Radio+Television Business Report

TORONTO — If you thought recent mergers in the U.S. broadcast television industry were huge, hold on to your hats — and watch those Loonies and Toonies that are about to be exchanged between two of Canada’s largest media conglomerates.

Rogers Communications — founded 59 years ago by Ted Rogers with his establishment of CHFI-FM in Canada’s largest market — is merging with Shaw Communications in a deal valued at $20,840,000,000 in U.S. dollars.

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In the past 14 months, William Langer Gokey arranged a series of transactions that would ultimately lead to his departure as a radio station licensee in the Michigan market of Petoskey.

Now, Gokey has moved forward with the last of these six deals.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — An FCC Enforcement Bureau Advisory related to obligations under the Communications Act to comply with the Sponsorship ID laws requiring disclosure of program sponsorship when airing paid-for programming has been dispatched.

Also released Friday by the Commission: a Public Notice as a reminder of the obligation to place sharing agreements into the public file.

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The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB), the Native American Journalists Association and the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) on Friday came together to submit a letter to the House Judiciary Subcommittee supporting the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA).

This, if passed after several unsuccessful bill introductions, would create an antitrust safe harbor allowing news producers to negotiate with digital platforms over the carriage terms of their content.

Tied to the bill’s reintroduction in Congress was a Friday House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law hearing titled “Reviving Competition, Part 2: Saving the Free and Diverse Press.”

On behalf of the NAB, which supports the JCPA, Graham Media Group President/CEO Emily Barr testified before the Subcommittee.

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The FCC, under former Chairman Ajit Pai largely fueled by Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, opened the door to a potentially game-changing proposal for an industry desperate for its own addressable advertising solution.

Thanks to technology developed by GeoBroadcast Solutions, the company behind Maxxcasting — which brings “fringe” FM signals a city-grade contour — has developed a scheme that splits, if you will, an FM station by zones.

Proponents say it’s a great way for some radio broadcasters to better compete with local digital media. Opponents including the NAB and groups representing multicultural broadcasters warn such a plan could present harm to niche ethnic stations already struggling to survive while destroying an already fragile rate structure at bigger stations.

Whether broadcasting remains broad or can get narrower saw GeoBroadcastSolutions, the MMTC and NABOB all state their case to the Commission on Friday.

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New York – Management Consultant/Director
New York Market Radio Committee (NYMRC)

(Short Term)
The independent consultant/contractor will contract with the New York State Broadcasters Association, Inc. (NYSBA). The consultant will advise the NYSBA leadership and the New York Market Radio Committee (NYMRC) a subcommittee of NYSBA. The primary task is to advance the profile of the local radio industry in New York City. Ability to creatively and persuasively educate the advertising community about the continued influence of radio in Market #1 is essential to the role. Also the skill to engage with the press to tell the success story of FM/AM, along with the growing power of digital audio, is a key as well. The consultant will be responsible for developing overall strategy of elevating New York radio from ideation to execution. If you love and appreciate local radio and can become its biggest advocate, then this position is for you. This short term independent contract position is intended to last for six months, but may be extended.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with NYSBA leadership and the NYMRC to craft and execute a fully integrated communication plan to support local radio, including strong use of social platforms.
• Liaise with the leadership of the New York City based radio broadcasters to better understand their needs for industry advocacy.
• Identify key advertising industry relationships to build and/or strengthen bonds with local radio broadcasters.
• Interface with the press, both industry and general market, to communicate the compelling stories of impact from New York City radio. This includes proactively seeking public speaking engagements.
• Responsibly manage an operating budget provided by NYSBA to accomplish NYMRC’s goals efficiently.
• Manage the NYMRAC digital footprint, along with drafting press releases.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Minimum seven (7) years’ experience in a leadership role in local media, preferably radio.
• Knowledge of New York City advertising, media, digital and communications landscape.
• Self-starter who is detailed orientated and can deftly manage multiple stakeholders to garner consensus.
• Creative problem solver, who can build a step by step solution to areas of focus.
• Comfortable presenting to and interacting directly with clients and media.

CONTRACT AMOUNT – Negotiable
REPLY DEADLINE – April 30, 2020
CONTACT – David L. Donovan, President NYSBA, 1805 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203 at (518) 456-8888 or ddonovan@nysbroadcasters.org

It is the policy of the New York State Broadcasters Association, Inc. when contracting to comply with all federal, state and local law, policy, orders, rules and regulations which prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or marital status.

JACKSONVILLE — The Market President for iHeartMedia’s Jacksonville, Fla., station group has just been elevated to a key corporate-level sales post at the audio media company.

It’s a role that will see her report to Multi-Market Partnerships President Julie Donohue, as this 20-year iHeart vet takes on the new role of SVP/Multicultural Sales for the Markets Group.

Taking the role: Nicky Sparrow.

