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Once May 22 concluded, organizers of the National Translator Association‘s conference were more than pleased with one of the more difficult decisions it has had to make — hold an in-person event in Utah, or cancel it due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The former choice was taken, and NTA President John Terrill is thrilled with the response.

Terrill tells the Weekly Tech Roundup that Community Engineers from as far away as Guam and Alaska traveled safely to Salt Lake City for the association’s annual event.

So did some of the industry’s top presenters, with in-person and Zoom-delivered sessions covering topics ranging from basic LPTV operations to NextGen TV and ATSC 3.0.

“Attendance expectations were greatly exceeded as members, exhibitors, and presenters met with COVID distancing, but face to face,” Terrill said. “We know it was risky, but we thought we had to live with COVID.”

At the conference, NBC VP of Technology for the Western Region Doug Lung presented practical ways for translator TV stations to convert to ATSC 3.0-based digital signals.

Joel Wilhite, the Sr. System Design Engineer at Harmonic, covered all the concerns and questions for small broadcasters to join the transition from digital to NextGen broadcasting.

Another conference highlight: the on-site appearance of former FCC Video Division Deputy Chief Hossein Hashemzadeh, who answered questions and worked the packed room through such current Commission concerns as white space technology and checking the FCC database of analog stations to ensure your license is not on the analog list.

Another FCC D.C. notable — Jean Kiddoo — reported on repack payments and encouraged everyone to “close out” their repack reimbursements by certifying that reimbursed payments were paid to the vendors listed in the Form 399 applications.

“The attendance to the first major convention for broadcasters during the pandemic is a clear notice that upcoming conventions may experience the same pent-up interest we had,” Terrill said.

Quu Inc., a technology company known for its capability of adding dynamic visuals to radio broadcasts, is adding to its “Success Team.”

This sees the arrival of a Customer Success Manager, and a Technical Success Manager. Each report to CEO Steve Newberry.

New to Quu are Jackie Bart and Joe Marshall.

In the newly created roles, Bart and Marshall will work directly with operations, sales, and programming teams on the local level. In addition, they will guide stations through installation, on-boarding, training, and support to publish synced programming and sales messages, or “Visual Quus,” on car dashboards.

“We’re excited to welcome Jackie and Joe to the team as we take the next step in Quu’s evolution,” said company founder and Chief Technology Officer Joe Harb.

“Jackie’s deep training experience with Arbitron and Scarborough Research as well as Joe’s technology experience with Harris/GatesAir demonstrate their tremendous professional credentials,” Newberry said. “They are outstanding individuals with a sincere passion and focus on training, service, and success. These critical hires demonstrate Quu’s focus on not simply selling software and services to radio stations, but ensuring our partners know how to use Quu’s powerful tools to engage listeners, upsell radio’s core product, and make ads more effective.”

The app that offers live streaming of every iHeartMedia radio station and those of its partners, on-demand streaming by recording artist, and an array of podcasts has just hit a big register user milestone.

The iHeartRadio app has officially surpassed 150 million registered users.

In addition, iHeartRadio has now recorded more than 3 billion app downloads, with monthly downloads peaking as high as 28% as compared to last year.

One big reason for this growth: iHeartRadio’s “continued dedication and innovation in the growing podcasting space,” the company says.

“As the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, iHeartRadio has doubled down on growing our expansive library of iHeartRadio Original podcasts, which includes some of the most-listened-to podcast series in the world,” iHeartMedia posts.

Among its podcasts are “Stuff You Should Know,” “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” “Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach + Donald” and  “Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.”

Additionally, iHeartRadio has added to its streaming catalog, which features millions of songs and curated playlists across a variety of moods and genres.

It’s not just our listeners that are growing, but iHeart’s social audience, too.

iHeartRadio now has a total social audience of 234 million.

Red House Streaming, a CP Communications brand, continues to lure local and national talent seeking professional production and streaming services to its new St. Petersburg, Fla. studio.

Nancy Weil, proprietor of The Laugh Academy, is the latest to call on Red House Streaming studios, leveraging its production sets, broadcast-quality workflow and experienced crew to produce custom videos for her clients.

Red House Streaming studios offers two adjacent 600-square-foot studios, virtual sets, and 5,000 feet of additional production space for content producers. The studio accommodates
on-set talent who wish to live-stream productions or record content for later distribution.

