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A Houston-based Christian Talk and Teaching station has in recent years expanded its reach to Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Tex. Other properties include FMs in San Angelo, Tex., and an AM in the Shreveport, La., market.

Now, the parent of KHCB-FM is agreeing to purchase a Class C3 FM serving a small Louisiana city to the north of Lake Charles.

 

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The paperwork was drafted nearly a month ago, and signed on December 19, 2023. On Wednesday, a filing was made with the FCC seeking its approval of the proposal.

Once the OK is given, Educational Media Foundation — parent of the donation-based KLOVE and Air1 Christian-music networks — and iHeartMedia will have traded two FM translators between one another.

 

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It’s helpful to review FCC enforcement actions for a glimpse of the types of regulatory issues and compliance problems the commission focuses on. Yet there is always nuance to what might attract its attention.

Broadcast attorneys and Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program inspectors talked to Radio World about common missteps they see radio broadcasters make.

Unsurprisingly given their resources, smaller broadcasters seem more prone to slipups than large group owners. But much also depends on a given company’s awareness of the requirements and the importance it puts on compliance.

Certain areas tend to draw the attention of the Enforcement and Media Bureaus. For instance, now that every station’s public file is accessible online, the FCC can monitor compliance far more easily. 

“The FCC has been paying close attention to quarterly file uploads to the Online Public Inspection File and looking closer at EEO reports,” one regulatory insider said.

Station logs that list EAS activations, tower light checks and RF transmission parameters require weekly review by a radio station’s chief operator, said Blake Thompson, president of BET Broadcast Engineering, who performs most of the ABIP inspections in the states of Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia.

He recommends logging transmitter power daily, or at least weekly with a newer unit, to demonstrate proper operation. 

Blake Thompson.

Station logs may be kept manually or electronically, but having electronic records doesn’t absolve the chief engineer of reviewing and signing a log, according to FCC rules. 

Stations also must keep an FCC application page on their website and a link to their public file. While these are not part of the ABIP checklist, they’re a common omission. 

Stations also must provide specific contact information on their websites for a station representative who can assist any person with disabilities with issues related to the content of the public files, Thompson said. 

And make sure the current copy of the EAS handbook, published by the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, is filled out at the station’s control point. 

Politics, TBAs and fees

Frank Montero, co-managing partner at the law firm Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, said, “There have been a large number of consent decrees focused on the same issues, like public file and political file violations. EEO violations have been a focus as well.”

Because we are entering a major political year in 2024, Montero said stations should be focused on political broadcasting rule compliance, including lowest unit rate, equal time and political file compliance. 

“I recommend to my clients that they designate an employee to monitor their station’s local public file to ensure compliance,” he said. (Read a relevant Radio World article by attorney Gregg Skall.)

The year 2023 was a biennial ownership report year, Montero continued. 

“We always find corporate licensees — especially nonprofits with large boards — that have had an incremental transfer of control over the past few years without ever filing a transfer application.”

Biennial ownership reports were due Dec. 1 but if you are late, file the report anyway, Montero said.

Another potential pothole for broadcasters is improper use of FM translators and understanding the “dos and don’ts,” he said. 

Further, if your station is in a time brokerage agreement, make sure you have a properly drafted agreement and are aware of what the FCC allows in such cases. Keep the finances and station control separate from the broker, according to another person familiar with the relevant regs and enforcement. 

Also, commercial stations need to make sure they are current with their annual regulatory fees. “Being in arrears is certainly a red flag, which can block the processing of applications,” that person said, noting that there have been several recent revocations of broadcast licenses over regulatory fees that went unpaid over several years.

Alerting updates

Larry Wilkins, director of engineering services at the Alabama Broadcasters Association, says some stations fail to keep their EAS infrastructure up to date. 

“This includes ensuring they are operating with the correct software and security certificate, monitoring the correct sources and verifying the quality and levels of these sources,” he said.

As part of that compliance, stations are required weekly to review the station log, including all required EAS activations and correcting any observed issues, he said.

Wilkins, the ABIP inspector for Alabama, reminds stations to pay attention to maintenance at the transmitter site — “things like improper fencing around an AM tower, operating at the licensed transmitter power output, tower light monitoring, and maintaining an operational remote-control system.”

