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On March 4, 2021, the Media Bureau, Video Division (Bureau) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by The Curators of the University of Missouri (University), the licensee of KOMU-TV, channel 8 (NBC/CW), Columbia, Missouri, requesting the substitution of channel 27 for channel 8 at Columbia in the DTV Table of Allotments. For the reasons set forth in the Report and Order referenced below, the Bureau substitutes channel 27 for channel 8 at Columbia.

The Commission has before it a petition for rulemaking Four Seasons Peoria, LLC (Petitioner), licensee of television station WAOE, channel 10, Peoria, Illinois, requesting an amendment of the DTV Table of Allotments to delete channel 10 at Peoria, Illinois, and substitute channel 10 at Oswego, Illinois. Petitioner further requests modification of WAOE's license to specify Oswego as its community of license pursuant to the Commission's rules.

Circled: Modified DPA d:dicate 4006 omnidirectional microphone placed on the outside of the Perseverance rover.

When NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover landed on February 18, it was an exciting triumph; after all, it’s not every day that NASA sends something more than 134 million miles across space and has everything go to plan. Perseverance is there to collect rock and sediment samples for future return to Earth, search for signs of ancient microbial life, and more, but one of its first successes was to simply record and send back audio from the Red planet for the first time.

NASA opted to use an off-the-shelf DPA d:dicate 4006 omnidirectional mic in tandem with an MMA-A digital audio interface and MMP-G modular active cable. The mic itself was stripped down to its bare essentials, said René Mørch, product manager, DPA Microphones, in order to reduce its weight as much as possible. “The microphone and the MMP-G are housed outside on the port side, while the MMA-A is safe in the rover itself so that it will not go through the outside temperature changes.”

There are other factors affecting the microphone’s recordings besides the temperature. Between the extreme temperatures and the thin, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, higher frequencies attenuate more quickly, and there’s also a lower speed of sound, roughly 540 mph versus a typical 760 mph on Earth.

[Read: Miking Up Mars]

The 4006 mic was put on the rover to record audio of the descent, like friction from the atmosphere and dust thrown around by the craft’s thrusters, but there was no certainty that it would survive the trip. Ironically, the mic wasn’t able to collect sound from the landing, but has since captured and sent back audio from the planet’s surface. Those initial audio files were sent to DPA’s engineering team for processing, and then back to NASA for final analyzing and publishing.

If it seems surprising that NASA never recorded Mars before, it’s not for lack of trying. Some previous landers captured some wind noise via seismometers with minimal success, while other landers that had microphones either crashed or NASA opted to leave the mic off for fear of affecting the landing. Perseverance’s recordings, then, mark the first proper audio to be captured on Mars.

We can look forward to hearing more from Perseverance in the months to come, too, as its mission is just getting started. The rover will spend at least one Mars year — roughly two Earth years — exploring the landing site as it sends back data and the gusty, windy sounds of the Red Planet.

The post Recording the Red Planet appeared first on Radio World.

Tracy Johnson

Tracy Johnson Media Group announced the availability in North America of AudioLogger, a recently introduced software product that can be used to record “any radio station in the world.”

The company, based in San Diego, said approximately 100 stations in the United States and Canada are using the software. It says AudioLogger is intended to be used for competitive monitoring, accessing air checks and video publishing, among other things.

As part of Radio World’s “Supply Side” series with manufacturers, we asked Tracy Johnson about it.

Radio World: What is AudioLogger?
Tracy Johnson: AudioLogger allows users to record any radio station in the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, then edit, manage, export and share that audio in many ways.

RW: And what does Tracy Johnson Media Group do?
Johnson: My main business focus is consulting radio stations on talent coaching, programming and marketing. We also have a show prep service, Personality Magnet; a premium content site for programmers, personalities and marketing pros, Insiders Radio Network; an air check coaching service, AirCheckCoaching.com; and have now launched AudioLogger.

RW: What is your business involvement with the product?
Johnson: We are the exclusive dealers for North America and have been intimately involved with the creator through the development of the app. The software has been beta testing in the market and is now in general release. Tracy Johnson Media Group is the first dealer in the network, but there are likely to be more added to represent other parts of the world in the coming months.

RW: Who is the designer in Belgium?
Johnson: The company that designed the software is Rute98, which is headed by programmer Alain Claes. I’ve known Alain for many years as a colleague and client.

