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The Petitioner requests the allotment of reserved noncommercial educational television channel *12 to Waynesboro, Virginia as the community's first local television service and its first noncommercial educational television service.

Issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $1,500 to Cascade Community Radio for failure to timely file a license renewal application for Station KVRN-LP, Portland, Oregon

Issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to Nexstar Media Inc., in the amount of $6,000 for violations of Commission rules.

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Issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order and Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to San Francisco Television Station KBCW, Inc., in the amount of $3,000 for violations of Commission rules.

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John Lackness

Longtime contract engineer Jim Offerdahl is launching a radio technology service and equipment sales business called Radio Gearheads. Veteran equipment sales exec John Lackness has joined as director of sales.

“We will concentrate on sales, installation and engineering services, with the office being headquartered in Fosston, Minn.,” Lackness told Radio World.

“Installation, buildouts and engineering will also be headquartered from there, too. I will remain in San Antonio, Texas.”

According to its website, Radio Gearhead’s services will also include repair and maintenance of transmitter sites and studios, as well as FCC-required measurements, due diligence, and technical support by phone and remote access.

The company will also be a dealer of new and used equipment. The website currently lists 14 brand names, and Lackness said he is working to sign up more equipment manufacturers to represent. 

“Currently we have transmitters from several manufacturers signed on, as well as coax, audio processing, antennas, audio mixers and peripheral equipment.” 

Lackness has spent more than four decades in broadcasting. He began as a jock in San Antonio and has worked for manufacturers including Marti, Tieline and, most recently. Broadcast Electronics. He also has experience at equipment and services companies Crouse-Kimzey, SCMS and RF Specialties. He can be reached at john@radiogearheads.com.

[Related: Jim Offerdahl was featured in Mark Persons’ article “What Happens When Lightning Hits?”]

The post Jim Offerdahl Forms Radio Gearheads appeared first on Radio World.

Based in Vancouver, Wash., Community Growth Radio (CGR) has been serving blind, visually impaired and older listeners with news and entertainment programming since 2013. Now, the radio reading service has expanded to six streams to better accommodate an influx of listeners.

Gerald Gaule, formerly of the Oregon Commission for the Blind, is the driving force behind CGR. He says the service provides targeted programming throughout southwest Washington and Oregon.

“The current streams offer news, community relevant information and book, newspaper and magazine readings,” Gaule told Radio World. “Plus, programming such as a channel dedicated to blind and disabled musicians, a stream for veterans and, now, just added, classical music with historical information about the composers and broadcasts [of] vintage recordings of classical/opera pieces done on 78 rpm.”

Gaule is not only the owner of CGR, but the program director, music director and chief engineer, running these streams from his home.

According to its website, of the six available streams, CGR 1 is more information-driven; CGR 2 offers the same format but is mainly music and entertainment; CGR 3-VetNet Radio caters to Veterans who are visually impaired and/or disabled; CGR Radio 4 offers programming for those 50-plus; CGR 5 is its Spanish radio reading service; and CGR Radio 6 offers classical music selections.

“I know I’m the only radio reading service in the United States that has more than four streams, and [I’m] trying to go beyond that box,” said Gaule. “The sixth stream was requested by the blind and disabled and those who enjoy [classical] music, not only uninterrupted without any ads, but also with volunteer recordings from LibriVox — [which includes] readings of classical music history, music compositions, musical theory and so on.”

Programming for CGR streams comes from several sources such as Program Share from The International Association of Audio Information Services, ACB Radio, Talking Information Center (TIC) Radio and Pacifica Radio Network.

All CGR streams are free, require no membership and can be heard 24/7. Scroll down to find the links to listen here.

[Related: “CGR Radio Expands Service to Visually Impaired Spanish-speaking Populations”]

The post CGR Radio Grows Its Presence Serving Visually Impaired Listeners appeared first on Radio World.

