Radio World

A pair of noncoms licensed to the University of Arkansas will pay a $76,000 civil penalty after admitting to violating the FCC’s underwriting laws.

KBPU(FM) of De Queen, Ark., and KTYC(FM) of Nashville, Ark., will also implement a five-year compliance plan coordinated with the Enforcement Bureau.

Both noncommercial education stations are managed by Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas.

In September 2016, KBPU(FM) and KTYC(FM) ran multiple announcements that “promoted their for-profit underwriters’ products or services and contained qualitative descriptions and comparative language, pricing information, and/or calls to action” over the course of three days. A complaint with a transcript was filed (EB-IHD-17-00024914) against the university. As part of the consent decree, the university admitted that the transcript is accurate, despite retraining staff on underwriting rules.

The University of Arkansas will now be required to make four payments of $19,000 to the U.S. Treasury and will also file regular compliance reports to prove they are taking steps to ensure these violations do not occur again.

The order was adopted and released Jan. 7. Read the order and consent decree (DA 20-12) here.

The post U of Arkansas NCEs Admit to Underwriting Oops appeared first on Radio World.

Bob Dillon

The author is senior vice president, Connected Radio for Xperi.

Not long ago, Gene “Bean” Baxter said goodbye to KROQ(FM)’s “The Kevin & Bean Show” after 30 years on the station’s signature morning drive-time show. He left behind a legacy that stretched across generations of listeners and traveled far beyond the Los Angeles basin. It’s fair to claim, in fact, that the “World Famous KROQ” lived up to its tagline in part due to the magic of shows like this one. 

It also raises two very good observations about the power of radio: that there’s something tangibly personal and rich about the broadcasting, and that as the world grows smaller —  radio becomes more inclusive and empowering. 

After all, one doesn’t have to be from Los Angeles to appreciate Kevin & Bean. The value and the significance of the content produced travels far beyond one spot on the map. In fact, it’s possible that the power of radio —  personal and real entertainment – has never been greater. That’s good news for everyone who values access to rich content — and the ability to choose what they’d like to consume.  

ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS

Creating choices for entertainment is perhaps greatest inside your vehicle. Inside the cabin of today’s newer cars is a plethora of options, all of them good. You can connect your personal device via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto; there are satellite networks that deliver programming in hundreds of different ways and categories. On-board apps abound, full of playlists that continuously pump the music at you 24/7. 

The DTS Connected Radio Live Guide shows Now Playing information for each tunable station, enabling station choice based on what’s playing.

Then there’s radio. And it’s a stronger option today than ever before, thanks to the widespread adoption of HD Radio and the emergence of hybrid radio.

Our version of hybrid radio is DTS Connected Radio, which combines over-the-air broadcasting (analog, HD Radio and DAB+) and corresponding metadata (via IP) on a global scale. This convergence creates three very important benefits: 

Deeper and more fulfilling content for users: The combination of data with broadcast enhances the discovery of quality programming. In fact, one of the challenges around broadcast radio going digital is choice — especially in North America with HD Radio, where multi-casting has expanded the number of sources by over 2,000 stations. In addition, today’s modern digital platforms give users the ability to search via many different ways, including voice activation. Hybrid radio also provides that level of enhanced discoverability. There’s a rich visual interface so you can search for content, and the availability of information for all radio stations in a market in under one second. It combines the search-and-sort value of online experiences with higher quality radio programming available in the user’s market.

Affordable change at a global scale for automakers: There’s no mistake that the car dash is changing, getting more complex and more expensive. There’s increased connectivity and hardware, along with new regulations in Europe — and probably soon in North America — that require a module that’s basically a cellular modem in the car for emergency response. Hybrid radio leverages what automakers already are legally required to have as a part of their vehicle technology offerings. The only service that that can deliver that level of affordable infotainment inside a vehicle is radio. Automakers have already made an investment in the digital tuner; they’re now also required, in certain markets, to add a connectivity module for regulatory purposes, and emergency response. Hybrid radio brings these two components together, leverages the investment and creates enhanced radio — the only truly free medium. Automakers can now deploy an enhanced content platform through investments that they’ve already made — with broadcasters who are already on board. It’s affordable, rich content on a global scale, a single radio platform that delivers a consistent and enhanced user experience across analog, HD Radio, or DAB+ radio.

[DTS Promotes “Connected Radio” Project]

Sharper listener insights for broadcasters: The value of metadata doesn’t stop at the album name. Indeed, the real value is in user listening habits. For DTS Connected Radio, once the car is turned on the radio immediately connects to our service. Let’s say a session starts with a vehicle in Los Angeles. We know the radio station, and how long they listen before jumping to another station or service. All the while, we’re sending data to the user, creating a two-way feedback flow that we measure and send back to the station. The radio station can learn why they tuned in, and what made them leave. Did they tune to another radio station? Shut off the car, or did they drive out of coverage? How long did they listen? Ultimately, that’s all available audience flow data over time. Hybrid radio — at least DTS Connected Radio — is able to provide a measurement of their total audience and how that audience flows in and out of their station throughout the day. 

A DTS Connected Radio Now Playing screen shows image and text for currently playing content along with station metadata.

