Feed aggregator

.

.

Memorandum Opinion and Order dismisses the Application for Review filed by Albuquerque Board of Education seeking reinstatement of the cancelled licenses of DKRSN(AM), Los Alamos, New Mexico and FM Translator Station DK296GI, Los Alamos, New Mexico.

.

For years, cable TV subscribers in two Western New York counties have had the ability to watch CBS programming from either Buffalo or Rochester, N.Y.

Not anymore. Charter Communications’ Spectrum has dropped the affiliate serving the latter market from its systems in those two Empire State locales.

Interestingly enough, both CBS affiliates are owned by the same company — Nexstar Media Group. And, Nexstar has put the blame on the MVPD for not wanting to pay for it.

Spectrum sees it differently.

 

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

Several years ago, the author wrote about options available to AM stations and licensees that needed to move or wanted to maximize their facilities. Radio World asked him to update that useful article for our recent ebook “Maximizing Your AM Infrastructure.”

I have in recent years had discussions with several individuals about AM siting issues. Stations frequently lose their land leases or have to sell their land for economic reasons. Landlords and station owners find that the dirt under the AM tower or towers is worth far more for another purpose than as an AM site.

Many times, this news comes with little warning, and stations don’t have a lot of time to find another site. The other side of this double-edged sword is that it isn’t easy to build a tower anymore, even out in the middle of nowhere.

Tight ASR regulations requiring public notice and environmental processing, in addition to NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) and NPA (Nationwide Programmatic Agreement) compliance, can add years to the tower approval process. Add to that the state and local environmental, zoning and land use regulations that many venues have in place, and you may find that it will take three or four years just to get all the approvals needed to build — if you can get them at all.

None of that regulatory compliance is cheap. The cost can easily exceed the cost of the tower or towers. Or even the whole radio station. The sad economic reality can well be that it’s just not worth it. The earnings potential of the AM station over five or 10 years may not come close to paying for development of the new site. All of that pushes AM station owners to look at other options, one of which may be shutting the station off and turning in the license. We’ve done that very thing at Crawford Broadcasting in recent years.

COLLOCATION

“Collocation” is a word that has gained popularity with local regulatory bodies since the start of the cellular boom. I have found that some local planning bodies have the word written into policy or even codified into statute. If an applicant comes to them wanting to build an antenna support structure of any kind, their first question is whether it can be collocated on an existing site. The bar is often set fairly high for this, making collocation a much more attractive route than new construction.

Of course, these rules and policies were written mostly to address the cellular proliferation of the past close to 30 years. AM (or any broadcast) use was not even a factor; but a tower is a tower, so AMs get lumped in with the rest and have the same burden of proof as to why they can’t simply hang their little antenna on the side of the 60-foot 5G monopole behind the Wal-Mart.

That being said, it’s a pretty rare thing for an AM station to be the only broadcast outlet in a town, especially in urbanized areas, and that opens up the possibility of some kind of collocation.

AM WITH AM

The easiest kind of collocation to do is with another AM station. If the tower is tall enough to present a reasonable impedance and the stations are sufficiently far apart in frequency (>120 kHz), diplexing two AM stations together is a fairly simple matter of using pass/reject filters on each frequency. Fig. 1 shows cabinets enclosing the needed components. 

Fig. 1: These cabinets contain diplex filters, ATU and prematch components to allow two 15 kW AM stations to share the tower.

Just a little over a year ago, I did a “DIY” diplex project that was chronicled in the pages of Radio World Engineering Extra. Give that a look for an example of what can be done in some circumstances. 

Even if a tower might otherwise be considered too short for the frequency of the station to be collocated, there are often things that can be done to make it work. Reactance can be resonated with shunt components to raise the impedance, and broadbanding networks can sometimes be used to produce a better VSWR bandwidth.

Until February 2016, stations didn’t often have this option. The FCC’s minimum antenna efficiency standards required in most cases for an antenna to produce at least 282 mV/m per kilowatt at 1 km. Fifty-five electrical degrees was about as short as you could go and still meet the standard.