Frank Maynard, president of technical services firm Maynard and Associates, says missing EEO reports are a common problem, particularly at license renewal time. “The political file portion of the online public inspection file needs to be kept current, with new information uploaded the same day if possible,” he said.

Because the FCC no longer requires routine logging of transmitter readings, stations may be under the impression that a station log is not required, but that’s not the case.

“I advise stations to keep an accurate station log in one place,” Maynard said.

“Just a single sheet of paper weekly can be sufficient, noting EAS tests sent and received, daily and quarterly tower lighting checks, remote meter calibrations and power output readings. And it needs to be checked and signed by the chief operator weekly,” he said. 

Frank Maynard, left, talks with Bill Keith, station manager of WSDP(FM), Plymouth, Mich. (Credit: Rick Grzebik)

Maynard, who performs inspections for the ABIP program administered by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, said remote meter calibrations and power output checks are sometimes forgotten. He recommends establishing a regular schedule.

“‘As often as necessary’ does not mean you don’t have to do it. And a basic piece of information, the indirect method efficiency factor, is often unknown or hard to find. It should be readily available. I suggest posting it on the transmitter and at the control point,” he said.

On occasion, the geographical coordinates listed on the license don’t agree with the actual coordinates, which can be checked using the satellite view on Google Maps. 

“Many deficiencies are simply a matter of good engineering practice, such as keeping documentation and logs at the transmitter site and establishing regular cleaning and maintenance procedures,” Maynard said.

Radio operators continue to receive warnings (and draw fines) for failing to “timely” file various required documents. This is often the case for the Issues and Programs list, due each quarter by the 10th day of the following month, according to one expert. 

A station might also encounter a complaint filed by another broadcaster. When one is received, the commission may send an inspector to the station, although our observers say this is less common now given the closure of many FCC field offices.

If you do run afoul of the FCC, the commission can initiate the investigative process by issuing a letter of inquiry — a series of questions regarding the alleged infraction — or it might jump directly to a notice of apparent liability or a notice of violation, which will cite the problem and give the license-holder 30 days to pay a fine or explain its side of the case. A broadcaster can then request a reduction or elimination of the proposed fine, which the FCC calls a forfeiture.

Our experts recommend being active with your state broadcast association, which can provide resources and notices of filing deadlines. They urge stations to take advantage of the ABIP programs, which are administered by the state associations.

Stations that participate in the alternative program receive a three-year exemption from routine FCC technical inspections. That exemption does not apply to inspection of the online public file, online political file or filings necessary to comply with EEO requirements. 

The ABA Engineering Academy’s YouTube page has several videos that walk viewers through an ABIP inspection.

What other issues might trip the FCC’s wire? Send a letter to the editor to radioworld@futurenet.com.

Enforcement Sampler

Pirate radio enforcement has received ample news coverage in recent years, but there are numerous other examples of recent actions that give a sense of what the commission has been looking for, involving administration, technical operation and programming. You can check out the following Radio World stories here.

• In November an AM station in Texas lost its license for failure to pay about $36,000 in regulatory fees that accumulated over a decade.
• In August the Media Bureau said a Louisiana licensee could be liable for a forfeiture of $12,500 after concerns were raised about the truthfulness of statements made during licensing and construction; the station allegedly swapped antenna type and mounted the antenna at the wrong height without authorization.
• In March the FCC yanked three FM translator licenses in Arizona and Nevada after the licensee was unable to prove operational status of the facilities.
• A Washington state broadcaster was apparently liable for $20,000 for unauthorized operations of an FM translator and making false certifications in an application with the intent to deceive the commission.
• An AM owner in Iowa faced an $11,000 fine in a case involving its online public inspection file and its transmission power levels.
• The Enforcement Bureau proposed a $25,000 fine saying the licensees failed to upload annual EEO reports to their online public files, failed to upload their EEO reports to the web and failed to “broadly recruit” for certain vacancies, analyze their EEO programs or maintain recruitment records.
• Last spring a Colorado low-power FM was assessed a $15,000 fine for airing commercials.
• In late 2022 the Media Bureau issued a $20,000 forfeiture to a California licensee for operating its AM station at the wrong power at night.

[See Our Business and Law Page]

The post Stay on the Good Side of the FCC appeared first on Radio World.

