Radio+Television Business Report

Nautel has announced the June 2021 topics for the Jeff Welton-hosted “Transmission Talk Tuesday” roundtable sessions, which have now been taking place for a full year.

These interactive discussion sessions have covered a broad range of engineering-oriented topics, providing an opportunity for engineers to learn and discuss ideas with their peers.

“When we started these sessions in June 2020, it was a way to stay in touch with our friends in the Radio community and keep ideas flowing through the pandemic lockdowns,” Welton said. “We had no idea that our online gatherings would still be in place a year later, or that they would remain as popular as they have been.”

Since the inception of the online seminars, an average attendance of over 100 people for each session has been seen.

Topics for June 2021 include:

“How Technology has Changed our Lives,” June 8.

Changes in technology have dramatically affected the way people work over the past 10 – 15 years. Welton will be joined by Jim Gray, Managing Partner for Optimized Media Group, and Matt Herdon, Product Manager for Nautel.

“SNMP – How and Why,” on June 15.

Josh Bohn, President/CEO of the MaxxKonnect Group and Shane Toven, Senior Engineer with Educational Media Foundation, will join Welton to talk about interfacing SNMP managers with transmitters and other devices, and how to manage the data.

“STLs – Moving Signals from Here to There,” on June 22.

Josh Bohn will join Welton and Customer Service Technologist Alex Hartman to talk about different ways of getting audio and data from Point A to Point B, as well as thoughts on how the future will look for STLs.

“Tips and Thoughts for Contract Engineering,” on June 29.

Tom Ray, president of Tom Ray Broadcast Consulting, will join Welton to talk about the challenges faced by contract engineers and some of the “must do” business and planning items for contract engineers.

All sessions begin at noon Eastern and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, visit Nautel.com/webinars/.

Sessions are also posted online for those who are unable to join the live chats.

As with traditional Nautel webinars, ½ SBE recertification credit is available for attending each session.

PILOT, NAB’s technology innovation initiative, will be accepting submissions for the PILOT Innovation Challenge through 5 p.m. ET on July 9.

The program will provide mentorship and promotion to winning proposals, along with an opportunity to demonstrate their products at NAB Show in Las Vegas, October 9-13, 2021.

This year’s challenge is seeking startups and growing companies providing solutions to some of the key challenges and opportunities facing broadcasters over the next two to three years.

The challenge is specifically seeking products or prototypes that are focused on the following areas:

• Edge technologies that drive new revenue opportunities for broadcasters, such as through geo-targeted content, location-based advertising, accurate audience measurement and augmented experiences;

• Technologies that enhance broadcast journalism to help viewers and listeners get more from their most trusted source of local news, including tools to better aggregate and verify crowd-sourced news reports, enhancements to news-gathering technologies such as drones, or avatar news anchors to deliver personalized updates on a myriad of topics; and

• In-vehicle technologies that deliver more value out of broadcasting, including technologies that enhance the in-car experience for radio listeners, as well as technologies that harness the mobile reception capabilities of the NextGen TV standard to deliver even more rich data services or back-seat entertainment.

“The Innovation Challenge offers a platform for developing technologies that will help broadcasters better serve their audience, while providing emerging companies a showcase for their cutting-edge products,” said PILOT Executive Director John Clark. “We are excited for this year’s program to explore the ideas and innovations that will open up new revenue streams, strengthen local journalism and enrich broadcasting’s relationship with the car.”

Individuals, teams, companies, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply subject to the Challenge’s official rules of participation. Up to 10 finalists will be selected by a panel of industry experts by early August, with up to three winning proposals being notified by September 1. Participants can review the judging criteria on the PILOT website.

Three winners will be selected to receive relevant mentorship, feedback, numerous opportunities to engage with broadcasters and a trip to the annual NAB Show, held October 9-13, 2021 in Las Vegas. They will be provided exhibit space in the “Startup Loft” to demonstrate their prototype to potential customers, investors and partners.

The deadline to apply is July 9 at 5 p.m. ET.

The Market President and Chief Revenue Officer for Townsquare Media in Texarkana has just earned his second internal promotion in the last 18 months.

As of June 7, Brian Sines will oversee Townsquare’s Lafayette and Lake Charles, La., local media clusters and drive strategic sales and content initiatives across the Southern Louisiana region.