In the FCC’s initial AM Revitalization effort, the minimum antenna efficiency standard was reduced to 215 mV/m per kilowatt at 1 km. Curve A in §73.190, Figure 8 only goes down to about 18 electrical degrees (0.05 wavelength), and that corresponds to about 214 mV/m, so presumably a 19-degree antenna would meet the minimum antenna efficiency standard. That really gives stations some options. The lower efficiency could be made up for with transmitter power (and electricity usage).

A station on 600 kHz could, for example, diplex with a station on 1550 kHz that uses a 90-degree (158-foot) tower and still easily meet the minimum antenna efficiency standard.

Of course, we’re talking about non-directional daytime operation here. At night, the vertical plane radiation pattern comes into play, known as the “function of theta.” Short towers are notorious “cloud burners,” radiating a lot of energy well above the horizon. A full-time non-directional AM station that moves from a quarter-wave tower to one that’s 30 or 40 degrees tall will have to reduce power at night to keep from raising the night limits of all the other stations on frequency, particularly those within a few hundred miles.

Can directional stations diplex together? Certainly, if the tower lines and spacing are right for putting the lobes and nulls in the right places. 

Years ago, I had a 5 kW 1290 kHz station in Portland that diplexed into all three towers of a 50 kW 1520 kHz station. The tower line and spacing were just right and it worked. At present I have a 5 kW 970 kHz station in Buffalo that diplexes with a 5 kW 1270 kHz station using all five towers of our directional array, and it works well for both stations day and night (Fig. 2). That kind of thing is rare, however.

Fig. 2: This five-tower inline array is home to WDCZ and WHLD, both 5 kW stations, in the Buffalo market. That’s Lake Erie in the background.

How about a non-directional AM diplexing on one tower of another station’s directional array? That’s fairly easy to do, although pass/reject filters and detuning components will be required at the unused towers for the relocated station. It’s also possible to use as a directional antenna just a few towers of another station’s array that has more than that, again provided that the tower line and spacing are right, and again with the understanding that pass/reject filters and detuning components will be required on all the unused towers.

[Check Out More of Radio World’s Facility Showcases]

AM ON FM/TV

It’s also possible for an FM or TV (or communications) tower to be used as an AM radiator. The easiest way to do this is to add a set of skirt wires to the tower, insulate the guy wires and plow in a radial ground system. If the tower is fairly tall, the skirt wires may need only go up part of the way, leaving the top part of the tower unencumbered for antenna mounting. Fig. 3 shows two adjacent towers “wearing” a wire skirt.

Fig. 3: The stick on the left is an FM structure with a wire skirt to allow an AM to operate using the tower. The one on the right is a communications tower with an AM skirt.

For many years, I have used Greater Media’s 1,000-foot “Motower” in Detroit for a nighttime site for our 560 kHz station there, seen in Fig. 4. A set of skirt wires runs some distance up the tower and shorts to it at a spot that provides a reasonable impedance at the bottom of the skirt.

Fig. 4: WRDT feeds a skirt on the 1,000-foot Motower in Detroit. Note the insulated guy wires.

Only three ground radials are used for this antenna because of structures and parking lot that occupy what would be the antenna field. Field measurements were made to prove the efficiency of the antenna and determine the input power.

That’s sort of an extreme example, but the point is that it works very well, and we have seldom seen any base impedance change as a result of antenna and transmission line changes on up the tower.

[Sign Up for Radio World’s SmartBrief Newsletter]

NON-TRADITIONAL ANTENNAS

I would be remiss if I did not mention non-traditional antenna options such as the Kinstar from Kintronic Laboratories (Fig. 5) and the Valcom whip.

The Kinstar uses an array of five short support poles instead of a tower and has been shown to provide good results, an inverse distance field of 300 mV/m/kW, and it is short enough that it may not require any special zoning or local regulatory approval.

Fig. 5: The Kinstar antenna is a non-traditional, low-profile AM radiator that may work in height-limited situations.