Since 1981, she’s greeted Anchorage television viewers and informed them on the top stories of the day as a news anchor. Come January 26, her appearances will likely be limited to locales around town where she may be doing errands or enjoying life off-camera.

Maria Downey is retiring from KTUU-2, owned by Gray Television.

She made the announcement on Facebook, and then later shared the news with KTUU viewers. Her colleagues, she said, were aware of her plans “for quite some time” and kept the secret. “It’s bittersweet, but along with the new year comes a new chapter for me,” she said. “While I will really miss covering the news of this great state and sharing that all with you each night, it’s now time to spend more time with my family and friends … and maybe even have a normal dinner hour!”

KTVU VP/GM Nancy Johnson said of Downey, “She’s been the steady voice, covering good stories and bad with compassion and dedication. So many Alaskans grew up watching Maria in their homes that she’s really like family, warmly known across the state as just ‘Maria.’”

Downey is a graduate of the University of Florida.

The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF) is now accepting entries for the 2024 Celebration of Service to America Awards. The awards recognize the “critical role” local radio and television stations play in their communities across the country, the NAB arm says.

Stations and broadcast groups are encouraged to submit their most impactful community service campaign from the past year. Award categories are based on market size, and NAB members and nonmembers are eligible to enter.

The 2024 Celebration of Service to America Awards entry window will close on Monday, March 11  at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

“The NAB Leadership Foundation strives to raise the visibility of local broadcasters and their unparallelled commitment to public service,” NAB Leadership Foundation President Michelle Duke said. “We receive many stories about the incredible ways local radio and television stations engage with their listeners and viewers, from legal advocacy to fundraising to collecting essential supplies. Broadcasters are truly an integral part of their communities, and we are proud to honor them.”

Winners from each category will be announced in early April, and they will receive their awards in person at the Celebration of Service to America Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on June 4, 2024. Attendees and invited guests include policymakers, industry executives, broadcasting and media professionals and past honorees.

The Celebration of Service to America Awards is presented by Bonneville International and Hearst Television, and a special one-hour television event will air later in the year. Additional information about the awards, including eligibility and rules, is available at ServiceToAmericaAwards.org.

David Layer is vice president, advanced engineering in the NAB Technology department. Now in his 29th year at the association, he focuses on radio technology and radio technical standards setting.

He serves as a project manager for technology projects conducted by NAB’s PILOT innovation initiative and is principal administrator of the NAB Radio Technology Committee. 

This interview is excerpted from the ebook “Maximizing Your AM Infrastructure.”

Radio World: What new types of products or other technologies have become available recently to help AM broadcasters improve their systems or their product?

David Layer is shown at Nationals Park, which is a block from the new NAB headquarters building in Washington.

David Layer: AM broadcasters need to get on board the “metadata bandwagon” if they haven’t done so already. While analog AM signals do not support metadata, other signals in wide use by AM broadcasters do. These include re-broadcasts of AM content on FM-band HD Radio multicast channels and FM translators, as well as the streaming audio versions of AM programs (and most AM broadcasters make streaming audio versions available to listeners).

In many markets, use of metadata by broadcasters is too low (50% or less) and this needs to change for AM radio to compare more favorably with other audio services with respect to use of metadata — station logos, program information, etc.

RW: How realistic is it that U.S. broadcasters would adopt all-digital HD Radio? 

Layer: Certainly the MA3 adoption rate has been slow, and conventional wisdom holds that this is primarily due to not enough digital receivers in the marketplace to make this a compelling service for broadcasters. While some markets have higher digital receiver penetration — for example, according to Xperi, over 40% of all vehicles in NYC have digital radio — most markets are at 30% or less. What this means is that stations going all digital would lose access to the majority of AM radios. 

One way to lessen this impact is for the all-digital AM station to broadcast their programming on an FM translator signal which, while not in the AM band, will be receivable on analog-only radios. Currently, about six out of 10 new cars sold in the U.S. have factory installed HD Radio, so penetration is slowly rising as older cars are replaced. There could be an inflection point for more broadcasters at some point in the future to make the decision to broadcast all-digital MA3 Radio when penetration rates are higher.

