Feed aggregator

Broadcast Electronics, the Elenos Group-owned designer and manufacturer of broadcast products including transmitters for radio and TV, has given a long-standing Adult Alternative FM serving the nation’s No. 1 market an audio media management system boost.

BE worked with Fordham University-owned WFUV-FM 90.7 in New York to upgrade the station’s system to AudioVAULT 11.

WFUV, says Director of Technical Operations George Evans, “has the unique mandate to champion music discovery and foster an appreciation of our diverse musical heritage but also to train the university’s next generation of multimedia professionals through educational programs and practical experience.”

With its selection of AudioVAULT 11, WFUV has the ability to gain workflow improvements. A new AudioVAULT Scheduler is in place for program and content distribution tasks. AudioVAULT Anywhere is present for remote voice tracking, playlist and program management, file playback, remote broadcast, sports, and remote talent needs.

Additionally, CloudVAULT enables cloud-based shared and redundant content storage via a secure Microsoft Azure platform.

There is also seamless integration with Adobe Audition digital audio editing software. Additionally, enhanced AVWatchDog provides an extra set of eyes and ears to monitor and track a full range of schedules and playlists days in advance to ensure everything is in place, and should something be missing, it will proactively notify you so you can take corrective action, BE notes.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with WFUV and thank them for trusting Broadcast Electronics to help deliver their content to Greater New York City,” said Rich Redmond, President/COO of Broadcast Electronics. “AudioVAULT 11 simplifies operations, provides seamless cloud-enabled disaster recovery, and puts more power in the hands of WFUV programmers, journalists, and students to create compelling content that connects with their listeners.”

Quicklink, known for its remote production products, has brought to market the Quicklink TX (Skype TX) 2110, bringing the integration of Skype and Microsoft Teams callers into ST 2110 media workflows.

This new support enables the globally adopted Quicklink TX solution to integrate seamlessly with uncompressed IP video workflows conforming to the SMPTE ST 2110 specification.
The SMPTE ST 2110 suite defines standards for transporting video, audio, and metadata
essences as separate streams over professional IP networks. Quicklink’s support for ST
2110 empowers broadcasters to unlock new efficiencies in live production.

“We have seen a rapid growth of demand for IP video and adoption of the ST 2110
standard,” said Richard Rees, CEO of Quicklink. “By introducing ST 2110 support to
the Quicklink TX, our products now align perfectly with customers transitioning their
facilities to IP.”

The Quicklink TX is offered in a number of channel configurations for complete workflow
flexibility and is relied upon by leading broadcasters worldwide to integrate remote Skype
and Microsoft Teams guests into live productions with exceptional full HD quality.

The Quicklink TX IP-3 and Quicklink TX IP-6 are offered in addition to the established HD-SDI options. The interoperability with ST 2110 infrastructure simplifies workflows and expands possibilities for remote contribution over modern IP networks.

The exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary
solutions has struck a partnership the world’s leading sports entertainment platform and Europe’s largest football broadcaster.

It brings the platform’s live and on-demand content streaming services into hotel guest rooms for the first time, exclusively via Philips MediaSuite hospitality TVs.

Set to be unveiled and demonstrated for the first time at ISE 2024 in Barcelona (Philips Booth 3P500), this latest global partnership — with DAZN — strengthens PPDS’ mission to deliver the industry’s most extensive and flexible choice of in-room TV entertainment services for hotels.

The DAZN app will be available for the first time via hotel guest room TVs, embedded directly onto Philips MediaSuite TVs. Hotel brand partners include Accor, IHG, Marriot, and Radisson.

For hotels wishing to subscribe to DAZN for their guests, there are two initial packages that can be selected depending on their target audience.

Launched in 2016, and headquartered in London, DAZN provides an extensive choice of live sports and entertainment, with top division men’s and women’s football/soccer, professional boxing, MMA, motorsport, wrestling, and tennis hosted on the platform annually.