RW: What is unique about AudioLogger that other products in this sector don’t do?
Johnson: There are several unique aspects. First, it’s so easy to use. All of the functions are intuitive and take place on one dashboard. Second is the ability to record any station in the world, regardless of location. Third is the ability to export audio to video instantly. And fourth is the cost. AudioLogger starts at just $9.99 per month.

RW: What other features should we know about?
Johnson: There are dozens of features, but some of the most popular include the ability to download the music log and most-played list of any station. We’ve already had two new clients tell us they plan to drop their current music monitoring service. The video to audio export feature is a major timesaver. It’s so easy to create an online video. A digital manager told me they would be saving up to four hours a day in their department with this feature. And a user can export any segment to a branded landing page, then invite listeners, winners or advertisers to hear and share the segment.

RW: What does it cost?
Johnson: There are three subscription tiers ranging from $9.99 to $49.99 per month. The difference between the tiers is the features unlocked at each level. Additional users and stations can be added to any subscription for a modest fee.

RW: What else should we know?
Johnson: I’ve been using AudioLogger for several months and I can’t imagine my life without it. It really is the world’s smartest, most affordable audio logging system with benefits for every department in any radio station, from sales to programming to promotions to the digital team to engineering and air talent.

 

The post AudioLogger Is “Smart and Affordable” Logging appeared first on Radio World.

Pleading Cycle Established

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Hispanic consumers are gaining more confidence in the nation’s economic outlook and their own finances as COVID-19 vaccines become widely available and government support helps hard-hit households recover from the devastating pandemic.

That’s according to new research from Florida Atlantic University.

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The permitee and owner of five low-power television station construction permits has opted to sell them instead of moving forward with getting the properties up and running itself.

The result? David Lampel is getting a check from an individual largely known for his role as the head of Edge Spectrum.

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The InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM, is growing its audience every week, with fresh episodes each Tuesday and Thursday.

In fact, there are 108 podcasts available for you to enjoy. And, it’s never been easier to tune in, thanks to our new embedded player at RBR.com!

From our latest episode, featuring Andy Whatley of Instreamatic to our acclaimed chat with Rich Stern, at TuneIn, there’s definitely something to enjoy — and learn from.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR ENTIRE MENU OF EPISODES, AND ENJOY!

The first full week of April 2021 ended with up-and-down activity across the broadcast media landscape, as Audacy enjoyed its first day with a new ticker symbol by gaining ground.

For companies such as ViacomCBS however, the pain for short-term investors continues.

Audacity’s opening day saw the former ETM rise 13 cents to $5.16.

Other gainers include Saga Communications, up 10 cents to $21, and Gray Television, rising 23 cents to $19.63.

ViacomCBS’s woes continued Friday, as Peter Dunn and David Friend are officially out at CBS Television Stations. The closing price: $41.88, off 41 cents.

Other decliners include Salem Media Group, shedding 26 cents to $2.50.

 

The FCC on Friday established a formal pleading cycle that will allow public comment in response to iHeartMedia‘s request to win Commission approval for greater foreign ownership and non-U.S. investment.

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Two top television broadcast executives will be joined by a key radio industry leader as the centerpiece of the opening session of NAB Show Premiere — a virtually delivered event scheduled for the midday hours, Eastern Time, on Monday.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW RBR+TVBR ON TWITTER!

 

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Promotion for Native Public Media coronavirus vaccination PSA campaign.

Getting the word out to Native American and Black communities about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines is the priority behind public media’s latest funding campaign.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has awarded more than $300,000 to Native Public Media and to KTSU(FM), a public radio station licensed to historically black college and universities, to coordinate a COVID-19 public outreach campaign.

That campaign, which will reach a total of 51 public radio stations serving Native and Black communities, will be broken down between 36 tribal stations and 15 stations licensed to HBCUs. The goal is to provide fact-based information to populations that have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

[Read: Community Broadcaster: How Stations Fight the Virus]

Figures show that Black and Native people have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus in a widespread manner that spans the country, regardless of location or age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the coronavirus has been far deadlier for Black, Native and Latino Americans than for other groups in the U.S.

Native communities depend on Native American-oriented stations for news and health information and as a local forum for discussion about critical issues, said Loris Taylor, Native Public Media president and CEO. “As in any community, a solid network of partnerships is critical to address Native American and Alaska Native emergency needs. We are grateful to CPB for funding these information campaigns, which address resilience gaps during this time of national emergency.”

Promotion for Native Public Media coronavirus vaccination PSA campaign.

