Radio+Television Business Report

The company was founded during the Velvet Revolution, some 11 months before the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Today, this globally renowned entity founded by five engineers from the Scientific Research Institute of Television and Broadcasting in Praha is celebrating 30 years as a Prague-based company with customers and offices around the world.

With automotive brand Skoda its office mates in the Veleslavínská neighborhood on the west side of Prague, AVECO will be showcasing its three decades of achievement along with its current products of interest to broadcast professionals at the 2022 NAB Show in Las Vegas.

It’s selected Booth N1421 at the Las Vegas Convention Center for its return to the event, the NAB’s first in three years.

AVECO deployments range from multi-channel, multi-site operations – such as India’s ETV Bharat’s automation and media asset management system, supporting 5,000 reporters, 24 news studios and 24 full time news channels in 13 languages – to small standalone systems. Complete end-to-end production and playout facilities to individual products are also tied to AVECO.

“Since our humble beginnings with our motto ‘Let’s try!’ we’ve seen incredible changes in industry and technology,” said Pavel Potuzak, CEO of Aveco. “Today, our project with Televisa in Mexico would have been unthinkable when Aveco was formed. Think about it … fully redundant master control with frame-by-frame disaster recovery for 80 TV channels located on-prem and in the cloud.”

He continued, “From tape to servers to the cloud, our motto has changed with the industry as well to ‘Let’s Talk Automation!’ to better reflect our focus. With our vision of ‘Create – Manage – Deliver’, we provide media companies worldwide with our news/studio production automation, media asset management and playout solutions – on-prem, in the cloud and in hybrid architectures. We graciously thank our more than 300 customers worldwide that have helped us grow from a small group of friends in the Czech Republic to an international company with ten offices worldwide.”

A new networking series focused on innovation is in the works for the 2022 NAB Show, the National Association of Broadcasters’ first since 2019.

According to the NAB, each “NABiQ challenge” will relate to NAB Show’s new content pillars.

NABiQ is a series of 90-minute daily facilitated workshops that are intended to harness the power of teamwork “to ideate, innovate and create prototypes for nine real-world challenges.” Each workshop will accommodate up to five teams of six participants each who will compete for the winning solution.

NABiQ

Innovation consultant, coach and design sprint master Maria Duloquin will facilitate nine 90-minute competition-style events encouraging attendees to collaborate in devising solutions to common challenges facing the industry.

Registrants will be placed in five teams of six members per challenge to develop innovative solutions and prototypes that address central themes.

“Our community craves engaged and invigorating networking opportunities, beyond traditional happy hours and conversations,” said Chris Brown, the NAB’s EVP and Managing Director of Global Connections and Events. “This dynamic ‘hackathon’ format allows attendees to collaborate and draw on their collective experiences to create the next great out-of-the-box solution for our industry.”

Duloquin added, “Building on diverse knowledge under a tight deadline is a sure-fire way to foster innovation. Teams listen to each other, prioritize ideas, and define the most powerful solutions in an intense but incredibly rewarding experience.”

NABiQ is supported by Cynopsis for Capitalize and ProVideoCoalition for Create. The complete list of challenges is available here. Each competition will be followed by informal networking, with winning solutions shared with the entire NAB Show community and via NAB Amplify.

To RSVP, attendees should create a show planner and add the challenge(s) of interest to their calendar.

The XXIV Olympic Winter Games have concluded, and among those that can look back in pride are the leaders of a Oregon-based company that’s emerged as a global leader in visualization technology.

Planar emerged as the company NBC Sports contracted to provide fine pitch LED video wall display technology for its production of Beijing 2022.

In particular, NBC Sports’ Beijing set showcased a Planar TVF Series LED video wall, with a 1.8mm pixel pitch that powered broadcast coverage from Studio A, with over 200 LED displays delivering more than 15 million pixels of resolution. NBC Sports used the video wall to achieve popular resolutions and deliver clear, crisp images from every angle and viewing distance.

Planar has been in use in prior Olympic Games.

“It’s a tremendous honor to partner with NBC Sports to return as its display technology
provider for this event,” Planar EVP Adam Schmidt said. “We’re excited to help enhance NBC Sports’ broadcast coverage for viewers.”

