Industry News

The Board of Directors of Nielsen Holdings plc has declared a quarterly cash dividend.

The decision? To award a bonus payment of $0.06 per share of Nielsen’s common stock.

The dividend is payable on December 2, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 18.

And, the dividend comes as Nielsen shares appear to have stopped a five-month dip in value. On May 17, a $28.10 finish was seen for NLSN, after starting the year just below $21. Since then, Nielsen shares have been on a steady downhill track, reaching $19.19 at the end of September for a year-to-date low.

As of 1:52pm Eastern on Friday (10/15), NLSN was trading at $19.83 — its lowest value since mid-December 2020.

Bonneville International Corp. has signed off on “modernizing and upgrading” its existing boosters for FM signals tied to three San Francisco radio stations.

In a filing made this week with the FCC, it became known that GeoBroadcast Solutions, the technology company behind Maxxcasting seeks Commission approval of the estimated March 2022 deployment of its FM Booster service at Adult Contemporary KOIT-FM 96.5, Top 40 KMVQ-FM “99.7 NOW,” and Adult R&B KBLX-FM 102.9.

A five-node single frequency network (SFN) with HD Radio operation, GBS seeks to improve each of the FM’s existing booster signals in a manner in which each station will share the antenna infrastructure through a multiplex system.

The improved signal in the terrain-challenged San Francisco Bay Area is designed to help the three stations’ detectability among holders of Nielsen Audio Portable People Meters (PPMs).

KOIT, KBLX and KMVQ were acquired in 2018 by Bonneville from Entercom, now Audacy.

“By implementing a MaxxCasting SFN system, the technology provides a solid, interference-free signal, sound, and HD Radio in the East Bay for all three Bonneville stations,” GBS explains.

Among the project partners is GatesAir, which manufactures the Flexiva transmitter.

KOIT presently uses a 3,300-watt booster in Martinez, benefiting listeners in San Ramon, Walnut Creek and Concord; KMVQ and KBLX each have a 185-watt booster in Walnut Creek.

Maxxcasting has been marketed by GeoBroadcast Solutions as a way for radio broadcast stations to fill-in signal holes in major metropolitan areas, greatly improving coverage. It has recently been put to work in Chicago, and for an Audacy Sports Talker in San Diego.

RBR+TVBR RELATED READ:

A Bustos Media FM Boosts With ‘MaxxCasting’ Plan RBR-TVBR There’s a Class C 64kw FM facility serving the Seattle-Tacoma region’s Hispanic audience by providing regional Mexican programming. It’s a big stick, hence its moniker: “La Gran D.” But, this station is licensed to Elma, Washington and uses a tower well to the southwest of downtown Seattle. The result: Signal holes in the metropolitan area. This issue has just been resolved in a big way, as the station is now the latest licensee of Maxxcasting technology.

For decades, Univision Communications has maintained a strong presence in the Miami-Dade County, Fla., city of Doral. Here, it has television studios and office space on NW 36th Street, a stone’s throw from Miami International Airport. There’s also a spacious rented facility that is home to Univision Radio/Miami, and had been used for the Fusion cable TV network operation.

However, Univision’s corporate headquarters happens to be on Third Avenue between East 39th and 40th Streets, just southeast of Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building in Midtown Manhattan.

According to media reports in South Florida, that’s about to change, with Univision’s headquarters set to head out of New York.

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The Big Bend region of Florida is still one of the more desolate, bucolic portions of the ever-growing Sunshine State, attracting more hurricanes than travelers or Snowbirds. It’s bigger communities include Apalachicola and Port St. Joe, due east of Panama City.

It is here that a 100kw FM is being spun, putting a “Cross Country” move in play.

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He’s known across the U.S. for his longtime role as the host of the syndicated early-prime TV game show Wheel of Fortune. But, in broadcast circles, he’s also known as the licensee of an AM radio station that has served Maryland’s state capital since 1949.

Now, Pat Sajak is selling the station’s license, while listing the land where this property’s studios and towers lie for a bit more than he’s collecting for the 72-year-old broadcast facility.

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Jon Tatooles, James Gordon, Matt Anderson

Field mixer, multitrack recorder and wireless equipment maker Sound Devices has been acquired by Audiotonix.

The England-based company has scooped up a number of well-known audio console manufacturing names over the last few years. That list would include Allen & Heath, Calrec, Solid State Logic, DiGiCo and audio equipment distributor Group One.

Founded in 1998 by Matt Anderson and Jon Tatooles, the company carved out a niche in the film and TV world with field mixers, wireless equipment and small, portable multitrack recorders. Both principals were still with the company at the acquisition. Tatooles will depart while Anderson will remain as CEO and chief engineer.

Audiotonix CEO James Gordon said, “The addition of Sound Devices and their fantastic team to our portfolio of premium audio brands is a proud moment for all involved. Their expertise and technical pedigree in film production, broadcasting and professional recording is a great fit.”

 

The post Sound Devices Acquired by Audiotonix appeared first on Radio World.

In 2019, leaders from major radio groups discussed the state of the industry at the Radio Show. From left: Moderator Stephanie Ruhle of NBC News. Mary Berner, president and CEO, Cumulus Media; David Field, president and CEO, Entercom; Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO, iHeartMedia. Photo: Paul McLane.

