Harris elected to national broadcasters board

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chickasaw Nation South Central Oklahoma Radio Enterprise (SCORE) Broadcasting General Manager Roger Harris will serve a third term on the National Association of Broadcasters Radio and Television Board (NAB). Harris’ election to a two-year term began in June.

Harris manages radio stations KADA, KYKC, KTLS and KXFC in Ada, owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation.

NAB is an advocacy group promoting positive legislation for American radio and television stations.

“We work with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding its policies and rules to ensure favorable results for broadcasters. The NAB is on the same level as other powerful advocacy groups, including the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the National Rifle Association (NRA), and many others,” Harris said.

Harris represents more than 100 radio and television outlets. He advocates for all radio stations in Oklahoma and for radio and television stations in the North Texas region.

“In theory, the NAB works on behalf of member stations, but ultimately we work for all over-the-air broadcasters since favorable legislative outcomes benefit all broadcasters,” Harris explained.

This term will be the last for Harris due to NAB rules limiting representatives to three terms.

Born in Oklahoma City, Harris has been a fixture in Ada radio broadcasting for nearly 50 years. He enrolled at East Central University in 1974 and began his radio career in 1978 as a disc jockey for station KADA-AM.

By 1984, he joined the radio station’s sales team and became general manager in 1985. In 1988, he was co-owner of KADA-AM and an FM station, 99.3, which sold to the Chickasaw Nation in 1996.

Due to his years of experience, Harris was asked to stay on at SCORE Broadcasting. He then helped coordinate the purchase of KYKC in 2004, KTLS and KXFC in 2009 and started Pirate Radio (102.3) in 2019.

“Serving on the NAB has been great due to the experience I have gained with the legislative process. I have met all of our senators and congressional leaders and have met many other important leaders in Washington. I have learned how the legislative process works and the complexities of getting bills introduced and passed,” Harris said of serving on the NAB. “I have come to know some of the biggest names in broadcasting that sit on the NAB with me who are associated with some of the largest radio and TV companies in America.

“I am very thankful to the Chickasaw Nation for allowing me to represent our stations, the media industry and the tribe on a national level. The Chickasaw Nation has earned great respect in Washington D.C., among our leaders, and I have seen that firsthand as we advocate for radio and TV in Washington,” Harris added.