RW: What can be learned from how AM radio is used in other countries?

Layer: AM services outside of the United States are by and large on the decline with some exceptions, most notably Canada and Australia, which like the U.S. have millions of listeners who rely on AM. 

This creates challenges in the automotive entertainment sector as automakers build cars for global markets and the demand globally for AM radio is on the decline. This is why NAB has as part of its auto initiative mission to engage with automakers and make sure they realize the importance of AM. 

It’s telling, I think, that many of the automakers electing to remove AM radio are based in Europe, where AM services are not widely used, so this communication about the importance of AM is especially important for European automakers. 

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The post AM Stations Should Get on the Metadata Bandwagon appeared first on Radio World.

He was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2013, thanks to his many years as an executive for Mid-West Family Broadcasting‘s group of radio stations in Madison.

Now, the WBA and peers from across the region are paying tribute to Bill Vancil, who passed away on January 3, following a long illness. He was 82 years of age.

Vancil’s career in radio began at KSTT in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois in the 1960s. He would rise to Program Director of the station and in 1969 departed for a job in Wisconsin’s state capital for Mid-West — programming WISM-FM, which aired a B/EZ format at a time when FM radio was still nascent. Within a few years, Vancil was also programming Top 40 WISM-AM 1480, a market leader.

Vancil would remain focused on WISM-AM & FM through the AM’s transition to News/Talk as WTDY in 1981. Two years later, WISM-FM would become “Magic 98,” as WMGN, which lasted until 1991; the WISM-FM call letters returned.

The 1990s saw Vancil serve as President and co-founder of the Madison Area Radio Association. He retired from Mid-West as an EVP and Madison GM in 2002.

However, in recent years after a move to Tucson he reunited with former co-worker Bobby Rich as the Graphic Designer for KDRI-AM, which was recently sold.

Vancil is survived by his partner of 25 yearsm Andrea “Andy” Byk and his son Lou, who will host a celebration of Bill’s life this spring in Madison.

Bill Vancil’s Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame video can be viewed at: https://www.wisconsinbroadcastingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/bill-vancil/

As Audacy Inc. works through its prepackaged Chapter 11 reorganization in a Houston federal bankruptcy court, the Philadelphia-headquartered company on Thursday unveiled “new organization and leadership updates” for its Hip-Hop and Adult R&B-formatted radio stations.

Collaboratively led by Adult R&B and Throwback Format Vice President Skip Dillard and Mainstream Hip-Hop and R&B Format Vice President Mike Street, this new vertical, Audacy says, “is aimed to leverage the collective scale of these 21 local brands to best serve listeners and partners across the country.”

 

Skip Dillard (l) and Mike Street

These are additional roles for Dillard and Street. Dillard will continue as Brand Manager (Audacy’s term for Program Director) at Throwback-focused Hip-Hop WXBK “94.7 The Block” in New York, while Street continues as Brand Manager of WBTJ-FM “106.5 The Beat” in Richmond.

What does this mean for Reggie Rouse, who has been Urban Format VP for Audacy and is an industry veteran focused on R&B formats? Audacy confirms that is stepping down from that role but has signed a multi-year extension to served as WVEE-FM “V-103” in Atlanta Brand Manager.

Audacy SVP/Programming Dave Richards commented, “There are few leaders more dedicated to the craft of radio and more giving than Reggie, and I’d like to extend a major thanks to him for all the work he’s done with our Urban brands over the years.” He added that Audacy is “excited to unite our collection of Rhythmic AC, Throwback, Urban and Urban AC brands under one vertical under the leadership of Skip and Mike. Together, they’ll collaborate to share a strategic programming vision that will best serve our listeners and partners.”

Dillard joined Audacy in 2021 after 12 years as Vice President of Programming and Operations Manager for WBLS and WLIB in New York.