With the promotion, Sparrow will lead multicultural ad sales revenue for the Markets Group division. “Sparrow will apply her deep knowledge of multicultural audiences and strong relationships with multicultural ad agencies and brands to build, drive, influence and execute strategic multicultural initiatives across the iHeartMedia sales organization,” iHeartMedia said.

Donohue commented, “Nicky continues to demonstrate strong leadership skills and with her expansive experience, expertise in sales and vision for creating an innovative, strategic focus on our multicultural audiences, I am fully confident she is the person to lead our multicultural sales efforts.”

Sparrow says she’s “thrilled for this next step in my career. I’ve been with iHeartMedia for more than 20 years, and I can’t wait to take my experience and strong relationships with partners and advertisers to further deliver and create innovative and effective multicultural opportunities for our consumers that will not only grow our portfolio of assets, but represent and truly connect with our diverse audiences.”

Sparrow began her career at iHeartMedia as a sales representative in 1999, in Tupelo, Ms. She later rose to General Sales Manager, and in 2005 moved to Tallahassee to become Director of Sales. In 2008, she was promoted to GSM of iHeart/Jacksonville. After shifting to Memphis in 2011 as DOS and, later, taking the SVP role for iHeart/New Orleans, she returned to Jacksonville in January 2016 to serve as Market President.

In November 1993, Gary Cocola — the Fresno-based digital multicast pioneer — acquired a low-power TV station in one of the fastest-growing markets in the U.S. West.

Now, Cocola is parting ways with the LPTV station, the Azteca América affiliate in this Mountain West locale.

The buyer? Lawrence Weissman and Ted Achilles own it.

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Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., is a major U.S. Armed Forces training site, nestled within the Ozarks of Mid-Missouri.

The closest city of size is St. Robert, and a Class C3 FM playing Adult Contemporary Country favorites is trading hands.

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The final three months of 2020 were robust for many publicly traded media companies. Political advertising, along with digital revenue growth, were key catalysts at the broadcast station owners experiencing growth in Q4.

Unfortunately, Saga Communications, the owner of radio stations in mid-sized and small markets across the U.S., can’t be included in the list of fourth-quarter media industry fiscal success stories.

With the COVID-19 pandemic’s wrath continuing to strangle Saga across its markets, net operating revenue was down to $28.75 million in Q4 2020, from $31.98 million a year ago.

The good news: Sequential quarterly revenue improvement is being seen, as the $28 million bests the Q3 2020 total by 19.1%, Saga says.

Saga didn’t mention that Q3 net revenue fell 22.8% year-over-year.

While operating revenue was down in Q4, so was the company’s station operating expenses, as belt-tightening reduced them to $21.12 million from $23.05 million.

Nevertheless, net income fell to $2.27 million ($0.38 per share), from $3.84 million ($0.64).

Yes, income tax expense impacts this, but even before that expense, net income was off, dipping to $4.95 million from $5.4 million.

Free Cash Flow declined to $5.13 million from $5.43 million in Q4.

 

Add Entravision Communications to the roster of media companies lighting it up in the final three months of 2020.

The owner of Hispanic-targeted radio and TV properties, which has a heavy digital presence, saw its revenue and net income surge on a year-over-year basis.

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On Jan. 25, 2021, Portland, Ore.-based Alpha Media took an important step toward reducing its $267 million debt burden by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Now, it is getting all of its ducks in a row, if you will, for an emergence from debtor-in-possession status, one the company tells RBR+TVBR is still on track for completion by the end of June.

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A bill to repeal outdated regulations of the 1992 Cable Act has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by two influential leaders in a bipartisan move that could potentially erase current retransmission consent legislation.

The bill would also rewrite the rules on the compulsory copyright license.

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RBR+TVBR EXCLUSIVE

On February 26, infamous Royce International Broadcasting owner Ed Stolz filed an appeal of his ongoing litigation over unpaid music royalty fees, which led a Federal District Court judge in California to place Stolz’s three FM stations in the hands of a receiver — respected veteran broker Larry Patrick.

It appeared the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit would be hearing Stolz’s plea, with Dariush G. Adli’s role as Stolz’s attorney still in question.

RBR+TVBR has now learned that the higher court has dismissed Stolz’s appeal; the District Court Judge, Jesus Bernal, is beyond furious with Stolz; and new revelations that suggest Stolz committed perjury could very well put Stolz behind bars once again.

This time it could be longer for 24 hours.

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These days, the allure of a Class D daytime-only AM radio station is about as enticing as a pickle Popsicle. However, the interest level for one facilities that fits this description attracted one buyer with money to spend.

In Houston, an AM that must protect a Class A facility in Oklahoma City is just the right acquisition target for El Sembrador Ministries. 

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In the waning days of 2018, a newly formed entity whose principals include the man who served as SVP of Emmis Communications’ former St. Louis radio stations had just closed on its purchase of four stations serving Northern Arizona.

While Joe Schwartz, the chief executive of Cherry Creek until February 2016, was originally an investor in the operation, Stone Canyon Radio and Marketing, its been a two-person partnership with majority interest held by that St. Louis market veteran.

