Radio+Television Business Report

Ross Video will host a Webinar on Tuesday (1/26) which will talk about new software-based audio solutions for broadcasters.

Orban and Nielsen partnered with Ross to add specific elements to this platform that bring a new set of tools to radio broadcasters.

This event is scheduled for 11am Eastern/8am Pacific on Tuesday.

It sees the Signal Processing Team discuss in detail Ross Video’s infrastructure products for Cloud Technologies, IP Networks and SDI Infrastructure.

The Ross team will also be joined by representatives Orban Labs and The Nielsen Company to discuss cloud-based signal processing infrastructure.

“The broadcast community, including radio, is moving steadily toward software-based solutions for the broadcast air chain,” says Orban VP/Business Development Mike Pappas. “The new softGear platform from Ross, which incorporates next-generation Orban processing along with Nielsen audio watermark encoding and Dolby audio, brings powerful tools to Radio broadcasters. It’s available now.”

Pappas adds that one launch customer “has ordered hundreds of channels.”

Product introductions and upgrades to Ross’ Signal Processing portfolio will also be shared on the Tuesday webinar.

To register, click here: https://www.rossvideo.com/live

 

Beasley Broadcast Group’s wholly owned subsidiary Beasley Mezzanine Holdings on Thursday (9/21) priced its offering of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2026.

The size of the offering was increased by $20 million from the previously announced offering size of $280 million.

The Notes were offered to persons “reasonably believed” to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.

Beasley expects to use the net proceeds of this offering to repay in full existing indebtedness under the company’s senior secured credit facilities and certain other indebtedness, with remaining proceeds to be added to the Issuer’s balance sheet and used for general corporate purposes.

Translation: It is a new debt for old debt transaction.

The Notes offering is expected to close on February 2.

Investors took a late afternoon liking to BBGI on Thursday. At 2:36pm Eastern, a big gain was seen, helping Beasley Broadcast Group experience a 11.3% gain on the day.

It brings the audio media company’s stock to a fresh six-month best.

With the Closing Bell on January 21, BBGI was at $2.27. It shed three cents in early after-hours trading on the Nasdaq Global Market.

Could it be tied to a debt swap announced Tuesday (1/19)?

It’s possible, as Beasley Broadcast Group wholly owned subsidiary Beasley Mezzanine Holdings intends to offer $280 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes, subject to market and other conditions.

On a six-month chart, BBGI looks good.

On a one-year chart, it’s another story. In mid-June 2020, a $3.86 spike was seen — marking a short-lived jump for an undervalued issue.

One year ago, BBGI was $3.65. And, five years ago shares were $3.68.

The five-year high: $13.40, seen in late 2017.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — House  Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.) has released the names of the Republican subcommittee leaders and subcommittee rosters for the 117th Congress. The six subcommittees and their Republican Subcommittee Leaders are:

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Tru Optik, a TransUnion company, announced today an agreement with Targetspot to offer advertisers audience-based targeting capabilities for streaming audio.

Tru Optik’s data management platform will be integrated into Targetspot’s tech stack, available starting February 2021.

Through this integration, buyers and sellers are able to identify and segment audiences across mobile and streaming audio devices, including smart speakers.

In addition, media companies and audio advertisers will be able to leverage Targetspot’s audio supply inventory with consumer and behavioral insights across streaming audio and podcasts.

“Mapped against Tru Optik’s patented Household GraphTM of more than 80 million U.S. homes, advertisers will have advanced audio targeting capabilities that result in precise, effective and cost-efficient advertising campaigns across mobile, smart speakers and even gaming consoles,” the companies boast.

 

In March 2018, The Mainstay Station Trust LLC came to fruition. It was created to take on four stations divested by Cumulus Media in order to complete its Chapter 11 reorganization plan.

The Trust is headed solely by noted broker Elliot Evers.

In October 2019, two of the four properties were spun from the trust. This followed the removal of a Missouri station from the trust, as Cumulus turned in the license for another property in the market.

Now, the last of the stations licensed to Evers is being sold.

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Hey, Alexa … play K-I-N-K on iHeartRadio.

That’s just one of many, many commands one can voice to their Amazon Alexa smart speaker to listen to live audio streaming of a U.S. broadcast radio station.

But, just how many consumers do this, rather than “play Pandora” or audio content that doesn’t represent a broadcast radio station’s live stream?