For nearly 13 years, he advocated for broadcast television and radio as a member of the NAB‘s Media Relations and Communications corps. On December 15 came word that he would be relinquishing his VP of Communications post for “a telecom industry job.”

Little did anyone know that Zamir Ahmed would be joining a lobbying group squarely opposed to much of what the NAB has advocated for on behalf of its television industry members.

As of today, Ahmed is now associated with ACA Connects, formerly the American Cable Association. Ahmed will serve as Vice President of External Affairs and lead “external affairs strategies to advance ACA Connects’ policies and perspectives to diverse audiences, including legislators, federal officials, policymakers, industry partners and other stakeholders.”

Olivia Shields

The appointment of Ahmed comes as Olivia Shields, the Communications Director for the Energy and Commerce Committee, joins ACA Connects as Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications. Shields will develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies to advance ACA Connects’ mission and advocacy goals. In her most recent role, Shields led the communications and messaging strategies for Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and her policy priorities, including in telecommunications and technology.

This suggests Shields will take a most conservative approach to policy lobbying when it comes to such subjects as retransmission consent and broadcast ownership rules for television, and how it would impact ACA Connects’ small-market and independent MVPD constituency.

Meanwhile, ACA Connects is appointing Max Staloff as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. He will work with Brian Hurley, the Chief Regulatory Counsel, to advocate for legal and regulatory policies that benefit the interests of ACA Connects Members.

Max Staloff

Staloff began his career as a FCC attorney, including in the Office of General Counsel. Most recently, he worked in private practice, advising wireless carriers, satellite operators, cable operators, major technology companies, and trade associations on issues and policies related to spectrum, license transfer allocations, merger review, infrastructure, and satellite and experimental licensing.

 

With the rise of over-the-top streaming services such as Netflix and Prime Video, in addition to Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, ViX and Peacock, viewing has seen a tremendous shift from cable and broadcast television to these platforms.

As 2024 begins, discussions ranging from the high cumulative cost of subscriptions to OTT services, to the churn factor and “subscribe, binge and cancel” nature of the platform when a hot show arrives, have gained much attention. Now, MoffettNathanson, the respected Wall Street financial house focused on media and technology, is examining the concept of “re-bundling” – specifically, the possibility of breaking the biggest video-on-demand services out of their silos.

 

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She joined the iHeartMedia-owned group of radio stations serving the state capital of Wisconsin in 2019 as an Account Executive and rose to VP of Sales in 2021.

Now, she’s the Market President for the stations serving Madison.

This puts Monica Wittkopp in a role that will see her continue to lead the sales efforts of the group of stations comprised of top-rated Classic Rock WIBA-FM, Top 40 WZEE-FM, Country WMAD-FM, News/Talk WIBA-AM, Sports Talk WTSO AM, Adult Hits WXXM-FM and WIBA-FM HD2, known as “U100.9.” She will also gain oversight of programming and general operations for the collection of audio content platforms.

Wittkopp will work closely with Dan Lenz, Senior Vice President of Sales at iHeartMedia  in Milwaukee, while reporting to Jeff Tyler, Metro President for iHeartMedia Wisconsin.

“I have been nothing but impressed with Monica’s command of company goals and assets and the respect she has earned from every member of the iHeartMedia Madison team,” Tyler said. “She will be a valuable addition to the overall leadership team of iHeartMedia and a smart, creative partner for our advertising and vendor partners.”

Wittkopp began her career at Univision Communications in November 2012 as a multimarket account coordinator focused on national sales, working from Los Angeles following her graduation from Stanford University. In August 2014, she moved to the company’s Austin station group as an AE.

Wittkopp in November 2016 returned to California by joining iHeartMedia as an AE. She relocated to Madison in spring 2019.

For years, the narrative from the fast-growing Subscription-based Video on Demand (SVOD) business segment was that those seeking to reduce household costs by dropping traditional cable TV for their over-the-top (OTT) service provided the best consumer value.

However, in recent months it has become more clear that advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) is preferred, largely because of costs. Now, just like MVPDs, it appears OTT platforms are starting to suffer from subscriber billing fatigue.

 

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FM6 stations have until Jan. 29 to officially state their intention to continue service and to confirm their operational parameters to the FCC.

These stations are the low-power TV broadcasters that operate as radio stations on frequencies just below the FM band, a practice that earned them the nickname Franken FMs.