Sines reports to Townsquare Senior Vice President Todd Lawley.

“When we promoted Brian to oversee Texarkana, we knew he would do an amazing job, but he has exceeded our very high expectations in building a best-in-class operation and fully leveraging the Townsquare playbook,” Lawley said. “Brian’s track record of strong leadership, strategic mindset and the ability to unlock value within the market makes him a perfect fit for the dominant platform of local assets in Southern Louisiana.”

Sines commented, “I am very excited to join the incredibly dedicated teams in Southern Louisiana. They have done such an amazing job of leading the area through some very difficult times and continue to lead every day, super serving the communities and our business partners. I couldn’t be more excited to be joining these high performing teams in Cajun Country.”

Sines has been associated with Townsquare Media since 2014, when he became Director of Sales in Cedar Rapids-Iowa City. From 2001-2008 he was with Clear Channel Communications, rising to Market Manager in Burlington, Iowa after holding GSM duties in Madison, Wisc., and, before that, in Des Moines.

Urban One, the African American-focused multimedia company that’s growing its casino assets, is seeing renewed interest from investors of late.

It’s the casino business that’s likely exciting them, with the company’s stock rising 36% on Monday in more likely positive reaction to news a Richmond gaming complex is coming to fruition.

On volume of 17.17 million shares against an average of 3.44 million shares, UONE roared ahead by $4.65 per share to close June 7 at $17.71. In early after-hours trading, shares were down by six cents.

That’s the best performance in one year for UONE, which exploded in growth during June 2020 as investors responded to pledges of increased ad budgets for Black-owned media in the wake of social injustice protests tied to high-profile deaths of African Americans at the hands of law enforcements.

Related stock UONEK was up 18.1% to $6.45.

What’s prompted investors to snap up Urban One shares?

It’s very likely a direct response to the announcement by McDonald’s USA that it is moving forward with what it calls “bold new investments to further reflect its diverse customers, crew members and communities in its marketing.” It’s a four-year effort, and women-owned and LGBTQ+ platforms are also poised to benefit.

That said, the jump is undoubtedly a reaction to the news that a panel of City of Richmond, Va., officials has given an affirmative nod to Urban One’s casino project. This ends a evaluation of various development plans requested by the municipality.

It’s now up to voters to decide on Election Day 2021 in a referendum, pending an OK from Richmond’s City Council.

Specifically, Richmond’s Resort Casino Evaluation Panel recommended that the ONE Casino + Resort — which will have branding in line with Urban One’s “ONE” nomenclature — moves forward as the city’s preferred casino gaming operator at a proposed site in South Richmond. The Evaluation Panel’s recommendation is supported by the city’s Mayor, Levar Stoney.

Commenting on the decision, Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins III said, “ONE is thrilled the Richmond casino selection committee has chosen the best project with the best location and best team to develop a world-class entertainment destination in Richmond’s Southside. Urban One and our diverse group of local investors are fully committed to creating good paying jobs with profit-sharing for employees, pathways to successful careers, and generating significant new tax revenues that can improve Richmond’s schools and fund community programs and infrastructure.”

Stoney formally introduced the casino project May 24 to City Council.

Per legislation approved by the Virginia General Assembly, City Council was asked to petition the court so that a referendum on casino gaming in the City of Richmond can take place during the November 2, 2021 election.

It appears that spot radio isn’t the only way one big home athletics brand seeks to gain more customers.

The latest Media Monitors Spot Ten Cable report shows an increase in play count that’s certainly worth noting.

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A Class B AM serving Kansas City, simulcast on an FM translator covering the Kansas portion of the metropolitan area, is being spun.

The buyer is a non-profit dedicated to serving the Hispanic population in the region, one of America’s top emerging Latino markets.

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It’s always nice when a new ad category takes shape at broadcast media. Radio may have found one, and the pandemic could’ve played a role.

In a silver linings story, Peloton has emerged as an active user of national radio to help attract more users.

As shown in the latest Media Monitors Spot Ten Radio report, the home athletics brand has surged to become the third-largest brand at Spot Radio by play count.

Only Progressive and Indeed, heavy users of radio for months, are ahead of Peloton.

