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The winning bidder for a broadcast construction permit auction had her application approved, but she may incur a fine for failing to file important post-auction documents.

The Federal Communications Commission says Nanette Valdez-Schwartz took part in the July 2021 auction of AM and FM broadcast construction permits known as Auction 109 and was the winning bidder of an FM construction permit at Medicine Bow, Wyo.

Winning bidders were required to file certain forms by Sept. 13 — in Valdez-Schwartz’s case, post-auction FCC Form 2100, Schedule 301, otherwise known as a long-form application.

[See more of our coverage of FCC actions.]

The Media Bureau had warned that any winning bidder who failed to submit the required forms before the deadline and failed to establish a good cause for late submission would be in default. Those applicants would not only be subject to monetary forfeitures, but in most cases would see their application dismissed outright.

There are cases, however, when the Media Bureau decides to accept a late-filed application. It can consider these when the delinquency does not disrupt the auction process or undermine the FCC’s goal of getting service out to the public rapidly.

In Valdez-Schwartz’s case, she did not file the form by Sept. 13, but she did get submit it two weeks later. She also made a rule-compliant late payment on the balance of her auction bid. In approving the application, the bureau said it also gave weight to her record of compliance with previous auction-related requirements.

One thing Valdez-Schwartz did not do was to file a waiver request along with her late application.

But despite that, the bureau said it believes it is in the public interest to move ahead and implement a new service in Medicine Bow.

As a result, the FCC granted Valdez-Schwartz a waiver, assuming she makes the $3,000 forfeiture payment listed in the notice of apparent liability. She has 30 days to file a written statement asking for reduction or cancellation.

Comment on this or any article. Email radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post $3,000 Forfeiture Awaits Winning Bid in CP Auction appeared first on Radio World.

Kybio from WorldCast Connect is now based on Kubernetes. The company says the change will assure high reliability for its cloud deployments.

Last year, a new “software as a service” licensing option was made available to users of Kybio network monitoring. WorldCast Connect now says it has created a major update to that SaaS plaatform.

“After a rigorous benchmark of technologies to best meet Connect’s need for more scale and performance, its SaaS version of Kybio is now powered by Kubernetes, the standard container orchestrator for cloud,” the company stated in the announcement.

Kubernetes is an open-source platform for managing containerized workloads and services.

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WorldCast quoted Product Manager Julien Libeau saying, “Using Kubernetes technology radically changes the way our team and engineers work on the SaaS offer. It also adds significant added-value for our customers in media and broadcast, especially by speeding up the time of deployment. They can literally have Kybio up and running in less than 10 minutes.”

He said the cloud-hosting solution lets Kybio scale more easily because the architecture provides the correct amount of compute power needed for each customer, depending on usage and license size.

It said its in-house local software agent, EdgeBots, played a role in the deployment of this cloud infrastructure. “They bring the ability to combine on-premise remote monitoring with a full cloud environment,” the company said. “The Kybio cloud offer is intended to be used in a decentralized network. By connecting EdgeBots with their remote network, users are quickly and securely connected to Kybio SaaS, offering high scalability for large network infrastructures.”

The company is offering users have the opportunity to test Kybio SaaS with a free trial license for one month.

Send news for Who’s Buying What to radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post WorldCast Connect Puts Kybio on Kubernetes appeared first on Radio World.

KRK Systems KNS 8402 Headphones

KRK Systems has updated its KNS line of studio headphones with the KNS 6402 and KNS 8402, both with enhanced sound quality, isolation and durability. Both models are closed-back circumaural (over and around the ear) designs with the KNS 8402 ($149 MSRP) updated for pro studio use and the KNS 6402 ($99 MSRP) more suited for home studio production and stereo music enjoyment.

All KNS headphones come only in matte black and are made using an impact-resistant plastic material that makes them super lightweight. The cables, head and premium leatherette ear cushions are easily field-replaceable, including the in-line volume control that uses a “long life” fader, connecting between the headphones and the supplied cable using 3.5-mm stereo plugs. You can easily remove the in-line volume control altogether.

I tried out the KNS 8402 headphones and immediately liked the self-aligning, sprung stainless steel yoke system in the headband that easily adapted to my head and retained that adjustment when I took them off.

The memory foam ear cups rotate up to 90 degrees and I found it more comfortable to not allow the center of the headband to touch the top of my head. There is a gap in the center of the headband, making them feel nearly weightless. They still hugged my head comfortably to block out sounds with up to 30 dBA of isolation.

[Check Out More Product Evaluations in Our Products Section]

The KNS series phones use 40 mm dynamic drivers with neodymium magnets; the rated impedance of 36 Ohms. They are rated at 0.1 percent total harmonic distortion while handling 500 mW per driver. Sensitivity on the KNS 8402 is 97 dB SPL @ 1 mW with maximum SPL of 124 dB. Frequency response is specified as 5 Hz to 23 kHz.