Overall, DTS Connected Radio enables automakers to create a common experience across analog and digital broadcasting. It pairs broadcast programming with IP-delivered content, all from the vehicle’s IP connection. The combination of analog programming and its corresponding metadata creates a richer, more valuable content experience — and one that’s affordable at a global scale for automakers. 

There’s a very real quality to the content that radio brings to listeners. Globally and regionally, it’s a vital part of how we enjoy life and expand our own personal horizons. Radio is unique in that way. As it moves forward toward a hybrid system of digital information and broadcast programming, it is evolving into a scalable format that brings the best of those real moments to an on-demand and two-way system of information sharing — done across a digital, affordable and global platform. 

Comment on this or any article. Email radioworld@futurenet.com with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject field.

The post Hybrid Radio Breaks Out  appeared first on Radio World.

A change in FCC technical rules sought by the NAB, NPR and Xperi could lead to a digital power boost for many FM radio stations. Read about that in this issue. Also explore best practices for AM directional systems; learn more ways to outsmart mice at your transmitter site; and ponder how radio programmers can help fight racism.

Read the digital edition online here. CONNECTED CARS
Hybrid Radio Breaks Out

Xperi believes that its DTS Connected Radio platform offers a win-win-win outcome for listeners, automakers and radio broadcasters. Bob Dillon explains why.

COMPETITION
Audio Explosion Reverberates in Radio

Several industry thought leaders recently gathered at the FCC to talk about the state of the radio business. Find out what they said.

 

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

• Radio Presses FCC to Allow Asymmetric Sidebands
• Jeff Welton on Tubes vs. Solid-State
• Best Practices for AM Directional Systems

The post Inside the Jan. 8 Issue of Radio World appeared first on Radio World.

John Poray

After nearly three decades of service, Society of Broadcast Engineers Executive Director John L. Poray has announced his pending retirement.

According to an SBE press release, Poray will step down at the end of this year. SBE President Wayne Pecena will work with the board of directors to find a new leader for the organization. However, Pecena said in the announcement that “John has been a fixture of the SBE since 1992 who cannot be replaced. We can only seek to find a successor!”

The SBE was founded 56 years ago, and Poray has been with the society for more than 27 years. Under his leadership, the society increased its membership to more than 5,000 members and 115 chapters spread across the U.S. and Hong Kong, as well as SBE members located in 25 other countries. During Poray’s long tenure, SBE also added to its certification, education and frequency coordination programs.

[Background on SBE EAS Advisory Program]

Poray said he looks “forward to a busy 2020” and says he will assist the board during the transition.

“I have been blessed to have had a long and productive relationship with the SBE, working with many great members, chapter and national leaders and staff,” Poray said in the release. “Together, we have worked to grow the SBE in size and stature and I believe the SBE is positioned well to continue to serve the broadcast and media engineers into the future.”

Prior to taking the helm as the SBE’s first full-time executive director, Poray spent more than a decade in other nonprofit organization management roles. He is a certified association executive. Poray began his career in with the Boy Scouts of America’s Central Ohio Council and went on to work for Kiwanis International, The Apartment Association of Indiana and The Columbus Apartment Association.

The post SBE’s Poray to Retire in 2020 appeared first on Radio World.

WorldCast Group will open a new office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The group, which comprises WorldCast Systems and CONNECT, explains that it chose Kuala Lumpur for its new office because of the city’s strategic and central location.

Kuala Lumpur, it says, is ideal for providing customers and partners in the Asian market with the “best” local service.

The new WorldCast Group office will officially open mid-January. Victor Bidot, regional sales manager and Bastien Bahuet, pre-sales engineer will use the new location as their base.

Christophe Poulain

The expansion, says WorldCast, consolidates its global presence, which now generates 85% of its turnover from exports.

“For several years now, we’ve had a sales representative in India and with an increasing number of opportunities presented to us in Asia, especially China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia,” said Christophe Poulain, co-President of WorldCast Group. “We are enthusiastic about establishing this new office in the region.”

The post WorldCast Sets Up New Office in Malaysia appeared first on Radio World.

Speaking in front of the Consumer Technology Association’s Government Affairs Council, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks took the time to recognize many of the biggest tech advancements being made today, but rather than just marvel at them, took a critical look at where they are coming from and how we may need to protect ourselves against them.

Giving his speech on Jan. 6 before the official start of the CES 2020 conference, Starks laid out what his primary goals will be for 2020: “… ensuring that our communications networks and technologies support security, privacy and our democratic values.”

[Read: Starks Criticizes FCC Record on Media Diversity]

Starks brought up many different forms of technologies that on the surface prove beneficial to our everyday lives — entities accessing our data for more personalization; algorithms that can help classify and research topics based on data and past trends; and facial recognition technology for increased security. But he also offered instances where all of these technologies can prove dangerous, abused or misleading.

“We must undertake, right now and continuously, the thorough examination of all these new capabilities to decide now how we will ensure that they are all poised to serve a future that creates opportunities instead of reinforcing existing inequalities,” he said.

He also brought up the potential danger he sees in China. He notes that he has been working to remove equipment provided by Huawei and ZTE from communications networks because he says there have been instances when such equipment transferred secure data to the Chinese government. He also says that technology developed in China is often not taking into consideration the civil liberties that are required for nonauthoritarian regimes.