Street has spent nearly his entire 30+ year career in radio in Richmond and nearby Norfolk.

For decades, the art of dubbing has required the use of humans — professional voice actors who can deliver translated lines in ways designed to best captivate local audiences. But, what if generative artificial intelligence, or GenAI, could accomplish that task?

Introducing Dubformer, an Amsterdam, Holland-based tech company led by Anton Dvorkovich. Is Dubformer a threat to the voice actors who have helped feature films, television shows and even U.S.-produced informercials reach consumers in distant lands?

RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson finds out in this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Dubformer CEO Anton Dvorkovich” on Spreaker.

When it comes to the clients working with local advertising agencies during the fall of 2023, it appears there’s more interest in streaming media and social media as platforms for connecting brand messages with consumers.

At the same time, cable TV and AM/FM radio are areas of decreased interest, new Borrell Associates data show.

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The Radio + Television Business Report‘s information-filled all-new Winter 2024 Special Report is now available, and this full-color 32-page digital magazine — distributed to RBR+TVBR premium subscribers — is a must-read.

What awaits you in RBR+TVBR‘s Winter 2024 Special Report?

• Optimism, Innovation and Positive Momentum
  Paul and Fred Jacobsof Jacobs Media have all-but perfected navigating the massive CES conference from a broadcaster’s lens. They share in a roundtable conversation why attendance by broadcast media leaders is more important than ever in a world tilting toward digital content delivery.
• The CES Perspective From Radio’s Pacesetters
  From Beasley Media Groupto Benztown, Skyview Networks and vCreative, attendance at CES 2024 is now an annual event. Learn how attending helps to keep them future proof.
• Broadcast Media’s Top Tech Leaders
  For the third consecutive year, RBR+TVBR, with reader input, spotlights 20 leading engineering and information services leaders. This ranked list only appears here!
• AI, The Law and You
  With generative artificial intelligence, or “GenAI,” now a part of everyday conversation after just one year, what are the legal risks involved with embracing AI for your on-air and back-office needs? Wiley attorneys share the facts and key things you need to know.
• NEXTGEN TV In 2024: A Year Of Key Goals
  What’s the real story as it pertains to the ATSC 3.0-powered digital broadcast TV standard, which is debuting in Chicago by the time you read this? We get an exclusive and frank update from Pearl TV’s Anne Schelle.

Attendees of the January 10 “Cocktails and Conversation” invitation-only gathering at the Capital Grille in Las Vegas received special print copies of our digital magazine. Top Tech Leaders honorees will also be receiving limited-edition print copies.

RBR+TVBR Premium Members received an e-mail with a link to the digital edition of our Winter 2024 magazine.

To become a RBR+TVBR Premium Member, giving you access to every quarterly Special Report from the Radio + Television Business Report, click here!

The MVPD-distributed news-focused network born out of the former WGN America is entering 2024 with its sights on a new daytime lineup scheduled to begin on January 22, followed by the debut on January 27 of a weekend edition of its weekday wake-up offering.

The first changes involving Nexstar Media Group-owned NewsNation see its Monday-Friday  Morning in America transition to a three-hour program with solo anchor Markie Martin. It will air from 6am-9am Eastern.

What does this mean for current co-host Adrienne Bankert? She’s poised to become NewsNation’s Special Projects Anchor and is working on a new series centered on faith in America. Debuting in February 2024, it bears the title “One Nation Under God.”

The breakfast-hour change means NewsNation Live with Marni Hughes will air from 9am-Noon Eastern, as NewsNation Now with Nichole Berlie expands to Noon-3pm Eastern.

Elizabeth Vargas Reports, with anchor Elizabeth Vargas, will move to an earlier timeslot and now air at 5pm Eastern. This is followed by The Hill, with moderator Blake Burman, at 6pm.

DOBA GETS WEEKEND WAKEUP ROLE

The other big announcement from NewsNation sees the debut of the weekend edition of Morning in America, with Hena Doba as host. The show will premiere on Saturday, January 27, and will take the 7am-10am Eastern time slot each Saturday and Sunday.