Last summer, the FCC ruled that 14 such stations in nine states can continue to provide these analog radio services. They essentially have been grandfathered in, resolving the longstanding regulatory issue.

Many of the stations are in or near major markets, so this outcome essentially means that several big U.S. cities now officially have one more FM station for the many consumers whose radios can pick up the frequencies.

The authorized stations are KBKF(LD), San Jose, Calif.; WMTO(LD), Norfolk, Va.; KXDP(LD), Denver; WTBS(LD), Atlanta; WRME(LD), Chicago; KZNO(LD), Big Bear Lake, Calif.; KEFM(LD), Sacramento; WEYS(LD), Miami; WDCN(LD), Fairfax, Va., near Washington, D.C.; KRPE(LD), San Diego; KGHD(LD), Las Vegas; WPGF(LD), Memphis; and WNYZ(LD), New York. 

The FCC also permitted WVOA(LD) in Westvale, N.Y., near Syracuse, to provide FM6 service subject to certain requirements. That FM6 went back on the air in December at 87.7 MHz.

WDCN(LD) in Fairfax, Va., programs to the greater Washington region. In approving the FM6 plan last summer, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel listed WDCN as an example of stations serving local communities.

The commission will not allow new FM6 entrants or the return of other legacy analog FM6 stations that ceased or never previously provided radio service. “Effective immediately, the bureau will not process STA extension requests filed by any FM6 LPTV stations … The bureau also will promptly dismiss any STA requests for new FM6 operations.”

The Media Bureau has set Jan. 29 as the deadline for the 14 stations to notify it of their intent to continue to provide FM6 service and to confirm their operational parameters.

The bureau said all FM6 LPTV stations with unexpired STAs or pending STA extensions will be considered in compliance with its rules as long as their operations adhere to the recent order. Once an operational notice is received, the bureau will add a notation to each LPTV station’s license to reflect that it is permitted to provide FM6 operations as an ancillary or supplementary service. 

These stations are required to maintain online public inspection files for their FM6 service. The FCC also reminded them that television stations that offer feeable ancillary or supplementary services are required to submit an annual report and pay a fee on the revenues from those services. If an FM6 LPTV station offers such services it must pay the fee. 

Details and instructions for the stations are outlined in the order (read it here).

[See Our Business and Law Page]

The post FM6 LPTV Rules Take Effect appeared first on Radio World.

The National Association of Broadcasters has opened the entry window for the 38th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards.

The program honors community service efforts by radio stations. The deadline for entry is Jan. 31; winners will be honored in April at the spring NAB Show.

Stations must be an association member and submit an online entry through the member platform My NAB, describing their community service efforts for the 2023 calendar year.

Last year’s recipients were KBCO(FM) Denver; KBXX(FM) Houston; KCYY(FM) San Antonio; KKHJ(FM) Pago Pago, American Samoa; KOSI(FM) Denver; KSTP(FM) Minneapolis St. Paul; WALR(FM) Atlanta; WREW(FM) Cincinnati; WTMJ(AM) Milwaukee; and WUSL(FM) Philadelphia.

And NAB presented Bonneville International’s KTAR(FM) in Phoenix with the Crystal Heritage Award, recognizing the station for winning five Crystals.

[For More News on the NAB Show See Our NAB Show News Page]

The post NAB Opens Entries for Crystal Radio Awards appeared first on Radio World.

A reporter who has covered “financial distress, volatility and restructuring” for The Wall Street Journal since joining from Debtwire in July 2019 is sharing the news that, according to sources who have spoken with him, one of the nation’s largest audio content creation and distribution companies has reached an agreement with senior lenders that will give it the funds necessary to commence a voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring process.

When would this happen for Audacy Inc.? The WSJ’s Alexander Gladstone says an announcement is just weeks away. The bigger news? Ownership of the company founded by Joseph Field as Entercom more than 55 years ago and today run by his son, Chairman and President/CEO David Field, would be owned by Audacy’s lenders.

 

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The Walt Disney Company has confirmed that an investment house founded in 2016 by Jason Aintabi, its Chief Investment Officer, and its affiliates has provided a notice of intent to nominate three individuals for election to the company’s board of directors at Disney’s 2024 annual meeting of shareholders.

It adds another layer to the ongoing drama pitting activist investor Nelson Peltz against CEO Bob Iger and his two board nominees.

