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When it comes to retransmission consent impasses, direct broadcast satellite service provider Dish has been involved in some of the nastiest, prolonged disputes in recent years. Among the companies impacted are Nexstar Media Group and Hearst Television.

Don’t think for a minute that the absence of over-the-air TV channels on Dish’s lineups isn’t a big deal. Pay TV subscriber rolls dipped in Q3, leading to a surprise loss in the quarter. If that wasn’t enough, Dish’s Chief Executive Officer revealed he’s stepping down as part of a planned merger with EchoStar. 

Investors revolted, sending Dish shares down to a value some $40 per share less than where they were in August 2021.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — After more than three decades of leadership experience with the Consumer Technology Association, holding such roles as Executive Vice President of CES and Chief Strategy Officer, Karen Chupka is departing for a role at the NAB.

Specifically, she’s poised to take over the role held by the retiring Chris Brown.

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A unique broadcast designed to highlight the importance of noncommercial educational stations run by college and high school students will hit the airwaves Nov. 8.

To build awareness of the benefits and value of educational radio, eight college and high school FM stations in the New York City area will band together for a one-day simulcast. Organized by Andy Gladding, chief engineer of WRHU(FM), the college radio station of Hofstra University, the simulcast is set to include WRSU(FM) Rutgers Radio, WCWP(FM) Long Island University, WPSC(FM) William Patterson University, WPOB(FM) Plainview Old Bethpage JFK High School, WKWZ(FM) Syosset High School, WFNP(FM) SUNY New Paltz and WARY(FM) Westchester Community College.

In addition to their status as educational radio stations, each station broadcasts between 88.1-88.9 FM, thus creating what Gladding is calling “the Big88” — in effect, New York’s biggest FM station for one day. 

The fact that so many NCE stations were interested in participating illustrates “the enthusiasm and excitement of those working in radio,” Gladding said. 

“I’ve always wanted to put something like this together, and I was really amazed by the positive feedback I received from the partner stations during the initial pitch. There’s a certain energy that surrounds any ‘large scale’ broadcast event, whether it’s a big news production, live concert, athletics program or any other technical execution that attracts a large number of ears/eyes for a specified amount of time,” he said. 

“Once the [student participants] have a chance to have this experience, I’m certain it will only empower them to think of bigger and more creative ideas they can integrate into their own studies and pre-professional development,” Gladding said.

Schools participating in the one-day broadcast will have the opportunity to showcase their own programming on a rotating basis throughout the day, with student DJs talking about how they serve their campus and their community through radio. 

WRHU Hofstra has a committed student population with more than 300 student volunteers who work to produce audio/radio play-by-play for university games — creating live mobile, web and broadcast content for Hofstra D1 teams as well as Long Island Nets basketball and the New York Islanders hockey coverage. The college radio station is one of the largest student organizations on campus.

Click on the picture to toggle between photos.

[Related: “WRHU College Radio Brings Local Programming Worldwide“]

This Big88 event is designed to help demonstrate the value of retaining FM NCE stations in the community.

“We cover lots of stuff, tough stuff like a recent faculty strike, [which] we covered wall-to-wall, and we sent out people to do hard news stories,” said Mike Pavlichko, broadcast administrator for WRSU(FM). An FM NCE since 1974, the station has editorial freedom; the university does not get involved in mandating content, he said. 

During the Big88 broadcast itself, several stations — including WPSC, WRSU and the two high school stations — will connect to the Hofstra station via Comrex IP codecs. WFNP will connect by web stream. The remainder of the stations will send its radio staff to the Hofstra studios to go on air.

“This is our first time doing a live connection to a university,” said Mike Sacharoff, chief engineer at WPSC(FM) 88.7. The station will be on from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Big88 day. “We ran a test with Hofstra and were on the air for 45 minutes straight with no problems,” he said.

