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Add Entravision Communications to the roster of media companies lighting it up in the final three months of 2020.

The owner of Hispanic-targeted radio and TV properties, which has a heavy digital presence, saw its revenue and net income surge on a year-over-year basis.

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On Jan. 25, 2021, Portland, Ore.-based Alpha Media took an important step toward reducing its $267 million debt burden by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Now, it is getting all of its ducks in a row, if you will, for an emergence from debtor-in-possession status, one the company tells RBR+TVBR is still on track for completion by the end of June.

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A bill to repeal outdated regulations of the 1992 Cable Act has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by two influential leaders in a bipartisan move that could potentially erase current retransmission consent legislation.

The bill would also rewrite the rules on the compulsory copyright license.

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RBR+TVBR EXCLUSIVE

On February 26, infamous Royce International Broadcasting owner Ed Stolz filed an appeal of his ongoing litigation over unpaid music royalty fees, which led a Federal District Court judge in California to place Stolz’s three FM stations in the hands of a receiver — respected veteran broker Larry Patrick.

It appeared the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit would be hearing Stolz’s plea, with Dariush G. Adli’s role as Stolz’s attorney still in question.

RBR+TVBR has now learned that the higher court has dismissed Stolz’s appeal; the District Court Judge, Jesus Bernal, is beyond furious with Stolz; and new revelations that suggest Stolz committed perjury could very well put Stolz behind bars once again.

This time it could be longer for 24 hours.

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These days, the allure of a Class D daytime-only AM radio station is about as enticing as a pickle Popsicle. However, the interest level for one facilities that fits this description attracted one buyer with money to spend.

In Houston, an AM that must protect a Class A facility in Oklahoma City is just the right acquisition target for El Sembrador Ministries. 

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In the waning days of 2018, a newly formed entity whose principals include the man who served as SVP of Emmis Communications’ former St. Louis radio stations had just closed on its purchase of four stations serving Northern Arizona.

While Joe Schwartz, the chief executive of Cherry Creek until February 2016, was originally an investor in the operation, Stone Canyon Radio and Marketing, its been a two-person partnership with majority interest held by that St. Louis market veteran.

This will soon change. He’s shedding his interest in the stations — now that he’s settling in as the head of iHeartMedia‘s St. Louis stations.

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Targetspot announced an agreement with Bauer Media Audio that it says will allow it to market inventory in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway.

Targetspot is part of ad technology company AudioValley, and offers audio streaming, ad serving and programmatic advertising. The company has ambitions to expand further in northern Europe.

In the announcement, Eric van der Haegen, its strategic partner development director, was quoted saying, “The digital audio culture is already well established in all Nordic countries. This arrival in the countries of Northern Europe is naturally part of our strategy of promoting local partnerships.”

Bauer Media Audio is “Europe’s leading digital commercial broadcaster and audio operator.” Targetspot says the agreement allows advertisers to access its inventory including brands like Sonos, AudioBoom, and Radio France and Shoutcast radios, “more than 2 million allocations each month in the Scandinavian countries and Finland.”

AudioValley CEO Alexandre Saboundjian cited data saying 91% of the Nordic population streams music. “Nordics listen to digital music on average 3.2 hours a day. The source of musical discoveries is revealed as 36% for radio and playlists of streaming services account for 13%.”

The post Targetspot Works With Bauer Media in Nordics appeared first on Radio World.

Here’s a list you don’t want to be on:

“On Dec. 1, 2020, radio stations located in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota were required to file applications for license renewal for terms expiring on April 1, 2021,” the Federal Communications Commission announced this week.

“The following stations failed to file license renewal applications and their licenses will expire as of April 1, 2021, provided no renewal application is received by midnight on the date of expiration.”

The list includes eight low-power FMs and some translators, as well as full-power stations.

Call sign, Community of License, Facility ID, Licensee

KCMJ-LP, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 194782, COLORADO MEDIA JUSTICE FOUNDATION

KMZG-LP, DURANGO, CO, 132236, CALVARY CHAPEL OF DURANGO, INC.

K272AI, GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO, 40807, COLORADO RADIO MARKETING, LLC

K292AK, LAKE CITY, CO, 27258, HINSDALE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

KMKZ, RED FEATHER LAKES, CO, 176133, 3G LEARNING SOLUTIONS

K236BA, RIFLE, CO, 139109, PROFESSIONAL ANTENNA, TOWER AND TRANSLATOR SERVICE (PATTS)

K280AT, ELY, MN, 63345, RANGE PAGING, INC

KQEP-LP, ST. PAUL, MN, 196883, NEW CULTURE

KPNP, WATERTOWN, MN, 49642, SELF RETIRE, INC.