By Brian Galante

Macnica will arrive at the ISE 2024 show this week with strong momentum behind its IPMX product development business. In addition to the launch of the MEG1, Macnica’s first IPMX ethernet gateway, ASTRODESIGN will offer a preview of its forthcoming IPMX AV over IP Gateway powered by Macnica’s full-stack ME10 SoC solution.

ASTRODESIGN will demonstrate its innovation, the IA-1568 IP Gateway, at Stand CS650 in the Fira Barcelona Gran Via’s Discovery Zone, which highlights first-time ISE exhibitors. ASTRODESIGN anticipates that the device will begin shipping in June.

ASTRODESIGN specializes in real-time digital signal processing technology for several industries, and manufactures a wide range of video, audio and measurement products and solutions for use in broadcast and AV environments, including live event venues. The company offers a broad range of product lines, including IP Gateways to support 8K video transmission and JPEG XS compression in SMPTE ST 2110 systems. These products were chiefly engineered for use in the Japanese market.

ASTRODESIGN last year became an AIMS Alliance member to join forces with companies like Macnica to advance IPMX product development. That included developing a new IP Gateway for IPMX systems that would also help ASTRODESIGN expand into new business regions, including North America and Europe. Having worked together before, ASTRODESIGN quickly chose Macnica as its development partner for the IA-1568. Macnica’s ME10 SoC gave ASTRODESIGN a complete 1G AV over IP solution for low-latency transport of 4K60 4:4:4 video, along with a compact, low-profile design that perfectly fits within the IA-1568’s 1RU hardware design.

“Macnica’s ME10 solution provided our engineering team with the proven reference designs we needed to accelerate both product development and time to market while reducing our in-house engineering costs,” said Sean Yoshioka, Sales General Manager for the International Business Division of ASTRODESIGN. “The ME10 also provides with a futureproof solution that allows us to add new features and functions to IA-1568 even after the product comes to market.”

The Macnica ME10 SoC transports HDMI 2.0 4K 4:4:4 video, audio and control data over 1Gb networks in a compact 23x23mm form factor. Ideal for use in larger production runs or within compact product designs, the ME10 supports key functions for IPMX interoperability (device discovery and registration, network resiliency, subframe latency and more) and provides a customizable API and web interface to all IPMX product developers.

Yoshioka anticipates pairing the IA-1568 IP Gateway with ASTRODESIGN’s 8K camera to move 4K video to monitors and display systems inside production studios and stadiums, though this represents just one of many potential use cases. He adds that the ME10’s compatibility with HDMI and its related features, including HDCP for digital content protection and EDID for display identification will be useful in bridging legacy systems and connections with IP networks.

“ASTRODESIGN customers who use the IA-1568 can cleanly feed video from any HDMI output to the IP network, and then receive that video anywhere throughout the network,” said Motoki Nagashima, VP of Video Transport Solutions at Macnica. “That can include feeding a large monitor inside conference rooms to support live presentations, or feeding a large number of displays spread throughout a large sports venue. What’s most exciting for our industry in general is that this partnership represents a major step forward for the IPMX suite of standards, and for freeing end users from the limitations of being locked into proprietary solutions.”

ISE 2024 takes place January 30-February 2 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via. Macnica exhibits at Stand 5G800.

As the first month of January nears its conclusion, broadcast station owner and Assembly Atlanta owner Gray Television is offering a brighter picture to analysts and investors on its Q4 2023 earnings while revealing that it wishes to refinance its senior credit facilities.

There’s more: Hundreds of millions of dollars in proceeds from the sale of Broadcast Music, Inc., before taxes, are expected to be added to Gray’s bank accounts before the end of 2024.

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Singapore’s multinational news channel, Mediacorp-owned Channel News Asia (CNA), is now partnering with AI audio platform Adthos to generate localized news broadcasts.

Using AI, broadcasts have been created which report the news in the Malay language but with a Singaporean accent.

