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The Bureau enters into a Consent Decree with St. Louis Community College

Media Bureau issues Public Notice seeking comment to update the public record in the 2018 Quadrennial Review proceeding

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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.

Jeff Welton

Regular host Jeff Welton said, “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.”

Nautel says that its continuing Transmission Talk Tuesday series of webinars has reached its one-year anniversary.

He added, “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.”

The menu for the beginning of the second year consists of:

• “How Technology has Changed our Lives,” June 8. Guests — Jim Gray, managing partner for Optimized Media Group and Matt Herdon, product manager, Nautel;
• “SNMP — How and Why,” June 15. Guests — Josh Bohn, president/CEO, MaxxKonnect Group and Shane Toven, senior engineer, Educational Media Foundation;
• “STLs — Moving Signals from Here to There,” June 22. Guests — Josh Bohn, president/CEO, MaxxKonnect Group and Alex Hartman, Nautel customer service technologist;
• “Tips and Thoughts for Contract Engineering,” June 29. Guest — Tom Ray, president of Tom Ray Broadcast Consulting.

 

The post Nautel Transmission Talk Tuesday Notes Anniversary appeared first on Radio World.

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.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW RBR+TVBR ON FACEBOOK!

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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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Cox Media Group, which owns 57 radio stations and over two dozen TV stations across 20 American markets, appears to have been hit by a ransomware attack, according to technology website, The Record. Technoblogger Matthew Keys had additional information.

According to reports, the attack took place early Thursday morning and is said to have hit internal networks and was all the group’s streaming capabilities. Live programming was also affected.

“This morning we were told to shut down everything and log out our emails to ensure nothing spread,” a Cox employee told The Record. “According to my friends at affiliate stations, we shut things down in time to be safe and should be back up and running soon.”

Sources told The Record that the company’s autonomous system, AS397123, has also disappeared from the internet default-free zone as the company attempted to deal with the attack.

The attack follows what was described as the “biggest-ever” attack on an Australian media company earlier this year.

In March Australian broadcaster Nine was forced to abandon its Sydney newsroom and revert to using whiteboards and moving production staff to other cities following a cyberattack.

This article is republished from TVBEurope.

 

The post Cox Media Hit by Ransomware Attack appeared first on Radio World.

What’s your favorite on-air mic and why? Which models do you turn to for remote work, newsgathering, live music?

June is Microphone Month at Radio World, so we have been asking a number of radio engineers, voice talent and other professionals to share their preferences along with any tips for getting the most out of microphones.

Several are below, followed by links to more.

Josh Rogosin Josh Rogosin

Broadcast/recording technician and technical director, NPR Music

As the audio engineer for the popular “Tiny Desk” program, Rogosin says Heil’s large-diaphragm dynamic PR 40 sounds great on a kick drum, with the PR 30 for guitar amps. He  loves the Cole 4038 ribbon for brass and drum overheads.

“Nothing looks like Ear Trumpet Labs’ handmade mics. Nadine sounds great on upright bass, Delphina has a nice full sound for strings and vocals with a nice low end. I love how you can angle the Chantelle wherever you need to focus it.”

Rogosin says he “adores” the ICON Pro from Earthworks for his home setup. “It’s a condenser that’s amazing at off-axis rejection, ignores table thump as good as any dynamic I’ve used but sounds so much airier than an SM7B without being such a gain hog.”

The Shure Beta 57A is the best mic he’s heard under $140 and has a nice hot output for a dynamic. “Sounds great on everything.”

Click the image to read Rogosin’s article at the NPR website about the mics he uses on “Tiny Desk.”

Rogosin says the Blue Hummingbird condenser mic is small, sounds great and the pivoting head makes it great in cramped spaces.

“The signature mic at the Tiny Desk is the Sennheiser MKH 418-S,” he concluded. “It’s crystal clear on vocals and the mid/side configuration is flexible enough to capture off-axis sources. I place it far enough away to see faces and avoid proximity effect and plosives.”

That said, he added, “Never underestimate the power of post-production to make or break a great sounding mic.”

 

David Antoine 

Chief technology officer, WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM | Newark Public Radio.

David Antoine

Antoine likes working with quality large diaphragm condenser microphones such as the Neumann TLM103, which he compliments for its “very smooth sound” when paired with right processor, especially for jazz or classical commentary.

“For a microphone that won’t break the bank I also like Audio-Technica’s AT4040. This mic works very well with female voices.”

Out in the field, he turns to the Shure SM58. “There’s a reason most of Shures wireless mic offerings have SM58 heads.”

Antoine doesn’t think you have to drop big dollars to get quality sound.

“Take some time to talk into a mic, listen to how it sounds with your voice or the voice of a good announcer. You can find its sweet spot and the settings that are right for a particular microphone.”

Also, don’t over-process or over-EQ a quality microphone. “If a mic is well designed and well-made it will faithfully reproduce the source, whether it’s voice or an instrument.

