The Ranking Member of the influential Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee has asked the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) “to work cooperatively to resolve spectrum policy issues.”
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The fate of a 630-watt FM radio station atop Mt. Hunsack, serving Somerset County, Pa., is once again cloudy. Faced with a Hearing Designation Order that will put his continued ability to own the station in the hands of FCC Administrative Law Judge Jane Hinckley Halprin, Roger Wahl was all but expected to participate in a pre-hearing conference scheduled for Thursday (1/13).
That didn’t happen, and Hinckley isn’t pleased. As such, what the future holds for WQZS-FM 93.3 in Meyersdale, Pa., may come quicker than anticipated. And, it is likely not good for Wahl.
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He’s a five-year syndicated morning radio host whose resume includes former Miami Rocker “Zeta 4” and Central Florida Top 40 outlet “107-1 A1A.” He’s also a feature film star.
On Friday, Brad Abrell (pronounced A-Brill) will be heard — but not seen — in potentially millions of homes that have access to Amazon Prime. How so? He’s playing Frankenstein … for real.
In this InFOCUS Podcast, Brad turns on the mic and chats with RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson by phone from Hollywood to share how his role in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania came to be, and why radio remains a vital part of his life.
With Spotify the go-to in 2022 for consumers who desire high-quality audio-on-demand, Pandora has repositioned itself under the ownership of SiriusXM Holdings Inc. as more of an in-store audio solution than an everyday listener attraction, even with Pandora-powered app-only channels for Sirius XM subscribers.
Now, SiriusXM is taking a bigger step into the music-in-stores arena by acquiring a business known for legal streaming of music.
Sirius XM Radio Inc., has acquired Cloud Cover Media, parent of Cloud Cover Music. It’s an entity known for its “music for business” service and employs business management, music programming, licensing, and software development teams. Cloud Cover Music’s offerings allow businesses to deliver music, with customized audio messaging if desired, “to create the desired atmosphere for their prospects, customers, and clients,” Sirius XM says.
Is it another nail in the coffin for traditional radio at a retail establishment? Perhaps not, given its use in mom-and-pop retailers. However, larger retailers and those in the hospitality area likely rely on ad-free music for their business. In the case of Cloud Cover Music, it is in use at a wide variety of commercial locations across the United States and Canada.
Cloud Cover Music joins SiriusXM Music for Business and Pandora for Business in SiriusXM’s commercial music portfolio.
The Cloud Cover Music team will continue to be led by VP/GM Mark Lehman. He commented, “As one of the fastest growing music for business services, we’re proud of the track record that Cloud Cover Music has achieved with our tens of thousands of customers. We’re excited to have the brand recognition and strength of SiriusXM and Pandora behind us as we continue to focus on delivering the best music and messaging products for businesses.”
SiriusXM was represented by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP as counsel. Alkali Partners served as exclusive financial advisor to Cloud Cover Media, and David Wohlberg and Ekong Udoekwere represented the company as counsel.
TEGNA has selected the successor to Bruce Cummings, who will be retiring from the company’s ABC affiliate in Corpus Christi, Tex., come March 4.
Rebecca Cantu will take over as President/GM for KIII-3. She officially joins the station on February 7, enjoying a month of training and settling in before Cummings bids farewell and concludes his career in local TV management.
Cantu will be responsible for overseeing the station’s operations across all platforms as well as leading the station’s focus on community service and driving results for local advertisers.
Cantu is shifting from TEGNA sibling KHOU-11 in Houston. There, she held the positions of business development manager and community marketing specialist. During her 14-year tenure at KHOU, Cantu led integrated marketing efforts across sales, content and marketing.
KHOU was her first job in broadcast media. Before that, Cantu was the public affairs special projects coordinator for Randalls Food Markets, an Albertsons brand. There, she coordinated community partnerships, sponsorships and special events for stores located in Houston and Austin.