This will soon change. He’s shedding his interest in the stations — now that he’s settling in as the head of iHeartMedia‘s St. Louis stations.

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The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) will present Howard University‘s commercially licensed Adult R&B station serving the Nation’s Capital with the Crystal Heritage Award as it salutes all of the finalists for the 34th annual Crystal Radio Awards.

The celebration, which this year will be a virtual affair, is scheduled for April 13.

The NAB Crystal Radio Awards date to 1987 and recognize radio stations for their year-round commitment to community service. The finalists will be celebrated and the winners announced during a special awards program available exclusively at NAB Amplify.

For WHUR-FM, the receipt of the Heritage Award comes in recognition of its receipt of five Crystal Radio Awards for exceptional year-round community service efforts. Only nine other stations have received this honor.

Finalists for the 2021 Crystal Radio Awards are:

KBFB-FM Dallas
KCLY-FM Clay Center, Kansas
KDKA-AM Pittsburgh
KIKV-FM Alexandria, Minnesota
KIRO-FM Seattle
KKBQ-FM Houston
KKFN-FM Denver
KKZY-FM Bemidji, Minnesota
KMVP-FM Phoenix
KNDE-FM College Station, Texas
KOSI-FM Denver
KPNT-FM St. Louis
KRSP-FM Salt Lake City
KSBJ-FM Humble, Texas
KSL-FM Salt Lake City
KSTP-FM St. Paul
KTAR-FM Phoenix
KTMY-FM St. Paul
KUPD-FM Phoenix
KYGO-FM Denver
KYW-AM Philadelphia
WARH-FM St. Louis
WBAB-FM Nassau-Suffolk
WBAP-AM Dallas
WBLI-FM Nassau-Suffolk
WBYT-FM Mishawaka, Indiana WCCO-AM Minneapolis
WDRV-FM Chicago
WDSY-FM Pittsburgh
WDUV-FM Tampa
WFXE-FM Columbus, Georgia
WGCI-FM Chicago
WHPT-FM Tampa
WJJY-FM Brainerd, Minnesota
WKTI-FM Milwaukee
WMCI-FM Mattoon, Illinois
WMMR-FM Philadelphia
WNRP-AM Pensacola, Florida
WOKV-FM Jacksonville
WPLR-FM New Haven
WSB-AM Atlanta
WSB-FM Atlanta
WSHE-FM Chicago
WTAW-AM College Station, Texas
WTMX-FM Chicago
WTOP-FM Washington, D.C.
WWPR-FM New York
WWRM-FM Tampa
WXGL-FM Tampa
WXOS-FM St. Louis
WYCT-FM Pensacola, Florida
WYKY-FM Somerset, Kentucky

 

Ten Crystal Radio Award winners will be chosen from the above finalists by a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service organizations and public relations firms.

What is NAB Amplify? Designed by the creators of NAB Show, NAB Amplify is the new digital hub for the media and entertainment community. With curated content, trusted insights and new product launches, NAB Amplify is the year-round destination to connect and interact with the global NAB Show community. Learn more at www.nabamplify.com.

Entercom Communications, which this week expanded its holdings in the podcast space and amended its October 2016 credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, has announced that it plans to offer $500 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured second-lien notes due in eight years.

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Entercom Media Corp., a subsidiary created by Philadelphia-based Entercom, is the issuer. And, it says it expects to use the net proceeds from this offering, due in 2029, to redeem all of its 7.25% senior notes due 2024 and to partially repay existing indebtedness under the company’s senior credit facilties.

Thus, it is a new debt for old debt swap, with the notes “fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured second-lien basis.”

The notes will be offered privately, Entercom says, to qualified institutional buyers.

Entercom shares have enjoyed strong growth over the last six months and open Thursday’s trading at $5.84.

It’s a far cry from March 9, 2020, when shares were at $2.35 just days before ETM was to see its last ex-dividend payment to shareholders. Entercom stock then slid to $0.83 as March 2020 came to a close, with much pandemic uncertainty crippling ad sales for broadcast media.

Much of Entercom’s stock growth, however, has come in Q1. On December 28, 2020, ETM was at $2.47, with little signs of a jump past $3.

As RBR+TVBR first reported on Wednesday (3/10), HyphaMetrics has just secured a U.S. patent for a cross-media measurement platform.

The co-founder and CEO of HyphaMetrics, Joanna Drews, chats with Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson to share a bit more about the patent, consumer privacy, buying in the 2021-2022 Upfront and scatter markets, and where audio media fits in to HyphaMetrics’ business in this fresh podcast presented by Dot.FM.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Joanna Drews, HyphaMetrics” on Spreaker.

A pair of Spanish-language television stations owned and operated by Hispanavisión Televisión will now have the benefit of local TV measurement services provided by the nation’s dominant ratings and audience consumption data provider.

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