The CEO and the CFO of Townsquare Media have confirmed that they will participate in a two-day virtual investor conference scheduled for August 18-19.
The “Local First” radio station owner and digital media solutions provider will appear on the second day of the online affair.
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iHeartMedia will get a new FM CP in Sacramento after bidding more than $6.1 million in a just-concluded auction held by the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC held Auction 109 for new FM and AM construction permits. Sixty-seven bidders won a total of 97 CPs. (Here’s the list of winning bids in PDF form.)
The commission said the auction raised about $12.3 million in bids.
Half of that total came from a single winning bid by iHeartMedia’s iHM Licenses LLC, which won the Class B FM CP on 107.9 MHz in Sacramento, Calif.
The second largest net winning bid was from Radio Brands for a permit in Sanger, Texas, at about $2.3 million for a Class C3 on 104.1.
No other CP went for more than $300,000, and most were far less than that.
The smallest winning bid was $750, from Mekaddesh Group Corp. for a Class A FM CP in San Isidro, Texas on 98.9.
The winners must pay their down payments by Aug. 26. At the end of the process, licenses will be issued for an eight-year term.
The post iHeart Snags a Sacramento FM CP in FCC Auction appeared first on Radio World.
Nielsen on Wednesday “proactively initiated” an accreditation hiatus process for its National TV ratings service.
Why? “While we remain confident in the integrity of our data and measurement, and fully support the audit process,” the nation’s dominant supplier of audience measurement and consumer data says, “we believe that moving to a hiatus allows us to concentrate our audit-related efforts on continuing to address panel concerns alongside the transformation of our National TV product and development of Nielsen ONE.”
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While not a publicly traded company, Univision Communications has long been transparent in sharing its quarterly earnings results with the public. On Thursday (8/12), the nation’s largest Hispanic-focused media organization did just that.
How did Univision do in Q2? The “Media Networks,” housing its visual media offerings including Univision’s television assets, enjoyed a revenue rebound that single-handedly swung the company from a net loss to net income.
And, despite a big year-over-year revenue jump, Univision Radio‘s net loss widened from the COVID-19 impacted Q2 2020. It is due to a sizable impairment loss.
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Florida – The Opportunity
Help build one of America’s best public media operations at the University of Florida and the UF College of Journalism and Communications. WUFT-TV/FM, WUFT Classic and GHQ make up part of the University of Florida’s Division of Media Properties and the foundation on which the College of Journalism and Communications prepares the next generation of journalists and media professionals. WUFT-TV/FM is looking for the next underwriting/sales superstar to join our team and to help provide the revenue and fuel that makes this engine go! The ideal candidate has experience in selling underwriting to businesses in support of public media and wants to work at an incredible institution like the University of Florida.
Specific Duties Include:
Sell underwriting to clients both directly and through advertising agencies. This includes typical outside sales duties such as regularly making new business calls, conducting Customer Needs Analysis, presenting revenue-generating ideas and providing customized solutions that will get results for clients.
Write proposals that include research of customers’ products as well as use of relevant proprietary research supplied by the companies.
Conduct daily plan activities to achieve budget goals. This includes organized activity that is mandated by management (such as attending weekly meetings, updating account lists, annual account-by-account budget plans and providing plans/summaries of activities) as well as self-imposed planning which includes setting appointments and lead generation.
Complete required paperwork to ensure the entire sales process is conducted in a fluid manner. This includes traffic orders, new business account worksheets, production order request forms along with all other communication-related materials.
Provide excellent customer service to all underwriting/advertising clients.
Talk with potential businesses and personal donors to pursue donations and pledge challenges for WUFT Pledge Drives.
Assist membership in donation strategies, securing volunteers for pledge drives, work in concert with Ambassador volunteer group to secure donations, and assist during pledge drives as needed.
The College of Journalism and Communications (www.jou.ufl.edu) offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and certificates, both online and on campus. CJC students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the Innovation News Center, which generates content across multiple platforms, and The Agency, an integrated strategic communication and consumer research agency focused on marketing to young adults. The College includes seven broadcast and digital media properties, the Joseph L. Brechner Center for Freedom of Information and the nation’s only STEM Translational Communication Center and Center for Public Interest Communications.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The UF College of Journalism and Communications and WUFT/WRUF is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We attribute our success to a work force that embraces the contributions of people of all backgrounds and ability levels.