Potentially helping alleviate much of this, according to Starks, will be 5G.

“I am optimistic that technology developments, especially 5G standards, will support our efforts to improve network and data security,” he said. But still, it will fall on people to make sure that the new technology meets the appropriate standards.

He added, “If we work together, I am confident we can build a future that is more advanced, more secure and more prosperous, and more equitable for all.”

 

The post Starks: Tech Advancing People’s Lives, But Caution Still Needed appeared first on Radio World.

For those who want to sound off to the FCC about using all-digital on the AM band — either “fer it” or “agin it” —- the comment deadlines now are set.

Comments are due March 9, reply comments are due April 6.

As RW has reported, the FCC recently released a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish rules governing all-digital broadcasting by AM radio stations in the United States.

Read the NPRM here. The NPRM number is 19-123.

 

The post Dates Set for Comments on Digital AM Proposal appeared first on Radio World.

The nomination period for the 2020 NAB Crystal Radio Awards is open now through the end of January, the National Association of Broadcasters says.

In order to be considered, radio stations must submit an entry describing their community service in 2019. NAB Television/Radio Awards Manager Tobi Hall can provide additional information about the process.

[Learn about the 2019 Crystal Radio Award winners]

In February, a panel will choose 50 finalists from these entries. Then, 10 Crystal Radio Award winners will be announced and recognized during the April 21 We Are Broadcasters Celebration in Las Vegas. The 2020 NAB Show is scheduled for April 18–22.

The post 2020 NAB Crystal Radio Award Nominations Open appeared first on Radio World.

Gary Shapiro

The Consumer Electronics Show kicks off today in Las Vegas and runs through Jan. 10. As usual, the massive event is expected to highlight the technology trends that will have the biggest impact on the consumer market, as well as the broadcast industry.

And who better to guide CES 2020 attendees than Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shapiro? No one, except perhaps Shapiro, Fred Jacobs and Buzz Knight. The trio break down what you should expect and need to know in a Jacobs Media post entitled, “We’re Off to CES 2020 and Gary Shapiro Is Our Guide.”

According to Jacobs, “The connected car, AI, 5G, autonomous driving, smart speakers/voice, wearables/hearables — all are major innovations impacting our industry that we’ll gain a better understanding of this week.”

Learn more and read the full Shapiro Q&A at jacocbsmedia.com.

 

The post Shapiro Highlights Trends in CES 2020 Look appeared first on Radio World.

Many years ago as a DJ at a rock station, I became friends with a bartender who was a regular listener of my show. He seemed like a solid guy, and I admired that while he poured drinks for a living, he did not drink. 

One morning perusing the newspaper, I saw a headline about a KKK rally that had occurred that weekend, with a photo of a bunch of guys in white robes carrying crosses through the center of town. The leader had taken off his hood.

Much to my shock, I recognized my “pal,” the bartender. An ugly snarl on his face, he was screaming something at the crowd. 

I felt sick as the realization hit me for the first time that it’s impossible to know what hatred lies in a person’s heart.  

WORK TO DO

For a long time, I thought racism in America was decreasing; but social media, videos on YouTube and continuous targeted racist violence clearly indicate that our country has a long way to go. 

Historically, the radio industry has contributed both to perpetuating racism and educating listeners to fight against it. While the scales have certainty tipped toward education, tolerance and awareness, we have much work to do. Perhaps the few examples that follow can kickstart a New Year’s plan at your station.

• The website of WOUB in Athens, Ohio, provides searchable tags for racism and hate crimes.

  Let’s begin by recognizing public radio for the range and timeliness of stories that NPR and affiliates are running on the air and featuring prominently on station websites. Search the term “racism” plus a set of public radio call letters, and you will often encounter a page focused purely on stories pertinent to the issue. 

• CBS local websites also cover the topic, as do many other commercial broadcasters. 
• It’s best when the stories are aggregated under one tag for archive viewing and for search purposes. I’m hopeful that most of these stories make it on the air as well as the websites. When time doesn’t permit, it does make sense to do shorter on-air stories with a reference to details on the website.  
• Promotionally, there’s much all radio formats can do to help organizations that fight racism and other forms of hatred. As you’re looking at your 2020 event calendar, could you schedule a month during which you work with a local non-profit to raise awareness, volunteerism and money? Make sure to utilize on-air PSAs running with good frequency. This is also a rare opportunity for you to involve local religious institutions in all aspects of your plan. Churches, synagogues and mosques have people whom they can activate through social media, mailing lists and pulpits.
• For talk/news formats, there’s no question that it takes an ever-vigilant program director to work with hosts on understanding what constitutes racism and how to deal with live callers who are on a mission to spread hatred. Racism and hate speech, from the right or the left, is wrong and has no place on American radio. Industry veterans know that it’s a small but vocal part of the audience, often trolls, who call in a lot. If you have hosts who can handle the rants, that’s terrific, and the calls can be transformed into a learning moment; but when it becomes repetitive and tedious to deal with the same callers, a number block may be in order.   

“Yo, Is This Racist?” is a podcast co-hosted by Andrew Ti, creator of the popular blog of the same name.