“Distance from the sound source matters a lot. Not too close, not too far. Again, take some time with the microphone and you’ll get the desired result.”

 

Randy Williams

Chief engineer, Learfield | IMG College

Working for a major sports operation like Learfield | IMG College, Williams has experience with headsets, and for live play-by-play he favors the Sennheiser HMD-26 II headset, finding it “extremely durable, repairable, with replaceable parts, and great noise reduction in loud venues.”

His choice for studio recording is the Shure SM7B, for its “warm vocal reproduction, wide frequency response and great noise reduction outside the cardioid pickup pattern.

Randy Williams with some of his favorite gear.

For home studio or podcasting setups, he recommends the Blue Yeti or Blue Snowball for their low cost, reproduction quality, multiple patterns and easy setup — “almost completely plug-and-play.”

Williams urges mic users to really know and understand the demands of a given venue or studio setup, in terms of noise, acoustics and size.

“Then have a strong understanding of the microphone capabilities and pickup patterns to maximize the quality of the vocal reproduction. Pop filters and windscreens can be lifesavers!”

Finally, he said, have a solid understanding of the difference between condenser and dynamic microphones and when to use each style.

 

Martin Stabbert 

SVP/Engineering, Townsquare Media

For studio mics, and if cost isn’t a factor within reason, the Neumann BCM104 would be near the top of his list. 

“To my ear, it offers a nice proximity boost but still maintains a pleasant spectral balance. The single-pattern design is also well-suited for most studio applications and the body doesn’t have any external switches to invite unauthorized adjustments.” It’s also easy to clean, which is more important than ever.

“That said, the real workhorse and one of the best values in the broadcast studio has to be the Heil PR-40. Its cardioid pattern and conventional, end-fire physical design and lack of switches makes it easy to use and difficult to misuse.”

He finds the frequency response of the PR-40 smooth and likes its high-end boost for a touch of brightness. “It is an excellent option for most applications and hard to beat from a cost/performance perspective.”

For remotes, basic PA or MOS interviews, the Shure SM58 and Sennheiser e835 are his staples. “Both are even available with an on/off switch for applications that might benefit from it. Simple, rugged, familiar to all and competitively priced.”

Stabbert’s favorite handheld for an interview that might end up on video is the Sennheiser MD46, with its camera-ready matte finish, low handling noise and suppression of wind and extraneous noises.  

“The pattern is officially described as cardioid, but I think it behaves a little tighter than that. The extra length and weight can become a concern when adding on a wireless transmitter, but that would be the only potential issue worth noting.”

 

Read more of our coverage:

My Favorite Mics: Joan Baker, voice talent, author and coach

My Favorite Mics: Ira Wilner, Monadnock Broadcasting Group and Saga Communications of New England

Working With Mics: Rob Byers, Minnesota Public Radio/American Public Media

 

The post Today’s Microphones Offer a Buffet of Choices appeared first on Radio World.

The Jacobs Media TechSurvey2021 is out, and as always, it reflects both consumer adoption of new media technology and the social environment it evolves in. For 2021, the survey says some areas were heavily impacted by COVID-19, while others continued on their established trajectory. Of course, there are always surprises.

The annual media- and brand-usage pyramids fall into the “business as usual” category, with little change over the past year. In usage, the leader is still TV/video, followed by smartphones and AM/FM radio. Brands are led by Facebook, down four percentage points from last year with 68%, followed by Netflix and the respondents’ home station stream, referred to in the survey as P1.

The 2021survey results for AM/FM radio are a mixed bag. Overall, listening is trending down, especially among younger demographics, but it was headed that way before COVID. On the plus side, localism remains a key secret of success. The number who strongly agree that a local orientation makes the difference has trended upward from 43% in TS 2017 to 49% in TS 2021.

AM/FM has, according to TS 2021, picked up some momentum this year. The number who reported listening more in 2021 increased from 15–23% over the previous year. While those listening less also increased two percentage points to 13%, that loss, according to Jacobs, is largely explained by those who later in the survey reported spending less time in their cars as a result of COVID.

High on the surprises part of TechSurvey 2021 are the reasons that respondents suggest for why they tune in. Six out of ten who answered say that personalities are a main reason they listen to radio. Of those, CHR and hot AC fans seem to value them the most. TechSurvey’s data suggests this is part of a larger trend.

Over time, the long-standing appeal of music on the radio seems to have been replaced by the popularity of its personalities as a main reason to listen. This trend began with TS 2014, music and personalities reached near parity in 2018, and since then, the trend clearly favors personalities. No reasons are posited for why this switch might be happening.

Has the music industry gone into a slump, producing fewer hit songs?

Have radio personalities become more mainstream in their presentation and delivery?

Or could it be a bit of both?

One wonders.

 

The post Amidst Social and Economic Upheaval, Radio Continues to Flourish appeared first on Radio World.

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Announces the status of short-form applications to participate in Auction 109