“We are excited to debut our new weekend morning show along with an enhanced daytime lineup to fill
out our 24 hour/7 day-a-week schedule in 2024,” said Michael Corn, NewsNation’s President of News.
“This programming is another big milestone for the network as we continue to build a best-in-class news
organization.”

Doba has served in various roles at Cheddar News for the past five years, and previously worked as an anchor and correspondent for CBS News, where she led The National Desk with Hena Daniels from 2015 to 2019. Prior to joining CBS, she anchored the 11pm newscast for WFSB-3 in Hartford. She’s also been a reporter at Gray Television’s dominant CBS affiliate in Savannah, Ga., WTOC-11.

Doba began her broadcasting career as a reporter at WWTI-50, an ABC affiliate serving Watertown, N.Y., and nearby Kingston, Ont., Canada.

Serving as the program’s Executive Producer is Dee Dee Thomas. Thomas served as executive producer of Weekend TODAY from 2011-2014 and most recently she served as Senior Executive Producer of Live Content & Talent Development at Yahoo Finance.

BALTIMORE — Broadcast media company Sinclair Inc. is now accepting applications for the Sinclair Broadcast Group Diversity Scholarship program during the 2024 school year.

Having provided over $300,000 in tuition assistance since 2013, the annual scholarship program aims to invest in the future of the broadcast industry and help students from diverse backgrounds, allowing them to best complete their education and pursue careers in broadcast journalism, digital storytelling, and marketing.

Applicants must be a current college sophomore or junior at an accredited four-year undergraduate college or university in the United States.

Students from all 50 states may apply at www.sbgi.net/scholarship. The deadline for submission is April 30, 2024.

The annual Sinclair Broadcast Group Diversity Scholarship complements the company’s efforts to bring more diversity to the industry, Sinclair says. This includes enhanced recruitment outreach to build an applicant base that is qualified and diverse.

“Sinclair’s annual scholarship program underscores our commitment to fostering inclusivity and representing diversity within our communities” said Sinclair President/CEO Chris Ripley. “We believe investing in the next generation of journalists and marketing students will amplify diverse voices and perspectives and shape an inclusive future for the industry.”

The National Audio Theatre Festivals is now accepting nominations for its 2024 Norman Corwin Award. The annual award recognizes people, or groups, who have made important contributions to the art of audio theatre in the United States.

Nominees should have worked in audio theatre for at least 10 years and “created a substantial and significant body of work,” per NATF. They may be writers, actors, directors, musicians or engineers. All fiction and nonfiction genres can be considered. Deceased people and disbanded groups may also be nominated for a Corwin Legacy Award.

Nominations may be made from now until Mar. 15, 2024. The winner(s) are announced each year on May 3, Norman Corwin’s birthday, and are presented at an event organized by the NATF.

To nominate, go to the NATF’s Corwin award nomination page. Or send an email directly to drstevenmbrown@gmail.com

Norman Corwin, 1973

There is a $35 fee for each nomination. If the nomination is accepted for consideration, payment arrangements will be made in a reply email.

Audio theatre is defined as audio productions which have been written for, or adapted for, the audio medium, using voices, sounds and music, according to the NATF. A simple reading of text written for the eye, such as an audiobook, does not qualify.

This news also pertains to Radio World readers in the broadcast and radio industries. NATF said in a press release: “Audio theatre may be associated with any audio medium, including radio broadcast, analog or digital recordings in any form, and podcasting, file sharing or streaming online.”

NATF says Norman Lewis Corwin (1910-2011) was hailed during his lifetime as the “Grand Master of American Audio Theatre.” He wrote, directed and produced many widely-acclaimed plays and pieces for radio broadcast, recordings and the internet, starting in 1938 and continuing into the 21st Century.

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The post Norman Corwin Award Nominations Open appeared first on Radio World.