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An announcement distributed by the broker in this transaction confirms a deal has been reached to sell KOMO News Radio, KVI and KPLZ.

Further details will appear after 6am PT today.

On February 12, 2021, the Media Bureau, Video Division (Bureau) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by KUTV Licensee, LLC (Licensee), the licensee of KMYU, channel 9 (MyNetwork/CBS), St. George, Utah, requesting the substitution of channel 21 for channel 9 at St. George in the DTV Table of Allotments. For the reasons set forth in the Report and Order referenced below, the Bureau amends FCC regulations to substitute channel 21 for channel 9 at St. George.

On February 12, 2021, the Media Bureau, Video Division (Bureau) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by KVII Licensee, LLC (Licensee), the licensee of KVII, channel 7 (ABC), Amarillo, Texas, requesting the substitution of channel 20 for channel 7 at Amarillo in the DTV Table of Allotments. For the reasons set forth in the Report and Order referenced below, the Bureau amends FCC regulations to substitute channel 20 for channel 7 at Amarillo.

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An update to an earlier product announcement: Tieline said it has now begun shipping its Gateway 4 IP audio codec.

As we reported in February, it is a DSP-based 1RU IP codec for live remote broadcasting applications, as well as STL or SSL links.

The codec supports AES67 and ST 2110-30 interoperability with AoIP protocols including WheatNet, Ravenna, Dante and Livewire+. An optional WheatNet-IP card is available.

The Gateway 4 supersedes the company’s Merlin and Genie STL codecs. Its Gateway codecs replace the Merlin Plus and Genie Distribution codecs.

“Production of the Merlin and Genie families of codecs has ceased. Tieline will continue to provide support and software updates for all Merlin and Genie codecs,” the company said.

Info is at www.tieline.com/gateway-4.

 

The post Tieline Ships Gateway 4 appeared first on Radio World.

The radio industry is remembering Doug Wilkens, an audio engineer, business owner and manager, sales and marketing professional whose international experience along with background in managing sales networks is recognized as much as his reputation as friend, mentor and leader.

Wilkens life was one of travel and exploration. Born in Chicago, Wilkens spent his childhood in India where his parents worked for a mission organization. During his time there, he became fluent in numerous Indian dialects. He returned to the United States to finish high school and then earned his degree in Broadcast Engineering and Design at Moody Bible Institute. It was in college where he met his wife, Fran, and the two of them traveled extensively, living overseas in Monaco and in Dubai. He had an ease in understanding foreign languages, learning to speak French fluently.

It was during these travels that he put his other skill to good use: designing and managing broadcast studios across Europe in the late 1960s for Trans World Radio (TWR), an international Christian media network. He and business partner Charlie Moore founded Dimension Five Sound and the audio division of Peirce-Phelps in Philadelphia. He became the University Sound product manager at Electro-Voice, served as director of sales and marketing at Community Professional Loudspeakers and then became vice president/general manager of Inter-M Americas. Along the way he expanded his expertise to include sound system contracting, specializing in church installations. Wilkens ended his career as senior project manager at the Dubai office of Maryland-based AVI-SPL.

He served as an active member of the Audio Engineering Society, completed training programs for the organization SynAudCon, served as a volunteer for the Boy Scouts, specifically assisting scouts as they worked to achieve their Radio Merit Badge. He also volunteered as a shortwave monitor for the U.S. Navy and was a dedicated ham radio operator.

“I’ve lost my best friend who was like a brother,” said Charlie Moore, his business partner of 52 years, through an announcement from TWR. “He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the professional audio industry where he worked in making gains in both technology and education. His work was impeccable and he was always careful to do what was right. Our prayers are with his wife and sons for the loss that they have suffered.”

Others who knew Wilkens spoke of his values, principals and strong Christian faith, calling him a dedicated friend who had mastered the art of listening. He is survived by Fran, his wife of 56 years; their two sons, John and Joel; a grandson, Kristian; a brother, Steve Wilkens; and a sister, Charlotte Gift.

“He knew the value of knowledge and encouraged others to learn,” said SynAudCon principal owner Brenda Brown. “The thing that probably amazed me the most about Doug was his ability to adapt to, understand and appreciate other cultures. His childhood, being a missionary kid instilled great values that served him well in the AV industry.”