The Valcom Whip antenna is a 75- or 85-foot (depending on model) fiberglass whip that’s good for 2 kW input power below 1,000 kHz and 5 kW above. in 2008, the FCC approved use of the 85-foot Valcom Whip above 1,200 kHz, stating in the public notice that it met the minimum antenna efficiency standard in effect at the time. Presumably, the Valcom could be used on lower frequencies now that the minimum efficiency standard has been lowered.

Either of these options would require a ground system, and a full quarter-wavelength radial system would be best. Still, a low-profile antenna would likely find an easier (and faster) path through the regulatory labyrinth than a full-sized tower.

GROUND SYSTEMS

What happens when an existing station moves to the tower(s) of a higher-frequency station and the ground system is short on the lower frequency? The short answer, no pun intended, is that this is largely taken care of in the new antenna efficiency standards.

The FCC has an unpublished (as far as I know) algorithm that it uses to calculate the inverse distance field of an AM tower with a shortened ground system, based on the average length and number of radials. For example, a 55-degree tower with a full 90-degree 120-radial ground system has an efficiency of 282 mV/m at 1 km per kilowatt. Change the average radial length to 60 degrees and the Curve A efficiency drops to 257 mV/m/kW.

The bottom line (again, no pun intended) with these things is that measurements trump everything (as they did with the Motower example), so if in doubt, if on the edge or off the bottom of the chart, request an STA or experimental authority, temporarily feed the tower on the new frequency and go out and make some measurements in accordance with §73.186. You can then submit those with your application. Measurements would almost certainly be required with a Kinstar or Valcom antenna.

COMMUNITY COVERAGE

I should mention the changes in the community coverage standards that were also enacted in 2016. Before the change, AM stations had to produce 5 mV/m coverage of 80 percent or more of the principal community during the day and interference-free coverage in the same percentage of the community at night. That was a real problem for siting AM stations, especially as community boundaries have often grown and available sites are many times a good distance from the town.

The new rules, which require only 50% principal community coverage with the daytime 5 mV/m contour and 50% (area or population) nighttime principal community coverage with the higher of the night interference-free contour or 5 mV/m, give existing AMs that are forced to move a lot of options.

If you’re faced with the prospect of an AM site move, keep these options in mind.

[Check Out More of Radio World’s Tech Tips]

The post In a Challenging Era, AM Stations Still Have Options appeared first on Radio World.

iHeartMedia knew it would get a healthy cash boost from the sale of its equity interest in Broadcast Music Inc. Now it has announced the total: $101.4 million.

It announced the total in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission once the acquisition of BMI by a shareholder group led by New Mountain Capital closed.

The dollar amount is in line with an estimate that had been announced when the acquisition was made public in November.

iHeart says it plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of debt.

The post iHeartMedia Gets $101.4 Million From Sale of BMI appeared first on Radio World.

NASHVILLE — The Pandora Media LLC unit of Sirius XM has been used in a Nashville federal district court on the grounds that it short-changed the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) on royalty payments.

The MLC also seeks late fees from Pandora, due under a compulsory mechanical blanket license obtained by Pandora to reproduce and distribute musical works in the United States via its consumer music streaming platform.

The MLC seeks corrected usage reporting and associated unpaid royalties and late fees for periods dating back to January 1, 2021, along with an order requiring compliance going forward. A copy of the complaint can be found here.

While Spotify has largely taken over individual music-on-demand streaming from Pandora, the latter’s place in the retail world has grown under Sirius XM ownership. However, the action from the MLC asserts that Pandora underreported and underpaid mechanical royalties due in connection with the operation of its ad-supported music streaming offering marketed as “Pandora Free.”

The action further explains that Pandora Free is an interactive service under the law, meaning that mechanical royalties are due for all streaming activity on the service. According to the MLC, Pandora has only reported a portion of the activity on Pandora Free and “refused” to report and pay mechanical royalties for the rest of the activity.