The activity from Peloton puts it far ahead The Home Depot, which is taking a post-Memorial Day break in its heavy spot activity.

Also new this week: Mattress Firm, as the home update shopping season starts.

He has been a researcher and writer for the Senior VP of News at Sinclair Broadcast Group for the past three years.

Now, he will be that C-Suite executive’s Chief of Staff — a position that appears to be unique to Sinclair.

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ORLANDO — At first glance, it seems like all is functioning normally for the website of Cox Media Group Classic Rocker WMMO-FM, which serves Central Florida.

“Desire” by U2 is playing. A “First Responder Fridays” nomination form can be filled out and submitted. The “Listen Live” button is ready for a push. Once it’s pressed, an “audio temporarily unavailable” message appears. Still.

“You may be offline,” it reads. “Please check your connection and try again using the Retry button.”

The problem isn’t that of the user, however. WMMO, like all of CMG’s radio and TV properties, have fallen victim to a ransomware attack — a cyber nightmare that began late last week.

It’s just the latest in a string of incidents involving radio broadcasting companies. What would you do if your operation is next?

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TORONTO — On March 10, the latest PPM top-line radio statistics for Canada’s largest media market were released by Numeris, the nation’s measurement services company.

Among all of the radio stations appearing in the report, a Rogers Sports & Media AM that 28 years ago today dropped its 20-year-old Top 40 format for all-News was the No. 2 radio station by cume, and again one of North America’s most-listened-to stations on the AM dial.

That ratings supremacy has no bearing on branding, however, and the growing trend of optimizing advertising and marketing opportunities in a cross-platform, national manner.  As such, “680 News,” along with four other Rogers-owned all-News stations, are getting a name change once autumn brings fall foliage to full tilt.

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Its two TV stations have gained international recognition for their roles as pioneers in the advancement of ATSC 3.0-powered NextGen TV in the U.S.

Now, those stations’ owner has re-evaluated its access to local TV ratings data, which in recent years has seen an exclusive relationship with Nielsen.

That’s about to change.

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At 12:26am Eastern on June 6, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral.

It was a successful launch, carrying a SiriusXM satellite into space.

While that was successful, Sirius XM Radio Inc. has a whole other kind of launch ready for takeoff — and this one is on Wall Street.

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LONDON — Global, the Media & Entertainment group that seeks up to 49.9% equity interest in iHeartMedia, has selected a North America CEO for its digital advertising platform, DAX.

It sees the internal promotion of a U.S. media industry veteran and the shift of the person currently in the chief executive chair to “a key advisory position with the company.”

Matt Cutair is relinquishing his role as DAX US CEO, a position he has held since the 2017 launch of DAX US.

DAX US launched in 2017, following Global’s purchase of AudioHQ, where Cutair was co-founder and CEO.

With the change, Les Hollander (pictured) has been promoted from Chief Growth Officer to CEO/North America at DAX.

This consolidates North American operations for DAX, with Hollander overseeing the U.S. and Canada.

Hollander took his most recent role for DAX North America in May 2020. In that time, Hollander re-aligned the U.S. and Canada markets for growth as DAX added NPR, Wondery and Sounder to its roster of digital audio publishers.

Hollander will continue to report to Guy Jones, Product of Data and Digital Director for DAX. Jones is based at Global’s Leicester Square headquarters.

Hollander is a digital audio advertising veteran with over 30 years of expertise. He joined DAX from Spotify, where he was responsible for building the organization’s digital audio monetization business through direct, programmatic and automated channels, as Head of Global Audio Monetization.

Prior to joining Spotify, Hollander was a VP of Ad Revenue at Pandora and held senior management positions at Gannett, CBS Radio, and, interestingly, iHeart predecessor Clear Channel Communications. Hollander also co-chaired the United States IAB Audio Committee from 2016-2020 and has sat on several industry boards throughout his career including the Mobile Marketing Association.

Hollander commented, “In the past year, despite major disruption to the industry, we have collaborated with our colleagues in the U.K. to demonstrate innovation in streaming, podcasting and voice activation as well as signing some fantastic new partners. At a time when audio is thriving and we’re seeing a huge shift in consumer habits; I’m looking forward to this opportunity and the next stage of DAX’s growth.”

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

 

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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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