Blackwells Capital LLC is nominating Jessica Schell, Craig Hatkoff and Leah Solivan for election to join the Disney board.

Schell through May 2023 was EVP/GM of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and spent more than 8 1/2 years in Burbank, Calif., following a four-year tenure at Universal Pictures. From September 2006-September 2010, Schell was SVP/Strategy for NBCUniversal Digital Media. Importantly, Schell served as a Strategic Planning leader for Disney from July 1996-June 1999, before enrolling in Harvard Business School.

Hatkoff is the co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival; Solivan is the founder of TaskRabbit, sold to IKEA in 2017.

It is a move signaling the support of Iger, while dismissing Peltz’s efforts.

“Shareholders deserve the opportunity to continue supporting Disney’s turnaround and transformation efforts under the leadership of the current Board and CEO, Robert A. Iger, unbound by Trian Fund Management L.P. and Nelson Peltz’s reprise of a contrived campaign that is disconnected from the needs of Disney stakeholders,” Blackwells shared in a statement released Wednesday.

Disney, in its own statement, reinforced its belief that Disney “has an experienced, diverse, and highly qualified board that is focused on the long-term performance of the company, strategic growth initiatives including the ongoing transformation of its businesses, the succession planning process, and increasing shareholder value.”

With the Blackwells nominees, Disney’s Governance and Nominating Committee, which evaluates director nominations, will commence a review and provide a recommendation to the board as part of its governance process.

With respect to Peltz’s manuvering, Aintabi made it clear that it needs to stop. “We call on Mr. Peltz to end his peacocking so that Disney can focus on its bright future, and not be dragged backward in time,” he implored. “Disney’s current leadership is invaluable to its shareholders, and our three exceptional candidates are being nominated along with a business proposal specifying that any incumbent director outvoted by Blackwells’ nominees be immediately added back to the Board following the 2024 Annual Meeting. This campaign provides shareholders a necessary alternative to what would otherwise be a solipsistic sideshow.”

An Assyrian educational and cultural organization dedicated to the national aspirations and well being of the Assyrian people and the language of Jesus Christ is being handed a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture for failing to adhere to the FCC’s quarterly issues/programs rules.

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The recipient of the Radio World Excellence in Engineering Award is Alan Jurison of iHeartMedia.

He is the 20th recipient of the award. Recipients of represent the highest ideals of the radio broadcast engineering profession and reflect those ideals through contributions to the industry.

Read our profile of him, along with the popular Workbench column, tips for spring site projects from Michael Baldauf, reader letters and more.

Read it here.

The post Read the Jan. 3, 2024 Issue of Radio World appeared first on Radio World.

When it comes to teens and young adults, Snapchat‘s popularity in the U.S. may be akin to that of “Rhythm Is A Dancer” by the act Snap! — fun, but hardly cool. In Asia, it’s another story, and Entravision seeks to take advantage of Snapchat’s high use by forging a sales partnership with its parent.

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FEMA has confirmed Antwane Johnson has retired as director of FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, effective Dec. 30, 2023.

Antwane Johnson (Credit: FEMA)

Johnson joined FEMA in 2009, becoming the head of the new IPAWS program.

As director, he set the the agency’s strategic vision, developed alert and warning policies, represented the agency during congressional hearings and provided expert advice on legislative initiatives to ensure the president can communicate with the American people under all conditions, a FEMA spokesperson said in a statement announcing Johnson’s retirement.

He took IPAWS — a national system for local alerting — from its infancy through the IPAWS Modernization Act of 2015, and now to the point where it has 1,800 alerting authorities around the country using its capabilities to provide emergency information to the public, according to a FEMA spokesperson. 

“Antwane Johnson is a visionary, outstanding leader and colleague who transformed the nations alert and warning capability and worked every day to make a difference for the public,” said Michael S. George, associate administrator of FEMA’s Office of National Continuity Programs. 

George continued: “Antwane’s departure is a loss for the nation. He has more than earned his retirement and time to do the things he loves.”

A Radio World email to Johnson seeking comment on the FEMA announcement was not immediately returned.

In his leadership role at FEMA, Johnson led the nation’s first test of the National Public Warning System and Presidential Wireless Emergency Alert System in 2018, according to his online FEMA profile. 