“We’re excited to collaborate with them — and all of the other partners on the broadcast — as we see this being the start of a working relationship between some amazing radio programs where we can share content, ideas and initiatives,” Gladding said. “The way I see it, even though we all represent different educational institutions and programs, we are all excited for the opportunity to create a large ‘network’ of passionate, young broadcasters. Someday soon, they will all hopefully find themselves working together in the commercial sector.” 

In addition to introducing students from one station to another, the broadcast is designed to illustrate to the community that there is a diverse mix of stations out on the air.

“For me, the benefit is giving listeners in our broadcast area a different perspective of music,” Sacharoff said.

It’s also important to remember the value that NCE stations have in the community, he said. “We are here and we have a voice.” Sacharoff said he is constantly asked how big DJs in New York City or Philadelphia get their training. The answer: places like these. “It starts with a small little college radio station that is broadcast to millions,” he said.

What is impressive, Sacharoff added, is that you have a whole new generation of kids still excited and interested in radio. “There is something different about being live over the air.”

A collaboration like this speaks volumes to the community building done by NCE broadcasters. “Beginning that team-building now by working together just makes us all stronger and gives us tremendous reach, while also increasing the value of our individual programs in the public sphere,” Gladding said.

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The post The NYC Area Preps for Debut of the Big88 appeared first on Radio World.

In September 2019, longtime regional sports network NESN welcomed a new Vice President of Digital. He was previously Creative Director of Digital Media at NBC Sports and before that spent 20 years working at such organizations as ESPN, Kaulike Digital, Fusion Productions and Palmside.

Now, this native of Argentina has been convicted of mail fraud and unlawful monetary transactions in an embezzlement case that saw the digital VP vociferously deny the allegations.

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Some might describe John O. Broomall Sr. as a serial filer of FCC forms. In fact, he estimates he has submitted more than 1,000 successful filings to the commission.  

Broomall, 83, is recognized by many as a national authority on community radio. He operates Christian Community Broadcasters, a consultancy near Atlanta, that he founded with his wife Henri in early 2000. He has helped more than 300 churches, ministries, school and community groups build and operate noncommercial low-power FM stations. 

Broomall got his start in broadcasting at 17 as a student intern when WETV Channel 30, now WABE(DT), signed on in Atlanta in 1958, one of the first city-owned PBS stations. He helped found WATC(TV) Channel 57, a non-CPB private educational station, in 1996 and retired from his job there as underwriting manager in 2012. 

The son of a Southern Presbyterian pastor, he estimates more than half of the 2,000 LPFM stations on the air in the United States are operated by churches and Christian ministries. The veteran broadcaster operated WPCG(LP), Grace Radio in Canton, Ga., but turned over operation of the station to Encompass Ministry in 2022. 

Radio World spoke with him about the success of the LPFM service, demand for new stations, a proposal to increase power levels and his life as a Christian broadcaster. Some answers have been edited for brevity.

Radio World: What are your emotions on learning about the November filing window for new LPFMs?

John Broomall: There has not been a low-power FM window since 2013, and I am excited for what will probably be the final one. The radio dial is getting full nationally in urban and suburban areas. At 83, it will be the climax of my broadcasting career. 

RW: Have you had many calls from prospective LPFM broadcasters seeking help?

Broomall: Since CCB started in 2000, I have proactively sought clients through ads and faxing, emailing, calling and mailing to prospects. I am notifying all my clients and relying on referrals to keep me busy.

RW: What do LPFM wannabes need help the most with?  

Broomall: Frankly, everything. LPFM is a unique radio service not understood even by some FCC employees. If a person has never filed an LPFM Form 318, being a full-power radio personality is of no benefit.

RW: What should people know about the commission’s procedures?

Broomall: FCC legacy rules and procedures, changes the commission made in 2019 and its future rulings can best be interpreted by men and women who have done dozens or hundreds of low-power FMs. “Do it yourself” is not for brain surgery, repairing aircraft or filing in the fiercely competitive November window. 

