Radio+Television Business Report

It is de rigueur for a public relations or communications pro to release news that it really doesn’t want to have to discuss late on a Friday afternoon.

For the FCC, late in the day on June 4 proved to be the perfect time for the Commission to adopt an Order that puts its long-awaited loosening of local media ownership rules into effect — something the acting Chairwoman voted against during the leadership of Ajit Pai.

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Call for Entries for the 30th anniversary Radio Mercury Awards is officially open.

Fifteen trophies will be awarded in 12 categories, and the final round judges have the option to award a Best of Show winner.

Starting this year, the Radio Mercury Awards is now accepting entries in any language for work that was broadcast, aired digitally, released or transmitted initially and primarily in the U.S. and its territories.

For 2021, a new category, Purpose-Driven Spot or Campaign, will award a radio spot or campaign for an advertiser or corporation that promotes their actions and effort towards the public good and demonstrates how they addressed social, environmental or public health/safety issues. There are also updated categories, including Creative Radio Spot: Insightful Voice and Radio Station or Group Promotional Spot or Campaign.

The Radio Mercury Awards is bringing back several popular categories, including Integrated Brand Campaign and Creative Spot for a Cause, to this year’s competition. In addition, in the Creative Radio Spot category, two awards will be given to an agency/production company/advertiser, and two awards will be given to a radio station or group. The Creative Radio Campaign category is also open to two awards this year.

The Call for Entry deadline is on August 9, 2021.

Finalists for the show will be announced in late September and winners will be announced at the 2021 Radio Mercury Awards event on November 17, during a virtual event.

The Radio Mercury Awards is introducing a “Thirty Years in Your Ears” campaign produced in collaboration with Chief Judge Robin Fitzgerald and the creative team at BBDO Atlanta. The campaign highlights several of the Best in Show winners from the last 30 years of the competition. It can be viewed on www.RadioMercuryAwards.com and will be featured in social media and digital marketing.

For more information regarding entry categories, guidelines, entry fees and deadlines, click here.

On June 3, Clear Channel Airports announced that it has partnered with Rockbot to fill a void left by the demise of the CNN Airport TV Network service.

Now, NBCUniversal is doing the same.

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As organizations around the world make plans for their people to return to the workplace, the latest research report from Accenture finds that 83% of people say a hybrid work model is optimal ─ where individuals have the ability to work remotely between 25% and 75% of the time.

The Accenture research report encompassing 9,326 workers in 11 countries titled, “The Future of Work: Productive Anywhere,” found that 40% of individuals feel they can be productive and healthy anywhere — either fully remote or onsite or a combination of the two — as the hybrid workplace emerges.

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In 2002, a Class A FM serving Fort Wayne, Ind., on the commercial band was acquired by Northeast Indiana Public Radio for $1.8 million.

Over the next 19 years, listener contributions have done little to offset the debt associated with the purchase. Now, NE Public Radio is parting ways with this station.

As such, Classical music is about to depart. Gospel programming targeting African Americans is ready to debut.

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Jeff and Callie Dauler have managed to turn finding the upside in everyday living and their relationship with one another not only into a happier and more successful lifestyle — but a money-making, listener-generating podcast as well.

After Jeff lost his Atlanta radio gig in August 2019, The Upside landed on Apple Podcast’s top 10 shows in less than 24 hours. How this couple took a lemon and made lemonade with it by covering pop culture, current events, and real-life ups and downs offers a road map for others who may also be sitting on untapped podcasting potential.

Learn from Callie and Jeff when they share their story of The Upside and how to turn the ordinary into an extraordinary career path.

Callie and Jeff Dauler are confirmed participants in How to Make Real Money Podcasting virtual conference, presented by Streamline Publishing’s Radio Ink and Podcast Business Journal.

They appear Thursday, July 15, from 12:20pm-1:15pm Eastern, right before Steve Dahl, the legendary Chicago “shock jock” turned podcaster!

CHECK OUT OUR SPEAKERS HERE
CHECK OUT OUR MONEY-MAKING AGENDA HERE
AND DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER HERE

 

TITLE SPONSOR VENDORAMA SPONSORS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS

In the final days of 2020, the FCC approved a request by Univision to accept foreign investment in excess of the 25% benchmark set forth in its regulations.

Now, the company that’s now majority controlled by Searchlight III UTD and ForgeLight and led by CEO Wade Davis is seeking the Commission’s OK for two specific non-U.S. based entities to grab a share of Univision ownership.

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Burke Magnus has been promoted to the role of President/Programming and Original Content at ESPN.

A 26-year ESPN veteran, Magnus previously served as EVP/Programming Acquisitions and Scheduling. It’s a role he has held since May 2015, adding oversight of ESPN’s relationship with BAMTech in June 2017 and of original content in November 2020.

“Burke is a talented leader and collaborative colleague who has been instrumental in guiding ESPN through what has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging and critical periods in our history,” Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman for ESPN and Sports Content, said. “He is an industry-leading programming strategist who continues to take on new challenges with his signature combination of relationship building and creativity.”

Magnus is responsible for all programming and rights acquisition and scheduling, as well as ESPN and ESPN+ original content development and scheduling (including ESPN Films and 30 for 30 franchise). In his role, Magnus is responsible for rightsholder relationships, content strategy and cross-platform programming rights acquisition/scheduling on a global basis. He is a key driver of Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer priority, including ESPN+, through his team’s close collaboration with DMED (Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution).

