Radio+Television Business Report

With a big splash and public relations blitz, H.R. 4130 was introduced June 24 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Six House Members signed on to the bill.

Since then, the “American Music Fairness Act” has completed stalled out. It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it awaits further support or its eventual death, handing another defeat to House Members Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Darrell Issa (R-Calif.).

At the same time, the non-binding resolution opposing “any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge” on local broadcast radio stations has gained even more support. As of August 30, 12 Members have added their support.

Among those supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA): the Ranking Republican on the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — She has worked in private practice representing entertainment, banking and technology clients on copyright, trademark and patent matters. Most recently, she served as Associate General counsel of the U.S. Copyright Office.

Now, this American University Washington College of Jaw graduate is the VP of Public Policy at the NAB.

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Taking the role is Anna Chauvet. She reports to EVP/Government Relations Shawn Donilon.

“Anna enjoys sterling credentials as an expert in copyright law, including deep knowledge of the music licensing regime,” said soon-to-retire NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith. “Broadcasters will benefit from her experience as the industry navigates a range of critical policy issues affecting radio and television. We are excited to welcome her to the NAB team.”

During her time with the Copyright Office, Chauvet worked on a wide range of legal and policy matters, including spearheading four rulemakings to implement provisions of the Orrin G. Hatch–Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (MMA). She also helped formulate litigation strategy and inform the U.S. government’s views in copyright litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court and district courts.

Gainesville – We are thrilled that you are interested in The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) as your next potential employer! Below we have  detailed information about the position that you are applying for, as well as information about the CJC, UF and Gainesville.

The Opportunity
WUFT-TV and WUFT-FM, the PBS and NPR affiliates for the Gainesville-Ocala, Florida market and region, are recruiting an experienced programming and production professional to work alongside our team in the production of television and radio programming that truly makes a difference in the communities we serve. The programming and production coordinator will play a key role in the day to day operations of both the 24-hour public television service but also the NPR news/talk radio station and associated online and mobile platforms at WUFT.org and in the WUFT mobile app. Experience working with television and/or radio automation systems and on air hosting is a real plus in addition to having experience producing high quality audio production. Come join an exciting and engaging team at the University of Florida’s media properties!

Specific Duties Include:
•       Daily log coordination and maintenance for radio station platforms.
•       Coordination with the underwriting department in executing daily log maintenance including setting underwriters and daily promos for the public radio stations.
•       Locating and validating radio programming in coordination with the radio program director and operations director to assist in making programming scheduling decisions.
•       Ensures programming airs correctly and sequentially using Wide Orbit Playlist Editor, Adobe Audition and Wide Orbit Automation for Radio.
•       Quality check locally produced programming and maintain the digital library of locally produced programming.
•       Locate and assign special coverage programming to cover holidays and other special periods when alternate programming is suitable.
•       Build and implement automation formats as necessary.
•       Serve as an on-air host of WUFT-FM between 12 noon-3 pm Monday through Friday.
•       Maintain flexibility to host WUFT-FM programming shifts as needed including Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Special Coverage (nights, weekends and holidays).
•       Diagnosis and troubleshooting of any issues related to the ongoing operation of all of the radio stations.
•       Oversee the coordination of public television promos/ID’s, etc.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
•       A High School diploma and five years of appropriate experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
•       College degree in a related field
•       A minimum of three years of experience in the areas of broadcast programming, production and/or operations
•       On air hosting and production experience makes you an even more qualified candidate.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
•       In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.
•       This position is eligible for veteran’s preference. If you are claiming veteran’s preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See our Veteran’s Preference Page for more specific information.

EXPECTED SALARY:
•       $16.76 – $20.35; commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date, September 10, 2021.

For details and to apply, visit https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/517877/tvradio-programming-and-production-coordinator

The College of Journalism and Communications (www.jou.ufl.edu) offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and certificates, both online and on campus. CJC students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the Innovation News Center, which generates content across multiple platforms, and The Agency, an integrated strategic communication and consumer research agency focused on marketing to young adults. The College includes seven broadcast and digital media properties, the Joseph L. Brechner Center for Freedom of Information and the nation’s only STEM Translational Communication Center and Center for Public Interest Communications.

The City of Gainesville
Gainesville (http://cityofgainesville.org) is home to Florida’s largest and oldest university, and so is one of the state’s centers of education, medicine, cultural events and athletics. The University of Florida and UF Health Shands Hospital are the leading employers in Gainesville and provide jobs for many residents of surrounding counties. Gainesville is also the largest city in Alachua County and is the county seat, with approximately 269,000 residents county-wide. It serves as the cultural, educational and commercial center for the north central Florida region. The city provides a full range of municipal services, including cultural and nature services and necessary administrative services to support these activities. Additionally, the city owns a regional transit system, a regional airport, and a 72-par championship golf course. Known for its preservation of historic buildings and the beauty of its natural surroundings, Gainesville’s numerous parks, museums and lakes provide entertainment to thousands of visitors. Because of its beautiful landscape and urban “forest,” Gainesville is one of the most attractive cities in Florida. The city is in a central location to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, providing easy access within a day’s drive to beaches, nature preserves, and water-based activities. Explore Gainesville in 60 Seconds.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The College of Journalism and Communications and WUFT/WRUF embraces diversity as a shared responsibility among faculty, staff and students and strives for tangible expressions of this responsibility. We are committed to fostering a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals of all races, genders, nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, identities and abilities to express their culture and perspectives through the art and science of journalism and communication.

