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After giving a first glimpse at this year’s Techsurvey results at CRS 2024, Jacobs Media is releasing a wealth of new data that could significantly influence how political campaigns leverage radio for advertising. With responses from over 29,000 US radio listeners, this survey provides a detailed look into the preferences and behaviors of radio’s core audience.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the survey reveals a strong interest in the 2024 Presidential election among radio listeners. Over 80% of respondents, particularly older demographics and males, intend to follow the election closely.

Comparing data from 2020, the survey shows a 2-point shift towards the Democratic Party and a corresponding decline in Republican affiliation. Additionally, the proportion of Independents has increased by 2%, with nearly 30% of respondents not aligning with any party.

Techsurvey 2024 outlines clear generational and ethnic divides in political affiliation. Younger listeners – Gen Z and Millennials – tend to identify as Democrats, whereas older groups – Gen X, Boomers, and the Greatest Generation – lean towards the GOP. Ethnic minorities, particularly Black listeners, show a strong preference for the Democratic Party, while white listeners are more likely to support the GOP.

The survey categorizes listeners by their preferred radio formats, offering a unique lens to view political leanings. For instance, Country radio fans are predominantly Republican, Urban AC listeners largely support Democrats, and Sports Radio has the highest concentration of Independents.

Respondents’ living situations also correlate with political affiliations. Urban residents predominantly lean Democratic, rural listeners are majorly Republican, and suburbanites present a more mixed picture with a slight GOP preference. Interestingly, Independents are distributed equally across urban, suburban, and rural areas.

This spatial analysis of political preference underscores future uses for FM geo-targeting in political radio advertising.

Jacobs Media’s upcoming webinar in April promises to unveil more insights, further enriching the strategies for political advertising on radio.

National Public Radio is seeking more from the FCC in support of increasing local content from public radio stations. NPR is speaking out in response to a recent NPRM aimed at encouraging broadcasters to offer more locally originated programming.

“With the continued decline of local newspapers, broadcasters are seen more than ever as essential, trusted, local news providers,” said NPR, in its filing. “The primary need for public radio stations is more funding. Absent additional funding, the Commission could help public radio stations stretch their resources further by reducing reporting requirements when appropriate.”

NPR distributes content to about 1,100 noncommercial public radio stations across the United States, in addition to digital platforms.

The FCC’s NPRM would provide priority staff review for processes like renewals, transfer, and assignment applications to licensees that certify their station provides an average of at least three hours of locally originated programming each week. Many of these processes do not apply to non-commercial broadcasters.

NPR outlined several recommendations for the FCC to better support public radio’s mission, including expanding the reach of public radio to underserved audiences, preserving public radio services, and relaxing compliance requirements under certain conditions to help public radio stations maximize their limited resources.

First, the comment suggests the adoption of policies that would help increase the coverage of public radio stations, especially in rural and remote areas. This could involve prioritizing applications for new noncommercial radio stations or applications that seek to enhance existing radio stations’ signals through translators, boosters, or higher power levels.

NPR further suggests the prioritization of public radio stations in the context of applications for new non-commercial educational FM licenses. This involves a more targeted approach in awarding NCE FM licenses, favoring organizations that engage in professional journalism. This includes creating, editing, producing, and distributing original content on local, regional, national, or international matters of public interest.

Finally, in recognition of the resource constraints faced by many public radio stations, NPR suggests that the FCC could assist by relaxing certain compliance requirements. This would allow public radio stations to allocate their limited resources more effectively, ensuring they can maintain or even expand their service offerings without being overburdened by regulatory demands.

Overall, NPR says it supports any increased localism, but that, “The proposed priority processing may benefit some public radio stations from time to time, but we ask the Commission to include prioritizations that will benefit public radio stations on a much broader scale.”

It caused a stir when Chairwoman Rosenworcel and the Democratic side of the Federal Communications Commission used a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking about prioritizing applications from broadcast stations with more local content to publicly question the efficacy of the FCC’s 2017 Main Studio Elimination Order.