CNA chose to partner with Adthos based on the capabilities offered via its latest release, Adthos for News. This feature allows broadcasters and publishers to generate complete news bulletins with the touch of a button via their newsroom system. Broadcasts can include quotes and clips, with multiple voices, music beds and idents in an instant, while weather, traffic and sports updates can be completely automated and localized for any location.

This first deployment focused on Malay (Baku); an accent of Malay specific to Singapore. Given that the new generation of Singaporeans mostly speak in English, it can be more challenging for broadcasters to find good voiceover talent that offers the diversity of accents.

Adthos CEO Raoul Wedel commented, “This is the first large scale project we have completed with one of our Asian clients and it’s been exciting to see what we have been able to do. In a region where there are so many languages and dialects, being able to offer this level of localization so quickly and easily offers a lot of potential for reaching and engaging larger audiences. We’re also delighted that AI is helping to preserve cultural diversity in languages not commonly spoken.”

Following the success of this project, CNA is planning to use Adthos for News for other languages in the future.

The international software company that helps broadcasters create radio through such products including the PlayoutONE automation system with WebVT for remote broadcasting is welcoming back its former SVP of Product Innovation.

Rejoining Aiir is Andy Buckingham. 

He’ll be back at the Ricki Lee-helmed company in February. He exited in 2020 to form his own company. Now, Buckingham takes up the role of Principal Creative Technologist.

In this position, Buckingham will continue to oversee the development of Aiir Scheduler, as well as focusing on the creation of new products and services.

“After leaving Aiir full-time a few years ago, we retained Andy’s company for development work and he has played a pivotal part in the development of our new product Aiir Scheduler, the world’s first fully cloud-based music scheduler for radio,” Lee said. “I cannot tell you how delighted I am to be welcoming Andy back to our team full-time.”

Buckingham commented, “I’m excited to be rejoining the team at Aiir. In my time away I’ve worked closely with a number of broadcasters, increasing my understanding of the challenges faced in 2024. Alongside that, I’ve been conjuring up new ideas to help overcome those challenges and keep teams focused on their core goal – to create compelling, informative and entertaining radio. I feel Aiir is the best place to realize those ideas and can’t wait to get started.

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The FCC’s desire to make alerts issued over EAS available in more languages is raising some technical concerns about the capabilities of the current technical architecture in EAS devices. 

At its monthly meeting in February, the FCC will consider a draft proposal that, if eventually adopted, would create template alert scripts that would be pre-translated into the 13 most commonly spoken non-English languages in the United States — Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic, French, Korean, Russian, Haitian Creole, German, Hindi, Portuguese and Italian — as well as in English. 

“If you are watching or listening to a program when an emergency alert is issued, you want that potentially life-saving information delivered in a language that you will understand,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. 

The pre-translated template-based announcements and audio files would be produced by the commission, and would be pre-installed in the EAS equipment operated by EAS participants. 

However, comments on a listserv maintained by the Society of Broadcast Engineers shows some broadcasters are worried the current technical framework in EAS equipment at radio stations might be strained carrying out the FCC’s goals.

The draft proposal (PS Docket 15-94) if adopted would seek comment on the feasibility of “removing the technical and logistical barriers associated with EAS alert translation by proposing and seeking comment on a simplified multilingual alert processing approach for EAS alerts.

The proposal says any new template-specific event code would be added to the EAS protocol for each template alert type, for example an earthquake or wildfire. “We propose that alert originators would initiate the template alert in legacy or CAP like any other EAS alert, using the applicable template event code,” the draft proposal states.

An EAS device would then use that event code to tap into the appropriate template using the stored or linked audio in the languages that correspond to the language of the EAS participant’s programming content, according to the FCC. 

The commission says participants would download and store the prerecorded audio files for the language(s) of their programming content, and any other languages they wish to include in their template alerts, in their EAS device. 