When it came time to produce the XXIV Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, which just wrapped up in the People’s Republic of China, NBC Sports turned to a privately held company with operations in California and Massachusetts to receive media capture, automated media processing, closed captioning, and test and measurement equipment.

Providing the needs: Telestream.

NBC Sports used both the Telestream Vantage Media Processing Platform and the Cinnafilm Tachyon processing library extensively across its coverage of the Beijing 2022 event, providing top-quality frame rate conversions.

NBC Sports also put to use Telestream’s Lightspeed Live Capture and Vantage to deliver a unique, mixed HDR/SDR conversion workflow for NBC Sports’ content produced in HDR. The NBC Sports Advanced Technology group worked with Telestream to develop custom color LUTs (Look Up Tables) that are used within Vantage to ensure the most accurate color processing pipeline throughout the production and postproduction process.

Additionally, NBC Sports used Telestream’s caption authoring and editing product in conjunction with Telestream Cloud’s Timed Text Speech service — an AI-powered transcription service; and Telestream 4K/8K HDR Waveform Monitors that support easy alignment and confidence monitoring with both local and remote operation.

On Monday, January 31, the island nation known for reggae music and jerk chicken propelled its television broadcasting well into the 21st Century, as Television Jamaica Ltd. joined the U.S. and South Korea as the only three nations in the world to offer viewers NEXTGEN TV broadcasts.

The ATSC 3.0 standard is now in use at TVJ, which airs everything from newscasts to daytime animated series, and select second-run syndicated programming.

Leading the switching on ceremony for TVJ: A new Jamaican Minister with responsibility for Information, Hon. Robert Morgan. The ATSC 3.0 signal went live just after 6:30pm local time.

How many Jamaican TV viewers watched is the key question, as access to new ATSC 3.0-compatible televisions at a cost Jamaicans can afford will prove to be the key test to NEXTGEN TV’s rollout in the island nation.

That said, TVJ put NEXTGEN TV into action in order to abide by the Jamaican government’s decision to enforce a ATSC 3.0 transition no later than January 2022.

TVJ in December 2021 became an official member of ATSC Inc., and it has commenced consultations with U.S. and South Korean experts, as well as with local television set retailers, advertisers and other stakeholders on the next steps. Up to 20 similar transmission sites are being commissioned into service, bringing 95% coverage of Jamaica that is targeted for NEXTGEN TV.

TVJ is a member of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, parent of 12 media brands.

“What TVJ and the RJRGLEANER group have done is not only invested in its own business, but it has invested in the digital future of Jamaica…I am impressed with the commitment shown to making government policy a reality”, Minister Morgan said.

The ATSC 3.0 installation was conducted by an all-Jamaican engineering team.

RJRGLEANER CEO Gary Allen notes that some $12 million USD was invested in the transition, with half of the funds tied to the first transmitter, now in operation in the Jamaican capital of Kingston.

 

Given all of the chatter about OTT, SVOD, AVOD and Fast Channels, the future of cable TV as it has existed for four decades is being questioned by many across the television industry. To some, a MVPD is all about broadband, with TV service greatly diminished.

But, is that an exaggeration? Who still pays for cable TV and why?

CableTV.com surveyed Americans who still subscribe to traditional cable to understand why they keep the service.

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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has approved a grant that will fuel the funds necessary to continue the “Editor Corps” of the Public Media Journalists Association.

In particular, the dollars will fund the program for one more year as PMJA develops a financial sustainability initiative.

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On Monday (2/28), TEGNA will release its fourth quarter 2021 earnings and host an earnings call including such C-Suite leaders as Lynn Beall, Victoria Harker and CEO Dave Lougee.

Will the company formerly known as Gannett have bigger news to share on that day, if not this week? Bloomberg says so, reiterating a recent report that majority control in the company is about to go to a partnership involving Soohyung Kim and the majority shareholder in Cox Media Group. 

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For 24 years, he’d been associated with a group of radio stations today owned by Audacy Inc.

Now, he’s resurfaced across the street to become General Sales Manager of Steel City Media’s radio properties in the heart of Mid-America.