For example, one LPFM board with a former “pirate” member did not know it was a fatal flaw. Once filed it’s too late to remove the person.

RW: You recognized the significance of LPFM early on. How do you characterize the success of the service?

Broomall: Is a cup half full or half empty? Is it 80% full or 20% empty? Listeners to a station don’t care if it is 100 watts or 100 kW if they can hear it. 

People define success differently. A manager of a Christian station might be satisfied to reach one person with the Good News. Someone else would say that it had failed if it had not met its budget. 

RW: Are you an advocate for allowing LPFMs to increase power to 250 watts, as some have proposed? 

Broomall: While I want LPFMs to reach as many people as possible, I have never really been an advocate for LP250. The 250 watts would work only in small towns and rural areas, based on terrain and an open dial. 

RW: Share your thoughts about the role of Christian radio in our society.

Broomall: Anyone who believes in the afterlife knows that Christian radio literally has eternal significance. Good and evil is everywhere, from huge cities such as New York and Chicago to rural Alaska where long nights and isolation foster evil such as incest. Christians should use radio and all other modern communication and social media tools.

Radio is one of the most cost-effective ways to spread the Good News. A low-power FM can operate 24/7 for less than $25 a week. 

RW: What is Grace Radio?

Broomall: The slogan of Grace Radio, 102.9 in Canton, Ga., is “We Proclaim Christ’s Grace.” WPCG has operated at four transmitter sites, moving closer to Atlanta to reach more people, as FCC regulations allowed. We are in the heart of the Bible belt. To the best of my knowledge, metro Atlanta has more Christian radio and TV stations than anywhere else in the world.

Grace Radio is 100% automated. Most programming is from Moody Radio, the oldest Christian broadcaster, founded in 1926 by Moody Bible Institute. Other national radio ministry programs, such as “Family Talk” from Dr. James Dobson, are delivered by internet and air on a revenue-sharing basis. Grace 102.9 has never had its own studio but produces programs at a local recording studio.

RW: You say you are on a first-name basis with some at the FCC. Describe your dealings with them through the years.

Broomall: Friendly. Cordial. Productive.

The FCC has serious, chronic, ongoing database and IT problems that frustrate me and my high-level FCC staff contacts. Information about a given station should be the same, for example, in the Consolidated Database System and in the Licensing and Management System, but sometimes it is not. It’s frustrating to take one step forward and two backward. I blame inconsistency in regulatory enforcement and interpretation not on the government but on human nature. 

RW: Hypothetical question: If you were to serve as an FCC commissioner, what would be the first few things to address?

Broomall: LPFM is unique among all broadcast services with no commercials and 100 watts or less. When it was established in 2000 one of the commissioners called its founding a “rocket docket.”

While I’m not a libertarian, I believe the role of the FCC related to LPFM should be limited to technical interference. Most of the regulations related to board membership, localism, mission statement and assignments are inconsistent, with loopholes the size of semi trucks, and should be eliminated.

RW: What are a few things people should know about you outside of broadcast?

Broomall: I processed “Top Secret/Eyes Only” messages as a communication specialist in Vietnam. I’m interested in long-distance radio and TV reception, DXing. I operated an advertising and printing business at Five Points in downtown Atlanta. Over a period of 20 years I wrote professionally more than 10,000 résumés.

I’m also active in my church as a Reformed Christian. I’ve served as a deacon. I’ve also been on the founding board of two Christian schools. Last, but not least, I outlived three wives over a period of 50 years.

RW: Your late wife Henri was involved in the business.

Broomall: Henri died three years ago of a rare blood disease, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or TTP. She was not only my wife but my live-in radio consulting partner from the beginning. Almost daily I see passwords and FCC filings she set up or handled.

In 2016 when Mike Huckabee, who once owned an LPTV station, was running for president, I was upset with the FCC about something. A friend of ours knew the person running his campaign in Georgia. I told Henri, “If Huckabee gets to be president I’ll use my contacts and ask to be named an FCC commissioner.” Immediately Henri responded, “You are going to Washington without me.”