For all my sonic testing, I used my musicians’ cue system that uses a Simon Systems CB-4 Cue Box powered by a 100-watts per channel Hafler stereo power amp. I also tried my secondary cue system that uses a small Aphex Systems HeadPod 4 4-channel amplifier with good results. In addition to the KNS 8402s, I kept three other sets of phones plugged into the CB-4 with volumes matched, and I played different kinds of music, as well as individual tracks (drums, bass, guitars, etc.) out of Pro Tools. The KNS 8402s were definitely the lightest.

Overall the KNS 8402s are neutral-sounding: not overly bright or bottom-heavy compared to my more expensive audiophile models. They are smooth in the mid-range and not as abrasive as some other dynamic sets.

I am looking for a tight seal, which becomes extra important when five or six backing vocalists are singing around a hot mic. A studio might buy a dozen of these headphones for just that purpose. Once the KNS 8402s were properly fitted on a singer’s head, the ear cushions did a good job of sealing against leakage.

I was initially a little suspect of an in-line volume control on studio headphones. It could be “another point of failure,” but that little fader stays wherever it is set and the teardrop shape doesn’t catch on clothing.

If all headphones are fed from the same line, the in-line volume control becomes a necessity. Some backing singers like it louder than others in the same group. When the mini-fader is full up, it is the same volume as with the control removed — there is no difference in sound quality with or without the in-line module in play.

I liked the KNS 8402’s wide frequency response, dynamic range, stereo imaging and consistent voicing. These would be a smart buy for a new studio looking to stock their headphone collection with well-made, sturdy and good-sounding units.

This article originally appeared in our sister publication Mix. Users and suppliers are both invited to send news about recent installations and product applications to radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post KRK Systems KNS 8402 Headphones Put Through the Paces appeared first on Radio World.

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This Public Notice announces a virtual event, the Video Programming Accessibility Forum – Online Closed Captioning on December 2, 2021, from 1:00 pm to 3:45 pm ET. Chairwoman Rosenworcel will welcome participants and Senator Markey will deliver remarks.

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Announces auction of construction permits for full power television stations and seeks comment on auction procedures and minimum opening bid amounts

Issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $3,000 to Greater Cincinnati Television Educational Foundation for public file violations for Station WPTO, Oxford, Ohio.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the late Friday release of a Public Notice, the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) and the Media Bureau seek comment on the procedures to be used for Auction 112, an auction of construction permits for full-power television stations.

The FCC expects the bidding for Auction 112 to begin in June 2022.

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MESA, ARIZ. — Scott Sutherland was recently promoted to the corporate team as EVP of Regional Media Operations for Bonneville International Corp.

Now, his successor as SVP/Market Manager of the company’s Phoenix stations has been named.

Earning the role is Ryan Hatch, who has been the stations’ Vice President of Programming since 2011. He has been with Bonneville since November 2006, where he launched “Sports 620” on KTAR-AM, with the Talk station’s transition to 92.3 MHz, replacing KKFR-FM.

Hatch was previously Operations Manager of Bonneville’s Seattle stations.

“I’m humbled, honored and thrilled for the opportunity to lead the most talented team in local media in a city that my family loves and calls home,” Hatch said. “I look forward to continuing to serve our dynamic and growing community, our advertisers, team broadcast partners and the audiences of KTAR News, Arizona Sports and ESPN Phoenix.”

Sutherland now oversees Bonneville’s Denver, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco and Seattle markets.

The Cirrus Podcasting Suite Dashboard

Content streaming provider Cirrus Streaming recently released a suite of tools for podcast hosting, editing and distribution from a single dashboard. The company says this allows radio broadcasters to create podcasts automatically from a live audio stream.

The Podcasting Suite includes a podcast editor that lets users upload, store, organize and edit files via a multitrack waveform editor. With this, podcasters can trim, splice and insert segments into an audio file from a web browser without the need of separate audio editing software.

[See Our Who’s Buying What Page]

The system also includes an ad server, allowing podcasters to build commercials into their podcast stream. Users can then distribute podcasts to any number of outlets and syndicate them along the way. The suite also offers several playout options, allowing for customization, branding and digital advertising.

“With the rise in podcasting during the pandemic, it’s more important than ever for content creators to take full control of their material, so we’ve taken this into consideration to provide everything they need in one place,” said Cirrus Streaming CEO Nick Csakany in the announcement.

The podcasting suite is available by monthly subscription for broadcasters and podcasters with no contract requirements, the company said.

Send your new product and services news to radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post Cirrus Podcast Suite Supports Radio Applications appeared first on Radio World.

The Women’s Media Center has released its 2021 report on the status of women in U.S. media — a compilation of research that shows the persistent challenges and intermittent progress for women in American media.

