Radio+Television Business Report

He’s been with iHeartMedia for 14 years and has a 50-year career in broadcasting.

Come March 22, it will all come to a conclusion, as the Area President for iHeart in Alabama — Destin, Fla.-based Ray Quinn — will enter retirement.

Quinn has been in the role for iHeart since December 2007. He joined the company to take on the Alabama regional leadership role after serving as VP/Market Manager for Audacy Corp. predecessor Entercom’s Denver stations. Before taking that role in 2005, Quinn spent four years as VP/Market Manager of Entercom/Milwaukee. From 2003-2004, he held similar duties for Entercom in Madison, Wisc.

Quinn joined Entercom after spending 11 years with a company he helped launch in December 1988, Opus Media Group. It owned stations in Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Fla.; Savannah, Ga.; Jackson, Ms.; and Monroe, La.

Entering radio station ownership came after a market leadership role for American Media in San Antonio. He earned that position after serving as GM of Capitol Broadcasting-owned WMJJ in Birmingham, Ala.

In the 1970s, Quinn gained notice for serving as PD of WFIL-AM in Philadelphia. He took the job in September 1979, after serving as Program Director of WCBM-AM in Baltimore.

Outside of his daily duties, Quinn is highly involved in the community. In fact, the Governor of Kentucky recognized him as a “Kentucky Colonel” for participating in numerous charitable projects. Additionally, Quinn was awarded the March of Dimes “Order of the Battered Boot” for walkathon fundraising efforts over the years.

Quinn was named one of Radio Ink’s Best Managers in 2019 and was even recruited by the U.S. State Department in 1992 to provide pro bono consulting work to the first companies to be awarded commercial radio and TV licenses in the former Czechoslovakia and Hungary.

“Ray is one of a kind. He is known as a unicorn of a leader with his passion, enthusiasm
and constant innovative thinking,” said Shosh Abromovich, Division President for
iHeartMedia. “He has impacted so many of our lives in this industry for the better. We
are beyond thankful for the many years Ray has led our teams and are truly excited for
him to enjoy this next chapter of his life.”

Quinn commented, “It’s been an amazing 51 years in radio and 14 years with iHeartMedia. Along the way, I’ve worked for and with some of the most intelligent people in the
business and I am grateful to iHeartMedia for allowing me to lead multiple markets in the
Southeast. While I will miss my team and the day-to-day battles, it’s time to pass the
torch to the next generation of leaders.”

iHeartMedia owns radio stations in the Alabama markets of Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Gadsden and Tuscaloosa.

The saga of Roger Wahl, a convicted felon who has been ordered to appear at a March 8 virtual initial status conference as part of a FCC Hearing Designation Order, has apparently entered a surprising new chapter.

As Wahl could see the license cancellation and call letter deletion of his 630-watt FM radio station atop Mt. Hunsrick, serving Somerset County, Pa., it now appears that a long-lost equity holder in the FM has emerged — or so the person alleges.

FCC Administrative Law Judge Jane Hinckley Halprin late Monday (2/14) released an Order revealing that the Presiding Judge in the HDO received an e-mail from a woman named Julie Barth.

Barth claims to have an ownership interest in WQZS-FM 93.3, licensed to Meyersdale, Pa.

What does this mean for Halprin, Wahl, and the entire HDO?

First, the Presiding Judge is treating Barth’s email as a petition to intervene, pursuant to section 1.223(c) of the Commission’s rules. And, Barth’s email is being placed into the record of the proceedings.

What is Barth’s “primary aim?” As Halprin explains, it is to inform the Presiding Judge of her alleged ownership interest in WQZS, with the ultimate goal of receiving proportional compensation if the station is sold. She outlines the circumstances of how she came to acquire the alleged interest, along with other details regarding her financial stake in the station.

Barth’s knowledge of this proceeding is limited to what has been reported in local media, and this led to her sending an e-mail to the Commission.