The City of Gainesville
Gainesville (http://cityofgainesville.org) is home to Florida’s largest and oldest university, and so is one of the state’s centers of education, medicine, cultural events and athletics. The University of Florida and UF Health Shands Hospital are the leading employers in Gainesville and provide jobs for many residents of surrounding counties. Gainesville is also the largest city in Alachua County and is the county seat, with approximately 269,000 residents county-wide. It serves as the cultural, educational and commercial center for the north central Florida region. The city provides a full range of municipal services, including cultural and nature services and necessary administrative services to support these activities. Additionally, the city owns a regional transit system, a regional airport, and a 72-par championship golf course. Known for its preservation of historic buildings and the beauty of its natural surroundings, Gainesville’s numerous parks, museums and lakes provide entertainment to thousands of visitors. Because of its beautiful landscape and urban “forest,” Gainesville is one of the most attractive cities in Florida. The city is in a central location to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, providing easy access within a day’s drive to beaches, nature preserves, and water-based activities. Explore Gainesville in 60 Seconds.
EXPECTED SALARY:
$45,000 – $48,000; base salary plus commission, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A high school diploma and four years of appropriate sales/marketing experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
College degree in a related field such as advertising, marketing, journalism or business and a proven track record of sales success with public media.
The candidate must be able to work under pressure in a deadline-intense environment and be self-motivated, outgoing, creative, determined to succeed, committed to excellence and able to problem-solve quickly and efficiently.
Solid analytical skills and proficiency at using the telephone, writing, reading comprehension and basic math skills and capabilities are essential.
The ability to utilize the Microsoft suite of products and to learn proprietary software is also required.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.
This position is eligible for veteran’s preference. If you are claiming veteran’s preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See our Veteran’s Preference Page for more specific information.
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
Applications must be submitted online via https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/517648/wufttvfm-account-executive .
The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.
By Ed Ryan and Adam Jacobson
Streamline Publishing
Cumulus Media isn’t commenting publicly, but its CEO on Wednesday (8/11) — in a video message sent to all employees — declared that combating the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus means anyone who works for the audio content and distribution company “must be fully vaccinated” by the official return-to-office date of October 11.
News of the internal communiqué was first made known publicly by radio industry blog RadioInsight.com. Further details were gathered by both RBR+TVBR and Radio Ink on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.
In the video, Berner said, “All employees, except for those few who are already designated permanent remote like our traffic organization, must be fully vaccinated by our grand reopening date.”
The mandate is the first for a radio broadcasting company, and it includes the entire Cumulus market-by-market sales force and each of the Cumulus Media corporate employees in its New York and Atlanta offices.
Further, it is believed but not confirmed that all Westwood One employees are impacted by the vaccination order from the C-Suite.
“The company is not commenting,” a Cumulus spokesperson told RBR+TVBR Tuesday evening.
“There will be no exceptions unless it’s mandated by law,” Berner added, noting that the vast majority of Cumulus employees were already vaccinated. “If you are someone who has not made that choice, it is for your own protection.”
In its 10Q SEC filing made along with its second quarter 2021 earnings, Cumulus stated, “Since March 2020, most of our employees have been working from home, with only certain essential employees working on site at our radio stations. Beginning in the third quarter of 2021, a majority of our employees will be returning to our stations or offices. For all employees returning to work, we have instituted COVID-19 protocols, increased the level of cleaning and sanitizing in the offices and radio stations and undertaken other actions to make these offices and stations safer for our employees.”
Now, it is clearly going one step further. Issues tied to existing employee protection initiatives, Cumulus stresses, are not fueling the vaccination mandate.
“We are generally following the requirements and protocols published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and state and local governments and will continue to monitor the latest public health and government guidance related to COVID-19,” Cumulus said. “As of the date of this filing, we do not believe these safety protocols, including the remote working environment, have adversely impacted our internal controls, financial reporting systems or our operations.”
Thousands of employees are impacted, as Cumulus Media owns and/or operates 413 stations across 86 markets. Then, there is Westwood One, which offers national programming ranging from 24/7 formats, syndicated music programming, a bevy of sports talk and play-by-play coverage, and daily and weekly Talk shows.