NPM, which provides leadership, resources and strategic services to public radio stations across Indian Country, will be in charge of organizing, coordinating and providing financial support to tribal stations to produce and broadcast public service campaigns and other relevant content, such as social media infographics. A series of multimedia materials were produced by NPM and KTSU, the public radio station based at Texas Southern University. KTSU will also be responsible for providing funds to other HBCU stations to help them produce additional content and engagement materials.

“Public media stations, locally operated and highly trusted, are well-positioned to provide critical information to communities hard hit by the pandemic,” said Pat Harrison, CPB president and CEO. “By providing accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the continuing need to wear masks and maintain social distance, these stations will reduce the spread of disinformation and advance the public health of the communities they serve.”

CPB is a founding partner of the COVID Collaborative, a national assembly of leaders from different sectors developing a unified platform for addressing the coronavirus pandemic.

The following stations are to receive public media funding and support as part of the public media campaign.

Tribal stations:

• Alaska: KNBA, Anchorage; KBRW, Barrow; KYUK, Bethel; KCUK, Chevak; KZPA, Ft. Yukon; KIYU, Galena; KOTZ, Kotzebue; KSDP, Sand Point; KUHB, St. Paul; KNSA, Unalaskleet; KRFF, Fairbanks
• Arizona: KNNB, Whiteriver; KUYI, Kykotsmovi; KGHR, Tuba City; KOHN, Sells
• California: KIDE, Hoopa
• Colorado: KSUT, Ignacio
• Idaho: KIYE, Lapwai
• Minnesota: KKWE, Callaway; KBFT, Nett Lake; KOJB, Cass Lake
• Montana: KGVA, Harlem
• New Mexico: KCIE, Dulce; KABR, Alamo; KTDB, Pine Hill; KSHI, Zuni
• North Dakota: KEYA, Belcourt; KMHA, New Town; KABU, St. Michael
• Oregon: KWSO, Warm Springs; KCUW, Pendleton
• South Dakota: KILI, Porcupine; KLND, McLaughlin; KDKO, Lake Andes; KOYA, Rosebud
• Wisconsin: WOJB, Hayward

HBCU stations:

• Alabama: WJAB, Alabama A&M University, Normal; WVAS, Alabama State University, Montgomery
• Georgia: WCLK, Clark University, Atlanta
• Mississippi: WJSU, Jackson State University, Jackson; WURC, Rust College, Holly Springs; WPRL, Alcorn State University, Lorman
• Missouri: KJLU, Lincoln University, Jefferson City
• North Carolina: WNCU, North Carolina Central University, Durham; WRVS, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City; WSNC, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem
• Ohio: WCSU, Wilberforce
• Texas: KTSU, Texas Southern University, Houston; KPVU, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View
• South Carolina: WSSB, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg
• Virginia: WNSB, Norfolk State University, Norfolk

 

The post Tribal and HBCU Stations Receive Public Media Funds for Coronavirus Outreach appeared first on Radio World.

After two decades at the helm of a highly influential ABC affiliate that has long played a pivotal role in presidential elections, as the host of debates ahead of the New Hampshire primary, the President and GM of this Hearst Television property will soon retire.

This puts the wheels in motion on the search for a new leader at WMUR-9 in Manchester, N.H.

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And, just like that, 53 years of history crafted largely by Joseph Field disappeared with the push of a button as the New York Stock Exchange commenced its April 9, 2021 trading session.

Entercom Communications, which last week changed its corporate identity to Audacy and is in the process of transitioning its Radio.com brand to Audacy, officially said goodbye to its “ETM” ticker symbol. With that symbolic Opening Bell opportunity, a new era officially begins for Field’s son, President/CEO David Field.

The virtual appearance by Field’s C-Suite members as trading began followed a 30-minute interview on Clubhouse with Entercom CMO Paul Suchman, conducted by Radio Ink Editor Ed Ryan, that saw Suchman share details about how the name change to Audacy came to be.

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Jeffrey Wlodarczak, a Principal and the Entertainment/Interactive Subscription Services Analyst for top Wall Street investment house Pivotal Research Group, this week took a deep dive into the NBCUniversal component of media giant Comcast.

Wlodarczak conducted the review as part of an assessment of NBC’s “mostly” new reporting format. His report card shows that a “likely significantly rebounding NBC” — along with “healthy” cable EBITDA growth, despite the multitude of cord-cutting tales — will fuel Comcast share growth.

As such, he raised his target price on Comcast.

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