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Mitchell Community Broadcast Company, Inc. enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

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Emmis Radio License, LLC enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

The Media Bureau and Carter Broadcasting, Inc. enter into a Consent Decree regarding compliance with political file obligations

The Media Bureau and Commonwealth Broadcasting, L.L.C. enter into a Consent Decree regarding compliance with political file obligations

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Midwest Communications, Inc. enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

Ad-Venture Media, Inc. enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

Dreamcatcher Communications, Inc. enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

The Media Bureau and Fleur de Lis Broadcasting, Inc. enter into a Consent Decree regarding compliance with political file obligations

Teche Broadcasting Corporation enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

Radio Greeneville, Inc. enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

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West Central Broadcasting Co., Inc. enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

Princeton Broadcasting Co., Inc. enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

IP audio networking equipment developer Barix says that it is “bringing its IP paging and intercom expertise to large broadcast and emergency response networks with RackBox, a universal cloud-based, any-to-all platform for widespread delivery of critical messages.”

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

The 1RU RackBox can provide standard and emergency paging and intercom needs inside and outside the a broadcast facility. The IP backbone can facilitate messaging across a whole network, putting everyone on the same page. As a native IP device, it will be at home on standard IT networks.

A front-panel XLR connector allows for connection to a microphone. An onboard speaker provides for feedback. It uses a Linux-based heart while supporting major audio formats.

Info: www.barix.com

The post Barix Releases the RackBox appeared first on Radio World.

Michael Beach
(Photo by Allison Shelley)

As we’ve been reporting, the Federal Communications Commission has published a “cost category schedule” that describes potential expenses and costs that users of earth stations in the United States may incur as a result of the C-Band repack, and put in place a reimbursement program that includes a possible lump-sum payment to earth station owners including many radio stations.

We asked NPR Vice President, Distribution Michael Beach how this is playing out in public radio.

Radio World: Why should public radio stations know about this process now?

Michael Beach: To give some context, we’re talking about existing satellite services that will be repacked in the C-Band’s upper 200 MHz.

Here at NPR Distribution we serve public radio stations in two ways using C-band satellite-based technology.

First, we share the programming of more than 70 active, national radio-content producers with local public radio stations.

Second, we support distribution of content to more than 30 regional public-radio networks. Impact to each of these systems will be minimal because we are transitioning all our networks to the upper band. That move will protect our stations from interference by 5G systems entering the lower part of the band.

RW: Are there risks of interference?

Beach: Risk will occur if any of the new 5G facilities either transmit outside FCC limitations or are physically close to a satellite earth station. To help mitigate these risks, the FCC is providing funding to add a passband filter to each satellite antenna to guard against and lower the risk of potentially interfering signals coming from the lower part of the C-band that will be occupied by 5G.

RW: Are the proposed reimbursements fair?

Beach: The FCC has provided three options for earth stations that are registered and on the list of qualified antennas.

One: A station can take no action and allow its satellite operator to provide and install the filter at no cost. In the case of PRSS stations, Intelsat is the operator. If Intelsat does that work, it will seek reimbursement from the FCC.

Second: An earth station can purchase and install a filter on its own and seek reimbursement directly from the FCC. Details of reimbursement expenses are included in the guidelines of the FCC’s Cost Catalog.

Third:  An earth station can receive a one-time lump-sum payment. If a station chooses this last approach, it has a deadline [now extended to Sept. 14] to file its intention with the FCC. The election and electronic filing process is included in the FCC Public Notice.

[Related: Dawnco Urgest Stations to “Take the Lump Sum”]

RW: What if an earth station is not registered with the FCC or not on the list of qualified stations?

Beach: The FCC published a list of registered C-Band antennas on August 3, 2020. If a station is not registered, the station will need to purchase and install a filter at its own expense. The station will not be reimbursed, and the satellite operators will not provide the filter or installation.

RW: What is the lump sum amount that the FCC is offering?

Beach: The lump sum is $8,948 per registered and qualified antenna. FCC documents indicate the amount was derived after considering many different potential migration costs and averaging them.

RW: What are the downsides of either taking that lump-sum option or self-installation and seeking reimbursement?