If Barth indeed has attributable interest in WQZS, a whole other series of problems could erupt for Wahl, who has indicated to the FCC that he is the individual owner of the FM. And, as the FCC sees it, Wahl as 100% equity interest holder still stands to see his license revoked due to his felony conviction and related misdemeanor convictions, which have been well reported by RBR.com and media in Western Pennsylvania.

Importantly, Barth did not offer information that Halprin says will assist the Presiding Judge in the HDO. Furthermore, it is not the role of the Presiding Judge to validate Barth’s claim. “That is a matter for private litigation,” Halprin reasons.

Barth’s allegations may, however, provide the basis for enlarging the issues to be considered in this proceeding, pursuant to section 1.229 of the Commission’s rules, if further investigation indicates that Wahl has misrepresented the ownership status of WQZS to the Commission.

How could Julie Barth suddenly emerge, as if this were a soap opera script being played out in real life?

RBR+TVBR has learned that she is the widow of Andreas G. “Andy” Barth, who passed away on January 22, 2012.

Andy Barth was a partner in the now-defunct Target Broadcasting, in which Barth and Wahl each shared equity interest in WQZS.

Did Andy Barth’s interest pass on to his widow? Alternatively, did Wahl simply absorb it? Was their legal documentation confirming Andy Barth’s equity interest in WQZS, or was it a handshake partnership?

These questions won’t be addressed by the Presiding Judge at the FCC, which will retain its focus on the fact that Wahl is a convicted felon — one would could next see a misrepresentation case surface at the Commission while private litigation ramps up.

Meanwhile, RBR+TVBR has confirmed from a local source that Wahl on Tuesday (2/15) returned to hosting the WQZS morning show. It was his first appearance since Tuesday, January 11, one day before back surgery — a matter that led to the cancellation of the ALJ’s pre-hearing conference. Wahl was heard interviewing two guests about an upcoming local event.

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A provider of media workflow software presently run by CEO Susie Hedrick is welcoming a SVP of Technology to the company.

He’ll oversee the production development team, platform operations, security and IT.

Now at vCreative is Drew Cain. He most recently held senior engineering roles and oversaw mission critical cloud infrastructure projects at Simpli.fi, helping to design, code and deploy products designed to optimize workflow. There, Cain also aided in the development and manufacture of omnichannel programmatic advertising products across various multimedia categories.

“vCreative is on a tremendous growth trajectory, adding new services and more value for our customers at a rapid pace,” Hedrick said. “Drew is a proven technology leader who has demonstrated how important the overlap of technology and business enablement can be. It’s his blend of digital experience, vision, innovation, and trusted leadership that made him the perfect candidate for the role.”

Cain added that he’s thrilled to join vCreative during an “exciting period of growth and change in the industry.” He adds, “As advertising spend continues to transition from linear to digital, we will work together to accelerate the delivery of new products, features, and integrations with a focus on enabling the ongoing future success of our customers. vCreative has a fantastic reputation as a trusted partner to the media industry and I look forward to being part of such an incredible team.”

An ANGA GOM “Restart” has been confirmed.

On May 10, some 300 confirmed exhibitors and high-level conference speakers will gather in Köln, Germany, as “Europe’s leading Exhibition and Conference for Broadband, Television & Online” is moving forward with a delayed 2022 in-person gathering.

The three-day affair looks to be one of the world’s biggest post-pandemic events for the visual entertainment and media industry. Due to various stand enlargements, the total space of the European and North American exhibitors is already at the level of the last ANGA COM show held in 2019.

The gross exhibition space for the first 300 exhibitors is already more than 20,000 sqm.

“We receive growing optimism of our exhibitors every day,” says Dr. Peter Charissé, Managing Director of ANGA COM. “The broadband and media industry is facing a new and splendid level of investment. In Germany, for example, with its more than 40 million households, network operators and a steadily growing number of international investors have announced to invest many billions in new fiber infrastructures. All leading fiber operators will be prominently represented in the conference program. ANGA COM will be the first major industry meeting with early summer conditions. With 15-meter high exhibition halls, a huge foyer and the popular open air plaza with food trucks, our location has never been more attractive.”