Triton Digital has the answer.

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In June 2016, well before anyone in Washington, D.C., expected Donald Trump to become the 45th U.S. President, concerns over the re-nomination of a Democratic FCC Commissioner surfaced.

Then came the November election, and the transition of Commission leadership from Tom Wheeler to Ajit Pai. With Republicans in control, Jessica Rosenworcel became a political pawn. She left on Inauguration Day 2017, only to return six months later with her re-nomination from President Trump confirmed.

Now, he’s actually to thank for making Rosenworcel the interim FCC Chairman.

Well … sort of.

President Biden on Thursday (1/21) designated Rosenworcel as Acting FCC Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission.

“I am honored to be designated as the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden,” she said, thanking Biden for the opportunity to lead an agency “with such a vital mission and talented staff.”

Rosenworcel called it ” a privilege to serve the American people and work on their behalf to expand the reach of communications opportunity in the digital age.”

In her stints at the Commission, Rosenworcel has worked to promote greater opportunity, accessibility, and affordability in the nation’s communications services and has been a consistent champion for connecting all.

Prior to joining the agency, she served as Senior Communications Counsel for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, under the leadership of Sens. John D. Rockefeller IV and Daniel Inouye. Before entering public service, Rosenworcel practiced communications law for Drinker Biddle Reath in Washington, D.C.

Her brother, Brian, is the drummer in the alternative rock band Guster.

Republican colleague Brendan Carr extended his congratulations to Rosenworcel, calling her “a talented and dedicated public servant, as evidenced by her eight years of distinguished service on the FCC.”

NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith also applauded Rosenworcel on becoming acting FCC chair. “She is a dedicated and experienced public servant who has demonstrated great aptitude in leading communications policy during her tenure at the Commission,” he said. “We look forward to working with her and her fellow Commissioners on regulatory policies that help local radio and TV stations serve the public interest.”

What are the most important policy issues facing local television and radio stations during the 117th congress that the NAB will be advocating to policymakers and Members of Congress?

That was distributed on Thursday, one day after Joe Biden was sworn in as President of the United States.

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One week ago, the nation’s chief lobbying group representing small, and small market, MVPDs held court with the office of the newest FCC Commissioner.

What did ACA Connects discuss with representatives from Nathan Simington‘s office?

Consolidation in the broadcast television industry and retransmission consent matters.

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On Tuesday, all eyes were on the U.S. Supreme Court as oral arguments were heard in FCC v. Prometheus, the case that sees the Commission and the NAB teaming to get its cross-ownership rules approved with a reversal of a lower court’s remand.

While that’s certainly a huge matter, other legal issues impacting radio and TV in 2021 deserve attention.

What’s the first one that comes to mind to Gregg Skall, the noted Washington, D.C. communications attorney with boutique firm Telecommunication Law Professionals?

Find out in the latest InFOCUS Podcast, presented by DOT.FM.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Gregg Skall” on Spreaker.

Cumulus Media on Thursday revealed what it calls “important changes” to its top-level sales leadership, impacting both its broadcast radio stations and its Westwood One national radio arm.

At Westwood One, Sales President Bryan Forbes is out. He’s leaving the company “to pursue another opportunity.”

As such, Ron Russo is taking the role, gaining oversight of network sales and sales planning. Russo, a 17-year sales leader, was previously EVP/Sales, Northeast at Westwood One. His resume includes roles at iHeartMedia and CBS Radio.

Meanwhile, at the Cumulus stations, Rafe D’Amico succeeds Forbes’ role that saw him oversee the AM and FM properties’ national spot team and manage their relationship with Katz Radio Group.

D’Amico will serve as SVP of National Sales. His resume includes roles as VP of Strategic Partnerships and National Sales at Beasley Media Group.

D’Amico reports to Cumulus EVP/Operations Dave Milner, while Russo reports to WWO head Suzanne Grimes.

In addition to those moves, Westwood One EVP/Sales and Sports Partnerships Brandon Berman, who has focused on sports and overall Midwest region efforts, adds the Northeast region for WWO.

Berman started his career at Westwood One some 15 years ago, as an account executive.

Taking on Southeast region duties at Westwood One is Kim Bryant, adding them to her role as EVP/Sales for the West and Southwest.

Bryant has been associated with Cumulus since the early 2010s. Before that, she held management roles at iHeart predecessor Clear Channel and Entravision.