“Rebecca’s proven track record of collaboration and leadership across departments has been a huge part of KHOU’s momentum in recent years,” said Brad Ramsey, SVP of Media Operations at TEGNA. “I am thrilled she will bring her energy and love of Corpus Christi back home to the community where she grew up and help lead the great KIII team into their next chapter of success.”
Cantu graduated from the TEGNA Leadership Development program in 2019.
BALTIMORE — Attention, MVPD operators: Sinclair Broadcast Group just inked a deal with the National Basketball Association that could make it a bit more difficult to attract customers to cable TV packages fueled by local pro hoops action.
For the first time, 16 NBA teams will see their games offered live via over-the-top streaming on an authenticated and direct-to-consumer (DTC) basis.
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NEW YORK — NBCU has unveiled its first certified measurement partner, a decision that provides the multimedia giant with an an alternative currency for cross platform measurement on its One Platform.
The owner of Peacock, NBC, Telemundo and Universal Studios selected iSpot.tv, the TV ad measurement firm promoting “fast, accurate and actionable measurement across linear and streaming investments.”
It is a particularly significant announcement, as it signals a change in how the $70 billion dollar TV industry will be transacted, particularly on the heels of what NBCU calls “the ongoing challenges” with Nielsen.
“This news seeks to address two major industry issues — that the industry does not currently count everything and that we do not connect counting to understand the true overlap amongst audiences,” a NBCU spokesperson tells RBR+TVBR.
NBCU will utilize a test and learn approach with Publicis Media as the first media holding company to test this new measurement across NBCU’s entire One Platform starting Q1, which includes the 2022 Winter Olympic Games and Super Bowl LVI.
The acceleration to alternative currencies puts in motion what NBCU is calling “a new foundation for the 2022-2023 Upfront cycle; Upfront week is traditionally held in mid-May, with NBCU staging its event at Radio City Music Hall.
The partnership with iSpot.tv begins today, with the company supporting NBCUniversal’s audience verification initiatives for both ads and program ratings.
Why iSpot.tv? NBCU likely saw appeal in its second-by-second measurement for ads and verified impressions for programming and advertising.
“The new deal is part of a transformative effort by NBCUniversal to bring advertisers more accurate, timely and diverse insights that capture the way real audiences consume content and use this broad array of performance metrics to modernize the way video is valued,” the company said.
Using iSpot.tv, brands who advertise with NBCU will gain access to real-time airing data for linear, streaming and time-shifted viewing, and receive reports on a next-day basis that include metrics such as verified ad impressions, reach and frequency, linear and streaming overlap and incrementality. Measurement will be provided at the household level as well as at the person level for age/gender demos and/or for customized audience segments.
Further, select NBCU advertisers will have access to impact measurement including granular attention and interruption rates, business-outcome reporting and creative performance that includes pre-testing and brand-lift analysis.
NBCU added that it comes on the heels of an extensive measurement evaluation process and industry consultation, and will lay a new foundation for how NBCUniversal transacts in the 2022-2023 Upfront cycle. Moreover, this commitment to new measurement and more accurate data builds on the company’s recent introduction of NBCUnified, a first-party consumer data and identity platform that will serve as the data spine for these ongoing measurement transformation initiatives.
NBCUniversal will continue to announce its Certified Measurement Partners as they become certified.
Interestingly, it is former longtime Nielsen executive Kelly Abcarian, today the EVP of Measurement & Impact at NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships, that is pushing for alternatives to her ex-employer.
The key word: alternatives.
“This is not a shift away from one panel-based system to another, but a definitive step toward embracing the metrics brands already use to evaluate media companies,” Abcarian explained. “We have an obligation to deliver consumers a great experience, and an obligation to our customers and shareholders to utilize measurement systems that adequately capture the reach, attention, and outcomes we deliver. Our learnings from this partnership will help transform our measurement solutions as we head into the next Upfront season and bring advertisers more data that accurately reflects our audiences, their consumption habits and campaign impact.”
NEW YORK — The Kristin Dolan-led television and cross-platform measurement, analytics and attribution firm known as 605 is teaming up with Deloitte Digital on an initiative designed to accelerate the launch of 605’s newest product.