• There are already many podcasts focused on racism and cultural intolerance. Does your parent company have one you can help promote, or is the topic of enough interest in your market to support your own effort? Either way, be sure to promote on-air and through all of your platforms.
• When is the last time you had a staff discussion concerning racism and cultural intolerance? If the answer is a long time ago, or never, this is the time of year to get it done. Many experts are available to help you tackle this tough topic on two levels: how you approach issues on-air and at remotes and, perhaps even more sensitive, in your station’s own environment. 

Whatever one’s background, each of us benefits from enriching our self-awareness as regards social diversity and learning more about how others can do so as well. As we enter a new decade, let’s take the opportunity to help keep life peaceful for everyone.

The post Reflections on Racism and Radio  appeared first on Radio World.

Radio station and podcast provider Radioline, a Baracoda company, is showing its Hybrid Radio application for cars at CES 2020 in Las Vegas.

The Paris-based firm is exhibiting at the show alongside NXP to present the new automotive infotainment application.

It is demonstrating the capabilities of the NXP infotainment chip set in combination with the Hybrid Radio solution.

Radioline, which develops car applications that are compatible with Linux HTML5 and Android for cars, says the solution “meets the growing technological needs of car manufacturers.”

According to the company, the Hybrid Radio app offers “an easy and customizable interface for an optimal” driving experience.

“Radioline has combined its technologies with NXP to ensure an interactive and secure driving experience that meets the driver’s needs and pleasure,” said Xavier Filliol, COO of Radioline.

Characteristics of the system include automatic switching between six connections, IP, DAB +, FM, HD, DRM and CDR; the possibility for drivers to save and find their favorite stations, podcasts or songs; access to local, national and international programs through catalogs available on the app; access to content information such as a title, description, cover and album name. In addition, says the firm, the app features a “clean and intuitive” in-house designed interface.

“Radioline has quickly developed an application well suited to demonstrate the capabilities of our infotainment chip set,” said Nacho Seirul-lo, NXP’s director of program management.

“Radioline has enabled the integration of Broadcast and Internet radio in our radio demonstrator thereby improving the user experience.”

 The company is exhibiting at the NXP booth CP-18 in the Central Plaza.

The post Radionline Shows Hybrid Radio App at CES appeared first on Radio World.

OTTAWA — People from various areas of the industry are optimistic about radio’s fortunes in 2020, especially when it comes to “riding the digital wave.” But some of them see challenges in radio’s ability to attract and hold younger listeners, who must be won over to keep this audio medium viable for decades to come.

Angel Radio’s 60+ audience is increasingly listening to the station via smart speaker. Credit: Angel Radio

CONTINUED GROWTH FOR DAB+

Let’s start with the most positive radio trend in 2020: DAB/DAB+ will continue to grow in reach, usage and popularity.

“We expect to see continued growth of digital listening as audiences shift away from analog platforms,” said Aris Erdogdu, WorldDAB’s communications manager. “DAB/DAB+ will remain the dominant digital platform — especially in the car.”

A case in point: “In the United Kingdom, digital listening has increased to a new record of 56.8%, up from 52.4% in Q3 2018,” said Erdogdu. “What’s more, listening via DAB now accounts for 39.7% of all listening, and 70% of digital listening.”

“DAB digital radio is also prevailing in the automotive sector,” he added. “In the U.K., 93% of new cars now come equipped with DAB as standard, and DAB listening in the car has increased by 13.1 million hours — or 15.5% — compared to the same time last year.”

2020 will be a watershed year for in-car DAB, thanks to the European Union’s decision to require all new car radios in the EU to receive digital terrestrial radio by Dec. 20, 2020.

“Germany has recently transposed this directive into national legislation, while Italy and France — which is preparing the launch of its national DAB+ network in 2020 — already have laws in place which conform to the EU rule,” said Erdogdu.

DAB/DAB+ is attracting attention in other parts of the world including the Middle East, North and South Africa as well as Southeast Asia. “Tunisia is the latest country to have rolled out DAB+, and neighboring Algeria has also hit the ground running with the launch of a DAB+ trial in and around the capital Algiers,” Erdogdu said.

Tony Smith, founder/station manager of Angel Radio. Credit: Angel Radio

DAB+ is also gaining ground in Australia. “Permanent commercial DAB+ services were launched in the cities of Canberra, Darwin and Hobart in 2019, so there are now eight major population centers in Australia with DAB+, and more regional areas will follow next year,” said Joan Warner, chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia (CRA).

“DAB+ will grow as commercial networks are offering more DAB+-only stations and enhancing and rebranding their services,” she noted. “For instance, Southern Cross

Austereo is now offering five DAB+-only stations under their Triple M brand — Triple M Greatest Hits, Triple M Classic Rock, Triple M Aussie, Triple M Country and Triple M Hard N Heavy. Listeners have more music choice to fit their mood, while advertisers can access incremental audience reach beyond the main Triple M station.”

Aris Erdogdu is WorldDAB Communications Manager. Credit: WorldDAB

DAB/DAB+ offers business opportunities for smaller broadcasters such as the U.K.’s Angel Radio. It is a community radio station serving listeners 60 years and older via FM, regional DAB and web streaming.

“Since 2015, Angel Radio has run one of the trial small-scale DAB multiplexes,” said Tony Smith, founder and station manager of Angel Radio.