Red House Streaming studios is also equipped to support REMI at-home productions that originate from remote locations, strengthened by an onsite network operations center to monitor and manage all production and content delivery tasks.

A leading authority on the relationship between humor and grief, Tampa-based Weil turned to Red House Streaming studios to bring her customized, content-rich lectures, programs and seminars to clients that could no longer see her on the road.

“COVID-19 put an immediate halt to my live speaking engagements,” said Weil. “I went from being a road warrior traveling at least two weeks a month to being home 24/7.”

Weil soon discovered that the funeral homes, hospice groups and conferences that regularly called on her talents still had a thirst for her unique services. She began offering virtual events through standard conferencing software platforms, but found the results mixed and the limitations frustrating.

“There are so many peculiarities when presenting over a virtual stream, from general video and audio glitches to incorrect meeting links to complete loss of internet connectivity,” she said. “I wanted to present as a professional speaker, and offer a pleasant and consistent experience for my clients. I saw a local news story about Red House Streaming studios, and they seemed to be the right production partner to help me manage these production dynamics that I could not guarantee on my own.”

Weil started shooting in the studio in March, pre-recording her custom programs for each client. Red House Streaming studios shoots and post-produces each video, using Panasonic 4K cameras, NDI networking and Adobe Premier Pro editing as essential workflow components. The videos are subsequently delivered to clients direct and shared on Weil’s Vimeo account, with select clips expected to post to her website in the coming weeks.

“With Red House Streaming studios, every project can now be fully unique,” Weil said. “We load special graphics and create virtual sets specific to each program and client. We frame each shot to ensure the background is perfect for each segment. Props are essential to what we do at The Laugh Academy, and they can accommodate anything I bring onto the set as a part of each program. I can monitor what is happening on displays around the studio to ensure everything is going exactly as planned. On top of everything else, the service is surprisingly affordable, with excellent technical support as needed. The quality of the content my clients receive is absolutely worth the fees I pay.”

Weil is now planning live streams with the Red House Streaming studios team. She plans to continue using the studios after she eventually returns to the road.

— Brian Galante

IBC 2021 is being pushed back.

Last month the show’s organizers had said they planned to have the event in September as scheduled, but also that they had plans in place to allow the option of pushing back to December if necessary; and they’ve now triggered that option.

So the show at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre will take place Dec. 3 to 6.

IBC CEO Michael Crimp said that, against a background of optimism about the pandemic, the show board met yesterday. “We’ve pleased to announce we’ve decided to hold IBC 2021 in December. The reasons are mainly safety and readiness to engage.”

Crimp said it was important for participants including exhibitors to have a final decision as soon as possible.

As we reported earlier, this year’s event is expected to have more of a festival feel, with a large perimeter to the site that will enable attendees to move around more freely. Attendees are to have their temperatures checked, and there is to be no physical onsite registration.

Crimp said those plans are still in place, though they could be eased if the health environment improves further in the interim.

Crimp said surveys of the show community showed sentiment for the December date.

He said the decision will allow “more vaccinations, clearer systems and more confidence.” He characterized the later date as the “strongest of two [schedule] opportunities.”

“We also had to consider the ability of the supply chain to deliver a high-quality event. We believe that key services such as airports and airlines, and hotels will have established smooth operations and be able to provide a more streamlined service by December.”

The post IBC Show Postponed til December appeared first on Radio World.

An end-to-end integration between WideOrbit‘s WO Traffic and WO Automation for Radio applications and the PromoSuite Production radio workflow platform has arrived.

This product, the companies say, can provide benefits to radio stations using PromoSuite Production, including speeding up the order entry process, streamlining cart number assignments, eliminating duplication, and reducing overhead associated with dubbing audio files into WO Automation for Radio.

“This integration will enhance the experience for our radio customers,” said William ‘Dub’ Irvin, WideOrbit’s VP of WO Automation for Radio. “We’re constantly looking for ways to help our clients eliminate errors, reduce repetitive manual tasks, and increase efficiency. The best part is that these improvements positively impact several departments, including sales, production, and programming.”

The new integration has three connection points between WO Traffic, WO Automation for Radio, and PromoSuite Production. First, when an AE enters an order for a client and needs a spot produced, the client information is automatically and seamlessly populated into PromoSuite Production, eliminating duplicate effort in communication. Information only needs to be entered once. Second, cart number assignments are immediately synced between the two systems. Third, audio files are directly dubbed into WO Automation for Radio.