The commission asks what storage capabilities would be required for 30 second messages created with 16 template audio files for each of the 13 proposed template languages, in addition to the English language version. The total would be 224 audio file

The FCC also would need to establish a process by which radio stations could broadcast the required English-speaking alert — or a language corresponding to its programming — then have the option to initiate a template alert in one of the supplied foreign languages if the local population within its listening area warrants it.

Among the questions the FCC will ask in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is how long would manufacturers likely require to develop, test and release updates, and at what cost to EAS participants? And if storage of template visual script and audio files in EAS device models would require addition of memory capacity via firmware update and at what cost? 

The commission’s questions continue: “Would implementing the template alert processing approach present any unique challenges or require modifications with respect to EAS participant transmission processing systems upstream or downstream from the EAS device that would impact the time required for implementation?”

With so many unanswered questions, estimating the cost to make upgrades to EAS boxes is difficult, according to the FCC. It uses an aggregate of labor costs to arrive at an estimate of $12 million for the broadcast industry. 

In addition, the FCC recognizes that there potentially could be costs associated with adding memory capacity, firmware and/or other modifications to EAS devices, and changes potentially could be required to downstream transmission processing systems.

It is also conceivable that there are some older EAS devices in use today that could not be updated or modified to enable template alert processing and transmission, the FCC says. 

Commenters on the SBE listserv question the capability of existing EAS equipment to handle the proposed multilingual upgrades and the cost of modifying existing EAS boxes to do so.

Adrienne Abbott, chair of the Nevada State Emergency Communications Committee, questions the practical application of the FCC bilingual EAS plans.

She says it’s possible the FCC sees the language templates “living” in FEMA IPAWS OPEN office, where the CAP Aggregator would automatically translate the text and audio before passing the activation to the EAS Participants. “Broadcasters would preprogram their EAS equipment for the appropriate language for their audience. Is that possibility realistic?”

Abbott says the plan, if approved, would mean EAS equipment would need to be updated. “Of course, CAP programs will also need to be updated which takes the FCC into FEMA territory,” she says. 

In addition, the draft NPRM is rather vague on the tangibles, Abbott says, including questions on how the language templates would be developed, and whether the languages used would be appropriate for the foreign language community.

“East Coast/Puerto Rican/Cuban Spanish is very different than TexMex Spanish, is very different than California Spanish, is very different than Nevada Spanish. There’s Puerto Rican Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese and North African Portuguese. And there are multiple, individual dialects within the Chinese and Vietnamese languages,” Abbott says.

The FCC in the draft proposal concedes there is no single “Chinese” language, but rather a multitude of dialects, such as Mandarin and Cantonese. It asks in the proposal what mechanism would be practical and efficient for the commission to employ in identifying specific dialects in which to prerecord the audio messages?  

The FCC will consider the NPRM and likely vote on it at its next meeting on Feb. 15.

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The post The FCC Is Considering More Bilingual Upgrades for EAS appeared first on Radio World.

PARAMUS, N.J. — The Democratic Member of Congress serving Bergen County, N.J., due west of New York across the Hudson River and home to one of the nation’s most prominent retail corridors, on Monday took new action designed to protect AM radio in electric vehicles.

In doing so, he has singularly called out Tesla as a manufacturer of vehicles that are “unsafe in emergencies.”

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For the second consecutive year, the parent company of brands such as The Weather Channel, Local Now, Pattrn, TheGrio and HBCUGo and the owner of 28 broadcast TV stations that seeks to grow exponentially will be hosting an Upfront event this spring in New York.

Allen Media Group (AMG)‘s “AMG Upfront” is planned for Wednesday, April 24, from Noon to 2pm at Avra Rockefeller Center. At the event, AMG will present its latest programming news, technology partnerships, new content, and platform innovations to advertisers.

“The continued steady growth and expansion of Allen Media Group is phenomenal,” said Byron Allen, the founder and Chairman/CEO of Los Angeles-headquartered Allen Media Group. “Our strong portfolio and innovative advertising solutions deliver immense value to our clients, and we are incredibly excited to showcase our unparalleled programming, events and technology to advertisers during this year’s Upfront.”

