The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is consolidating its legal and government relations departments under incoming Chief Advocacy Officer Shawn Donilon, effective January 1, 2027. This restructuring follows the planned departure of long-time Chief Legal Officer Rick Kaplan, who oversaw significant regulatory milestones including ATSC 3.0 and streaming royalty rate proceedings.
This consolidation signals a strategic shift toward unified lobbying as the lines between legislative action and FCC regulation continue to blur. By placing legal and government relations under Shawn Donilon, the association aims to respond more rapidly to complex streaming royalty disputes and spectrum allocation challenges. For the broader streaming ecosystem, a more efficient NAB could mean intensified pressure on digital platforms regarding music licensing and retransmission consent. The unified front may also accelerate the transition to ATSC 3.0 by synchronizing regulatory filings with congressional support. Watch for how this new structure impacts the next round of webcasting royalty proceedings and regulatory fee negotiations in early 2027.
This NAB executive leadership transition follows a period of significant regulatory activity for the organization, including recent NextGen TV encryption debates.
The National Association of Broadcasters is merging its legal and government relations departments into a single unit effective January 1, 2027. Shawn Donilon will lead the new division as Chief Advocacy Officer. This restructuring aims to improve coordination on policy issues, streaming royalty disputes, and spectrum allocation as regulatory challenges evolve.
Shawn Donilon will lead the combined legal and government relations division as the new Chief Advocacy Officer starting January 1, 2027.
The reorganization aims to improve coordination between Capitol Hill, the administration, and the FCC to better respond to complex policy issues like streaming royalty disputes and spectrum allocation.
Rick Kaplan, the long-time Chief Legal Officer, is departing the organization after 14 years of service.
During his 14-year tenure, Kaplan secured lower streaming royalty rates, oversaw ATSC 3.0 implementation, and achieved a unanimous Supreme Court win regarding broadcast ownership restrictions.
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