Contributions to Wilkens’ memory can be made to Trans World Radio while memories of him can be left on the tribute page for the Donohue Funeral Home. Services will be held June 5 at Proclamation Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

 

The post Radio Industry Honors Life and Work of Doug Wilkens appeared first on Radio World.

By Justin Fromm
Special to RBR+TVBR

“Gradually, then suddenly.”

It’s how Hemingway describes bankruptcy in The Sun Also Rises, but it rings true in so much of our existence. Change very often happens slowly all around us, only for us to recognize the effect all at once. Over the past decade TV has been changing gradually, but it’s truly in the past year that it has suddenly transformed.

In 2021, nearly 100 years after its invention, and more than a decade after Netflix, Hulu, and Roku made it possible to stream video to our sets, TV has all at once evolved from a one-to-many, live broadcast medium into an IP-delivered, one-to-one, on-demand digital medium.

To keep up with how consumers use their TVs, advertisers must shift how they think, plan, and buy TV.

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Global media advertising research firm Standard Media Index (SMI) is welcoming a new Head of Insights & Analytics.

It’s an individual with more than 20 years of experience leading top research and product teams, and he will oversee SMI’s Insights & Analytics division.

Being named to the post is Rick Bruner.

SMI President Ben Tatta calls Bruner “a leader in his field,” who brings “a wealth of knowledge, his impressive network, and extensive leadership experience running advanced research and analytics teams to the SMI family.”

Bruner will play an instrumental role in the continued growth and development of SMI’s Insights & Analytics practice.”

Bruner previously ran research and product teams at DoubleClick, Google, MTV Networks, Marketing Evolution and Viant Technology. He is also the founder and CEO of Central Control, an advanced media analytics firm that he will serve as Chairman for going forward. Bruner currently serves as Vice Chair for the U.S. of I-COM, a global forum for marketing science, and a Research Affiliate of the Advertising Research Foundation.

Bruner is also founder and moderator of the influential Research Wonks industry discussion community. A former Ad Age reporter and author, he is a recipient of the Advertising Research Foundation’s David Ogilvy Award.

James Fennessy is Standard Media Index’s CEO.

When Esther-Mireya Tejeda and Jen Morales each exited the company formerly known as Entercom Communications, the audio media company hit the reset button on its corporate communications and public relations efforts.

Today, that company bears the name Audacy. And, it now has a three-person PR department.

It lured a Tiger to make it happen. Seriously.

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It covers stories of Black people “from Kampala to Atlanta,” and spurred the recent launch of a television network featuring African American-focused content.

Now, the owner of The Grio — Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group (AMG) — has named a SVP of News and Entertainment for the unit.

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George G. Beasley, who purchased WPYB-AM in Benson, N.C., in December 1961 and would go on to build what is today Beasley Media Group, died Wednesday morning at the age of 89.

“While best known for his many trailblazing achievements in the radio broadcasting industry, George will be most remembered for his humility, kindness, integrity, work-ethic and love of family and friends,” the Naples, Fla.-based company that recently expanded beyond radio and podcasting with investments in eSports said in a statement.

Mr. Beasley was born on April 9, 1932. He grew up working in the tobacco fields in his hometown of Ararat, Va., a tiny town to the north of Winston Salem, N.C.

“His drive and determination led him to enlist in the army to pursue a degree in Education through the G.I. Bill,” Beasley Media said.

Upon completing his B.A. and M.A. from Appalachian State University, he taught in Virginia before moving to North Carolina in the late 1950s to become a high school principal and coach.

His career then took a pivot into radio broadcasting, and ownership. Mr. Beasley built WPYB-AM in Benson from scratch.

It provided the spark for what today is a publicly traded company led by his daughter, CEO Caroline Beasley, comprised of 62 radio stations across 15 markets.

Mr. Beasley stepped back from his role as Chief Executive Officer in 2016. However, he continued to serve as Executive Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors.

An avid philanthropist, George served on the board of the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters (NCAB) for eight years as President, Vice President and as a member of the Board of Directors. In 1996, he received the NCAB’s organization’s Distinguished Service Award and was inducted into NCAB’s Hall of Fame in 1998 upon accepting the prestigious “Distinguished Broadcaster of North Carolina” Award.

