The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) was formed in 1922 initially to work for rational rules related to spectrum allocation related to U.S. radio broadcasting. The Association was crucial in bringing about the Radio Act of 1927 which created legislation for station licensing and frequency allotment while avoiding government control of station's business operations and programming. A second major concern of the founders focused on demands made by the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) that broadcasters license and pay for all music played over the air. In working out relations with ASCAP, and later with other licensing organizations, the NAB became the chief business representative as well as the governmental lobby representing the broadcasting industry.

With headquarters in Washington, D.C. the NAB is one of the most active lobbies in the United States. It represents more than 900 television stations and almost 5,000 radio stations. It also speaks in conjunction with, and on behalf of major broadcasting networks in the United States, and represents the interests, both domestic and international, of 7,500 members from the radio and television industry. The NAB closely follows FCC activities and legislation, as well as economic, legal, and social trends that might affect the industry. It holds several conferences conventions and expositions every year on various aspects of radio and television business and technology. The annual NAB Convention, usually held in Las Vegas, Nevada is one of the largest professional and trade meetings in the world. In addition to providing opportunities for numerous seminars and presentations bringing together technicians, managers, legislators and regulators, this meeting has become a massive international business fair where new technologies are displayed and discussed by vendors and potential purchasers and users.

From the local broadcaster's point of view the NAB is a primary support system, supplementing services provided by the affiliate station's own networks. Throughout its history, for example, the NAB has been important in monitoring the practices of the major ratings services. The organization also supports the operations of the Broadcast Education Association (BEA), a professional organization for teachers and researchers in the fields of telecommunications and broadcast-related subjects.

-Cheryl Harris