PromoSuite’s Vice President of Product Design & Development, Rey Mena, commented, “Our main priority is and always has been to improve efficiencies for our clients. When you’re able to eliminate unnecessary or tedious processes, you increase productivity and revenue. Regardless of the department, we are continuously looking, building, and creating upgrades and enhancements at the station, market, and company level. This integration showcases the advancements and opportunities we’re delighted to make available to our partners.”

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On March 4, 2021, the Media Bureau, Video Division (Bureau) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by WLUK Licensee, LLC (Licensee), the licensee of WLUK-TV, channel 12 (FOX), Green Bay, Wisconsin, requesting the substitution of channel 18 for channel 12 at Green Bay in the DTV Table of Allotments. As a result of the Commission's Incentive Auction and repacking process, WLUK-TV was repacked from channel 11 to channel 12. For the reasons set forth in the Report and Order referenced below, the Bureau amends FCC regulations to substitute channel 18 for channel 12 at Green Bay.

On February 12, 2021, the Media Bureau, Video Division (Bureau) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by Gray Television Licensee, LLC (Petitioner), the licensee of KCRG-TV, channel 9 (ABC), Cedar Rapids, Iowa, requesting the substitution of channel 32 for channel 9 at Cedar Rapids in the DTV Table of Allotments. For the reasons set forth in the Report and Order referenced below, the Bureau amends FCC regulations to substitute channel 32 for channel 9 at Cedar Rapids.

There’s little change in activity shown in the latest Media Monitors Spot Ten TV report. However, the big new No. 1 is noteworthy, as it reflects a big investment in broadcast by Sanofi US for a treatment for skin disorders.

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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has helped in bring to fruition a study that seeks to offer a better understanding of how young people are engaging with media today.

Roughly 50 tweens and teens were asked, among other things, how they find new shows, apps, or videos. Their findings conclude that young people crave authenticity as they grapple with the issues of today.

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The latest Media Monitors Spot 10 Radio report is out, and there’s a lot of iHeartRadio-focused activity for the week ending May 23.

This actually helps paint a clear picture as to what brands are committing to Radio, and which brands use it sporadically or … not at all.

As shown below, Progressive — fueled not by Flo or Jaime but that tongue twister-loving voiceover artist that’s become more omnipresent than ever for the auto insurance brand — is a big No. 1.

The Home Depot is back in action, with a new effort putting it some 5,000 or so play counts behind Progressive.

Their activity pushes Indeed to No. 3 among fully paid advertisers, as Wendy‘s is upping its Radio activity.

GEICO and Babbel are each softer for the week.

 

With its stock in recovery mode and forward momentum at its secular spoken word AM radio stations, Salem Media Group is gearing up for appearances at a pair of investor conferences.

The first of the two events is scheduled for Thursday morning.

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Jackie Bart

Radio advertising support services company Quu has named Jackie Bart and Joe Marshall to newly created roles that will work with operations, sales and programming teams on the local level.

Bart will become customer success manager and Marshall will be technical success manager.

[Visit Radio World’s People News Page]

Quu’s software and services give radio stations the ability to publish visual programming and sales messages on vehicle dashboards.

Joe Marshall

Company Chief Executive Office Steve Newberry said, “Jackie’s deep training experience with Arbitron and Scarborough Research as well as Joe’s technology experience with Harris/GatesAir demonstrate their tremendous professional credentials.”

Send your people news to radioworld@futurenet.com.

 

The post QUU Picks Bart and Marshall appeared first on Radio World.

Starting June 28, TEGNA will have a new Director of Consumer Marketing.

It’s a woman who is joining the broadcast TV station owner from a soon-to-conclude daytime talk program seen on some of its own stations, including WGRZ-2 in Buffalo and KGW-8 in Portland, Ore.

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Travel to the south of downtown Dallas along U.S. Highway 67, and chances are you’ll see the Cedar Hill cluster of broadcast media towers off to the west.

Among the transmitters on these towers is one for a recently upgraded FM translator licensed to rebroadcast a HD multicast channel assigned to an Urban One station.

This translator has just been sold.

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Caroline Beasley will receive the National Radio Award this October.

The CEO of Beasley Media Group will be honored during the opening session of the Radio Show on Wednesday Oct. 13.

Six years ago her father George was honored with the same award.

In its very early years, the award tended to be given to on-air talent; Howard Cosell, Larry King and Gary Owens were the first recipients.