In a statement, The MLC’s Chief Executive Officer, Kris Ahrend, said, “The MLC has worked closely and tirelessly with blanket licensees to ensure their compliance with the compulsory license terms. Our team repeatedly sought to resolve this issue directly with Pandora, but Pandora has refused to correct their reporting or royalty payments. The MLC is the only entity that has the statutory authority under the Music Modernization Act to take legal steps to enforce the obligations of streaming services. We have brought this action to ensure that our Members receive all the mechanical royalties they are due in connection with the use of their songs by Pandora on the Pandora Free service.”

The MLC was appointed by the Register of Copyrights to administer the blanket license and is the only entity authorized to collect and distribute the license royalties and enforce the license obligations on behalf of rightsholders.

 

DBC Radio, how Dick Broadcasting chooses to market itself in the Coastal Empire of Georgia, has handed the role of Operations Manager for its stations serving Savannah, Ga., and nearby Hilton Head-Bluffton-Beaufort, S.C., to the man who serves as the afternoon host and Program Director for its Country station in the two markets.

Taking the expanded role at the stations is Nathan James. 

He’ll retain his PD/afternoon role for WUBB “Bob 106.9,” licensed to Bluffton, while also shifting from interim to full-time PD of Top 40 WGCO-FM “Hot 98.3,” which serves Savannah from Midway, Ga., to the south near Brunswick.

“Since Nathan joined our team in 2022, he has proven himself to be strategic, innovative and creative earning him this promotion,” said Jason Goodman, Vice President of Programming at DBC Radio. “He is committed to keeping our brands local and community focused, while implementing his experience in programming, promotions, marketing and digital. Under his leadership, we will have the opportunity to grow our footprint in the South Carolina Lowcountry and Southeast Georgia Region.”

DBC Radio Market Manager Aaron Wilborn added, “Nathan has shown an incredible amount of creativity towards the stations and his implementation of strategy to engage the audience and provide a better experience he been nothing short of amazing. His leadership and guidance to his programming partners has also shown that he is well-deserving of this promotion. I look forward to working with him and continuing to grow our brands in the Savannah/Hilton Head markets.”

James thanked Goodman and Wilborn “for allowing us to showcase creativity, encourage professional growth and providing leadership that has afforded me this opportunity.”

James joined DBC Radio after years of similar roles with SummitMedia in Richmond and Omaha; Adams Radio Group in Salisbury-Ocean City, Md.; and for iHeartMedia in Philadelphia, Raleigh and Norfolk. He’s also worked for Gene Loving’s Max Media in Norfolk, and for Audacy when it was known as Entercom, also in Hampton Roads.

Photo courtesy TDF

Throughout 2023, network operator TDF worked to deploy 100 new DAB+ transmitters at 70 sties across mainland France. Through this effort, more than 55% of French citizens have access to DAB+ digital radio signals and more than 550 radio stations broadcast using the technology in the country.

“2023 marks an essential milestone for DAB+, with more than one in two French people now able to listen to the radio thanks to this technology,” stated Karim El Naggar, General Director of Audiovisual and Networks at TDF. “I congratulate … the TDF teams, who, through their expertise and professionalism, enabled the deployment of a very large number of transmitters in a very short time.”

TDF is currently focused on the second phase of deploying the M1 and M2 national multiplexes, which carry 13 services. Since October, TDF has brought online 44 DAB+ transmitters in alignment with the ARCOM deployment plan. This second phase, which brings DAB+ reception to new motorways across the county, is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2024.

Speaking at the Paris Radio Show in early February, ARCOM President Roch-Olivier Maistre noted that 110 DAB+ multiplexes are not authorized in mainland France. In overseas France, experimental service are on air in Martinique and 20 stations in Réunion have requested the start of a DAB+ experimental service. “No less than 555 services are authorized and more than 60% of the metropolitan population should be covered by this broadcast standard at the end of March,” he said.

[Sign Up for Radio World’s SmartBrief Newsletter]

The post 100 New DAB+ Transmitters Across France appeared first on Radio World.