Additionally, FEMA says he helped launched the nation’s IPAWS Open Platform for Emergency Networks in 2012, giving federal, state, local, tribal and territorial leaders access to national capabilities, enabling authorities to warn citizens in their respective areas of threats to public safety and communicate protective actions in response to the threat.  

Before joining FEMA, the government agency says Johnson served as the director for critical infrastructure protection within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense & Americas’ Security Affairs, where he was responsible for ensuring a resilient defense industrial base to meet the needs of the department in executing the National Military Strategy. 

Before his work with Critical Infrastructure Protection, Johnson worked for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency as the chief of information management technology, where he was responsible for developing arms control technologies in support of conventional and strategic arms control agreements, a FEMA spokesperson said.

FEMA says his most notable accomplishment in that position was the development and acceptance of U.S. technologies for use by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a community of 55 participating nations; a technology that is still in use today.

Johnson graduated from Norfolk State University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, and the National Defense University’s Information Resource Management College Chief Information Officer program. 

The FEMA veteran is also a graduate of the Defense Acquisition University, Defense Systems Management College and the Western and Eastern Management Development Centers. Johnson has received numerous awards, including the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal and the Commanders Award for Civilian Service, according to his profile on FEMA’s website.

IPAWS Deputy Director Wade Witmer will become acting director until a permanent replacement is named, according to FEMA.

[Visit Radio World’s People News Page]

The post Antwane Johnson Retires From FEMA appeared first on Radio World.

On January 26, 1997, John Huck and Carolyn Clifford served as the inaugural anchors for “FOX 53 News at 10,” airing on a station operated by Sinclair Inc.

Now, nearly 27 years later, this station serving Western Pennsylvania is ready to launch a live-and-local hourlong alternative to TODAY and Good Morning America.

But, it is again turning to Cox Media Group to assist in the production and hosting of the offering.

Starting Monday (1/8), WPGH-TV will offer Pittsburgh TV viewers a 7am newscast. This, like the 10pm newscast airing on “FOX 53,” will be produced and staffed by individuals from WPXI-11, the Cox Media Group-owned station serving Pittsburgh.

This means Gordon Loesch, Katherine Amenta, Scott Harbaugh and Trisha Pittman, seen on WPXI until TODAY arrives on the NBC affiliate, will helm the 7am-8am newscast on WPGH.

And, it pits CMG/Sinclair versus Paramount Global’s KDKA-2, the legendary Westinghouse station that became a CBS property; KDKA-TV produces a local newscast airing 7am-9am on the company’s WPKD-22.

For “FOX 53,” the hourlong newscast cuts “The National Desk,” Sinclair’s Washington, D.C.-produced telecast, to the 8am-10am time frame.

 

TORONTO — After almost 45 years in the media business — including 35 years at CBC, Susan Marjetti has announced that she is retiring from her role as General Manager of CBC News.

As of today, Brodie Fenlon will lead CBC News, assuming the role of General Manager and Editor in Chief. Fenlon has been with CBC News since 2013, and has served as Editor in Chief and Executive Director of Programs and Standards since 2020.

“I offer my deep gratitude to Susan for the leadership she has shown, her unwavering dedication to news and local programming, and her strong commitment to making CBC a more inclusive place for staff and for our audiences,” said Barbara Williams, Executive Vice-President at CBC. “With Susan’s retirement, there is no one better suited and prepared to take the helm of CBC News than Brodie. He is a seasoned journalist and an empathetic leader who will continue to shape the strategic direction of CBC News, guiding the news team through these turbulent times and ensuring that CBC News remains essential to audiences across the country.”

Marjetti first joined CBC Halifax in 1988. “Her deep commitment to local programming extended to the evolution of CBC Toronto back in 2001, to better reflect and connect with Canada’s most multicultural city, and leading to morning radio show Metro Morning,” CBC notes.

The program is Canada’s most-listened-to morning program.

Marjetti also spearheaded a Waterloo Region station for CBC and a digital station serving Hamilton, Ont. She’s held her current role since 2020.

Fenlon joined CBC News as Managing Editor in 2013 and was later appointed Senior Director of Digital News. In 2017, he was placed in charge of daily news and domestic and foreign bureaus. Since 2020, Fenlon has served as Editor in Chief and Executive Director of Programs and Standards for CBC News.