RW: And what has been the most satisfying part of your career?

Broomall: Helping nearly 300 LPFM applicants or licensees. Speaking at National Religious Broadcasters conventions about LPFM and underwriting workshop panels. And I’m grateful that at 83, my best opportunities might be in the future. My new website LowPowerFM.info summarizes what I am busy doing now.

[Related: “FCC Delays the LPFM Window”]

The post John Broomall: Broadcasting God’s Word appeared first on Radio World.

NEW YORK — Come Tuesday, November 14, industry leaders from across broadcast radio and television will be readying to attend Forecast 2024 the following day at the Harvard Club. Ahead of the event, at the Paley Center for Media, the nation’s largest owner of broadcast TV stations will officially kick off a “collection of exclusive symposiums designed to bring thought leaders and influential voices to examine critical issues related to media, content and advertising.”

In short, Nexstar wishes to demonstrate the power of its news content to marketers, and it is teaming with Ad Fontes Media to accomplish this.

See Ad Fontes Media Chief Strategy Officer Lou Paskalis exclusively at Forecast 2024 one day after the Nexstar event in New York. Find out how by clicking HERE.

 

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NEW YORK — A technology platform and media company that boasts some 265 brands including Sports Illustrated, Men’s Journal and Parade has signed a “definitive agreement” that will see it merge with the subsidiary of Simplify Inventions LLC that houses the fast-growing 24/7 all-news broadcast network NewsNet.

As Vince Bodiford sees it, the deal that brings the companies together allows Arena Group Holdings and Bridge Media Networks to “fully harness the potential of strong media brands, audience engagement and multiple platforms anchored in the digital, print and broadcasting spaces.

See Bridge Media Networks CEO Vince Bodiford at Forecast 2024 next Wednesday!

10:00-10:45 a.m.
Main Street Media: Where Local Broadcast Survives & Thrives
They are creative, nimble, and understand how to maximize the importance of local radio and television. They are independent and small broadcast groups, and this session explores the “secret sauce” that enables them to be competitive, successful, and innovative in an ever-changing media environment.

Moderator: Justin Sasso, President/CEO, Colorado Broadcasters Association
Panelists: Vincent Benedetto, Founder/President/CEO, Bold Gold Media Group
Vince Bodiford, CEO/Head of Media, Bridge Media Network
Melody Spann Cooper, Chairman, Midway Broadcasting Corporation
Brian Lilly, CEO, Lilly Broadcasting

 

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Karen Chupka will succeed Chris Brown as leader of the conventions arm of the National Association of Broadcasters.

She was with the Consumer Technology Association for 34 years, most recently as chief strategy officer and executive vice president of CES. She left in January of this year to start a consultancy, with CTA as her first client, according to Trade Show News Network.

“In her new role at NAB, Chupka will set the strategy, manage the business and inspire the people that produce NAB Show, NAB Show New York and NAB Amplify,” the NAB said in the announcement. Her title will be  managing director and executive vice president, Global Connections and Events.

She starts Jan. 1. Chris Brown announced in July that he plans to transition out after the 2024 NAB Show, after 25 years with the organization.

President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt noted Chupka’s “long track record of exemplary leadership managing and growing one of the largest trade shows in the world.”

Chupka called the spring NAB Show “a widely respected and unrivaled marketplace of innovative products, services and ideas that are driving the future of the media industry.”

[Read more recent coverage of NAB conventions and events.]

 

The post Karen Chupka Will Lead NAB Shows appeared first on Radio World.

The Fed has raised interest rates more than a point since 12 months ago. Meanwhile, an ever-expanding list of digital and non-linear platforms competes with broadcast media in the battle for eyes and ears. Is there still value in transmitters and towers? Can broadcast media’s digital assets convince investors that they deliver better than any other comers when combined with broadcast?