Add Gray Television‘s broadcast television stations serving Cleveland to the list of free-to-air offerings that will be bringing regular-season National Basketball Association games to fans across the local viewing area without the need to pay to view it.

The company’s affiliate for The CW Network in Cleveland, WUAB-43, is teaming up with the Cleveland Cavaliers for five home games.

The games set to air on WUAB are as follows:

March 5: Cavs vs. Celtics
March 8: Cavs vs. Timberwolves
March 29: Cavs vs. 76ers
(home games)

April 6: Cavs vs. Lakers
April 7: Cavs vs. Clippers
(in Los Angeles, with 3:30pm Eastern air times)

“We are excited to announce that all fans of the Cavaliers will be able to watch five games for free on broadcast television,” said Matt Moran, the Senior Managing Vice President for Gray Television and a Cavaliers fan. “This is a great opportunity for WUAB and Gray Television to collaborate with the Cavs to provide the team’s devoted fans with complete access to the games no matter how they watch TV.”

WUAB General Manager David Hughes added, “The Cavaliers and WUAB 43 have had a broadcasting partnership dating back over 50 years. We couldn’t be happier to have the Cavs back on Channel 43 for the first time since 2019.”

Speaking for the team, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and Rock Entertainment Group CEO Nic Barlage, who holds the title for the Cavaliers as well, said, “We are constantly evaluating every available opportunity to create the greatest experience for all fans of Cavaliers Basketball. Given the current, dynamic media landscape, we have prioritized how we can expand our audience in every way possible. “This partnership with Gray allows us to test out a new model of distribution that has the potential to reach more of our fans across our region.”

The availability of the broadcasts is tied to the bankruptcy emergence plan developed by Diamond Sports Group for its Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks. As such, Bally Sports Ohio commentators will appear on WUAB “Cleveland 19” telecasts of Cavs games.

She is returning to Nexstar Media Group after serving as Director of Sales at The E.W. Scripps Co.’s WRTV-6 in Indianapolis since 2019.

And, this longtime broadcast TV sales professional will be taking the role of VP/General Manager for the company’s stations in the Illinois cities of Champaign and Springfield.

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

 

A symbolic button-push at the Torrespaña marked the launch of new public radio DAB+ services across Spain. (Photo courtesy RTVE)

On World Radio Day 2024, Spanish radio listeners in six cities can begin turning in to the future of radio in the country. In line with plans announced in December, Spanish public-service broadcaster RTVE threw a symbolic switch at the Torrespaña to officially launch new DAB+ services.

Starting Feb. 13, listeners in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia, and Bilbao can now tune DAB+ broadcasts of Radio Nacional and Radio 5, as well as Radio 3 in Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao. The new DAB+ channels join RTVE’s existing DAB broadcasts from Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3, Radio 5 and Radio Exterior in Madrid and Barcelona.

Additional DAB+ services are slated to launch in other cities across Spain on a monthly basis, according to a RTVE announcement.

“We hope this is the beginning of the implementation of DAB+ and that it encourages others to advance along this path, because in Spain, just as we advanced technological innovation in digital terrestrial television, we also must do so decisively with digital radio,” stated Antonio Fernández-Paniagua Díaz-Flores, deputy director general for radio spectrum planning and management within the State Secretariat for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures (SETELECO).

Verónica Ollé Sesé, director of the RTVE presidency cabinet, welcomed the move. “We do it by looking at Europe, learning from the experiences accumulated by our neighbors over recent years, and betting on a technology that helps guarantee the provision of this open public radio service for everyone,” she stated.

WorldDAB Forum President Jacqueline Bierhorst stated that the association welcomed RTVE’s efforts and stood ready to support the roll out. Also taking part in the event were Ángel García Castillejo, director of audiovisual policies for the RTVE international service ; Radio 3 Director Tomás Fernando Flores; Javier Sánchez Pérez, RTVE’s representative on the WorldDAB Steering Board; Gorka Zumeta, radio and podcast consultant; Ramón Salat, director of opportunities at Cellnex Telecom.