In late 2020 and 2021, he guided ESPN and The Walt Disney Company through one of its most active and notable sports rights acquisition periods. He helped drive new, cross-platform (linear, direct-to-consumer, digital, social, etc.) agreements and/or extensions with the NFL, MLB, NHL, SEC, LaLiga and more. Additionally, he led a programming team that collaborated with numerous league, conference and event partners to navigate the postponement, cancellation and rescheduling of thousands of events across ESPN platforms in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Previous agreements forged during Magnus’ time as executive vice president include the NBA, the Masters and PGA Championship, UFC, the German Bundesliga, and more.

Magnus previously served as SVP/Programming and Acquisitions (January 2014 – May 2015).

Magnus joined ESPN in 1995 as a program associate and in 1996 was promoted to program planner.

Six days following the release of its first quarter 2021 fiscal results, Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) hosted an earnings call for analysts and investors featuring COO Albert Rodriguez and CFO José Molina.

On the call, an analyst asked for additional color on “bullish” commentary provided May 28 with the release of its quarterly results. Rodriguez obliged.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  — A FCC auction of AM and FM broadcast Construction Permits is scheduled for July 27.

Ahead of the event, the Commission has given a full status report pertaining to the short-form applications to participate in what’s being called “Auction 109.”

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It’s a nationally recognized television advertising sales organization representing more than 800 TV stations across a majority of the 210 DMAs.

And, it says it is giving its unwavering support to the industry-wide adoption of impression-based selling and buying for local broadcast television.

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A “variable interest entity” of Nexstar Media Group has closed on a new Term Loan B Facility.

It has a seven-year maturity and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.5%, with a 0% LIBOR floor.

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Its stock price hasn’t been this high since March 2015. With a 1-year price target of $18.67 in place, Townsquare Media has successfully weathered the COVID-19 pandemic storm by already offering comps to 2019.

This led the Wall Street whizzes at Zacks Equity Research to conduct an assessment on Townsquare’s stock. They conclude that TSQ, while enjoying swift share growth, is a good investment to consider today.

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Lotus Communications, which is agreeing to purchase Sinclair Broadcast Group‘s lone radio properties, has decided to part ways with a TV property of its own as it doubles-down on serving the Western U.S. as an audio-centric company.

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TORONTO — One of Canada’s biggest media companies, which includes 39 radio stations and 15 broadcast television stations among its holdings, has completed an agreement to amend and restate its existing syndicated senior secured credit facilities with its bank group, led by RBC Capital Markets and TD Securities.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The afternoon news program of NPR is the latest inductee into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

The honor will be bestowed upon All Things Considered at the 2021 NAB Show. Executive producer Cara Tallo and host Ailsa Chang will accept the award at the NAB Show Welcome event on Monday, October 11, at 9am Pacific in Las Vegas.

ATC made its debut broadcast oon May 3, 1971, airing on 90 public radio stations. Today, it airs for two hours each weekday and for an hour each Sunday.

In addition to Chang, ATC hosts include Audie Cornish, Mary Louise Kelly and Ari Shapiro. On weekends, the program is hosted by Michel Martin.

“For a half a century, ‘All Things Considered’ has engaged, educated and entertained countless listeners about the news and culture affecting our lives, while serving as a showcase for the importance of public radio,” NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith said. “It is a fitting tribute that we induct this landmark program of radio history into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame as it celebrates its 50th year on the air.”

The NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame recognizes radio and television personalities or programs that have earned a place in broadcasting history. Explore the complete list of past inductees here.

Alfred “Pat” Robertson III is the licensee of a Class A FM radio station licensed to Elaine, Ark.

He’s agreed to transfer control of this station, and it will soon be under the ownership of a Michigan-based operator of Contemporary Christian Music stations.

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From 2011-2016, he served as the Director of Talent Management and Talent Acquisition for iHeartMedia markets in the Lone Star State.

Now, after operating his own consulting business and working at a talent development and transition company, he’s back in a top leadership role putting him in charge of five iHeartMedia markets in Texas.

Spencer Bynes has been named Area President for the Texas area.

This will see Byrnes oversee the Beaumont, McAllen-Brownsville-Weslaco, Waco, Corpus Christi and Bryan-College Station markets for the nation’s largest licensee of radio stations.

Bynes reports to Nick Gnau, Division President for iHeartMedia.

“Spencer has been a proven leader throughout his career, his energy is contagious and his ability to develop teams and talent are unmatched,” Gnau said. “I am extremely excited for Spencer to lead these markets and expand our community efforts as well as our revenue and rating footprint in the great state of Texas.”

Bynes has most recently served as VP of Business Development in the Southern Region for Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH). Prior to joining LHH, he was Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Accendo International Consulting.

“I am excited about my return to iHeartMedia,” Bynes said. “The growth and transformation of this organization have been phenomenal. I am looking forward to working with my team to build sustainable, long-term growth for our clients and shareholders.”

For radio industry veterans, the name Clear Channel conjures up images of AMs and FMs, and perhaps of Lowry Mays and Red McCombs. Today, that legacy lives on in Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., a global out-of-home advertising giant.

Within that company is Clear Channel Airports. That entity has just partnered with a provider of music, TV, and digital signage services for businesses across North America in filling the void left by the closure of the CNN Airport TV Network.

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It’s unfathomable in the radio broadcasting space, given the dearth of deals and low valuations assigned to some of the more recent transactions involving AMs and FMs.

Meredith Corporation received an unsolicited proposal to acquire its Local Media Group, following the May 3 announcement that it had agreed to sell its broadcast TV assets to Gray Television for $2.7 billion in total enterprise value.

What did Gray do? It responded with an increased offer for Meredith Local Media.

Meredith Corporation said yes to the amended transaction.

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