Now musicFIRST Coalition and Future of Music Coalition have submitted comments on that NPRM, leaning less toward the license processing rewards and more toward calling for the Main Studio Rule’s hopeful reinstatement.

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As the Federal Communications Commission seeks new ways to reward locally originating content, Sinclair Inc. is using the focus to try and speed the transition to and swift adoption of the ATSC 3.0 broadcasting standard.

The broadcast TV station owner commented on the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would expedite license renewals, transfer, and assignment applications to stations that provide at least three hours of locally originated programming each week.

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Stephanie Callihan has joined The Center for Sales Strategy as a Senior Business Development Lead. She brings her more than 35 years of media experience to CSS’ LeadG2, Up Your Culture, and the recently acquired Robertson Lowstuter.

Throughout her career, Callihan has served as a Market Manager for iHeart, Entercom, and Cox Media Group. She also has experience at ABC/Disney.

Teams under her leadership have been recognized with numerous industry awards, including the CMA, ACM, Marconi, and NAB Crystal Awards. Callihan also recently received CSS’ Talent Superhero Award in 2022.

Callihan will operate out of Austin, TX.

CSS CEO Matt Sunshine stated, “Stephanie’s successful background gives her a unique understanding of how all four divisions can provide solutions to help clients with total revenue performance.”

North America Head of SalesElissa Blankenship said, “Stephanie is an incredibly talented leader, connector, and influencer and brings a wealth of insight, perspective, and strategy to our team. We are excited for her to begin working with prospects to drive awareness to our impressive portfolio of brands.”

Callihan commented, “I had the opportunity to experience first-hand the incredible work of CSS throughout my career, but most recently at CMG Houston. I contribute a great deal of our quick success in Houston to our partnership with the CSS team.”

A Black Hills cluster is under a new company’s umbrella following the sale of three FM signals and two FM boosters by the Delaware-based Bad Lands Broadcasting Company.

Mid-Century Radio LLC, under Managing Member Aaron Ishmael, is the new owner of KRKI, KFMH, and KXZT, covering Belle Fourche, Keystone, and Newell, South Dakota. The FM boosters for KRKI and KFMH are added to cover Rapid City.

The deal also includes the transfers of a Tower Lease originally made between Bad Lands and Rapid Broadcasting Company in 2015 and Ground Leases to the USDA Forest Service for a Bear Mountain site and the Black Hills Chair Lift Company for a site on Terry Peak.

The final purchase price was $75,000, with a $500 deposit.

There is no broker or finder associated with this transaction. Bad Lands is represented by Barry Friedman of Thompson Hine LLP.

The National Association of Broadcasters is the latest broadcasting organization looking to invigorate radio with diverse and dynamic young talent. The “You Belong Here” campaign has been deployed in collaboration with the NAB Leadership Foundation. “You Belong Here” seeks to address the urgent need for new talent in broadcasting.

It provides stations nationwide with resources to effectively showcase job opportunities and attract a diverse range of candidates.

The NAB’s digital toolkit offers stations a variety of materials, including a customizable 30-second spot, a comprehensive video suitable for educational settings or career fairs, and a suite of social media and digital assets. These tools are designed to guide job seekers to YouBelongHere.media, where they can explore how their skills align with broadcasting careers and access a wide array of job listings in the field.

The campaign sheds light on the career possibilities in on-air, sales, and engineering roles and beyond.

Broadcast groups have enjoyed success from new initiatives to recruit young broadcasters from high schools and colleges, notably, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters’ “Be There” PSA and education campaign.

NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt stated, “‘You Belong Here’ is our commitment to growing and diversifying the broadcasting industry, and showcasing its wide range of career opportunities. Our goal is to attract a broad range of talent, showcasing broadcasting as a career that provides unique opportunities to make meaningful contributions to local communities across the country. We are excited to empower a new generation of broadcasters dedicated to innovation and community service.”

