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Requests the allotment of channel 9 to Freeport, Illinois, as the community's first local service.

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Requested the substitution of UHF channel 29 for VHF channel 12 at Jefferson City in the DTV Table of Allotments

Requests the substitution of channel 28 for channel 13 at Eugene, Oregon in the DTV Table of Allotments.

Wheatstone said the Blade 4, its newest WheatNet-IP Blade, “clears out the rack room.”

The company highlights its integrated audio routing, control, codecs, processing, mixing, operating system and NMOS/AES67 interoperability that are all provided in a single rack unit.

Wheatstone said the new model offers interoperability with other manufacturers and network environments through SMPTE ST 2110 audio support and AES67 compliance. “Blade 4 supports NMOS [Networked Medio Open Specifications] device discovery, AES67 multichannel support and packet timing adaptability,” it said in the announcement.

[Read: Processing for Streaming vs. On-Air]

Each Blade 4 has its own OS. “No tablet, laptop or desktop PC needed. Run select broadcast applications and scripting routines direct from the network I/O interface, including IP meter, PC XY routing control, Screenbuilder, Navigator and LIO viewer.”

Opus, MP3 and AAC codecs are added to the AoIP network for remotes and home studios. Codecs are routable in native AoIP, with no additional hardware required.

Other features include easy resource sharing. Integrate audio codecs, processing, mixing and operating system into one native AoIP environment. It also has features found on other Blades including two 8×2 stereo utility mixers, routable stereo processor with parametric EQ/compressor/limiter, 12 physical universal logic ports and 128 programmable software LIO ports.

Dual Ethernet ports are provided and dual power supplies are available.

Wheatstone says that because this unit includes codecs, software apps, mixing and audio processing, plus AoIP networking, control and interoperability, users will save on rack room space, cooling and cabling.

The Blade 4 can be integrated into new or existing WheatNet-IP networks.

Wheatstone’s Director of Sales Jay Tyler introduced the Blade 4 in a recent Radio World webcast.

 

The post Wheatstone Rolls Out the Blade 4 appeared first on Radio World.

In exactly three months, listeners of audio facilities that most think are radio stations could be left scrambling, due to a “sudden” loss of an over-the-air signal they’ve tuned to for years.

That’s because these FM choices aren’t licensed as radio stations, but are analog TV stations using VHF Channel 6 — and benefiting from old-school transponding audio at 87.7 MHz.

On July 13, this is scheduled to end. While there’s chatter among the licensees that this won’t happen, a notable foe of these so-called “Franken FM” facilities has emerged.

It’s NPR.

Could there be new life for the ‘Franken FM,’ despite the long-known shutdown date of July 13 for analog VHF Channel 6 facilities? The RBR+TVBR Spring 2021 Special Report, distributed April 26 to all subscribers, offers an exclusive look at what’s predicted in three months’ time.

SECURE YOUR COPY BY BECOMING A RBR+TVBR MEMBER NOW!

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Simple hand and arm gestures may be more effective than emoticons to improve engagement during Zoom meetings.

Research from the University College London (UCL) shows that an intuitive set of hand signals can warm up the virtual meeting room and help participants communicate better, Rosemary Ravinal points out in this column.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. —  The media company known for its live events and radio stations in the Empire State has just appointed a Chief Revenue Officer.

At the same time, it has also selected its new Chief Content Officer.

Taking the CRO role thanks to a promotion is Nick Maine.

The CCO role? That goes to Marissa Greenlar.

promoted to Chief Content Officer of Galaxy Media

Maine will now oversee the sales operations for both the Syracuse and Utica markets. He’s been with the company for 10 years and has played an active role in the growth of the company.

He previously held the role of Director of Sports Marketing at Galaxy.

“Nick Maine is a force of nature,” said Ed Levine, President and CEO of Galaxy Media. “It’s rare to have somebody that has been so engaged, so excited and so competent all in one package. I can’t wait to see where he takes our sales effort over the next many years.”

Greenlar is the Brand Manager for “KROCK.” She’ll keep those duties, while gaining oversight of every Galaxy brand and the company’s digital content. She has been with the company for 12 years.

“Marissa’s contribution to Galaxy has been extraordinary. From starting as a sales assistant to working with the events team, to overseeing much of our social media and then assuming day to day programming responsibilities for KROCK, she has impacted every aspect of Galaxy over the past 12 years,” Levine said. “This newly created position is a reflection of the respect she has from her peers and an acknowledgement of her massive contributions to Galaxy.”

A little more than 50 years ago, the FCC settled a mutually exclusive hearing for a construction permit for UHF Channel 45 in Baltimore. It was awarded to an entity named “Commercial Radio Institute,” led by controlling shareholder Julian Sinclair Smith.

With that Commission OK, the birth of a company that today owns regional sports networks with Bally’s branding and some 186 broadcast TV stations was born.

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The NAB has announced the results of the 2021 NAB Radio and Television Board elections.

The two-year terms of the elected board members will begin in June 2021.

New Board members or those who have previously served on the Board are listed in italics; other Board members listed below are currently serving on the Board and have been re-elected.