AMG produces, distributes, and sells advertising as one of the largest independent producers/distributors of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations.

In 2023 AMG became the first media company to successfully transact its entire 2023-24 Upfront season on alternative currency, Video Amp.

In related news, AMG is welcoming Nancy Eagle as its new SVP/Business & Legal Affairs. Eagle will focus on business and legal affairs related to the development and production of movies, television series, and other premium content for distribution via Allen Media Group Television, Allen Media Group Motion Pictures (AMGMP), the AMGMP digital distribution unit Freestyle Digital Media, the free-streaming service Local Now, and external streaming services and distribution platforms.

Eagle was formerly with Boat Rocker Studios, where she held the position of SVP/Business & Legal Affairs. Prior to that, Eagle spent 25 years with NBCUniversal, also as SVP/Business and Legal Affairs.

Audio is building the future – beyond the algorithm, beyond devices, and beyond the playlist. It knows YOU, what you need—and what you want.

That’s how Audacy Inc., which last week formally filed FCC paperwork to become a debtor-in-possession of AM and FM radio stations, opens what the audio content creation and distribution company calls “a new series offering a bold look at the innovative shifts and trends redefining how we experience and interact with audio content.”

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In a newly released report, Audacy considers important trends for audio platforms. It envisions a world where technology such as facial recognition, omni-targeted ads, AI and voice recognition will help make audio “the hardest working asset in the media arsenal.” 

Sound unrealistic? It may not be all that far away. 

Notably, the report explores HI, or Human Intelligence, in which it says humans will matter more in an algorithmic world. The report envisions devices that anticipate consumer desires, for instance determining moods through facial recognition or whether the kids accompany you for a car ride. Innovations discussed include bi-zonal audio for customized content in vehicles and advanced targeting techniques like “moment marketing” for media buyers.

The report mentions Gen. Alpha, those individuals born from 2010-–024, as already making an impact on listening trends, and considers the capability of AI to identify and target new customers in “completely different ways.” 

The Future of Audio includes targeted programming to “tribes of every shape and size”

[Related: “Here’s How Audacy Is Navigating Chapter 11 Bankruptcy”]

By understanding consumers on a deeper level, this could in turn leverage advertisements that are less intrusive and more relevant. The metrics of tomorrow, the report states, will be beyond impressions and will favor audio that cuts through clutter and successfully captures attention spans. 

Additionally, the report explores the potential of wearable devices in delivering “personalized wellness” content and foresees voice assistants evolving into more interactive companions. It reassures the reader that broadcast radio will adapt through increased programmatic buying in response to these trends.

Audacy owns radio stations as well as podcasting and other digital audio businesses. It frequently posts reports and other insights aimed at advertisers and others, advocating for the role of audio. While the report doesn’t specify their strategies or a timeline for these developments, the report invites businesses to engage with Audacy experts for insights on adapting to these future trends. 

The Future of Audio – Main Graphic

Read Audacy’s The Future of Audio report

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The post Audacy Takes on “The Future of Audio” appeared first on Radio World.

From Stranger Things and Beef to Ted Lasso and Silo, subscription video-on-demand services such as Netflix and Apple+ have counted on original programs to drive interest — and revenue — for the pay-for-access OTT platforms that many homes across the U.S. have embraced.

Interestingly, newly released data from Nielsen suggest original programming isn’t as popular as acquired shows — presenting a fresh concern for a platform rapidly evolving to include advertising … and more programs that are purchased, rather than produced.

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MIAMI — A veteran Hispanic market media executive who today is the longtime leader of Telemundo Puerto Rico has been selected to serve in the bigger role of President of Telemundo Station Group.

He takes a role last held by Manuel Martinez, who retired in 2023.

