive standing and ad hoc committee structure.
From 1951 to 1957, after absorbing the Television Broadcasters Association, the NAB called itself the National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters. The NAB's central offices are located in Washington, D. C.