 

NAB Radio Board Elections
(Odd-numbered districts) Allen Power
Senior Vice President
Salem Media Group
District 1 – New England

Mike Tarter
President and CEO
Forcht Broadcasting
District 5 – WV, KY

Nick Martin
General Manager
Big River Broadcasting
District 9 – GA, AL

Chris Ornelas
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Beasley Media Group
District 13 – MI

Dana Withers
President and CEO
Withers Broadcasting and Dana Communications
District 17 – IL

 

Carolyn Becker
President
Riverfront Broadcasting LLC
District 21 – MN, ND, SD Collin Jones
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy
Cumulus Media Inc.
District 3 – PA

David Hoxeng
Owner
WNRP-AM, WYCT-FM, WEBY-AM
District 7 – FL, PR, VI

Matt Mnich
Chairman and CEO
North American Broadcasting Company, Inc.
District 11 – OH

Bradford Caldwell
Owner and CEO
Caldwell Media LLC
District 15 – TN, AR

Roger Harris
General Manager
Chickasaw Nation
District 19 – OK, Northern TX

Trila Bumstead
Owner/CEO
Ohana Media Group
District 25 – OR, WA

 

NAB Television Board Elections Byron Allen
Founder, Chairman and CEO
Allen Media Group/Entertainment Studios

Chris Cornelius
Vice President, Business Development
Morgan Murphy Broadcasting

Robert Hubbard
President/CEO, Hubbard Television Group
Vice President, Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. (HBI) David Bradley
Chairman and CEO
News-Press & Gazette Co.

David Hanna
President
Lockwood Broadcasting

Chris Ripley
President and CEO
Sinclair Broadcast Group

 

In addition, Connoisseur Media COO David Bevins was appointed to a designated seat on the NAB Radio Board.

A new technology that gives sellers the ability to deliver video advertising on an addressable basis across platforms from a central decisioning center — bridging linear and digital video delivery methods — has been launched by Comcast’s FreeWheel arm.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW RBR+TVBR ON TWITTER!

 

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Today is the last day “as we know it” for a 1,600-watt Class A FM serving Lynchburg, Va.

A format change is on the way, as a Lease Management Agreement is taking immediate effect following the signing of an asset sale agreement handing this station to a new owner.

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Radio members of the National Association of Broadcasters have elected new board members.

They include Chris Ornelas, who was NAB’s chief operating officer until early last year.

Odd-numbered districts voted this year.

[Read: NAB Announces Crystal Radio Winners]

An asterisk below indicates a new board member or one who served prior but is not currently active. Others were re-elected:

Allen Power* of Salem Media Group; Mike Tarter of Forcht Broadcasting; Nick Martin* of Big River Broadcasting; Chris Ornelas* of Beasley Media Group; Dana Withers* of Withers Broadcasting and Dana Communications; Carolyn Becker of Riverfront Broadcasting; Collin Jones of Cumulus Media; station owner David Hoxent; Matt Mnich* of North American Broadcasting; Bradford Caldwell of Caldwell Media; Roger Harris of Chickasaw Nation; and Trila Bumstead of Ohana Media Group.

Their two-year terms begin in June.

Ornelas brings a great deal of NAB experience to his board role. After a decade with the association he left in 2020 to become executive vice president and general counsel at Beasley. (His successor in his NAB COO role, Curtis LeGeyt, will become NAB’s president/CEO at the end of this year.)

NAB also announced that David Bevins, COO of Connoisseur Media, was appointed to a designated seat on the radio board.

 

The post NAB Radio Board Gets New Members appeared first on Radio World.

Changes ahead for emergency alerting … drone inspections can save you trouble … remembering a radio tower on a little rock island …

Also, audio processors from Inovonics, Orban, Ross Video, SEPsoniX, Telos Alliance, Wheatstone and WorldCast Systems; and a useful resource for FCC rules.

These stories are in the latest issue.

Read the April 14 issue.

The post Inside the April 14 Issue of Radio World appeared first on Radio World.

Vinyl lovers, here’s a needle drop for you: This Saturday, April 17, is Vinylthon.

The celebration of “the magic and warmth of vinyl” is put on by the College Radio Foundation, which says the event is open “to all radio stations, commercial and noncommercial.”

“Vinylthon is the radio industry’s response to the remarkable vinyl renaissance that continues around the world,” the organizers say in their announcement. Approximately 100 stations in 12 countries plan to recognize the day; for example WMSC(FM) at Montclair State University in New Jersey will celebrate its 54th anniversary with 54 hours of playing vinyl records.

The sixth annual event benefits efforts of the foundation to help keep college stations on the air. Participation is free for noncom stations. “There is a small registration fee for commercial radio stations to benefit the foundation.”

Founder Rob Quicke is general manager of WPSC(FM) at William Paterson University of New Jersey. “Playing vinyl on the air is an amazing, hands-on experience for many of today’s radio broadcasters, and a trip down memory lane for the listeners,” he said in the announcement.

Numerous artists including Andrew Farriss of INXS, Ritchie Kotzen of Poison and Gordy Marshall of The Moody Blues are supportive.