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What was the deal-making market like in December 2021 for the entire media and telecommunications sector?
S&P Global Market Intelligence crunched the numbers. And, of the top deals announced in the final month of 2021, an Allen Media Group transaction and a radio transaction involving Craig Karmazin-led Good Karma Brands are among the biggest.
But, neither is on top.
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BURBANK, CALIF. — The Hispanic-targeted multimedia company led by CEO Peter Markham that recently welcomed veteran Spanish-language sales leader Steve Mandala as Chief Revenue and Local Media Officer has inked a multi-year renewal agreement for local television measurement from Nielsen.
Signing the renewal is Estrella Media, known for its original programming targeting Spanish-speaking audiences. While Estrella Media owns radio stations, this agreement is for its TV stations only. Estrella properties are in its home DMA of Los Angeles, and in Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Phoenix, and San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose.
Estrella will have access to Nielsen’s Local TV View (NLTV) and Nielsen’s Arianna services across these markets. Arianna is an analysis tool that offers program performance reports on an overnight basis, in addition to trending programs and time periods in their markets. “With NLTV, Estrella will have the capability to analyze household and persons-level data in custom geographies that align with an advertiser’s customer base using a wide range of demographic analysis,” Nielsen says.
Estrella also gains access to Nielsen’s sales activation program. Mandala commented, “Estrella, like every media company, seeks full measurement of our audiences, and we are pleased to continue working with Nielsen to ensure every user, viewer, and listener is fully counted. As our audience continues to grow, it is valuable for us to access the full suite of Nielsen’s measurement tools. While important to all broadcasters, it is especially relevant to Spanish language stations as over-the-air penetration among Hispanic households often doubles that of the general market.”
Mark January 19-20 on your calendar. The dates tied to the now-cancelled NATPE Miami conference and expo in Miami Beach also happen to be when a virtual small cap conference will take place.
Among the participants is a local media company known for its digital and broadcast radio solutions.
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On a national level, Capitol Broadcasting Company‘s Raleigh duo, comprised of NBC affiliate WRAL-5 and FOX affiliate WRAZ-50, are known for their roles as pioneers in the rollout of NEXTGEN TV in the U.S.
Now, they have a new Station Manager, and she couldn’t be more excited about her new role.
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NEW YORK — The nation’s top audio content creation and distribution company has taken what it is calling “an important next step” in extending its presence into “web3” and the metaverse.
It starts with the commencement of plans for the creation of iHeartMedia events and experiences for listeners and music fans on Roblox.
That’s the shared experiences platform launching “tokenized communities” for its users and creators — key to the world of “NFTs.”
The iHeart team plans to use its consumer reach to create the awareness and demand necessary to bring new metaverse and web3 platforms to the mass market.
“Although there are a number of great new products for the metaverse and web3 from a wide array of creators, with our unparalleled audience reach, multiple platforms, and our trusted broadcast and podcast hosts, iHeartMedia is uniquely positioned to build the consumer awareness, understanding and demand necessary for those new products and platforms from both us and others to succeed,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman/CEO at iHeartMedia. “We see this as a unique opportunity to serve our listeners’ needs, provide an important new layer of growth for the company, and help develop the advertising and consumer potential for the metaverse and web3.”
As part of this overall strategy, in 2022 iHeartMedia plans to bring “immersive musical moments” to the more than 47 million daily active users on the Roblox platform and launch its first tokenized community, “building a new token that will incentivize and reward the iHeart creator community in new ways and give iHeart’s fans unique access to offerings across its multiple platforms, and a series of collectible non-fungible tokens (NFTs).”
It builds on “the success” of the previously launched iHeartRadio Music Festival NFTs in partnership with Green NFT platform OneOf in September 2021.