KDWG, DILLON, MT, 93389, THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA – WESTERN

KNMC, HAVRE, MT, 49580, NORTHERN MONTANA COLLEGE

KRUL-LP, HELENA, MT, 193567, HELENA ADVENTIST EDUCATIONAL MEDIA, INC

KWHP-LP, PLAINS, MT, 134935, PLAINS-PARADISE EMERGENCY SERVICES

KPLR-LP, POPLAR, MT, 134953, POPLAR SCHOOL SYSTEM

KTBP-LP, POPLAR, MT, 193519, FORT PECK ASSINIBOINE & SIOUX TRIBES

KLND, LITTLE EAGLE, SD, 59762, SEVENTH GENERATION MEDIA SVCS, INC.

KSTJ-LP, SIOUX FALLS, SD, 196898, JUAN DIEGO RADIO OF SIOUX FALLS, INC.

The post These Stations Need to Turn in License Renewals ASAP appeared first on Radio World.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) will present Howard University‘s commercially licensed Adult R&B station serving the Nation’s Capital with the Crystal Heritage Award as it salutes all of the finalists for the 34th annual Crystal Radio Awards.

The celebration, which this year will be a virtual affair, is scheduled for April 13.

The NAB Crystal Radio Awards date to 1987 and recognize radio stations for their year-round commitment to community service. The finalists will be celebrated and the winners announced during a special awards program available exclusively at NAB Amplify.

For WHUR-FM, the receipt of the Heritage Award comes in recognition of its receipt of five Crystal Radio Awards for exceptional year-round community service efforts. Only nine other stations have received this honor.

Finalists for the 2021 Crystal Radio Awards are:

KBFB-FM Dallas
KCLY-FM Clay Center, Kansas
KDKA-AM Pittsburgh
KIKV-FM Alexandria, Minnesota
KIRO-FM Seattle
KKBQ-FM Houston
KKFN-FM Denver
KKZY-FM Bemidji, Minnesota
KMVP-FM Phoenix
KNDE-FM College Station, Texas
KOSI-FM Denver
KPNT-FM St. Louis
KRSP-FM Salt Lake City
KSBJ-FM Humble, Texas
KSL-FM Salt Lake City
KSTP-FM St. Paul
KTAR-FM Phoenix
KTMY-FM St. Paul
KUPD-FM Phoenix
KYGO-FM Denver
KYW-AM Philadelphia
WARH-FM St. Louis
WBAB-FM Nassau-Suffolk
WBAP-AM Dallas
WBLI-FM Nassau-Suffolk
WBYT-FM Mishawaka, Indiana WCCO-AM Minneapolis
WDRV-FM Chicago
WDSY-FM Pittsburgh
WDUV-FM Tampa
WFXE-FM Columbus, Georgia
WGCI-FM Chicago
WHPT-FM Tampa
WJJY-FM Brainerd, Minnesota
WKTI-FM Milwaukee
WMCI-FM Mattoon, Illinois
WMMR-FM Philadelphia
WNRP-AM Pensacola, Florida
WOKV-FM Jacksonville
WPLR-FM New Haven
WSB-AM Atlanta
WSB-FM Atlanta
WSHE-FM Chicago
WTAW-AM College Station, Texas
WTMX-FM Chicago
WTOP-FM Washington, D.C.
WWPR-FM New York
WWRM-FM Tampa
WXGL-FM Tampa
WXOS-FM St. Louis
WYCT-FM Pensacola, Florida
WYKY-FM Somerset, Kentucky

 

Ten Crystal Radio Award winners will be chosen from the above finalists by a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service organizations and public relations firms.

What is NAB Amplify? Designed by the creators of NAB Show, NAB Amplify is the new digital hub for the media and entertainment community. With curated content, trusted insights and new product launches, NAB Amplify is the year-round destination to connect and interact with the global NAB Show community. Learn more at www.nabamplify.com.

U.S. radio stations doing great work in community service are being honored by the National Association of Broadcasters.

NAB just released the list of finalists for the 34th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards. See list at bottom.

The recipients will be announced during an online awards program in April.

NAB will also present Howard University’s WHUR-FM in Washington with the Crystal Heritage Award. This recognizes stations that have won five Crystal Radio Awards for exceptional year-round community service efforts. Nine others have received the Heritage award.

WHUR’s selection means there are now two Heritage recipients in the nation’s capital; WTOP(FM) was chosen in 2018. The 2020 Heritage recipient was KCVM(FM) in Iowa (read our profile).