The British Broadcasting Corporation’s expansion into North America continues, as AMC Networks and BBC Studios team up to introduce BBC News as a 24-hour live FAST news channel. Previously available via wide distribution on Cable TV, the Connected TV debut brings programs like BBC News America and BBC Documentaries to a wider audience.

Coverage in the U.S. is highlighted by increased operations out of the Washington D.C. bureau, emphasizing prime-time coverage and national news to cater to both U.S. and international audiences.

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In October of last year, BIA Advisory Services predicted a tidal wave of local ad spending fueled by political revenue. Now, two months into 2024, BIA has tempered its US Local Advertising Forecast for the year, and while it’s not necessarily good news overall, it does bode best for television in terms of most impressive growth.

BIA VP of Forecasting & Analysis Nicole Ovadia commented, “As expected, local political advertising will be substantial this year, and it’s fueling spend across the media landscape.”

“Our slight adjustment down for this year is mainly due to mixed economic signals, a slowdown in certain consumer purchases, and lower than expected spending in Digital and Direct Mail advertising at the end of 2023 that may flow into this year. However, we still anticipate 2024 to be better for local advertising than 2023 and certain media like TV OTA, TV Digital, and CTV/OTT are growing substantially.”

BIA’s 2024 U.S. Local Advertising Forecast predicts a 9.3% increase in revenue across all media, reaching $172 billion despite a 2% reduction from the previous estimate of $175.6 billion due to mixed economic indicators and slower consumer spending.

The updated forecast also shows an adjustment in local political ad spending projections, with an estimated $11.1 billion, a 15.5% increase from 2020. Television continues to dominate political ad expenditures, with a notable increase in CTV/OTT investments.

In the breakdown of traditional versus digital advertising, digital is projected to constitute 48.7% of the overall ad spend, amounting to $84 billion, while traditional media ads are expected to make up 51.3%, totaling $88 billion.

Significant growth is forecasted in both media types, with TV OTA and TV Digital experiencing substantial growth rates of 28.3% and 24.9%, respectively. CTV/OTT stands out with a predicted 53.8% growth, driven by quality inventory, higher CPMs, and increased demand.

“Political and issue campaigns are recognizing that the combination of premium TV and targeted advertising can make a strong impact, using the same kinds of data ad buyers need with digital media,” said BIA Managing Director Rick Ducey. “Another factor supporting this growth is that we are observing spending leaking out of search and social and going into CTV/OTT.”

The forecast, covering 96 local verticals, indicates the fastest-growing sectors to be political, real estate, and leisure and recreation. Ovadia anticipates a surge in real estate advertising later in the year as interest rates potentially decrease, sparking activity in the market.

Conversely, health, general services, and automotive are expected to decline, with auto not projected to return to pre-pandemic spending levels by 2027.

The full, updated 2024 US Local Advertising Forecast is available to BIA ADVantage clients as well as separately on the BIA site.

By Rosemary Ravinal

Smart people may be displaying their sharp minds with unspoken signals. There are certain body language signs that experts say show high intelligence and superior communication abilities.

Body language is a silent orchestra, according to Psychology Today. Non-verbal messages including body movements, facial expressions, vocal tone, and volume are collectively known as body language. By comparison, the words they use are a smaller part of the composition.

Though intelligence is multifaceted and influenced by factors such as genetics, environment, education, and experiences, subtle clues in a person’s body language may reveal a great deal about their competence and leadership potential. At a time when communication skills rank higher than ever in the desired qualifications for senior executives, it’s important to decode the quiet signs of brainpower.

You might say people who harness the power of body language combined with skillful word choices are super-communicators because they deploy the full array of speech tools to connect with others. This clarity in conveying ideas without words adds an extra layer to their ability to communicate effectively.

Let’s explore eight non-verbal traits of highly intelligent people. Some of them may surprise you.