Joan Warner is chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia. Credit: Commercial Radio Australia

“We currently bring 28 radio services to DAB+ listeners in the Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant areas. These stations are mainly small internet-only or FM community stations that could not afford the cost of carriage on regional DAB. Our multiplex carriage rate card is flexible enough to enable larger, more financially stable stations, to subsidize the cost of carriage for much smaller niche stations.”

SMART SPEAKERS ARE GOOD FOR RADIO

In April 2019, the technology research firm Canalsys predicted that the number of web-connected smart speakers in use worldwide would increase 82.4% from 114 million units in 2018 to 207.9 million units in 2019. Given the proven popularity of smart speakers such as the Amazon Alexa/Echo, Google Home, Apple HomePod, and the Sonos One, this trend seems likely to continue in 2020.

Peter Moore is owner of Radio Caroline. Credit: Radio Caroline

Radio is tagging along for the smart speaker ride: “The use of smart speakers to listen to the radio more than doubled in the past year,” said James Cridland, radio futurologist and editor of the Podnews newsletter. “Live radio is the most popular audio consumed on smart speakers, by total time spent listening, and it seems that these devices will continue to replace broadcast receivers in more households.”

It isn’t just Millennials who listen to radio via smart speakers. “Alexa is definitely being used more by our older audience these days,” said Angel Radio’s Tony Smith. “Around 15% of our U.K. online audience is using Alexa and Echo Dot.”

“The future seems to be the net aided by smart speakers, laptops, smart phones and apps,” said Peter Moore, owner of Radio Caroline, the one-time ship-based pirate broadcaster that is now a legal terrestrial radio station on AM/MW, DAB and the web. “Our online audience has now increased 45-fold whereas our satellite audience was at best static and that while we extensively use local DAB, this is just a novelty that we hope may develop in the future.”

Some of the DAB/DAB+ radios now available to consumers. Credit: WorldDAB

PODCASTING GAINING GROUND

Podcasting is a trend that radio people are talking about, with many broadcasters jumping into the medium to stake out new territory and attract new listeners.

A case in point: In 2020, “there will be a strong focus on podcasting as we’ve recently launched the Australian Podcast Ranker, which will be a regular monthly report of the top 100 most downloaded and listened to podcasts in Australia,” said Commercial Radio Australia’s Joan Warner.

“The aim is to drive consumer awareness of the great variety of content out there and increase advertiser understanding of the opportunities in the podcast space. The latest Australian Share of Audio study by GfK showed that consumers are now spending more time listening to podcasts than owned music.”

Radio Caroline’s former ship-based transmitter on the MV Ross Revenge. Credit: Colm O’Laoi 

WINNING YOUNGER LISTENERS REMAINS A CHALLENGE

One negative trend that appears likely to continue in 2020 is broadcast radio’s weakening appeal to younger listeners.

“While radio continues to reach 9 out of 10 adults in most countries across the world, it appears to be losing its gloss with young audiences who are listening for considerably less time,” said Cridland. “Radio is increasingly relying on an aging population to continue delivering their audience figures. Younger audiences, who increasingly look for on-demand content, needs to be a focus for the industry.”

To turn this situation around, “Radio needs programming to attract younger audiences, and we need radio to understand that ‘live and local’ is much less compelling for younger audiences than ‘real and relevant — real people on their air, with relevant content for them,” he said.

“This is a real challenge to radio’s long-term future, and I’m increasingly concerned that radio broadcasters are complacently using their current audience figures as an excuse not to change.”

The post 2020 Looks Good for Digital Radio, Smart Speakers appeared first on Radio World.

David K. Edmiston Jr., known as Davey Edmiston, passed away suddenly in December at the age of 49.

The announcement was made by SWR, the Pennsylvania-based antenna and transmissions systems manufacturer where he’d worked since his early 20s. Davey was son of the company’s president and CEO, David Edmiston Sr.

Several other Edmiston family members also work at the company, which was founded in 1964, under the aegis of Thomas Edmiston Sr., Davey’s grandfather.

“It is with heavy hearts and deep regret that we announce the passing of David K Edmiston Jr., Davey to those who knew him best,” SWR said in a statement. “He leaves behind his loving wife Amy, and a long list of friends and loved ones both personal and professional.” The company said he’d suffered an aneurysm.

According to a company bio, David Jr. began his career in broadcasting as a tower technician with Edmiston Tower and worked his way up to field-testing and antenna design with Systems With Reliability (SWR), eventually becoming manager of operations. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers and the National Association of Broadcasters.

“For more than 25 years, his irreplaceable dedication and expertise have contributed to our ongoing success, and we will never fill the void of his passing,” the company stated. “Though his absence has cast a long shadow, and though we may grieve, we must also remember his wit, his exuberant personality, and his boundless lust for life. During this difficult time, we ask that you keep his family and all of us who cared so deeply for him in your thoughts and prayers.”

Edmiston served in the Navy, and then spent his entire career at SWR. According to Marketing and Multimedia Director Morgan James, Davey learned much of his technical knowledge from longtime company consultant Dr. Ali Mahnad.

According to an obituary in the Tribune-Democrat, Davey Edmiston also enjoyed golf, camping, fishing and football, and he loved to “dance, dance, dance.”