Three industry experts will join veteran radio and television business leader Randy Michaels to take a hard, pragmatic look at what investors think about broadcast media today at Forecast 2024 on November 15 in New York.

Warning: You may not like what you hear, but you need to hear it.

Join us at Forecast 2024 for what promises to be a provocative discussion.

Moderating the conversation is one of the most recognizable figures of the last three decades in both Radio and in Television: Randy Michaels.

Today, Michaels is the sole proprietor of radio station licensee Radioactive LLC and describes himself as a “mediocre broadcast technician who has dabbled in programming, management, and station ownership.” In fact, Michaels has been attributable in more U.S. broadcast licenses than anyone else “and therefore has extensive experience guessing what stations might be worth.” As CEO of Jacor Communications, Michaels led one of the nation’s most successful radio groups. In 2005, he began working with Oak Hill Capital Partners on acquisition opportunities and was eventually appointed CEO. He later served as EVP of the Chicago-based Tribune Company and CEO of Interactive and Broadcasting Operations as part of the management restructuring following the consummation of the Tribune privatization.

John Catsimatidis, owner of 77 WABC in New York.

On the panel is John Catsimatidis, the entrepreneur known for Gristedes supermarkets in the City of New York who is also the owner of Red Apple Media. It purchased iconic News/Talk 77 WABC in 2020 and today also owns WLIR-FM 107.1, a simulcast partner serving Long Island’s Eastern Half.

Also on the panel are Bob Heymann, the Chicago-based media broker with Media Services Group, and Rob Folliard, the SVP of Government Relations and Distribution at Gray Television. 

Now in its 21st year, Forecast is broadcast media’s most prestigious leadership conference. Presented by Streamline Publishing’s Radio + Television Business Report and Radio Ink, and co-chaired by Catherine Badalamente of Graham Media Group and David Santrella of Salem Media Group, Forecast provides unprecedented opportunities for learning, networking, and conversation with our industry’s top leaders. Forecast 2024 takes place at the Harvard Club in New York City on November 15.  Register online today!

From Radio World’s Who’s Buying What page: ENCO DAD automation systems are being installed at the 14 Seacrest Studios in pediatric hospitals, including a new one at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens, N.Y.

The Ryan Seacrest Foundation builds broadcast media centers for pediatric patients “to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media, and contribute positively to the healing process for children and their parents.” The first studios opened in 2010 emphasizing radio broadcast and production. 

“There were always video elements so that patients could visually take in what was happening in the studio inside their rooms,” said Nicole Mead, the foundation’s VP business development and operations, in a joint press release with ENCO. 

“As technology has evolved along with the desires of young patients, we have made significant investments on the video production side. Seacrest Studios locations today have the appearance of a combination radio and television studio. The square footage of Seacrest Studios has essentially doubled since our first build.”

She said the foundation is installing DAD systems streamline workflow in all the studios and to add hooks for video production elements such as PTZ cameras.

The foundation schedules most content centrally from a NOC in Nashville. The local ENCO DAD systems handle file conversions, metadata and other production elements that previously required separate components and manual intervention; for instance DAD’s Dropbox utility automatically manages required conversions and places content in the appropriate file directories for scheduling. 

The 14th Seacrest Studio opened in September at the Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

Read more Who’s Buying What coverage.

The post Seacrest Studios Standardize on ENCO DAD appeared first on Radio World.

It’s being hailed as a holiday season with the launch of the most festive channels to date. Indeed, for Sirius XM subscribers, some 26 ad-free channels have been created for those who need a little Christmas and some Hanukkah tunes in their repertoire between now and the holidays.

Accessing the channels, however, won’t be as simple as dialing up a channel on an in-dash tuner.