This year’s Crystal finalists are:

KBFB(FM) Dallas, Texas
KCLY(FM) Clay Center, Kansas
KDKA(AM) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
KIKV(FM) Alexandria, Minnesota
KIRO(FM) Seattle, Washington
KKBQ(FM) Houston, Texas
KKFN(FM) Denver, Colorado
KKZY(FM) Bemidji, Minnesota
KMVP(FM) Phoenix, Arizona
KNDE(FM) College Station, Texas
KOSI(FM) Denver, Colorado
KPNT(FM) St. Louis, Missouri
KRSP(FM) Salt Lake City, Utah
KSBJ(FM) Humble, Texas
KSL(FM) Salt Lake City, Utah
KSTP(FM) Saint Paul, Minnesota
KTAR(FM) Phoenix, Arizona
KTMY(FM) Saint Paul, Minnesota
KUPD(FM) Phoenix, Arizona
KYGO(FM) Denver, Colorado
KYW(AM) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
WARH(FM) St. Louis, Missouri
WBAB(FM) West Babylon, New York
WBAP(AM) Dallas, Texas
WBLI(FM) Patchogue, New York
WBYT(FM) Mishawaka, Indiana
WCCO(AM) Minneapolis, Minnesota
WDRV(FM) Chicago, Illinois
WDSY(FM) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
WDUV(FM) St. Petersburg, Florida
WFXE(FM) Columbus, Georgia
WGCI(FM) Chicago, Illinois
WHPT(FM) St Petersburg, Florida
WJJY(FM) Brainerd, Minnesota
WKTI(FM) Milwaukee, Wisconsin
WMCI(FM) Mattoon, Illinois
WMMR(FM) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
WNRP(AM) Pensacola, Florida
WOKV(FM) Jacksonville, Florida
WPLR(FM) New Haven, Connecticut
WSB(AM) Atlanta, Georgia
WSB(FM) Atlanta, Georgia
WSHE(FM) Chicago, Illinois
WTAW(AM) College Station, Texas
WTMX(FM) Chicago, Illinois
WTOP(FM) Washington, D.C.
WWPR(FM) New York City, New York
WWRM(FM) Tampa Bay, Florida
WXGL(FM) Tampa Bay, Florida
WXOS(FM) St. Louis, Missouri
WYCT(FM) Pensacola, Florida
WYKY(FM) Somerset, Kentucky

The post NAB Announces Crystal Radio Finalists appeared first on Radio World.

Automation and workflow systems provider ENCO has moved its headquarters from Southfield, Mich., to the community of Novi about 17 miles away.

“The newly constructed, 12,000-square-foot facility will offer a more collaborative work environment and a centralized location for staff and customers in the Detroit suburbs,” it stated in an announcement.

“ENCO’s entire operation across sales, administration, engineering, finance, management, manufacturing and marketing will be based in Novi, effective immediately.”

It said the interior uses an open floor plan and will bring previously separated functions closer together. “The spacious environments throughout all areas ensure that social distancing policies can continue to be met until the pandemic subsides.”

President Ken Frommert called it “truly a state-of-the-art facility” that includes an open production lab,  high-tech meeting and conference spaces, and various seating and lounge settings.

He said Novi is “an exciting city on the rise” and that the location is more accessible to Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The new address is 41551 West 11 Mile Road in Novi, MI 48375.

The post ENCO Has New Headquarters appeared first on Radio World.

Entercom Communications, which this week expanded its holdings in the podcast space and amended its October 2016 credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, has announced that it plans to offer $500 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured second-lien notes due in eight years.

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Entercom Media Corp., a subsidiary created by Philadelphia-based Entercom, is the issuer. And, it says it expects to use the net proceeds from this offering, due in 2029, to redeem all of its 7.25% senior notes due 2024 and to partially repay existing indebtedness under the company’s senior credit facilties.

Thus, it is a new debt for old debt swap, with the notes “fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured second-lien basis.”

The notes will be offered privately, Entercom says, to qualified institutional buyers.

Entercom shares have enjoyed strong growth over the last six months and open Thursday’s trading at $5.84.

It’s a far cry from March 9, 2020, when shares were at $2.35 just days before ETM was to see its last ex-dividend payment to shareholders. Entercom stock then slid to $0.83 as March 2020 came to a close, with much pandemic uncertainty crippling ad sales for broadcast media.

Much of Entercom’s stock growth, however, has come in Q1. On December 28, 2020, ETM was at $2.47, with little signs of a jump past $3.

As RBR+TVBR first reported on Wednesday (3/10), HyphaMetrics has just secured a U.S. patent for a cross-media measurement platform.

The co-founder and CEO of HyphaMetrics, Joanna Drews, chats with Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson to share a bit more about the patent, consumer privacy, buying in the 2021-2022 Upfront and scatter markets, and where audio media fits in to HyphaMetrics’ business in this fresh podcast presented by Dot.FM.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Joanna Drews, HyphaMetrics” on Spreaker.

A pair of Spanish-language television stations owned and operated by Hispanavisión Televisión will now have the benefit of local TV measurement services provided by the nation’s dominant ratings and audience consumption data provider.

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LOS ANGELES — The L.A. office of Davis Wright Tremaine has a new of counsel in its entertainment practice.

It’s someone with extensive in-house experience at NBC Entertainment, where she was most recently VP of Legal Affairs.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — A coalition of bipartisan House of Representatives and Senators have reintroduced legislation allowing news publishers — including local radio and TV broadcasters — to collectively negotiate the terms on which their content may be distributed online.

It’s being billed as “a fight to save local news.” And, the NAB commends it.

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