Now in command of the Telemundo O&Os under NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is José Cancela. He reports to NBCUniversal Local Chairman Valari Staab, and oversee Telemundo stations in 31 markets across the U.S. as well as Telemundo Puerto Rico. Cancela will work closely with Luis Fernández, Chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.

“José is an experienced leader who has earned the respect of his colleagues and peers during a successful career dedicated to the Spanish-language marketplace,” said Staab. “We are pleased that he will expand his impact and influence across our Telemundo stations to guide their continued growth and act as a resource and mentor to our established and emerging leaders across our division.”

Cancela has more than 35 years in leadership roles and more than four decades of media experience. He served as President & General Manager of WKAQ for nearly 12 years, where he led the expansion of local news and entertainment content from 15 hours a week in 2012 to more than 70 hours today.

Cancela joined WKAQ from KVEA / Telemundo 52 Los Angeles, where he was President & General Manager. Previously, he was President & COO of Telemundo Station Group from 1992 to 1998. A published author of the book ‘The Power of Business en Espanol,’ Cancela began his career as a sales trainee for Miami’s WLTV after serving in the U.S. Air Force, eventually rising to President & General Manager of the Univision station.

With Cancela’s promotion, Staab has selected Migdalia Figueroa to succeed Cancela in San Juan as President/GM of its WKAQ-2, the hub for Telemundo Puerto Rico.

Figueroa relocates to Puerto Rico after serving as President/GM for Telemundo-owned properties in Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers-Naples, Fla.

WKAQ-TV has not been associated with WKAQ Radio for several years, with WKAQ-AM and sibling “KQ105” owned by WAPA Media Group.

 

Figueroa, who has an extensive background in Spanish-language television, will oversee all aspects of WKAQ. Reporting to Cancela, she will manage the station’s leadership team across news, sales, technology, human resources, programming, production and public relations.

“Migdalia is a seasoned local leader who has distinguished herself as a strategic and dynamic executive over her nearly two-decade tenure with our Telemundo and NBC stations,” said Staab. “She’s the ideal person to take the helm in Puerto Rico and build on the outstanding foundation José and his team have established. I’m excited she’s returning home to take on this very important position and add to WKAQ’s rich history.”

Figueroa has spent nearly 35 years in media and has held several news and leadership roles for NBC- and Telemundo-owned stations since 2005. She led WTMO / Telemundo 31 Orlando for nearly four years, beginning in 2020, and added WRMD / Telemundo 49 Tampa and WWDT / Telemundo Ft. Myers-Naples to her responsibilities in early 2023, leading all three stations simultaneously since.

Prior to joining WTMO, Figueroa served as Vice President of News for WTVJ / NBC 6 Miami for eight years after two years as Telemundo Station Group’s Senior Vice President of Content & Branding. She was previously Vice President of News for WSCV / Telemundo 51 Miami after nearly 15 years with Univision. She began her career as a producer for Puerto Rico’s WSJN after graduating from the University of Puerto Rico.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Chairwoman of the FCC has chosen who will succeed Deena Shetler, who has formally departed the Commission.

The role, Jessica Rosenworcel revealed, has worked in various roles at the FCC since 1999.

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The author is associate professor and chair of the TV/Film Department of DeSales University at Center Valley, Pa.

As the faculty manager of WDSR Campus Radio, DeSales University’s online and on-campus Part 15 radio station, my primary tasks are populating the station with students who handle the on-air functions, ensuring the equipment is functioning and up to date, and monitoring the internet feed as well as the FM broadcast.

Chuck Gloman

Jarret Brown, our part-time engineer and adjunct professor, teaches our students the concepts of radio in his TV230 class and troubleshoots any problems that may arise.

My goal over the last 20 years has been to find those students interested in radio (very easy), training them to operate the equipment in our station (not too difficult), have them willing to spend a block of time as on-air talent (a little more difficult), and replacing the veteran talent once they graduate (very difficult).

Do college students still listen to radio? They have many options, including SiriusXM, AM, FM and internet. College students watch videos on their phones, but do they still listen to music, sports or the news in just an aural format? With CDs no longer being the trend, vinyl and MP3s seem to be the formats of choice. 