The complete conference program of ANGA COM 2022 will be published in March. Conference topics include OTT, AppTV, Video Streaming, Fixed Mobile Convergence, Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Smart City and Smart Home and the political, legal and regulatory issues of the broadband and media industry.

— With reports from correspondents in Kaiserslautern, Germany

Registration for conference and exhibition visitors is now possible online at www.angacom.de. 

With shares at their lowest value in a decade, discarding the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, investors may be intensely awaiting the latest fiscal report card for Nielsen Holdings plc.

When will the nation’s dominant audience measurement and consumer data analysis house share the company’s fourth quarter and full-year 2021 results?

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He has had a “unique” path to success. Now, 2022 NAB Show attendees will get to hear all about it, as Byron Allen has agreed to appear in a flame-free “fireside chat” scheduled for Wednesday, April 27 at the Las Vegas event — the NAB’s first since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Allen will be interviewed by retired NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith, who now serves as a special adviser to the organization.

The discussion is on the calendar for a 9:15am Pacific start.

Allen is the President/CEO of Allen Media Group and Entertainment Studios, and has emerged as a media mogul, with broadcast TV stations just one component of his empire.

It is Smith’s goal to have Allen engage in a two-sided conversation in which both the former U.S. Senator and the TV industry star “discuss the steps in their professional careers that helped them achieve success.”

The chat will serve as the centerpiece of the NAB Show Executive Leadership Series session. Allen and Smith also plan to address their respective roles as advocates and leaders in the broadcast industry and the “enduring value” of local television in an ever-changing marketplace.

Allen Media Group owns 27 television stations in 21 markets, and could grow exponentially in the coming months and years.

Allen also partnered with Sinclair Broadcast Group in 2019 to acquire 21 Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) — a story often overlooked by national media.

Meanwhile, Allen’s Entertainment Studios, which predates the owned-station operation, produces and distributes syndicated program and sells advertising for 67 broadcast and cable television programs.

THE GORDON SMITH SHOW As previously reported, the retired U.S. Senator and former NAB head will receive NAB’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, at the 2022 NAB Show.

It’s known for nationally distributed digital multicast television networks such as the popular MeTV and siblings DECADES, Start TV, Heroes & Icons and MOVIES!

Now, the family of Weigel Broadcasting‘s national broadcast networks is set to expand.

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It positions itself as “a voice for the TV viewer” yet is one of the biggest pro-cable TV service provider lobbying groups Inside the Beltway. The American Television Alliance (ATVA) has made noise for its finger-pointing and one-sided blame for every recent retransmission consent dispute, citing broadcast TV owners for causing the problem despite the need for a MVPD and broadcaster to agree on a fair deal.

Now, it is sharing its thoughts with the FCC on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking crafter to consider changes in the ATSC 3.0 licensing regime — a matter that comes following a NAB request.

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He’s the founder and Portfolio Manager of a Chicago-area investment house focused on “micro-cap value equities.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, its portfolio “is constructed through [a] in-depth, fundamental research process focused on the potential risk and return of each investment.”

Among the companies that part of his portfolio: Saga Communications.

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On September 23, 2019, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) on Monday (9/23) released an open letter to marketing and advertising leaders imploring them to develop and executive campaigns that reflect today’s U.S. populace and consumer. 

With NBC’s telecast of Super Bowl LVI, several commercials appear to have answered the need for greater diversity in the creative. Among the standouts — spots for Google Pixel 6 and the NFL itself.

We are pleased to share once again the ANA’s letter in its entirety:

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This is the story of KZMX-FM, a Class A FM at 96.7 MHz licensed to Hot Springs, S.D. It serves a portion of South Dakota due south of Rapid City.

It shouldn’t. In fact, it was supposed to cease broadcasts on this frequency more than seven years, so another licensee could construct his 100kw FM atop Terry Peak, due northwest of Rapid City and adjacent to Deadwood, on the same dial position.