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With Audacy Inc. poised to report its fourth quarter 2021 and full-year fiscal health report on Wednesday (2/23), there’s bound to be a lot of attention from the investment community placed on just how the audio content creation and distribution company’s final three months of last year fared, dollar-wise.

Ahead of that earnings report’s release, financial blog Simply Wall St. took a moment to examine Audacy’s ownership structure. Could that structure “tell us something useful?”

Here’s what the bloggers found.

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What’s a Class D 1kw daytime-only Gospel station and its FM translator worth in the first quarter of 2022?

Here’s a Georgia deal that provides such an answer — and hope for similar broadcast facilities searching for a buyer.

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The FCC has been busily updating aspects of its political programming and recordkeeping rules. In particular, a January 25, 2022 Order revised the Commission’s definition of what a “legally qualified candidate for public office” is, while amending the political file rules.

Paul Feldman at Fletcher Heald & Hildreth has been monitoring when the effective date of the new rules will be, minus portions of the rules that require OMB approval.

He now has a date circled on his 2022 calendar.

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The NAB Leadership Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2023 Broadcast Leadership Training (BLT) program. Applications are being accepted through May 31.

The BLT program is designed to prepare senior-level broadcast executives to advance as group executives or station owners. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.

Now in its 23rd year, BLT is an executive MBA-style program that teaches the fundamentals of purchasing, owning and operating radio and television stations. As the foremost executive training initiative for the broadcast industry, the 10-month program prepares aspiring broadcast station owners and executives with the working knowledge to further their careers.

The 2023 Broadcast Leadership Training program will consist of weekend sessions held in-person at the NAB Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The starting session will be held in September 2022.

Broadcast professionals from all areas of the industry, including general managers, experienced sales managers and seasoned department heads, as well as regional and corporate executives, are encouraged to apply. Fellowship opportunities are available for women and people of color.

For 2023 sponsorship and speaking opportunities, please contact Tim Dotson, NAB Leadership Foundation Senior director of Development.

INTRODUCING THE CLASS OF 2021

NABLF also announced the 2021 BLT class graduates, who completed the program in November 2021.

“These talented broadcasters join the long list of industry leaders with roots in the BLT program,” NAB Foundation President Michelle Duke said. ” We look forward to watching their careers grow from this success and witnessing the positive impacts as new and diverse leadership advances our industry.”

With this class, more than 350 participants have graduated from the program.

The 2021 Broadcast Leadership Training Class graduates are:

• Melissa Begay, Operations Director, Native Public Media
• Robert Brooks, Digital Solutions Specialist, WHUR-FM in Washington, D.C.
• Cathy Cangiano, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Bonneville – Seattle Media Group
• Thomas Ciprari, Station Manager, KTMF-23 in Missoula, Mont./Cowles Publishing Company
• Leon Clark, Vice President and General Manager, KGTV-10 in Sacramento/The E.W. Scripps Company
• Tina Commodore, News Director, WFTV-9 in Orlando/ Cox Media Group
• Kate Doty, Director of Talent and Team Development, Morgan Murphy Media
• Susie Doucette-Pyle, Vice President and General Sales Manager, KRIV-26 & KTXH-20 in Houston/Fox Television Stations
• Alfredo Duran, President and Founder, Duran Media Management Services
• Blanca Esparza-Pap, Station Manager, KPHO-5 & KTVK-3/Phoenix
• Mariana Ferro, Regional Vice President, Sales Manager – National Sales, Univision Communications
• Andrew Givens, Station Manager and Director of Sales, KMSS-33 in Shreveport, La. (Mission Broadcasting)
• Ben Hart, President and General Manager, WJCL-22 in Savannah, Ga.
• Charity Holman, Station Manager and General Sales Manager, WVVA-TV in Beckley, Va. (Gray Television)
• Andre Holmes, Vice President, Financial Analysis, Gray Television
• Kari Jacobs, President and General Manager, WTSP-10 in Tampa
• Kim Parker, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Graham Media Group
• Nicole Ovadia, Vice President/Client Success, Mediaco and Emmis Communications of New York

The 2021 and 2022 program sponsors include Beasley Media Group, Bonneville International Corp., Cox Media Group, Fox Television Stations, Futuri Media, Graham Media Group, Gray Television, Hearst Television, Legend Communications, NAB, The Nielsen Foundation, Meredith Corporation, Morgan Murphy Media, The E.W. Scripps Company, TEGNA, Univision Communications, and Paramount.