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It was resoundingly popular in its first year. Now, the third annual Broadcast Media’s Top Tech Leaders list is being formulated, with 20 honorees set for the RBR+TVBR spotlight. Will Sinclair Broadcast Group President of Technology Del Parks, Nexstar Media Group EVP/Chief Technology Officer Brett Jenkins or another top tech leader be at No. 1 this year? It’s up to you, but you only have until Friday, November 10 to vote.

 

To make your nomination, please follow RBR+TVBR’s guidelines:

1. The persons you nominate must be active in radio and television media technology today and have a minimum of five years’ experience in broadcast media.
2. Nominations can come from any department of your radio or television station or parent company.
3. HURRY! You may make up to three nominations by our deadline of Friday, November 10 at 5pm Eastern. Please fill out only one ballot.

CLICK ON THE RBR+TVBR BOX BELOW TO CAST YOUR BALLOT NOW!

 

Who Are Broadcast Media’s Top Tech Leaders Of 2024?

The individual who has most recently served as VP/GM of the Sinclair Broadcast Group property serving the Johnstown-Altoona-State College, Pa., market just to the east of Pittsburgh has been promoted to a similar role at the TV station in the state capital where he began his career.

With that move, the General Sales Manager of that Johnstown, Pa., property is rising to the top spot.

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Jack Sellmeyer

Jack Sellmeyer, one of American radio’s leading broadcast engineers in the second half of the 20th century, has died.

Early in his career, he worked in manufacturing and design for the Gates Radio division of Harris Intertype and Collins Radio, where he gained several patents; he was the co-inventor of the patented automatic modulation sensitivity control. He later launched his own firm, Sellmeyer Engineering, and worked as its principal engineer.

“It’s a great thing to be able to do the work you love,” he told Radio World in 2009.

During his career Sellmeyer worked with or was mentored by some of radio engineering’s greatest names of the 20th century including Bob Silliman, Jules Cohen, Louis and Tom King, Ben Dawson, Don Everist and Bob duTreil Sr. He received the NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award in 2009.

“Education is the key to success for any broadcast engineer,” he told Radio World late in his career.

“Jack was one of the best, smartest consulting engineers I have ever worked with,” said Cris Alexander, director of engineering for Crawford Broadcasting and technical editor of Radio World Engineering Extra.

“He was creative and could think outside the box. He was a master with AM antenna systems and knew how to make even difficult arrays work as they should. We have lost one of the greats.”

Growing up in New Mexico, Sellmeyer started as a board op at his hometown radio station while in high school. He held several chief engineer positions while putting himself through college at New Mexico State University and Arizona State University.

He joined Collins Radio Company in 1966 after graduating from Arizona State with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He worked in product support and then field service positions, traveling to radio stations that used Collins equipment to assist in troubleshooting unusual problems and restoring operations.

After a short stint with Granger Associates in its Bauer Broadcast Division, where he developed design specifications for a solid-state FM stereo exciter, Sellmeyer moved to the Gates Radio Division of Harris Intertype in 1969 and worked in the FM engineering department. “I enjoyed product design very much — the whole design planning process where you set the objective for a project and then actually see it in production and have success in the field,” he said later.

Sellmeyer developed new modulator and automatic frequency control modules for the TE-1 solid-state FM exciter to correct frequency stability problems. “It became the TE-3 exciter used in the entire Gates/Harris FM-XXH3 model transmitters,” Sellmeyer said.

Other projects for Gates/Harris included advanced development of high-power amplifiers and design work on the FMX-70 exciter.

Nationwide Communications hired him as chief of its Cleveland radio combo in 1970. He rejoined Collins Radio, which had been acquired by Rockwell International, three years later as senior engineer working on FM exciters and on 5 kW and 1 kW pulse-width modulated transmitters.

Rockwell International eventually sold the division to Continental Electronics in 1980. Sellmeyer then launched his broadcast engineering consulting firm.

He worked over the subsequent decades on AM allocations, FCC applications, transmitter plant design and construction supervision, and AM directional antenna design and measurements. He also contributed to NAB workshops and seminars related to AM directional antennas.