Beach: By choosing the lump-sum option, an earth station operator assumes all costs and risks with no future option to change its mind. If for any reason an operator selects a filter that does not meet specifications, or installs it incorrectly, the operator’s recourse is to spend more money to correct the problem. This risk also exists if the operator does its own installation followed by seeking reimbursement.

RW: What else should radio engineers and managers know about how this process is going?

Beach: It’s not clear from the FCC’s currently available information what the timetable is for when an earth station can apply for reimbursement. Also unknown is when the filter specifications will be published. So, today, we also cannot identify for our PRSS stations the specific manufacturer part numbers that meet the specifications.

The good news is there is some time; potential interference is not imminent. The FCC auction won’t happen until later this year, and the lower part of the band only has to be cleared in certain cities by the end of next year (2021). The auction for the remaining part of the band and additional cities will be even later. It also means the FCC will not have funds for reimbursements until sometime after the auction, and likely not before June 2021.

The post How the C-Band Repack Affects Public Radio appeared first on Radio World.

Below are the recipients of the 2020 Service to America Awards from the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation. These awards recognize outstanding community service by U.S. broadcasters.

Descriptions are as published by the NABLF and include links to multimedia presentations about each station’s efforts.

Recipients were announced during the Celebration of Service to America Awards program, which was conducted virtually this year.

Service to Community Award for Radio – Ownership Group
Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri, “Miracles for Kids Radiothon”

Raising awareness and money for the University of Missouri’s Children Hospital is personal for the Zimmer Radio & Marketing Group, considering members of the staff have needed this hospital for their own children. Radio stations KCLR, KTXY, KATI and KSSZ came together to host the 13th annual Miracles for Kids Radiothon to tell the hospital’s story and raise money to benefit sick kids in mid-Missouri. The 2019 event raised $309,000, bringing the total amount raised for this local hospital to $2.81 million. The team at Zimmer Radio is committed to doing their part to make sure kids have the best doctors, nurses, staff and equipment when it comes to battling illness.

Service to Community Award for Radio – Major Market
KIRO-AM Seattle, Wash., “710 ESPN Seattle and Coaching Boys Into Men”
Bonneville International

With a goal of ending domestic violence, KIRO decided to take the issue back to where it starts, focusing on homes, schools and role models within a local community. In partnership with Coaching Boys into Men, this campaign aimed to prevent domestic violence by teaching high school coaches and athletes how to be community leaders. The station hosted a training program for winter sports coaches, offering incentives for those who completed the program. Through this partnership, KIRO has reached more than 33,000 students with a 42% implementation rate throughout the Seattle area. Thanks to the team at KIRO and the Coaching Boys into Men training, this local community is closer to developing leading examples of role models and athletes for the next generation and putting an end to the cycle of domestic violence.

Service to Community Award for Radio – Medium Market
WSGW Saginaw, Mich., “WSGW’s Sharing Hope Radiothon”
Alpha Media

To help curb increasing homelessness in the area, 100.5 and 790 Newsradio WSGW hosted the 14th annual Sharing Hope Radiothon to raise money for the Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan and its local shelters. With cross promotion from sister station 94.5 The MooseWCEN, this 12-hour campaign exceeded its fundraising goal and raised more than $47,000 while also educating the community. To show continued support for their sister station, WSGW partnered once again and helped raise awareness and donations for the two-day St. Jude Kids Radiothon to raise another $83,250. These two campaigns strengthen the ties of local radio and continue to better the community through the sharing of hope and resources.

Service to Community Award for Radio – Small Market
WKXW-FM Trenton, N.J., “New Jersey Judges”
Townsquare Media

In July 2019, WKXW launched a series of reports highlighting misconduct within the New Jersey Family Court regarding rape and sexual assault cases. These investigative reports included the shocking details of local judges blocking prosecutors’ requests to try juveniles as adults as well as a pattern of victim blaming. This news series encouraged the community and local lawmakers to respond to these injustices. As a result of this series of investigative reports, the state Supreme Court accepted the resignation of one of the judges, took action to remove another from the bench and implemented mandatory sex crime training for all judges.

 

The post Radio Service: Listen to Award-Winning Stations appeared first on Radio World.