But it evolved to an honor usually given to radio executives. Last year’s recipient was Russell M. Perry; past recipients have included Lowry Mays, Jeff Smulyan, Ginny Morris and Mary Quass. A few recipients have served radio in other ways such as Erica Farber and John David.

A full list appears below.

NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith saluted Caroline Beasley for her “business savvy and extraordinary leadership” and “her passion for radio.”

Beasley joined the company that was founded by her father in 1983 and rose to be named CEO in 2017. But she also has a highly visible presence in the commercial U.S. radio industry more broadly. She is chair of the BMI Board of Directors and a member of the FCC Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the NAB Leadership Foundation Board of Directors. She is immediate past chair of the Joint Board of the NAB and a former NAB Radio Board Chair.

George Beasley received the award in 2015.

The Radio Show is co-produced by the Radio Advertising Bureau and the National Association of Broadcasters. This year it will be co-located with NAB Show in October in Las Vegas.

Recipients of the National Radio Award: 2021 Caroline Beasley 2020 Russell M. Perry 2019 Mary Quass 2018 John David 2017 David Field 2016 Don Benson 2015 George Beasley 2014 Bayard “Bud” Walters 2013 Ginny Morris 2012 Dan Mason 2011 Steve Newberry 2010 Charles Warfield 2009 Ed Christian 2008 Bruce Reese 2007 Jerry Lee 2006 David Kennedy 2005 John Dille 2004 Clarke Brown 2003 Erica Farber 2002 Dick Ferguson 2001 Larry Wilson 2000 Jeff Smulyan 1999 Bill Stakelin 1998 Lowry Mays 1997 Mel Karmazin 1996 Ed McLaughlin 1995 Nancy Widmann 1994 Dick Harris 1993 Ted Snider 1992 Martin Beck 1991 Bill Clark 1990 Robert Hyland 1989 Ray Livesay 1988 Ben Hoberman 1987 Douglas Edwards 1986 Gary Owens 1985 Larry King 1984 Howard Cosell

 

The post Caroline Beasley to Receive National Radio Award appeared first on Radio World.

Live and in-person, the Chief Executive Officer of Beasley Media Group will be bestowed with the National Radio Award come October 13 in Las Vegas.

It’s another sign that the pandemic’s concerns are fading as each day at the NAB progresses.

Caroline Beasley will receive the honor during the Radio Show Opening Session on Wednesday, October 13.

The Radio Show, co-produced by the Radio Advertising Bureau, will be co-located with NAB Show and held October 13-14.

“We are thrilled to honor Caroline Beasley and commemorate her impact on the radio industry with the National Radio Award,” soon-to-depart NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith said. “Her business savvy and extraordinary leadership have propelled Beasley Media Group to new heights, while her passion for radio perfectly illustrate the spirit of broadcasting.”

A 38-year veteran of the radio industry, Caroline was appointed CEO of Beasley Media Group in 2017. The company was founded by her father, George Beasley, in 1983.

Caroline Beasley also serves as the chair of the BMI Board of Directors, on the FCC Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and on the NAB Leadership Foundation Board of Directors. She is the immediate past chair of the Joint Board of the National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors and is a former NAB Radio Board Chair.

 

Discovery Inc., which is acquiring WarnerMedia‘s assets in a Reverse Morris Trust-fueled tax free deal, saw its stock slip by 21 cents in midday trading, to $31.26, on Monday.

Could a further slice of its share price be on the way, following a downgrade from an influential Wall Street watcher?

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On Monday (5/24), as RBR+TVBR on April 20 first reported would occur, Cumulus Media ceased analog broadcast transmissions for an AM radio station licensed for 1,000 watts from 1 tower located in southern Westchester County, N.Y. It’s now operating solely in HD Radio, with a Talk format including The Dan Bongino Show the centerpiece of what’s being branded as “AM1230Digital.”

While that transition points to a possibly rosier revitalization of the senior radio broadcast band in an era where Tesla electric vehicles do not come equipped with AM radios and most kHz-based properties benefit from FM translators to attract younger audiences, present-day challenges for some operators may be too demanding to even consider a future benefit.

No less than five AM radio stations in the last week have surrendered their respective licenses to the FCC. In one case, the move avoids a license revocation hearing. But, for the other AMs, it is simply a realization that FM and audio streaming are more viable options for local consumers.

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