Since December 2020, DAB/DAB+ receivers have been required in all new cars sold throughout the European Union. As of 2022, according to WorldDAB, about 91% of new cars are equipped with DAB/DAB+ receivers, giving the new broadcast a number of potential mobile listeners.

[Sign Up for Radio World’s SmartBrief Newsletter]

The post RNE Makes DAB+ Launch Official appeared first on Radio World.

He’s been a radio station Program Director since the age of 26 and spent a decade earning national recognition for his work at Country KYGO-FM in Denver, including finishing among Radio Ink‘s Top 15 Country PDs for six consecutive years. He would later enjoy an eight-year run, concluding in February 2021, as PD of Christian Contemporary KCBI-FM in Dallas.

Now, Joel Burke is going home to the Texas Panhandle region, and he shares his latest radio industry adventure in an exclusive conversation with RBR+TVBR in this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Joel Burke” on Spreaker.

It’s being hailed as “a new affordable option” for consumers interested in making the leap to ATSC 3.0-powered NEXTGEN TV, and it’s now available for purchase.

Introducing the Zinwell NextGen TV Box, shipping from Arizona-based Channel Master.

 

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

The Studio Technologies Model 214A, 215A, and 216A Announcer’s Consoles

Studio Technologies released three upgraded small-format announcer’s consoles, the Model 214A, 215A, and 216A. All three use Dante audio-over-Ethernet and Power over Ethernet technology, making them ready to use as soon as they are connected to a network and a microphone is attached.

The new consoles can be used for on-air audio, talkback audio, or a headphone cue feed in a wide variety of broadcast, public address, or corporate AV uses.

STcontroller software is included, allowing production personnel to configure the capabilities of each console to meet user needs. The software is available in Windows- and macOS-compatible versions.

“Using the STcontroller software application, an enhanced range of configuration choices allow the desired operating parameters to be easily selected,” stated Studio Technologies President Gordon Kapes. “While flexible to configure, the user is presented with an easy-to-understand set of controls and indicators. Audio performance continues to be excellent and suitable for virtually any event.”

Pushbutton switches (two on the Model 214A, three on the 215A, and four on the 216A) allow users to control the main and talkback audio output channels. On all models, one pushbutton switch controls the status of the Dante main transmitter (output) channel. Three rotary controls are used to control the level and content of the two-channel headphone outputs.

The Model 216A can also act as a four-channel IFB station for remote production applications.

[Visit the Radio World Product Page for New Equipment News]

The post Studio Technologies Upgrades Small Consoles appeared first on Radio World.

It’s a subsidiary of Banyan Software that supplies radio stations with compliance and content distribution software. And, it is starting off 2024 by celebrating the closing of licensing deals across two iHeartMedia units and the company’s entire roster of radio stations.

Thanks to the freshly signed contracts with Mr. Master, iHeart’s Premiere Networks and Total Traffic & Weather Network (TTWN), and all local iHeartMedia stations. A multi-year agreement is in place for Premiere Networks that keeps it the exclusive ad sales rep of Mr. Master’s barter inventory, spanning the 5,000 stations using Mr. Master’s AIM Premium software.

For TTWN, Mr. Master’s AIM Premium licensing agreement has also been extended. This licensing deal spans more than 2,000 stations using Total Traffic & Weather Network’s software.

Lastly, Mr. Master has renewed its AIM Premium licensing contract for multiple years
with all iHeartMedia stations. This comprises upward of 860 stations and 160 markets.

Mr. Master CEO Stu Jacobs commented, “We’re thrilled for Premiere to remain our ad sales partner and to continue our licensing partnerships with Total Traffic & Weather
Network and all local iHeartMedia stations. These partnerships have been a key part of Mr. Master becoming the industry’s leading compliance and distribution software company.”