My question still stands: How do we get students excited about listening to radio — on their phones, computer, or in the car? Does anyone still have a desire to work in radio? 

Once that question is answered, how do we get our leaders of tomorrow interested in becoming radio broadcast engineers? 

I reached out to Jarret and asked how he believes we can get students excited about listening to or possibly working in radio. 

“It’s important that we expose young people to radio’s versatility and uniqueness,” he told me.

“Radio gives listeners and industry professionals things they can’t get anywhere else. Even in this era of podcasts, social media and streaming video, radio has an immediacy that allows for discovery for listeners, and creativity from presenters, in a platform accessible to everyone. That combination simply cannot be matched by any other current means of communication. 

“When young people recognize this, they become more receptive to the idea of listening to radio and perhaps even exploring a career in the field.”

Ally Agnellino, Joe Biello, Ben Bateman and William Borusiewicz are among the team keeping the station on-air 24 hours a day.

William Borusiewicz, our student station manager and 2023 DeSales theater graduate, had this to say when I asked the same question: 

“Younger people are more interested in what radio provides than they think. It provides a way to express your voice and who you are to the public at large through the comfort of a studio and allows for listeners to connect on what can feel like a personal level,” he said.

“These are the exact things that social media like Instagram and Tiktok are built on. The difference is that radio has a structure and form that can be built on to fit a creator’s or broadcaster’s voice.”

I asked William if he thought we could get students interested in becoming radio broadcast engineers.

“I think that they can be. I think there is still a feeling of prestige when broadcasting on air,” he replied.

Jarret Brown

“When students broadcast here, you can see them understand the weight and for some, the rush, of putting themselves out there. I think it is very much about showing younger people that the format is alive, well, and willing to accept their unique and interesting perspectives more than any other entertainment industry. 

“On-air is still the glamourous job. Engineering is behind the scenes. Each student who uses our station acts as an engineer too. A few prefer the behind-the-scenes aspects and don’t want to be on the air. This number of students is much smaller, but there are still a few who would rather work on the technical aspects and be an engineer.”

Jarret Brown thinks that not enough young people are even aware of the radio engineering profession.

“When we do take the time to explain it to students, we can easily find ourselves barking up the wrong tree trying to promote engineering to aspiring on-air talent or radio producers. These are not necessarily the most likely folks to be interested,” he said.

“The nature of modern engineering relies heavily on a combination of computer/IT and technical skills, and I find more interest among computer science majors rather than those majoring in TV, film or journalism. I think we should spend more time making a case for engineering by reaching out to those passionate about computer technology.” 

Freshman Michael Dugan starts his shift during the lunch hour.

At WDSR, Jarret continued, he tries to emphasize to students the many opportunities that college radio offers.

“The freedom to express themselves in a thoughtful way to an audience of their peers. The spontaneity and creativity associated with a truly live platform and the opportunity to learn the preparation/presentation skills needed to do a radio show. Skills that are useful to all students going forward regardless of their career choice. 

“Combined with the sense of camaraderie that develops among the students over time, all help make for a successful college radio station.”

So what makes a college radio station work? I believe it’s the passion students have and their willingness to share that passion with others. Putting our radio station in a prominent spot on the campus attracts the attention of other students. 

“How can I be a part of that?” The more we can get students to ask that question, the faster our station will grow — and yours can too.

[Related: “College Radio Is Not a Right, It’s a Privilege”]

The post What Makes a College Radio Station Work? appeared first on Radio World.

As Tom Johnson sees it, recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions could impact the FCC’s enforcement work — including potential reforms that the Commission could consider to its current processes.

Johnson is particularly well-versed on the subject, as he served as General Counsel at the FCC from 2017 through 2021 and today serves as co-chair of the Issues & Appeals practice at key Washington, D.C., communications law firm Wiley Rein LLP.

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