The FCC is now taking action.

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In November 2021, the FCC‘s Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) and the Media Bureau joined together to seek comment on the procedures to be used for “Auction 112,” a sell-off of construction permits for full-power television stations.

Now, the Commission is moving forward with the auction. And, as expected, bidding will begin in June.

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Drive 40 minutes to the northeast of Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and you’ll find the town of Medina, N.Y., home to the lone tunnel under the Erie Canal. Few outside of Western New York know the small town, but it is presently on the FCC’s radar.

Why? A homeowner could be faced with “significant fines” of up to exactly $22,021 per day for what the Enforcement Bureau says is harmful interference to a Commission licensee’s LTE communications, and the resident’s refusal to allow a Bureau Agent to inspect the premises to identify the source of the interference — believed to be a TV antenna.

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The Chief of the FCC Media Bureau’s Audio Division has ruled that the licensee of a currently silent 5-watt FM translator at 96.3 MHz in the Kendall Square area of Boston can move ahead with the facility’s modification — a decision that came just months after a cancellation request was made.

The approval means GBH can proceed with an action it has wanted to do, but was met with an objection from another licensee.

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For the last several years, a Texas licensee has been seeking to operate a Class A radio station at 92.7 on the FM dial. However, that hasn’t happened because another licensee, led by Roy Henderson, has been authorized to do so but never followed through with a shift to that frequency for a Class A FM at 106.1 MHz.

This led the FCC’s Media Bureau to open a Comment and Reply Comment period to help come to a resolution on the matter.

Now, Henderson is making headlines for another matter involving the Bureau: “DKHTZ” no longer has a “D” in its call letters, as a license renewal submitted March 31, 2021 with the Commission has been granted.

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Among the fresh commercials getting a Super Bowl LVI airing on February 13 was a fun spot from a fitness center featuring Lindsay Lohan, playing at her past with a focus on the future.

The spot is the signature component of a campaign that has increased its use of Spot TV in the last week.

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Aside from a new effort from one of the nation’s biggest pharmacy chains, there’s little movement of note in the latest Media Monitors Spot Ten Radio report.

Is that a good thing?

For some, the static nature of the report suggests brands that are investing in radio are committing to the medium, with Indeed, Progressive, DuckDuckGo and Wendy’s among the brands favoring Spot Radio of late.

For others, however, greater activity from these brands’ peers, and from brands in other categories, could still be seen — something that could push the iHeartRadio promotional spots out of the report altogether.

Walgreen’s is new at No. 9 this week, while Babbel and ZipRecruiter are also seen on the latest report.

With roughly four hours to go before NBC’s coverage of Super Bowl LVI was to begin, Mediacom cable TV service subscribers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul DMA, Arizona’s Prescott Valley region, and the home of the NFC Champions from 1994-2015 have regained the opportunity to watch the “Big Game” without having to resort to “rabbit ears” or other alternatives.

It ends a 409-day “blackout” due to the absence of a retransmission consent agreement, and comes just days after an agreement with DISH was reached — an action that only further suggests that a TEGNA takeover by Standard General in partnership with Apollo Global Management is coming soon.

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MIAMI — Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) has filed a petition for declaratory ruling with the FCC that would allow foreign investors to indirectly own up to 49.9% of the Hispanic media company’s equity in the aggregate.

Should that happen? The Media Bureau wants to know.

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As the court-appointed receiver of three radio stations tied to Ed Stolz, Larry Patrick was directed by a California federal district judge to move forward with the sale of Stolz’s three FM radio stations licensed to Royce International Broadcasting. The action, the judge said, was necessary in order to provide past-due royalty payments tied to the airplay of music on those FMs.

Then came Stolz’s bankruptcy filing, in a Nevada court. As RBR+TVBR reported this week, the Nevada Federal Bankruptcy Judge — in an oral ruling — paved the way for Stolz to regain ownership of the properties.

Paperwork reflecting the unwinding of a deal engineered by Patrick has now been filed with the FCC.

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