Premiere Networks President Julie Talbott added, “Premiere has firsthand experience with the incredible network spot compliance and workflow benefits AIM Premium provides on both the network and local station level. We’re happy to continue serving as Mr. Master’s ad sales partner and exclusively repping Mr. Master’s network barter to advertisers.”

AIM Premium is a compliance and content delivery software that automatically
processes and delivers network spots, makegoods, and shows into automation systems. The workflow optimization software delivers network content within one minute and posts affidavits within 24 hours.

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. — In the radio business, “spec” spots — sample advertisements to share with a new or potential client — can make or break a deal. Now, Connoisseur Media, the owner of radio stations led by Jeffrey Warshaw, is getting a spec boost thanks to artificial intelligence … and Compass Media Networks. 

Connoisseur’s stations serving Fairfield County and New Haven, Conn., and the Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y., market have signed on as charter affiliates for SPECai, a joint venture between Compass, ENCO and Benztown. It provides radio stations with creative custom spec commercials in seconds — thanks to advancements in  AI technology.

Connoisseur Chief Operating Officer and Long Island General Manager David Bevins commented, “We all desire to win new business and the usage of spec spots is vitally important. With the innovative SPECai, crafting three creative scripts, selecting from a variety of voices, and even orchestrating a music bed has become astonishingly effortless. It’s the quickest and most efficient way to generate compelling spec spots, created by radio people for radio people. SPECai allows your reps to hit the streets and sell more radio.”

Kristin Okesson, a Connoisseur Senior Vice President who doubles as Connecticut Market Manager, added, “With SPECai, we get efficiency, creativity, and quality all in one place. It transforms the way we create spec spots — three different scripts, an incredibly realistic AI voice, and the added benefit of Benztown music. It’s a unique blend of tech, creativity, and convenience that our local sales team values.”

On February 1, it first became known that the Neuhoff Family has made “an overall strategic decision” to exit the broadcast industry after nearly 70 years. This saw the announcement of the sale of eight radio stations in Illinois to Champaign Multimedia Group.

Now, Neuhoff Communications Inc. has agreed to sell its Lafayette, Ind. stations to the company founded by the late Ed Christian in a deal brokered by Kalil & Co.

For an undisclosed price, Saga Communications, today led by President/CEO Chris Forgy and Chief Financial Officer Sam Bush, is acquiring WASK-AM & FM, WKHY-FM, WKOA-FM, WXXB-FM and FM translator W269DJ.

In prepared comments, Forgy said, “We regretted missing the opportunity to acquire these stations a number of years ago when the Neuhoff family acquired them. These stations are a great fit for Saga. We see a lot of opportunity with these stations and this market and are pleased that the family has decided to entrust Saga with continuing these station’s long-standing heritage of serving the Greater Lafayette region. Saga intends to continue building its business in radio by identifying and acquiring middle market stations in dynamic communities.”

The four FMs, WASK-AM and the FM translator were acquired by Neuhoff in January 2016 from Schurz Communications following the sale of that company’s television assets to Gray Television. Neuhoff, then-led by CEO Beth Neuhoff, paid $8 million for the radio properties.

Vizrt, known for its real-time graphics and live production products for content creators, has successfully completed the Amazon Web Services Foundational Technical Review process for its flagship sports analysis product, Viz Libero.

“This milestone isn’t just a technical triumph but is a leap forward in addressing the needs of our sports analysis content creators globally,” Ulrich Voigt, Global Head of Product Management at Vizrt, said.

Viz Libero clients include UEFA and the NFL.

Voight notes, “The FTR badge grants Viz Libero access to AWS’s expansive cloud ecosystem. For broadcasters and content creators, this recognition is more than just a badge. It is added assurance that the world’s leading sports analysis platform can now be securely accessed via the cloud and scaled according to user needs.”

Viz Libero is the latest Vizrt product to complete the AWS FTR process following Vizrt Live Production Solution, and Viz One (a centralized and scalable media assets management platform).

Vizrt is also among the select few broadcast product providers included into the AWS Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Accelerate Program.