The hosts of those shows include Dan Bongino, viewed by many as the true heir to the late Rush Limbaugh‘s conservative talk radio throne. Westwood One’s syndicated talk shows also include The Ben Shapiro Show, The Mark Levin Show, The Michael Knowles Show and The Bob & Tom Show, largely tied to Classic Rock stations thanks to its many years based at WFBQ/Indianapolis.
With Cumulus not commenting, how these hosts would be impacted by the vaccination mandate — if at all — is unclear; with home studios and auxiliary facilities more common, the hosts and other air talent may not be impacted.
That said, thousands of Cumulus employees are impacted.
As of December 31, 2019, Cumulus employed 4,732 people, 3,139 of whom were employed full-time, the company said in its SEC 10-K filing earlier this year. Of these employees, approximately 170 employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements.
“We consider our relations with our employees to be positive,” Cumulus said.
Could that have changed on Wednesday, with a potential rebellion in at least one market possible from the mandate from the corporate office? There’s also chatter that the vaccination mandate is also a way for Cumulus to further trim its employee roster as it continues to seek ways to deleverage.
While that’s simply gossip and internet chatter, one thing is clear: Cumulus has taken a step not replicated at its peers.
Audacy is mandating that all new employees receive a COVID-19 vaccine but has refrained from requiring its current employees from getting it or risk losing their job.
A Townsquare Media executive tells Streamline Publishing that the company has “encouraged our team to get vaccinated given the benefits and protection it provides from COVID-19. We have provided [Paid Time Off] to allow the time to get vaccinated. But, we have not mandated it as a condition of employment.”
Meanwhile, the industry’s largest audio media company, iHeartMedia, has not issued any statement regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and its employees.
The Cumulus announcement comes as NBCUniversal on Wednesday issued its own internal memorandum to staff, alerting them that it has delayed its return-to-office date until October 18 “at the earliest.”
According to TVNewser, an opening after the Jewish New Year on September 6 was planned. Until then, fully vaccinated employees can return to the office on a voluntary basis.
CNN last week offered a similar announcement, stating that its reopen date of Sept. 7 was now delayed to mid-October, TVNewser reports. The network, similar to NBCUniversal, has a vaccination advisory in place for anyone who wishes to work from the office. Three individuals who were not vaccinated and worked from CNN facilities were fired for not adhering to the advisory.
The author of this commentary is co-founder and CEO of the social audio company Stationhead.
As the social audio phenomenon continues to evolve, traditional radio managers need to recognize that social audio isn’t just another social media format, or another way to stream audio content — it’s simply the future of radio.
The industry’s legacy players are becoming obsolete as new platforms seek to democratize the space for creatives and artists. Gone are the days of program directors playing the hits. It is now time for artists, creatives and fans to break the hits and take control of the airways.
[Read More Guest Commentaries Here]
To date, traditional radio has been monodirectional and controlled by gatekeepers — but in the new world of social audio, revolutionary new platforms are allowing anyone and everyone to become a radio DJ or talk show host and be their own program manager. Creativity and control are now in the hands of the artists and fans who now have the resources and access needed to someday become the next Joe Rogan or Howard Stern.
Authentic Connection
If we have learned anything this past year, it is that the desire to connect has never been higher.
Our eyes are exhausted from Zoom meetings and scrolling through our phones. People are turning off screens and engaging in different ways: through their voice and the music they love. Audio has become a first-class medium, much like video did a decade ago.
Through the renaissance of audio, audiences and creators are realizing the power of their actual voice and the ability to connect to others without a “filtered” version of themselves. When people connect over audio, it’s completely authentic and without the pretensions that dominate every other social platform.
Fans are taking back the airwaves and changing the way we celebrate our favorite artists.
The technology of social audio democratizes radio so everyone can win. It creates a level playing field where the audience and creators can share content they’re passionate about in real time.
For example, in May 2021 more than 400,000 fans came together on Stationhead for a live streaming party for K-pop supergroup BTS’ new single “Butter,” which has been at the top of the Billboard charts since its release. Most bands or musicians would have to go on a three-year world tour to reach a comparable audience to the fans that showed up for that same event digitally.
Since then, we have seen thousands of fan-driven radio stations launch to celebrate their favorite artists and build community around the music.
Radio Managers, Listen up
In looking at other industries that have recently undergone similar cycles of digital innovation, we can see how the present disruption in audio will ultimately give power back to consumers who are ready for change.