A memorial service was held in December.

 

The post SWR Mourns Davey Edmiston appeared first on Radio World.

It’s a case that ropes in issues of timeliness, candor and questions of who exactly is fit to hold a broadcast license. In the end, the issue of honesty — and the fact that it is a foundational requirement for holding an FCC license — resulted in the revoking of three California station construction permits and licenses.

The Federal Communications Commission ordered that the permits and licenses of three FM stations would be revoked after William L. Zawila and two other groups were accused of disingenuous stonewalling and various misrepresentations in their dealings with the FCC. The others in the case include the estate of Linda Ware and the estate of H.L. Charles, although the FCC said Zawila represents all stations — which include KNGS(FM), KZPE(FM) and KZPO(FM).

The case came to a head largely due to Zawila’s conduct, the commission said.

[Read: Out-of-Date Online Files Being Investigated by FCC]

Way back in 2003, the commission requested this case be reviewed by Judge Richard L. Sippel, a chief administrative law judge with the FCC, after allegations were made regarding illegal transfer of facility control, the violation of several commission operating rules and an allegation that Zawila had made several disingenuous misrepresentations to the FCC.

After some internal issues were resolved, including a distress sale of some facilities, the hearing proceeding was reactivated by Judge Sippel — but not until more than 10 years later.

When the case moved ahead in 2014, it was alleged that Zawila and others had failed to provide substantive responses to several document requests and questions posed by the FCC Enforcement Bureau. Although the judge required Zawila to file a status report during the review, none was submitted. There were also concerns about Zawila submitting incomplete responses to questions and several back and forth discussions on attending a status conference. Because Zawila failed to adequately provide complete substantive responses to the Enforcement Bureau’s interrogatories and to attend a status conference in person, the judge held Zawila in default.

Zawila filed an appeal saying that among other things, the FCC misapplied its own good character policy and was imposing a huge burden by requesting information from so many years ago. Nonetheless, the judge concluded that Zawila had violated numerous provisions of the Communications Act and the FCC Rules, and as a result, did not possess the basic qualifications to remain a permittee and licensee.

In December 2019, the FCC affirmed the judge’s findings and revoked the related permits and licenses.

In the end, the issue of truthfulness was a huge pivoting factor in the case.

“Long ago the Federal Communications Commission established that the ‘trait of truthfulness’ is a necessary element of the character required to operate a broadcast station in the public interest,” said FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement following the order. “[In this case], we uphold an earlier finding that a licensee’s misrepresentation, lack of candor and false statements were used to mislead the FCC and defraud the public interest.

“In doing so, we affirm the decision to revoke the licenses and construction permits of a licensee that made a series of false statements to the agency,” she said. “I support this decision as well as the time-honored principles that inform our review.”

On the same day, the commission also dismissed a Petition for Reconsideration by two other parties to this proceeding: Avenal Educational Services and Central Valley Educational Services. The FCC said this request was not properly served nor were the new arguments in the petition raised properly.

 

The post Alleged Deception Costs FM Broadcasters Their License appeared first on Radio World.

Full Service Radio is “a community podcast network and internet radio station broadcasting live from a standalone radio studio located inside the lobby of the Line DC.”

Hotels played a big role in the early days of radio broadcasting, providing shelter and credibility to new radio stations. 

New Orleans’ WDSU launched as a respectable business inside the city’s DeSoto Hotel in 1928, after spending five years operating out of owner Joseph Uhalt’s backyard chicken coop as WCBE. Other hoteliers played home to radio stations such as Chicago’s Drake Hotel, which housed WGN (then WDAP) in 1923. 

But the trend was short-lived: As radio began to boom in the 1930s, stations checked out of hotels to move into their own dedicated facilities.

Today, in Washington, D.C., there are two facilities whose presence hearkens back to radio’s historic relationship with hotels; and the hospitality segment has drawn new interest recently from iHeartRadio as it seeks to bring its own channels and content to hotel-based consumers nationally.

RETURN OF THE LOBBY STATION Jack Inslee, center facing camera, talks with guests at Full Service Radio.

If you’re a guest at The Line hotel in Washington, you’re free to look through the windows at live broadcasts being streamed from Full Service Radio, a lobby-based internet radio station in a chic, elegant setting.

“We offer 34 weekly programs/podcasts created by local producers, which can be heard live or on demand at www.thelinehotel.com/full-service-radio,” said Jack Inslee, founder and executive producer of Full Service Radio.

Inslee previously helped launch Heritage Radio Network and is a record producer, audio engineer and DJ. 

“The shows cover a very wide variety of topics from music and food to self-help and pop culture. Our full-time employee and part-timers work to identify possible hosts, who provide the content to us for free in exchange for using our studio to create this content and distribute it worldwide.”

Full Service Radio’s live schedule at The Line hotel runs Sunday to Friday. Its program/podcast titles include “SongByrd Radio,” “Beer Me,” “Beats&Beautiful Music,” “The Wedding Dish” and “Edible Activist.” 

Full Service Radio as seen on an iPad. At upper right: “Book Your Stay.”

Although he says Full Service Radio does work with The Line hotel on content occasionally, the streaming station manages its own programming without external direction. 