WMC’s “The Status of Women in the U.S. Media 2021” report draws data from 110 studies that together show the standing of women across all media, including legacy and digital news platforms, film, television, radio, technology, literature, and more.

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NEW YORK — After coming off a strong September, October 2021 all-media investment volume reached a new year-to-date high, leading into the holiday push. That’s according to Standard Media Index‘s U.S. ad tracker.

How does radio, in particular, rate compared to other media?

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MIAMI — With captioning and metadata company Digital Nirvana confirming on Friday that it is attending IBC2021, even as companies including Viaccess-Orca have withdrawn from the affair, the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) has made it clear that it is moving full steam ahead with its NATPE Miami 2022 event — a major draw for television industry leaders and media brokers.

NATPE, the business association for content producers, distributors, streamers and buyers across all platforms, on Friday revealed its first programming details for its upcoming event, scheduled for January 18-20, 2022 at the sprawling Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach.

The main stage program’s first programming details include conversations and fireside chats with Bob Greenblatt, the former Chairman of WarnerMedia Entertainment, Chairman of NBCUniversal Television Group, and founder of the production studio The Green Room.

Also in attendance, of course, is a figure who has roamed the halls of the Fontainebleau for years while rapidly growing his assets in broadcast TV: Byron Allen.

Among the other confirmed attendees set to appear in NATPE Miami sessons are Banijay Chairman of the Americas and Endemol Shine Holdings President/CEO Cris Abrego;
ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group President Dan Cohen; NBCUniversal President of Ad Sales and Partnerships Laura Molen; and veteran media analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich (née Cohen), traditionally the first person to participate in the iHeartMedia quarterly earnings call Q&A period.

To say that NATPE sees “momentum” building for its flagship event is an understatement. It made a point in its communication to the press on Friday that A+E, “Nick Cannon” TV show distributor Debmar-Mercury, Disney-ABC, Globo, MGM, Univision, ViacomCBS and WarnerMedia are among the companies confirmed to attend the first major content event of the new year.

Global streaming platforms such as Pluto, Tubi, and Redbox to participate as well.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new showcase will explore what the NAB is calling “the transformative impact of data, artificial intelligence and automation on the media and entertainment industry” at its long-awaited 2022 NAB Show.

It’s on track for April 23-27, with the Radio Show now permanently locating with the Las Vegas affair.

The “Intelligent Content” showcase, as the NAB is calling it, will direct attendees through data utilization in the content lifecycle, “providing opportunities for inspiration, innovation and implementation.”

Chris Brown, the NAB’s EVP/Managing Director for Global Connections and Events, comments, “Media is becoming more data-driven, and this focused destination marks our commitment to expanding the industry’s use of data and creating opportunities for the media industry to lead the future of content.”

The Intelligent Content showcase will feature networking events, future-focused exhibits and educational programming that will introduce new trends in production automation, content customization and immersive experiences.

AWS, MediaKind and Microsoft will anchor the showcase, located in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The showcase will highlight new engagement opportunities presented by always-on platforms and emerging networks, and the role data will play as the industry opens new monetization models.

Intelligent Content is the fourth content pillar created for NAB Show, joining the previously announced “Create,” “Connect” and “Capitalize.” The four pillars, associated with the content lifecycle, “offer renewed opportunities for learning, discovery and engagement,” the NAB asserts.

Phillystran tower guy lines support the new top section of AM antennas in New Jersey, New York.

From our “Who’s Buying What” page — Project management firm Turris Services Inc. has used Phillystran HPTG tower guys as part of the installation of a new top section of tower for WWRL(AM) at its transmitter site outside of New York City.

The tower was damaged by tornado winds late last year. The rest of the system’s Phillystran guy lines have also been replaced.

“First installed in 1960, four AM towers located in a swamp area in Secaucus, N.J., are used to transmit commercial radio stations based in New York,” Phillystran stated in a project announcement.

“The largest 300-foot tower was first guyed with Phillystran tower guys 40 years ago in 1970. At the time, Phillystran’s PSOM guy lines were supplied. These have now been replaced with Phillystran’s latest High Performance Tower Guys (HPTG) and corona sockets.”

A sample of the 40-year-old Phillystran guy lines.

The company said the old lines had retained their strength. “Subsequent testing of the 40-year-old PSOM guy lines has shown no loss in the residual breaking strength of the guy lines rated at 27,000 lbs. and 15,400 lbs.”

Turris Services retrofitted new top tower sections and installed the HPTG guy ropes. Phillystran makes synthetic fiber ropes for marine, utility, broadcast and military applications; it is part of steel wire rope manufacturer WireCo WorldGroup.

Send announcements for Who’s Buying What coverage to radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post Turis Uses Phillystran on NYC AM Array appeared first on Radio World.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives has voted in favor of the Biden Administration’s “Build Back Better” reconciliation package — a bill that includes provisions in the Local Journalism Sustainability Act.

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