A recent example beyond media of how technology has helped put power back in the hands of the consumer is the rise of ride sharing apps. Social audio is to licensed broadcasters what Uber has become to taxi drivers in New York City who were beholden to an outdated and unfair “medallion” system. Social audio — and especially the creators within the space — has given the entire ecosystem the freedom to make the choices that are right for their audiences and personal brands.
Within this period of change, there is opportunity for existing broadcasters large and small to meet a new generation of listeners where they’re ready to engage.
Radio managers today need to jump on board and consider their audience’s evolving format preferences or risk losing a generation of listeners and talent.
The emotional connection between an audience and the creators they follow is intimate and powerful, and is amplified when the audience is a part of the show itself. Much like the new generation of video stars born from YouTube and TikTok, the future of audio is starting today on these revolutionary new platforms.
Comment on this or any story. Email mailto:radioworld@futurenet.com.
The post Talk Hard: The Future of Radio Is Social Audio appeared first on Radio World.
Sajonisi Youth Radio, a regional community radio station in Port St John, South Africa, has selected an AEQ Forum digital console for its new Radio Sajonisi studio.
[See Our Who’s Buying What Page]
The Forum is a modular on-air console. The 12-fader unit at SYR is in the studio with the host and guests, though controlled by a board op.
Submit announcements for Who’s Buying What to radioworld@futurenet.com.
The post SYR Settles on AEQ appeared first on Radio World.
TEGNA-owned ABC affiliate WFAA-8 in Dallas is readying a move in 2022 from its streetside studio in the Plaza Towers building at Victory Park.
The facility, which dates to 2007, also houses a group of stations owned by one of the biggest radio broadcasting companies in the U.S.
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Since June 2016, she’s served as the News Director for The E.W. Scripps Co.-owned ABC affiliate serving Detroit.
As of today, she’s now in charge of a Hubbard Broadcasting-owned ABC affiliate in Rochester, Minn.
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HC2 Holdings, which amassed a sizable portfolio of low-power TV stations under former head Philip Falcone, has just shed the last vestiges of that era.
As of last week, it has a new name: Innovate Corp. The news arrived along with the company’s Q2 earnings report.
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Former Star Tribune Media Chair Jean Taylor has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Public Media Group, its board has announced.
Taylor will start on Aug. 23. She succeeds Jon McTaggart. A seven-month search was conducted to fill the position.
APMG Board Vice Chair Mary Brainerd said, “She is someone who leads with her values, who cares deeply about the role of public media and its importance … Her deep roots in our region, her experience in media and digital technologies and her understanding of APMG are important assets for our future.”
According to an announcement, during her tenure as Chair, Star Tribune was lauded and seen as a leader in the industry for its commitment to high-quality public service journalism, its digital subscription growth, and its strong financial results. Taylor was also President and CEO of Taylor Corporation from 2001 to 2010.
The American Public Media Group includes, Minnesota Public Radio, Southern California Public Radio and program producer American Public Media.
The post Taylor Takes Over at APMG appeared first on Radio World.
What do the NAB and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters have in common?
NABOB will host its 45th Annual Fall Broadcast Conference and 21st Power of Urban Radio Forum in October, at a casino hotel and resort with ample meeting space.
There’s one key difference, however, for the NABOB affair: a hybrid option is in place.
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A search committee appointed by the Board of Trustees for American Pubic Media Group has concluded “a rigorous, national search” for its next chief executive, in partnership with executive search firm Koya Partners.
The new President/CEO, the first female individual to hold the spot, begins her new duties on August 23.
She replaces an individual who lost his role due to high-profile sexual harassment and diversity and inclusion concerns widely reported in fall 2020.
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He’s the newest member of the FCC. Nathan Simington is someone all radio broadcasters need to know.
That’s exactly what attendees of this year’s Hispanic Radio Conference will have the opportunity to do when Commissioner Simington kicks off Day Two of the conference.
As a former senior advisor at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Simington is well prepared to address the many items on the commission docket that will impact broadcasters in the years ahead.
Hispanic Radio Conference attendees will get the chance to hear him elaborate on his positions on a wide range of those issues. “First, I want to enable innovation, new technologies, and new business models,” he says. “Second, I want regulatory stability. Whenever I can advocate to stop a partisan pendulum swinging between administrations on a matter of FCC policy, I will do so. An adequate but stable rule is better than a good rule that is in danger of being revoked every election cycle.”