“We’re free to do anything we want as we see fit,” said Inslee. “Meanwhile, if our hosts manage to attract sponsors, they get to keep the majority of the revenues, which provides them with an incentive to grow their programs and their audiences.”

BIG WHIG

Newly completed in the courtyard of the Willard InterContinental Hotel is Big Whig Media, a full-fledged multimedia production facility. It is a partnership of Nahigian Strategies, a communications and public relations firm, and property developer Carr Companies.

Artist’s rendering of the studios of Big Whig Media in the courtyard of the historic Willard Hotel.

Big Whig Media (“Whig” being a nod to the defunct political party) is home to an audio production studio for live radio and audio streams and podcasts, a multi-camera video studio and TV editing suite, and satellite uplinks/landline links to get the content out to the world.

“There’s a real demand for third-party production studios in downtown Washington,” said Cassie Scher, an account manager with Nahigian Strategies. “With industry experts and foreign dignitaries staying at the Willard, and so many government agencies and associations nearby, this location is the perfect spot for people to be able to do their interviews without having to go too far out of their way.”

Appealing to audio professionals is definitely part of its goals. Its website states: “Bring your podcast or live radio show to the cutting edge! Big Whig Media offers the only ground-level, windowed studio focused primarily on creating premium audio content. We also offer the opportunity to transform your program from an audio-only experience into a dynamic, visual show, streamed with the ability for fans to see you record live. For those content creators or radio hosts visiting Washington D.C., we offer the opportunity and equipment you need to broadcast from the iconic Willard InterContinental Hotel.”

HOTEL LISTENING

Industry biggie HeartMedia may not be based in a hotel lobby, but it, too, sees the potential in the hospitality segment. Since 2017 it has been using a cloud-based distribution platform from hospitality tech company Intelity to deliver its streamed stations to hotel guests using tablet computers in their rooms.

The welcome screen of a guest’s Intelity media center shows iHeartRadio content at lower left.

“Integrating iHeartRadio into hotel rooms through partners like Intelity is a great way to give travelers a chance to stay connected to their communities while on the road, while also giving them the opportunity to quickly discover what’s happening in the places they are visiting,” said Jessica Jerrick, iHeartRadio’s EVP of business development and partnerships. 

“In addition to access to thousands of live radio stations across the country, travelers can access music and podcasts perfect for any mood or activity, all for free.”

This September, for instance, iHeart announced an agreement with Hilton Hotels. “Hilton guests can now enjoy thousands of iHeartRadio’s music playlists, podcasts and can even stream live radio stations,” the companies announced. “Guests can access this new feature directly from their TVs in Hilton’s ‘Connected Room’ guest entertainment platform.”

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE

Perhaps it’s too much to call any of this a rebirth of hotel-based radio or even a trend in hotel-based internet radio. But the special nature of hotels seems to have enduring media appeal. 

[Read about how one Aussie uses hotels for his popular shows, since he’s frequently on the road.]

Intelity CEO Robert Stevenson describes hotel listeners as a highly engaged, captive audience. Similar captive audiences could be captured by setting up internet radio stations in other specialized locations, he added.

“For example, if there is a streaming audio station set up in a mall, they have the opportunity to sell advertising placements to the stores within the mall and can guarantee that those advertisements will reach a relevant audience,” Stevenson said. “The secret is to have a targetable audience and a platform to deliver a broadcast on, ideally digital and mobile.”

It remains to be seen if hotels in other U.S. cities follow this trend; but Full Service Radio is now producing programs in The Line hotels in Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles.

The post Hotels Leave the Light on for Audio appeared first on Radio World.

Eugene Novacek, who founded broadcast technology company ENCO and led it for decades, has died. He was 61.

According to a statement from the company, he died on New Year’s Day in New York, from pancreatic cancer.

Survivors include his wife Judith Novacek, daughter Kristin Heinbockel, son Andrew Novacek and granddaughter Evany Novacek. “His legacy lives through his family, the company he founded, and the industry he loved and changed,” the statement reads.

Novacek was a professional engineer (P.E.) who held engineering degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He had early jobs at Bechtel Power Corp., Barton Malow Co. and Alberici Constructors before founding ENCO Systems Inc., whose acronym includes his initials.

ENCO is now based in Southfield, Mich., but began in St. Louis is 1983 by providing computer-based process control for critical industrial applications. “We started providing industrial process control and automation to manufacturers like GM, Ford, Chrysler, Monsanto, Anheuser Busch, General Tire, Waste Management, etc. in 1983,” Novacek wrote in a 2008 blog post celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary.

But it was in broadcast that the firm grew, becoming a prominent supplier of automation for radio and TV stations. Its first digital audio delivery system was introduced in 1991; its product lines have since grown to encompass playout automation, captioning, scheduling and streaming. Its markets also include A/V, events, concerts, worship and retail environments, according to enco.com.

Among other accomplishments, Novacek wrote the chapter on automation and audio storage in the latest edition of the NAB Engineering Handbook. He also held a private pilot’s license.

ENCO is currently led by Ken Frommert, who in 2017 was promoted from general manager to president and has been the more public face of the company in recent years.

The post Gene Novacek, Founder of ENCO, Dies appeared first on Radio World.