“In the same way in which we believed in and committed to digital radio and podcasting – and became the strong number one in both — we are big believers in the incredible potential of web3,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “We have already stepped into the metaverse with NFTs and have much more to come. iHeart’s place in this ecosystem — giving fans extraordinary access to the special events and influencers we provide every day of the year — is what we’re focused on building out as we work with key partners and develop an easy-to-use ramp to the metaverse and web3 for the mass market.
The nation’s No. 1 owner of broadcast TV stations in early November saw its share price surpass the $168 mark, a remarkable $60 per share increase from January 18, 2021.
By December 20, 2021, however, some may have wondered if Nexstar Media Group shares had peaked, as values dipped under $143.50 per share. With today’s trading on the Nasdaq GlobalSelect market, those worries can be soundly erased.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — On January 1, Curtis LeGeyt took over as the President/CEO of the broadcast media industry’s biggest advocacy and political lobbying organization.
Now in charge of the NAB, LeGeyt is inviting the association’s members to learn more about his vision at a January 20 Town Hall meeting, to be held virtually.
“It is both an exciting and a challenging time for the broadcasting business, and it is the opportunity of a lifetime to advocate on behalf of America’s broadcasters and help fulfill your mission of serving your communities,” LeGeyt said in a letter to NAB members. “This association will continue to work tirelessly for you every day to educate Congress and the FCC on your businesses, and to ensure you have the tools you need to thrive in this rapidly changing marketplace.”
The January 20 event will see LeGeyt offer his thoughts and an outlook for the association, as well as the broadcasting industry, during a Noon ET session. He will be joined by NAB’s policy team. who will give an update on the legislative and regulatory issues impacting the future of local stations and what NAB is doing to support diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the industry.
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It’s a Class A FM covering a small swath of the Edmond, Wash., area to the north of Seattle, and it uses a 9-watt FM translator to help with coverage of such communities as Bellevue and Issaquah.
Now, these homes of Christian Rock noncommercial network RadioU are being spun. The buyer is known for stations “Where God’s Word Is Heard.”
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Consumer media usage growth slowed to a pre-pandemic norm of 1.6% in 2021, following the fastest growth since 1995 in 2020.
But, media consumption is poised to grow faster in 2022. That’s the key finding from the ninth annual Global Consumer Media Usage Forecast for 2021-2025 released Wednesday (1/12) by PQ Media.
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Since 1996 it has offered radio stations products and services it believes can lead to better sales, improved ratings and reduced expenses for 100% barter.
Now, Sun & Fun Media is having a little fun itself, as it officially celebrates 25 years of operations.
The Orlando-based network radio was founded by CEO Rob Koblasz. Today Sun & Fun serves more than 1,400 stations across the U.S.
For those unfamiliar with Sun & Fun Media, the company has established itself as a radio industry supplier of products and services needed by radio stations for barter — including vacations, incentives, gift cards, vehicle wraps, branded station merchandise, bill pay for NTR events, television and billboard advertising for stations, research, consultants, transmitters and other equipment, and even software.
The company has even paid electric bills on barter, Koblasz says.
His company has even worked with large radio groups to cover costs for corporate managerial meetings and office holiday parties.
Among those saluting Sun & Fun on its 25 years is SummitMedia/Omaha President Rick Parrish, who calls it “a terrific company to work with to find incentives for your sales team or vacations and trips for on-air giveaways.”
In March 1980, Viacom purchased its second broadcast TV station, a CBS affiliate serving the Capital District of New York. By October 1981, it swapped network affiliations with one of the world’s first color TV stations, with WAST-13 becoming WNYT.
The NBC affiliate serving Albany-Schenectady-Troy has been the market’s NBC affiliate ever since, and a Hubbard Broadcasting property since a June 1996 asset swap that gave WTOG-44 in Tampa-St. Petersburg to Viacom in exchange of WNYT and WHEC-10 in Rochester, N.Y.
Today, WNYT serves New York’s capital region with a digital VHF signal. Hubbard wants it to move to a more powerful digital UHF signal, while keeping its PSIP. Before such a decision is made at the FCC, it is seeking public comment on the request.
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