The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.

Mark your calendars: Nexstar Media Group‘s third quarter earnings release and its quarterly earnings call for analysts and investors has been set.

The owner of NewsNation and the largest collection of over-the-air broadcast TV stations will report its third-quarter 2021 results on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The results will be released prior to the Opening Bell on Wall Street.

A conference call for analysts and investors is scheduled for 9am Eastern.

NXST was trading at $149.18 as of 12:27pm Eastern on Monday.

To access the conference call, interested parties may dial 334-777-6978, conference ID 8107569.

She has more than 20 years of experience working in public media as a journalist, educator and station leader.

As of today, she’ll put her expertise to work in shaping the future of St. Louis Public Radio as its new CEO.

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There’s new activity from a big furniture retailer, and one of the “GAFAN” members is present.

At the same time, the top three Spot Ten TV slots for the week ending August 29 are in the auto insurance category.

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The latest Media Monitors Spot Ten Radio report has been released by iHeartMedia, and it shows a lot of returning and continuing brands committing to AM and FM radio spots for the week ending August 29.

The big returnee this week? The Home Depot.

The DIY home improvement retailer is back in the Spot Ten, ranking No. 6.

At No. 7, climbing into the Spot Ten, is Mattress Firm.

Otherwise, Progressive, Indeed, Babbel and GEICO are still active users of spot radio as the month of August comes to a close.

At 1180 kHz, an AM radio station licensed to Humble, Tex., serves the Houston market with a booming Class B signal. During daylight hours, it has 50kw from 2 towers. After dark, it has 3kw from four towers, situated off the Grand Pkwy toll road in the far northern portion of the Houston metropolitan area.

Until recently, it has been a Spanish Adult Hits station under the branding “La Suavecita” and an affiliate of ESPN Deportes Radio. That’s about to change, with a different multicultural group the new target audience.

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Among the many properties owned by Gray Television is WWBT, the NBC affiliate serving Richmond, a former Raycom Media station that was previously owned by Jefferson-Pilot Corp. Today, it uses VHF digital channel 10 for its PSIP of channel 12.

It is a sister station to WUPV-65 in Richmond, an affiliate of The CW Network. It has been in the family since 2006, and is a former Raycom property, too.

Soon, WUPV and WWBT will have an in-market sibling, thanks to Gray’s purchase of a low-power television station serving the Virginia capital city.

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DAYTON, OHIO — For the first time in two years, the Streamline Publishing Radio & TV team is congregating in-person to review what’s on the horizon for our industry brands, including RBR+TVBR, in 2022.

One of our participants brought along a most interesting accessory — a Sangean portable HD Radio that even has the ability to pick up an AM broadcasting in HD Radio. Who knew?

The better question may be “Who cares?”

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Until Friday, the possibility of fighting a multimillion-dollar lawsuit in Florida’s highest court was a very big one for Berkshire Hathaway’s television station offering ABC programming and a heavy dose of local news to South Florida.

Today, not only is the management at WPLG-10 in Miami breathing a sigh of relief, but its hefty legal fees are now poised to be paid for by the Miami Gardens, Fla., pastor that sued the station for $50 million.

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Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) has submitted its second quarter 2021 financial results to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

What does the company majority-controlled by Raúl Alarcón Jr. have to report for the three-month period ending June 30?

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As Lou Grant, he was one of the more beloved television characters ever seen in prime-time. As a real-life leader, he served as President of the Screen Actors Guild, prior to its merger with AFTRA.

Now, Hollywood and the world are pausing to remember the life and achievements of Ed Asner.

Asner was 91 years old.

“There have been few actors of Ed Asner’s prominence who risked their status to fight for social causes the way Ed did,” said current SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, best known for her role on the original Beverly Hills 90210. “He fought passionately for his fellow actors, both before, during and after his SAG presidency. But his concern did not stop with performers. He fought for victims of poverty, violence, war, and legal and social injustice, both in the United States and around the globe.”

Asner created one of the most memorable roles in television history — the gruff but loveable newsman Lou Grant on two hit television series for CBS: the comedy Mary Tyler Moore from 1970–1977, and the drama Lou Grant from 1977–1982. His five Emmy Awards for that role, plus two additional Emmys, set a record for the most Emmys ever awarded to a male TV actor. He was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2001, Asner received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

Asner was born on Nov. 15, 1929 in Kansas City, Mo., as the son of Orthodox Jews who had emigrated from Russia. He moved to New York in 1955, where he appeared in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. In 1961, he packed his bags and went to Hollywood, where he worked on the films El Dorado (starring John Wayne) and They Call Me Mister Tibbs (starring Sidney Poitier).