The post Saturday Is Vinylthon, to Celebrate Records appeared first on Radio World.

You’re watching your favorite television show, dozing off on the living room couch, when all of a sudden you’re jolted awake. The volume, which was just fine, has suddenly shot up. There’s a commercial now airing, and it’s so loud your shaking and more than a little stirred.

This was supposed to cease 11 years ago. It evidently hasn’t. Now, a key Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee wants the FCC to investigate a rise in loudness complaints.

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Edita Kudláčová (Photo by Khalil Baalbaki)

In March, Edita Kudláčová started her new job as the European Broadcasting Union’s head of radio.

In a presentation tomorrow, she will discuss her vision for the medium at the EBU’s online Radio Assembly.

She’ll tell Europe’s largest gathering of senior public radio officials that public radio is faced with a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity as well as extreme competition in the audio market, and discuss her ideas for approaching those challenges.

Radio World spoke to Kudláčová prior to the event and was allowed a preview of her comments.

Prior to assuming her new role, Kudláčová spent more than 12 years working for Czech Radio, rising from senior international relations specialist to chief creative producer. She has won many award including first prize for Best European Online Project and the Journalism Award at the 2019 Prix Europa for “1968 Project.”

Kudláčová has been a member of the EBU’s New Radio Group and, prior to that, the International Relations Radio Group.

COVID-19 and public radio

Kudláčová said that, confronted with a global pandemic, the world’s citizens have been eager for information to get them through this difficult time. In Europe, a large number have turned to public broadcasters for help.

“As a result, we have seen an increase in listeners to many public radio stations/networks during the past 12 to 13 months,” she said.

“The first increase occurred during the first lockdown in March and April last year. The second increase took place last autumn due to a second wave of lockdowns in European countries.”

According to the EBU’s audience research, listeners tuned to European public radio for a variety of reasons during the pandemic. The first area of audience growth was news.

“People choose radio because it is able to deliver trustworthy information quite quickly,” Kudláčová said. “The second increase that we saw was in entertainment content, which was for music streaming and music listening on air and FM.”

Radio also gained listenership among young people, in part because “lots of parents were looking for some sort of ‘visual detox’ to keep their children from staring at screens all the time,” she told Radio World.

All told, up to 26% of young people in Europe have been tuning into radio during the pandemic. This is a high level of listenership “which we have not seen in previous years, driven by public radio’s formats for these age groups.”

Opportunity and peril

Pandemic-driven growth in public radio listenership comes at a time when the medium is facing an increasing number of fierce competitors, both on air and particularly streaming on the web. Public radio is faced with a “one-in-a-lifetime opportunity as well as extreme competition in the audio market,” said Kudláčová. This is why European public radio has to act now to retain and grow its percentage of listeners in the multi-platform universe.

Achieving this means applying EBU members’ considerable expertise in producing high-quality audio content to create compelling content in music, sports, the arts and children’s programming, she said. Moreover, this content has to grab the attention of 21st century listeners who now enjoy an unprecedented degree of content choice.

“A lot of our member countries are already faced with increased competition in the audio market, because many digital platforms that previously only distributed audio content are now producing it as well,” Kudláčová noted.

“The degree of extreme competition that is emerging for listeners will force us to innovate quite quickly in order to survive.”

Edita Kudláčová plans to make this kind of innovation a priority for the EBU’s members and working groups, “to see where we can cooperate and progress with all of this together.”

Since her duties extend to the EBU’s Music Unit, Kudláčová is also working closely with musicians and music producers to survive COVID-caused concert cancellations.

“The EBU is already running a series of seminars together with the music creation industry on how best we can support the whole music scene and what needs to be done when the pandemic is over.”

Advancing digital and hybrid radio

The continuing progress of digital radio, specifically DAB+, and the deployment of hybrid radio within cars/trucks to retain radio’s share of the vital mobile market are priorities for Kudláčová.

“My division will continue to support the growth of DAB+ broadcasting across EBU member countries and to secure the position of public service radio in the digital market,” she said.

“The world needs independent, trustworthy public service radio now more than ever.”

As well, the EBU’s radio division will continue to work with EBU Technology & Innovation and the EBU’s Connected Cars and Devices working group to innovate the radio experience in cars and trucks.

“We’ll need to be looking at this year so that public radio stays relevant on ‘connected dashboards,’” Kudláčová said.

“I think this is a very big priority for public radio, because we need to cooperate on the international level in order to succeed — both in terms of the technology being used and the content being produced. We have to ensure that the content we distribute online makes sense for the online environment. We can do only if the EBU has an international strategy that is shared and endorsed by our members.”

Kudláčová has an ambitious agenda to fulfill as the EBU’s Head of Radio. This said, she considers herself a team player.

“It’s important that our EBU members are involved in this process, so that we really do this together,” she said. “I take it as a top priority to make sure that everyone involved in our radio efforts are well-connected and well-informed about what is going on, and that our agenda is clear and open to input from all of them.”

The post EBU’s New Head of Radio Sees Opportunity, Peril appeared first on Radio World.