The 2022 class is currently underway, will attend the NAB Show in April and graduate in June. For more information about the NAB Leadership Foundation or the BLT program, please visit, nabfoundation.org.

Since March 2015, she has served as the News Director for the ABC and CBS affiliates serving Springfield, Mass., and has spent the majority of her career at nearby WFSB-3 in Hartford, a former Meredith Local Media property.

Now, she’s earned a promotion in Western Massachusetts.

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Nominations for the 13th Medallas de Cortez awards — the most respected honors in U.S. Hispanic radio — are now being accepted. If you know someone who is doing great work in Hispanic radio across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, don’t miss this chance to spotlight their efforts with a nomination.

The awards, sponsored by vCreative, will be presented at the Hispanic Radio Conference, June 22-23 in Miami at the Intercontinental at Doral.

Nominations can be made in seven categories:

• Marketer (may be someone from a station, an agency, or a client)
• National/Syndicated Personality
• Local Personality
• Program Director
• Sales Manager
• General/Market Manager
• Station of the Year

Nominations are now being accepted. The deadline is April 22, 2022.

The Medallas de Cortez awards presentation is one of the most inspiring and memorable aspects of the Hispanic Radio Conference. By recognizing excellence in Hispanic radio, these awards pay tribute not only to some amazing and dedicated professionals in Hispanic radio, they serve to energize and encourage others to follow their footsteps.

The awards are named in honor of Raoul Cortez, who founded KCOR — the first Spanish-language station in the United States — in 1946. Nominations are open to anyone, Hispanic and not, who is involved in Hispanic broadcasting. The goal is to make sure everyone dedicated to this segment of the industry has an opportunity to be recognized for their contributions to excellence in radio.

Click here to make your Medallas de Cortez nominations, and remember, nominations are due by April 22, 2022.

SPONSORS Platinum Sponsor Medallas de Cortez Sponsor Corporate Sponsors Participating Sponsors Media Partners

The VIAC ticker symbol is no longer in use. That’s unfortunate for the company known now as Paramount Global to Nasdaq. On its final day under the old ticker symbol, a $6.41 single-session slump was seen by the company formerly known as ViacomCBS.

In midday trading on Friday, things weren’t much brighter for Paramount.

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Do I feel like I have a mission to succeed for the format in a Top 5 market? No. I feel like I have a mission to succeed for Susquehanna and the people who work for me. 

Those words were shared by Joel Folger in a column appearing in the January 30, 1998 edition of Radio & Records. Speaking to columnist Sky Daniels, Folger was fresh off of a run as the top programmer of KDGE in Dallas. With 15 years in the market that included a well-remembered run as PD for Rock-oriented Top 40 KEGL “97.1 The Eagle,” Folger was now programming the short-lived KKZN.

In 2000, he’d jump into consultant work, and consistently served in this role until a setback tied to a recent stroke. He made “tremendous progress,” AllAccess.com reports. Yet, that couldn’t prevent a fatal heart attack suffered Thursday by the veteran radio industry figure.

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How big is the recovery from the pandemic-impacted month of January 2021, with respect to ad spend?

According to Standard Media Index (SMI), ad spend in the first month of 2022 surpassed that of 2021 by $1.1 billion, hitting a new record high for the month.

How did Radio, in particular, perform? Quite good, SMI finds.

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Veteran public relations executive and ‘Zoom” expert Rosemary Ravinal wants to make something perfectly clear when it comes to oratory delivery of a speech, presentation, or anything else that may give them the jitters. You’re not alone. In fact, everyone gets butterflies, she says. It’s how to overcome them that’s key — even in a Zoom or Teams setting, Ravinal says in this column.

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Want to work for the largest licensee of broadcast television stations in the U.S. or its WGN-AM 720 in Chicago? Perhaps the Sean Compton-led NewsNation is of particular interest?

“Please be cautious of individuals or online entities claiming to represent Nexstar in the hiring process,” Nexstar Media Group is warning potential hires, as it has learned it has become the victim of a recruitment scam.

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