Early TV credits include appearances on “The Fugitive,” “The Mod Squad,” and “Ironside.”

Despite a resume heavy with dramatic roles, in 1970 Asner was cast as Lou Grant. His fierce but funny persona was summed up in the pilot episode, with his perfect comedic reading of the line in which Grant informs Mary, “You got spunk … I hate spunk!”

The Mary Tyler Moore Show ran for seven seasons to high ratings and critical acclaim. When it went off the air, CBS took the unprecedented step of spinning off a drama from a comedy. Lou Grant premiered in 1977, and took the character from a Minneapolis TV station to a Los Angeles newspaper room. Despite the change in tone, Asner made the new format work. The show tackled social issues and earned Asner an additional Emmy for his portrayal, making him the first actor to win an Emmy for a comedy and a drama for the same role.

Asner was elected Screen Actors Guild president in 1981, and was a frequent presence on the picket lines during the joint Screen Actors Guild/AFTRA 1980 TV/Theatrical strike, which affected a multitude of productions, including his own Lou Grant. In September 1981, Asner addressed a crowd of 8,000 trade union members at Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park at a Solidarity Day event, and was elected Screen Actors Guild president six weeks later, winning 52% of the vote.

When CBS canceled Lou Grant, Asner claimed it was in retaliation for his political views.

Just weeks later, the Actors’ Equity Association honored Asner with its Paul Robeson Award, given in recognition of an individual or organization demonstrating “concern for and service to fellow humans, respect for the dignity of the individual, freedom of expression, universal brotherhood and the artist’s responsibility to the profession and greater society.”

In 1983, Screen Actors Guild members showed their approval of Asner by electing him to a second term as president, where he garnered 73% of the national vote.

Asner declined to seek a third term as Guild president, passing the gavel to his successor, Patty Duke, in 1985.

He continued to keep busy as both a performer and a political activist. In fact, he won over a whole new generation of fans by voicing “Carl Fredricksen” in the 2009 Pixar feature “Up.”  In 2013, at age 83, he was touring his one-man stage show, “FDR,” portraying President Franklin Roosevelt.

Asner was married twice, to Nancy Sykes and Cindy Gilmore, and had four children: Matthew, Liza, Kate and Charles.

U.S. financial markets were on the rise Friday, and so were most publicly traded radio and television companies.

Among the big gainers: Audacy, perhaps benefiting from a strong assessment from Wells Fargo Securities released Thursday.

At the closing bell, AUD was up 7.7% to $3.5850 — a sign that a much-needed rebound for the company formerly known as Entercom could finally be happening.

Also up: iHeartMedia, now at $24.76 with a 3.9% climb from Thursday.

Townsquare Media shares were also on the rise, increasing in value by 4.7% to finish at $13.06.

On the TV industry side, The E.W. Scripps Co. saw a 3.4% gain, to $18.69, and Nexstar Media Group was up 1.8% to $148.64.

Not every media company finished Friday’s trading in positive territory. Sinclair Broadcast Group was down 1.1% to $29.97 and Saga Communications declined by 2.2% to $23.45.

Organizations often launch diversity and inclusion initiatives as strategic imperatives to create more equitable and inclusive work environments. While it’s the right thing to do, it’s often assumed that there’s immediate buy-in across the board.

That’s not always the case, however, culturally integrated market research agency ThinkNow says.

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MIAMI — Since November 1978, his voice has been heard on radio stations in both San Antonio and Miami, making his name well-known among a generation of Latinos who were raised on the Bee Gees and today perhaps appreciate Gilberto Santa Rosa as much as the late Selena.

Now, the Hispanic radio industry is paying tribute to Leo Vela, who died Wednesday (8/25) at the age of 69.

Learn about the opportunities that exist by targeting Hispanics, whether in English or in Spanish, by registering today for the 2021 Hispanic Radio Conference. It’s September 22-23, and there’s a hybrid option now available!

 

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Nearly two months ago, it became known that a special group of low-power television station permits — with expiry dates in 2023 — were available. They were placed on the market by a licensee that didn’t wish to build them, and among the buyers who have stepped forward are The E.W. Scripps Co. and Windsong Communications.

Now, a third buyer has emerged, and its an individual who has become an active acquisition actor in the last year.

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Ken Kuenzie and Dennis Klautzer have made headlines in recent years for their radio broadcasting investments. They include five audio brands serving the Lake of the Ozarks resort region of Missouri, and their December 2017 decision to join Larry Fuss as an investor in a Kaua’i FM serving the Hawaiian island.

Now, their company is set to bring the first over-the-air TV station to a community that’s perhaps best-known for the not-so-flattering drama Ozark on Netflix.

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With the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to set aside regulatory fee increases for Fiscal Year 2021, the NAB, which had fought against the FCC’s proposal, is pleased.

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With the release of the 150+-page “Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2021” by the FCC late Thursday, the Commission moved forward with its proposal to adopt the use of the population-based methodology for full-service television
broadcasters for fiscal 2021.

Here’s what that means for over-the-air broadcast TV station owners.

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