1. They maintain good posture.

Good posture is a sign of self-awareness and discipline – two characteristics of smart individuals. Whether standing or sitting, they exude a self-assured demeanor that conveys a sense of authority and competence. An erect posture helps you breathe correctly, project your voice better when you speak, and stay alert and attentive. It’s a silent yet profound display of intellectual curiosity and openness to new ideas and perspectives. Their willingness to learn from others also includes actions such as uncrossed arms and an open stance.

2. They listen with full attention.

Highly intelligent people tend to have a heightened awareness of others. They are adept at absorbing information, and their body language reflects their engagement in a conversation. Exceptional intelligence often comes together with excellent listening skills. Smart people can make you feel like you’re the only person in the room. They maintain eye contact, nod affirmatively, and use subtle gestures like arched eyebrows to signal their attentiveness and curiosity as the other person speaks.

3. They are not afraid of silence.

You can’t assume that the more someone talks the smarter they are. Smart people think before they speak and don’t feel the need to fill every moment with babble or filler words. They used measured pauses to process and formulate their thoughts. Silence can be a powerful tool for reflection and understanding, and intelligent people are OK with letting a conversation breathe. It shows a level of thoughtfulness and self-assurance that speaks volumes about their poise and confidence.

4. They are thoughtful with gestures.

The gestures of highly intelligent individuals are marked by thoughtfulness and precision. Whether it’s a hand movement used to explain a complex concept or a well-timed micro-expression like rapid eye blinks, these gestures are purposeful and reflective of their deep contemplation. Their body language acts as an extension of their articulate and analytical minds. People who use their hands while talking are seen as more engaging and credible.

5. They mirror others’ actions.

Smart people seek to connect on a deeper level and are often good at noticing social cues. That’s where mirroring comes in. It means they unconsciously imitate the gestures, speech pattern, or attitude of another. It’s a way of showing empathy and understanding to build rapport. It may be easier to spot on video calls than in person.

Contact Rosemary Ravinal for details on public speaking training programs or one-on-one coaching services in any of the following areas, in both English and Spanish:

• Public Speaking
• Media Readiness
• Presentation Skills

info@rosemaryravinal.com

NAB President/CEO sat down with Radio World to discuss the policy, legislative and business challenges facing U.S. radio broadcasters as the industry prepares for the NAB Show in its 101st year.

Also, Simon Keens writes about the unexplored power of shortwave in the 21st century.

And Buyer’s Guide turns to the crucial category of broadcast transmitters.

Read it here.

The post Read the March 13, 2024 Issue of Radio World appeared first on Radio World.

On November 27, 2023, the Media Bureau, Video Division (Bureau) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by Carolina Christian Broadcasting, Inc. (Petitioner), the licensee of WGGS-TV (Station or WGGS), channel 2, Greenville, South Carolina (Greenville), requesting the substitution of channel 29 for channel 2 at Greenville in the Table of TV Allotments. For the reasons set forth in the Report and Order referenced below, the Bureau amends FCC regulations to substitute channel 29 for channel 2 at Greenville.

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Media Bureau reinstates in various communities certain channels as a vacant FM allotment.

Issued an Order to San Francisco Television Station KBCW, Inc. canceling the $3,000 proposed forfeiture issued to KPYX .

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Following court approval of its pre-packaged Plan of Reorganization on February 20, Audacy is sharing a look into its financial status, including an upturn to kick off the new year. The broadcaster had been tight-lipped about recent performance, foregoing earnings calls since Q1 with only required SEC disclosures.

The first bright spot for Audacy comes as the company anticipates FCC approval on its Chapter 11 restructuring and intends to submit its 2023 10-K later this month.

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Despite lowering its Q4 net loss significantly and raising revenue year-over-year, one of Xperi Corp.’s largest shareholders has determined that these efforts are not enough and is calling for change on the company’s board of directors, citing what it calls a, “History of Underperformance, Poor Decision Making and Reckless Capital Allocation.”

Rubric Capital Management Managing Partner David Rosen said, “Xperi has built an attractive portfolio of innovative enablement technologies with significant monetization potential. Unfortunately, this potential has been all but squandered under the oversight of the current Board, and stockholders have paid the price.”

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