Finally, seven-year WWO veteran Adam Shifrin rises from a Midwest and West sports sales role to become VP/Sports Sales and Marketing at Westwood One. He now manages all Westwood One Sports Play by Play, CBS Sports Radio, and associated shoulder inventory as well as the dedicated sports sales and operations teams.

“Westwood One is extremely fortunate to have a group of sales executives poised to lead the team forward seamlessly,” Grimes said. “I’m thrilled to announce these well-deserved promotions that will enable us to manage through this challenging pandemic with confidence, commitment, resilience and results.”

In August 2017, RBR+TVBR shared the news that a St. Louis-based provider of private-label online audience engagement and interactive content platforms had agreed to purchase a data-driven email marketing software and consulting business focused on the collection and use of first party data for the media industry founded by Ruth Presslaff.

Now the company that acquired Presslaff Interactive Revenue (PIR) is itself being purchased.

Second Street, which has carved a niche as a provider of private-label online audience engagement and interactive content platforms for broadcast media companies including contesting, quizzes, ballots, polls, surveys, e-mail, and data profiling, is being purchased by Upland Software, which offers products that give its clients opportunities for digital consumer engagement.

The all-cash deal is valued at $25.4 million, paid at closing.

Terms include a $5 million cash holdback payable in 12 months (subject to indemnification claims).

Upland expects the acquisition to generate annual revenue of approximately $9.4 million, of which all is recurring, and will not be subject to reductions for deferred revenue discount as a result of GAAP purchase accounting.

“The price paid for the acquisition is within Upland’s target range of 5-8x pro forma Adjusted EBITDA and it is expected that Second Street will generate at least $4.2 million in Adjusted EBITDA annually once fully integrated,” Upland says.

Additionally, the company notes that the acquisition will be immediately accretive to Upland’s Adjusted EBITDA per share.

“Adding Second Street to Upland’s product portfolio will provide Upland’s customers the power to build promotions and email campaigns that grow revenue, customer databases, and consumer engagement,” the Austin-based company says.

The Cosine Group acted as exclusive financial advisor to Second Street.

He became a renowned radio industry figure for serving as Station Manager at one of America’s most-listened-to Top 40 stations of the 1970s, with his 50kw Class A AM outdueling its rival, “The Voice of Labor in Chicago,” by March 1976.

In May 1979, he was named President of ABC-owned FMs following the resignation of Allan Shaw.

Now, media executives across the U.S. are paying tribute to Marty Greenberg, who has died of pancreatic cancer.

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SAVANNAH, GA. — Travel 40 miles south of the University of Georgia’s main campus in Athens, and you’ll find Greensboro, Ga., and the small town of Siloam, situated on Carl Sanders Highway.

Here, a Class A devoted to praising Jesus is trading hands. The buyer is based on Florida’s Panhandle.

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It’s a topic of conversation no one wants to have: a big transaction that a company hoped to close didn’t make it to the finish line.

That’s exactly what has transpired with multiple deals involving Deb McDermott and radio and television properties found across the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York; and TV stations that were to be sold by Bill Christian and Mike Reed.

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A resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives last night by Rep. Cheri Bustos and 42 House Members thanking journalists for their reporting during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building.

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It’s been a radio station in the capital of the Old Dominion, pitching itself as a home of “Timeless Rock N’ Roll, Pop & Soul,” for the last few years.

Now, “Boomtown Richmond” is officially getting a little more oomph.

It is officially purchasing two AMs and an FM translator that were once part of Davidson Media Group’s Spanish-language holdings across the East Coast, operated via an LMA for nearly three years.

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As 2021 began, the FCC formally objected to a Petition for Reconsideration of a Commission Report and Order that effectively eliminates the radio duplication rule for AM stations … and FM stations.

The petition was filed by three groups, who have come together to challenge the sudden re-inclusion of FM stations in the R&O, approved in August 2020.

Last week, the trio of groups submitted a joint “final consolidated reply” — as did a fourth group that’s been a NAB antagonist.

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In November 2020, RBR+TVBR first reported on the October 16 signing of an Asset Purchase Agreement that would see the transfer of ownership of a pair of UHF properties to Soohyung Kim-led Standard Media Group from Sinclair Broadcast Group.

The FCC last week gave its blessing to the sale.

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