In 2014 the Texas Association of Broadcasters honored him with its George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence; the TAB said at the time that his ability to simplify complex issues for GMs, owners and others was a key trait of his career, especially in the area of AM directional antennas.

Read Radio World’s 2009 profile and interview.

Randy Stine contributed to this article.

The post Jack Sellmeyer, Accomplished Engineer and Consultant, Has Died appeared first on Radio World.

Through Wednesday, public radio and TV stations in the United States have another opportunity to apply for federal money to help fund certain technical improvements.

The aim is to boost public broadcasting’s emergency alerting capabilities. Some $34 million is available in this phase of the Next Generation Warning System Grant Program.

Applications are being accepted through Nov. 8, with grants to be awarded on a rolling basis into late 2025. The first broadcasters to receive money included stations in Florida and Mississippi.

[Related: ”CPB Starts Distributing Warning Grants”]

In 2022 the Department of Homeland Security asked the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to administer the program and lay out its goals. FEMA awarded CPB a total of $96 million over two fiscal years.

Among the objectives are to enhance the ability of local stations to receive, broadcast and redistribute emergency alert messages from FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS); to enhance infrastructure so that public stations can launch enhanced broadcast services; and to expand delivery and distribution of emergency alerts from IPAWS to fill gaps and reach more people in underserved areas.

CPB will distribute money to public stations on a rolling basis to purchase, install and receive training on upgraded IPAWS alert equipment.

For radio stations, the program can fund upgrades to digital broadcast equipment and capabilities as well as potentially fund the purchase of resilience-related equipment like emergency generators.

CPB hopes in particular to hear from stations that broadcast in underserved geographic locations like tribal or remote rural communities. It also seeks stations that reach people with unique access needs and those with limited English, and stations where upgrading their alerting systems create a financial burden.

Other considerations include whether a station is in an area with risk factors such as hurricanes or wildfires; the uniqueness of a station’s public broadcasting coverage; the age of existing equipment; and whether a station has with a clear project timeline. The money is not for things like general cosmetic and structural upgrades.

Applicants should request access to the CPB’s Grants Management System by emailing ngws@cpb.org. They will need to submit audited financial statements for several fiscal years, an inventory of current capital equipment, and proof of nonprofit status among other requirements.

Details and guidelines can be found here. The CPB also posted an FAQ page.

The post Public Stations: Note This Funding Deadline appeared first on Radio World.

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Issued a Forfeiture Order in the amount of $1,500 to Glendive Broadcasting Corporation for the violation of Commission rules.

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It’s a Class A FM serving tiny Gig Harbor, Wash., licensed to a local public school district. And, like many educational institutions in recent years, it is ready to say goodbye to the facility. Or, if the public demands it, it will continue to own and operate KGHP-FM.

The station is licensed to Peninsula School District, and offers students “a unique and hands-on broadcasting experience from studios at Peninsula High School.”

Keeping the lights on at KGHP depends on financial contributions and sponsorships from local underwriters, and after 35 years the station’s future appears to be in question. A meeting has been scheduled for November 7 at 1pm to discuss “the fate” of KGHP.

In locales elsewhere across the U.S., the sale of a broadcast property would be the likely conclusion, with colleges and universities across the nation cashing in and opting to either go online with their student-run stations or cease operations altogether. Some schools have cited a lack of student interest in Radio as a reason for saying farewell with owning an FM.

At Peninsula High School, broadcasting classes in recent years have suffered from dwindling enrollment. Then, at the close of the 2022 school year, Peninsula School District ended the broadcast program following the retirement of the instructor. Then, the school district parted ways with the station manager as part of a round of layoffs designed to reduce $12 million from the current year budget.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting at the district administration office. Current and former station volunteers, and others with an interest in the station’s future, are encouraged to attend.

As of 1:15pm Friday, KGHP was heard playing the Delfonics’ “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” a 1970 R&B classic that won a Grammy.