In November 2016, George Beasley was inducted to the 28th annual National Radio Hall of Fame. In 2019, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

George Beasley received numerous awards and accolades throughout his life. In 2020, he was inducted into the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and received the Broadcasters Foundation of America Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, George Beasley was recognized as a “Giant” by the Library of American Broadcasting in 2012. The Florida Association of Broadcasters named him “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2011 and the Country Radio Broadcasters presented him with the distinguished “Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award” in 2010. The Nevada Broadcasters Association also inducted George into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

In 1990 his alma mater, Appalachian State University, designated George Beasley as one of the institution’s Distinguished Alumni. “Among his proudest professional accomplishments was receiving an honorary doctorate and the unveiling of the George G. Beasley Media Complex on campus to provide future generations of students with the opportunity pursue their entrepreneurial dreams in broadcasting,” the company said.

In prepared remarks, Caroline Beasley said, “George’s unconditional love for our mother, Ann, and our family, along with his passion for the radio industry, helped to guide him throughout his lifetime. A loving father, mentor, and friend, I will especially miss his incredible wisdom, keen insight and gentle smile.”

NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith also offered his sympathies to all at Beasley Media and to the Beasley family.

“[The] NAB is deeply saddened by the passing of George Beasley,” Smith said. “George was a pioneer in broadcasting and a giant in his field, building Beasley into one of the premier radio station groups over the course of 60 years and serving the radio industry with distinction. We join with the entire broadcasting community in mourning our friend, and extend our thoughts and prayers to the Beasley family on their loss.”

A memorial service will take place for family and friends in Naples, Florida. Details will be forthcoming. A private burial service will be held for the family in Ararat, Virginia.

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

RBR+TVBR’s Carl Marcucci interviews George Beasley in April 2007 and discusses the state of the industry ahead of The Great Recession.

George Beasley is survived by his wife of 67 years Ann; five children; 16 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the Beasley family requests donations be made in his name to The Broadcasters Foundation of America, 125 West 55th Street, 4th Floor New York, New York 10019. Online donations may also be made at www.broadcastersfoundation.org.

George Beasley in a photo released and partly colorized by the company.

George Beasley has died.

The founder and patriarch of Beasley Media Group was age 89 at his passing in Naples, Fla., today.

An announcement was issued by the company, which called him a “radio industry innovator, advocate, mentor and pioneer and community philanthropist” who led his company for 60 years.

He had stepped down as CEO in 2016 but continued as executive chairman of the company’s board.

A memorial service is planned in Florida; details will be announced later. His family will hold a private burial in his home town of Ararat, Va.

“In lieu of flowers, the Beasley family requests donations be made in his name to The Broadcasters Foundation of America, 125 West 55th Street, 4th Floor New York, New York 10019. Online donations may also be made at www.broadcastersfoundation.org.”

His daughter Caroline Beasley, now the company CEO, was quoted in the announcement, “George’s unconditional love for our mother, Ann and our family, along with his passion for the radio industry, helped to guide him throughout his lifetime. A loving father, mentor, and friend, I will especially miss his incredible wisdom, keen insight and gentle smile.”

George Beasley is shown in 2015 with company award winners and family members: Rear, from left: AJ Lurie, Brad Beasley, Brian Beasley, Bruce Simel, Bruce Beasley, Marie Tedesco, Tom Humm, Kimberly Sonneborn, Mike Cooney, Justin Chase. Front: Caroline Beasley, George G. Beasley, Diana Beasley, Heather Monahan, Denyse Mesnik.

George Beasley built his first station, 500-watt WPYB(AM), in Benson, N.C. while working as a high school assistant principal in 1961. The company now has 62 stations in 15 markets, digital platforms and an esports arm. Four of Beasley’s five children joined the company as employees: Bruce, Brian, Caroline and Brad Beasley. The company went public in 2000.

George Beasley, right, is shown in an archival photo with Al Jones, former general manager of WGAC.

He told Radio World in 2015 that radio’s value proposition remained as solid as it was five decades earlier.

“I am proud to say that Beasley has been a pioneer in the adoption of technologies such as FM radio, which surpassed AM in the late 1970s; HD Radio and PPM in the ensuing decades; and streaming and mobile applications today. Each of these innovations enhanced the listener experience and strengthened the medium as a core buy for any brand or product seeking to reach consumers at large or consumers within distinct demographics.”

NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith issued a statement about his death: “George was a pioneer in broadcasting and a giant in his field, building Beasley into one of the premier radio station groups over the course of 60 years and serving the radio industry with distinction.”

Beasley was born in April 1932, “working in the tobacco fields in his hometown of Ararat, Virginia.”

He enlisted in the army to pursue a degree in education through the G.I. Bill. “Upon completing his B.A. and M.A. from Appalachian State University, he taught in Virginia, before moving to North Carolina in the late 50’s to become a high school principal and coach.” Even after starting his first station he only worked evenings and weekends in radio until 1969 before leaving education to focus on broadcasting.

Beasley receive the National Radio Award from the National Association of Broadcasters in 2015, and his daughter Caroline will receive it this fall.

Husband and wife: George and Ann Beasley in an undated photo.

He was a former president of the board of the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters and had been inducted into its Hall of Fame as well as those of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters and Nevada Broadcasters Association.

He was also in the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and received the Broadcasters Foundation of America Lifetime Achievement Award. The Library of American Broadcasting listed him as one of its “giants of broadcasting.” He received honors from the Florida Association of Broadcasters and Country Radio Broadcasters.

He remained close to his alma mater Appalachian State University, where he was a former chairman of the Appalachian State University Foundation Board of Directors as well as a member of the university board. A media complex on campus bears his name.

“The many challenges that George faced over the years, he did with humility, dignity and grace. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, his legacy serves as a reminder that anything is possible with dedication, hard work and respect for one another,” the company stated. “George is survived by his wife of 67 years Ann, five children, 16 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.”

 

The post George Beasley Dies, Age 89 appeared first on Radio World.

In February, RBR+TVBR first reported on the sale of nine radio stations owned by Sound Communications in the Twin Tiers of Northern Pennsylvania and Western New York.

The deal, brokered by Michael J. Bergner, has now closed — making the company led by Kristin Cantrell a dominant player in the region.

It didn’t even own stations here in 2017.

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The late Jim Baum now has part of a Texas highway named after him.

The Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a measure honoring the owner-operator of KVMC(AM) and KAUM(FM) in Colorado City, who died in 2018. Baum was also a three-time mayor of that community.

“SB 1124 by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, renames a stretch of Business Interstate Highway 20-J in his honor,” the Texas Association of Broadcasters noted in its newsletter.

“Baum owned and operated KVMC(AM) Colorado City, ‘the Voice of Mitchell County,’ for nearly 40 years. He signed KAUM(FM) on the air later in the 1980s.”

According to his obituary, Baum “found his lifelong love of radio” when he worked for KCRS(AM) in Midland. He later managed KBYG(AM) in Big Spring.

In an earlier post, TAB described Baum as “well remembered by those in Mitchell County and by the TAB staff as a tireless public servant, whether it was leading Colorado City through challenging times as mayor or by his dedication to reporting the day’s events in his radio newscasts. If wildfires or a tornado threatened the area, day or night, he was on the air with lifesaving information. Baum also brought Mitchell County history alive with on-air stories about the area’s past events.”

The post Texas Honors the Late Jim Baum appeared first on Radio World.

The Broadcasters Clinic returns with an in-person event in September.

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association has announced the conference agenda.

“We are committed to making the Broadcasters Clinic safe for all. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the Clinic,” WBA stated on its website. “If you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask. Guidelines are subject to change based on the latest public health guidance.”

The longtime, engineering-friendly event will be held Sept. 8 to 10 at the Madison Marriott West Hotel in Middleton, Wis.

Topics relevant to radio attendees include virtualization, cloud infrastructure and ”containerization”; computer modeling of FM directional antennas; on-air processing in the cloud; SRT protocol for signal distribution; the role of metadata in radio; saving power in FM transmitters; lessons from Alternative Broadcast Inspections; cybersecurity; LED obstruction lights; and post-pandemic management strategies.

Of the three days of the conference, the first day focuses on radio topics, the third is about television, and the middle day bridges both.

David Layer of the National Association of Broadcasters is among the featured speakers. An early bird rate applies for registration until July 15.

 

The post WBA Announces Broadcasters Clinic Lineup appeared first on Radio World.