2020 Media Kits/Editorial Calendar/Rate Cards

2020 RWUS Editorial Calendar & Rate Card

2020 RWUS Full Media Kit

2020 RWI Editorial Calendar & Rate Card

2020 RWI Full Media Kit

 

The post 2020 Media Kits/Editorial Calendar/Rate Cards appeared first on Radio World.

The “Franken FM” saga continues.

The FCC’s Media Bureau has set the comment and reply comment deadlines for responses to its Dec. 4 public notice. The summary was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 23; therefore, the comment deadline is Jan. 22, and reply comments must be submitted by Feb. 6.

MB Docket No. 03-185 addresses “the operation of analog radio services by digital low-power television stations as ancillary or supplementary services.” The commission says it is seeking to “update the record” on LPTV stations’ use of TV Channel 6 spectrum just below the U.S. FM band.

The post Media Bureau Continues FM6 Update Inquiry appeared first on Radio World.

Samson has introduced its new Samson LM10x lavalier microphone, intended for use in various applications, such as presentations, live broadcasts, house of worship and more.

A discreet, omnidirectional lavalier mic with a miniature condenser mic capsule, the Samson LM10x lavalier microphone comes with four included adapter cables to help ensure it can be connected to most popular brands of wireless systems.

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

The microphone is based around a 3 mm, omnidirectional miniature mic capsule in an effort to allow it to capture sound evenly in all directions with limited proximity effect or off-axis coloration, regardless of the position of the microphone to the sound source. Its lightweight clip design offers an unobtrusive placement on ties, lapels and more.

The LM10x includes four detachable adapter cables (1/8-inch/3.5 mm, Hirose four-Pin, Switchcraft TA3F, Switchcraft TA4F), allowing the LM10x to connect with Samson wireless transmitters and most other brands of wireless transmitters as well.

All of these items can be kept together safely in an included protective carry case that houses the mic and other essential components. Also included with the LM10x are a lightweight mic clip and four standard windscreens to avoid wind noise and plosives such as P-pops.

The Samson LM10x lavalier microphone is currently available for sale at major CE and MI retailers for $99.99.

Info: www.samsontech.com

The post Samson LM10x Lavalier Microphone Debuts appeared first on Radio World.

“Best of Show Up Close” is a series about participants in Radio World’s annual Best of Show at NAB Awards program.

In 2019, GatesAir nominated the Intraplex Ascent audio over IP platform. Radio World asked Keyur Parikh, vice president and general manager of Intraplex Products Group, about it.

Radio World: What is this product and what are its intended uses?
Keyur Parikh: Intraplex Ascent is a COTS-based, high-density AoIP and gateway solution. The software platform is built upon proven Intraplex IP Link technology and supports up to 32 channels of AES3/analog/AES67 audio.

Ascent supports the same audio encoding as IP Link. In addition to supporting FEC and Stream Splicing to reliability, Ascent adds Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) protocol for added reliability and security. In addition to AoIP applications, the scalable nature of the software architecture also supports media gateway capability to enable reliable transport of broadcast quality video across the STL.

A GatesAir Intraplex Ascent is installed at Leighton Broadcasting.

For audio applications, typical use cases for Ascent would be studio-to-studio connectivity to transport high-density channels; and large-scale contribution or distribution, where an Ascent system at the head-end interoperates with IP Link codecs at the remote studios or transmitter sites. For media gateway applications, Ascent can be used for TV STL, or to distribute any UDP-based, high-bitrate media to a large number of recipients.

[Read: Best of Show Up Close: Inovonics Sofia 568 FM HD Radio SiteStreamer+]

RW: The software-defined version seems notable, what should we know about the implications of that approach as far as the user’s installation and operation of the system?
Parikh: Ascent can be purchased as software or as a complete appliance. The appliance is built on a multi-core GatesAir/Intraplex branded server that is preloaded with an OS and applications. It also includes the necessary audio I/O required for the customer. The installation of Ascent is similar to our IP Link codecs, and its built-in Web interface provides a similar look and feel.

Ascent continues the legacy of transport reliability of IP Link, and includes four network ports that can be used for both traffic and control. The combination of the four network ports along with SRT and Stream Splicing provides industry-leading network reliability. The software architecture of Ascent was designed to be scalable with channels, which allows our customer to a smoother growth path.

RW: What does Intraplex Ascent cost? Is it available now?
Parikh: Ascent is shipping now. The cost of the system varies based on configuration. I would recommend reaching out to your local sales representative to get more details.

RW: What else should we know?
Parikh: The introduction of Ascent provides a flexible and scalable software platform, which provides easier integration of new functionality. It also reduces operational costs for our customers by leveraging a COTS platform.

In October 2019, GatesAir said that Leighton Broadcasting in St. Cloud, Minn., replaced a hardware-based, point-to-point IP STL systems with an Intraplex Ascent AoIP transport platform; the manufacturer said this was the first commercial implementation of Intraplex Ascent for software-based transport.

The Future Best of Show Awards program honors and helps promote outstanding new products exhibited at industry conventions like the spring NAB Show. Exhibitors pay a fee to enter; not all entries win. Watch for more coverage of participating products soon. To learn about all of the nominees and winners, read the 2019 Best of Show Program Guide.

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