There will be no more fall Radio Show conventions.

The National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Advertising Bureau have announced that beginning in April, the fall Radio Show, which has been a staple of the U.S. commercial radio industry for decades, will be integrated into the NAB Show.

“This change provides more opportunities in one location for radio professionals and elevates radio in the larger media ecosystem represented at NAB Show,” NAB stated.

“The integrated event in Las Vegas will feature signature awards, networking events and a comprehensive conference program, including popular sales and marketing sessions presented by the Radio Advertising Bureau.”

The organizations had already planned a temporary integration of sorts for this year’s show, when they planned to collocate the Radio Show with the rescheduled NAB Show. But both ultimately were canceled because of the ongoing health crisis.

It turns out that the final in-person fall Radio Show was in Dallas in 2019. A virtual version was held last year. The pre-pandemic schedule had called for the show to be in Nashville in 2020, New Orleans and 2021 and Nashville again in 2022. Cities that have hosted the event in the recent past also include Philadelphia, Orlando, Indianapolis, Chicago and Washington.

The Radio Show in recent years drew about 2,100 reported attendees. Its agenda traditionally emphasized radio management and sales content, though there was always a technical component and exhibit floor. In recent years the event has been held in hotel conference settings rather than larger convention venues.

Longtimers will also recall that in the 1990s the show was part of an umbrella event called the World Media Expo that also encompassed SBE and SMPTE conferences.

NAB also announced that the presentation of the 2021 NAB Marconi Radio Awards and the State of the Industry Address by NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith will take place virtually on Nov. 10.

This will be Smith’s final State of the Industry address; he steps down at the end of the year, to be succeeded by Curtis LeGeyt.

 

The post The Fall Radio Show Is No More appeared first on Radio World.

Nielsen Holdings plc will report its financial results for the third quarter 2021 two weeks for today.

What can investors expect to hear from CEO David Kenny on Thursday, October 28 at 8am Eastern when he and other company executives will host a call to discuss its Q3 results?

Numbers that reflect the full-year 2021 guidance offered with Nielsen’s Q2 results are expected.

Nielsen is updating full year 2021 guidance as follows:

• Total revenue growth on a constant currency basis: 2.5% to 3.0% (previously 2.0% to 3.0%)
• Organic revenue growth on a constant currency basis: 4.0% to 4.5% (previously 3.5% to 4.5%)
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: 42.3% to 42.6% (previously 42.25% to 42.5%)
• Adjusted EBITDA: $1,475 – $1,490 million (previously $1,470 – $1,490 million)
• Adjusted earnings per share: $1.54 – $1.61 (previously $1.47 – $1.58)
• Free cash flow: $620 – $650 million (previously $595 – $645 million)

These estimates reflect Nielsen as if the sale of Global Connect occurred on January 1, 2020. The estimates exclude $200 – $220 million (previously $220 – 240 million) of separation-related costs related to the sale.

 

The Society of Broadcast Engineers will hold its annual membership meeting and awards program online on Monday (Oct. 18).

The meeting was to have been held at this month’s NAB Show, which ended up being cancelled. So the society will use its monthly SBE WEBxtra presentation for the purpose.

“The SBE Membership Meeting portion provides an update on SBE activities and programs from the past year with reports from the secretary, treasurer and several committee chairs,” SBE stated. “It also includes some final thoughts from SBE President Wayne Pecena, who is completing his second term in that role.”

Newly elected SBE officers and board members will be sworn in to begin their terms, including incoming President Andrea Cummis.

[Read Radio World’s interview with Andrea Cummis]

“Following the swearing in, Andrea will lead the awards presentation portion of the program, which will recognize the efforts of SBE chapters, members and sustaining member companies for their accomplishments and honors from the SBE Awards Program. Presentations include the Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year award to Chris Tobin and the Technology Award to Telos Alliance.”

SBE Certification Director Megan Clappe, who was recently named an SBE Fellow, will also be recognized.

The event takes place on the SBE YouTube channel on Monday at 3 p.m. Eastern/Noon Pacific.

 

The post SBE Holds Online Membership Meeting Monday appeared first on Radio World.

TORONTO — The digital audio advertising exchange “connecting brands with audiences at scale” across music, radio and podcasts has selected its new Chief Growth Officer for North America.

It’s a move that follows Les Hollander’s promotion to CEO of DAX North America earlier this year.

Jon Hales is taking the role. He joins Global-owned digital advertising platform DAX from Spotify, where his seven-year tenure saw him launch the Spotify Canada Team, Spotify’s Global Sales Operations Group and, most recently, lead a re-boot of Spotify’s LATAM advertising business.

Hales previously headed up Video Sales for AOL Canada and was Director of Sales for Discovery Channel Canada, under Bell Media.

Hollander calls Hales “a growth-oriented leader and brings a wealth of expertise in the areas of sales and operations, with an eye for innovation and keen ability to scale the business.”

Hales will split his time between the U.S. and Canadian groups, focusing on tactical revenue growth, team performance, strategy, and alignment across the North America operation, DAX says.

— Carina Newton