Third, Simington says he prefers, whenever possible, “fewer and more modest rules.”
He is coming to listen to Hispanic broadcasters as well. “I want to know what you think, because it helps me to clarify how I think,” he says.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this important session with FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington. It’s another reason you can’t afford to miss the Hispanic Radio Conference agenda. Register today for early bird pricing. If you are staying in Miami, don’t forget to take advantage of our limited room block at the Intercontinental at Doral.We care about your safety and comfort. The conference will be presented in a larger than customary conference room to provide maximum space and more distancing. And read here for how the Intercontinental has strengthened procedures designed to give you greater confidence and protection throughout all of the hotel’s facilities.
In every issue of Radio World Engineering Extra, Cris Alexander and the Radio World team provide ideas, best practices and problem solvers just for engineers.
Frank McCoy writes that old-school email origination clients need a little help with authentication.
Todd Dixon explains how to do some cool things with Paessler PRTG, for network monitoring on a budget.
Paul Kriegler of Telos Alliance delves into virtualizing your air chain.
The post Inside the Aug. 11, 2021 Issue of RW Engineering Extra appeared first on Radio World.
Darryl Parker has died.
For radio engineers, Parker for many years was the face of TFT, a company that manufactured STL, EAS and monitoring equipment.
His death was announced on his Facebook page by his wife Elizabeth Parker. He had been in hospice care with a neuroendocrine tumor and died Friday. He was 77.
TFT, based in San Jose, Calif., was established in 1970 in Santa Clara in the Silicon Valley. Parker held the position of senior vice president for many years, and was the person best known to engineers who purchased TFT equipment.
After that company closed in 2015, Parker offered support services to its former customers and assisted other technicians and engineers in doing so as well.
“Personally I want to help all the people who have helped me over the years,” he told Radio World at the time.
“A super nice guy,” one industry colleague told RW this week. “He tried his best to keep TFT afloat.” “A great man, always available and happy to help with whatever we needed,” wrote former NPR engineering executive Mike Starling on Facebook. “A gentleman,” said engineering veteran Tom Ray.
Parker was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in the city of Terrill. He attended Southern Methodist University and earned his B.A. in classics and mathematics. According to his Facebook page he also studied high-tech marketing at Caltech.
Parker started in broadcasting by working at a local radio station that was owned by a friend’s family. He worked on-air and in news before moving into engineering. While in high school he also worked as a grip on the movie “Giant.”
Parker was not afraid to make a little fun of himself. “Wilbur the cat was Darryl’s best buddy for the last decade,” Elizabeth Parker said.He also had a love of liturgical music; he started organ lessons when in grade school and played for dozens of churches in his life. “The Sunday before his last hospitalization he was at the organ bench,” Elizabeth Parker said.
Former professional positions also included director of marketing at Alligator Communications; president of Parcom Inc.; sales manager at MZB & Associates; and electrical engineering director at Texas State Networks.
He is survived by his wife, a sister, two children, his step-daughter, three grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, and brother.
Services will be announced later. “At Darryl’s wishes, he will be scattered in his beloved Texas at a later date,” his wife told Radio World.
The post Darryl Parker Dies; Was Face of TFT appeared first on Radio World.
Synthax, the domestic distributor of RME, Ferrofish, Digigram, Appsys and myMix, has chosen its next Broadcast Sales Manager. She will report directly to Derek Badala, Synthax’s Director of Sales for The Americas.
Taking the post is Brittany Hilton, who Badala calls “a consummate professional” with nearly 10 years of experience in the industry.
Hilton has spent the majority of her career in broadcast sales, most recently at the Broadcasters General Store in Ocala, Fla. Before this, she worked with Broadcast Depot as a national account manager, DoubleRadius as an outside sales rep, and worked lighting and sound at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Synthax believes her “extensive background in the industry will help her target the right products to broadcasters, allowing them to streamline their processes and obtain the highest quality audio available.”
Key to her new role will be increasing Digigram’s reach and brand awareness.
RBR+TVBR OBSERVATION
Looking for a bit of good news amid the sour headlines ranging from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation to more jabs at his counterpart in Florida, Ron DeSantis, over how he’s reacted to the rise of the Delta variant of the coronavirus in the Sunshine State?
Nielsen has some for those who own or manage radio stations. Listening levels are at their highest point since April 2020.
That said, were radio listening levels acceptable prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic?
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