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Flood Broadcasting, Inc. enters into Consent Decree to resolve political file investigation

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John Pearce and Lawo Ruby consoles at Nova Entertainment.

The author is senior solutions architect at Nova Entertainment.

When the 2000-vintage Klotz audio systems at Nova Entertainment Australia came up for replacement, the Technology & Content teams joined forces to design and deliver new spaces that more effectively captured, distributed and monetized content for multiple platforms.

Nova Entertainment operates stations in all major Australian capital cities. Because the Sydney site was the oldest and busiest, it was chosen first. The former system’s configurations were rigid by today’s standards and custom-designed only for live broadcast radio content. Due to capabilities, some studios went days without use, while others worked round the clock.

[Read more Radio World articles about audio consoles and mixers]

In recent years, content like podcasts have emerged as a major contributor to ongoing success as well as the now-inseparable video integration. Inspiration was therefore taken from numerous international TV studios as well as radio. Jago Design in the U.K. was engaged to help develop the initial concepts.

The technical design went out to tender a few years ago and a robust evaluation process followed.

In the end, the technology chosen was Lawo Ruby consoles and Power Core IP audio I/O and DSP nodes, Arista switches, Lawo VisTool and VSM, Riedel’s MediorNet video router, the Riedel Artist comms system, Philips Commercial Displays, Scala digital signage players, IHSE KVM extenders and routers, DMX lighting fixtures, and Panasonic PTZ cameras.

The Lawo ecosystem was chosen for its suite of relevant products under the one roof. As well as that, the Power Core, the building block of the system, was at an exciting point in its development and unrivalled for density and customization.

To maximize studio utilization and flexibility, each new space is designed as a blank canvas. Functionality is defined by settings saved in user snapshots, accessible by swiping an RFID building access card. Different scenarios are recalled in seconds. Control for audio, video, signage, lighting, KVM and more is through a single Lawo VisTool touch interface. When not in use, all settings are cleared and studios are turned off. When automated or network content is playing out, studios are bypassed.

System control is shared between Lawo’s VisTool, VSM and Line Scheduler systems. Studio touchscreen interfaces and user snapshot database management are handled by VisTool. VSM glues the discrete components of the system together, and Line Scheduler performs clever tricks to stitch studios together, as well as managing resources like codecs and interstate audio and video tielines.

The power of the integration between VisTool and VSM is put to good use, cross points controlled by VSM are visible to VisTool and able to be stored in user snapshots. This allows user snapshots to store settings for systems well outside its normal scope.

Now that Sydney is complete, the focus has shifted to other sites in the NOVA Entertainment network. Once rolled out further, the technology will connect sites together like never before with audio, video, intercom and control. An approach of “Any station, Any show, Anywhere” will allow any studio to go on-air to any brand nationally.

Radio World User Reports are testimonial articles intended to help readers understand why a colleague chose a particular product to solve a technical situation.

Info: Jochen Richter in the U.S. at 1-888-810-4468 or for international queries +49-7222-1002-0 or visit www.lawo.com.

 

The post User Report: Nova Entertainment Rebuilds Anew in Sydney appeared first on Radio World.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF. — He’s known to some as America’s “truth detector,” and in April celebrated five years as the host of a syndicated Talk radio show distributed by Salem Media Group‘s SRN.

For Angelinos, Larry Elder‘s a well-known conservative voice, having spent two decades at KABC-AM 790.

Last week, Elder revealed that he seeks to become a Republican candidate for California governor. He is not on the preliminary list of 41 candidates, however. Sacramento has a reason. Elder isn’t buying it, and has sued California’s office of the secretary of state.

In Elder’s view, he is the victim of “shenanigans” orchestrated by California Democrats intent on keeping Gavin Newsom as Governor, with a victory against some declared candidates as Caitlyn Jenner in a recall election scheduled for September 14.

In a statement released late Monday, Pacific Time, “the Sage from South Central” said he’d submitted over 300 pages of tax returns required to become a candidate. As the secretary of state sees it, Elder filed incomplete information on those returns connected to redaction issues.

That’s bogus, Elder claims. As such, he wants the courts to force Secretary of State Shirley Weber to list him as a candidate on the final certified list.

“We’ve complied with everything the secretary of state has required of us,” Elder said. “The politicians in Sacramento know I’m the only candidate who can beat Gavin Newsom. They are afraid, and they are using whatever shenanigans they can to try to trip me up. It won’t work. Frankly, this action by the secretary of state is not simply unfair and absurd but a dangerous and unconstitutional precedent.”

Elder is perhaps one of the more prominent Republicans that could challenge Newsom in September.

— RBR+TVBR West Coast Bureau, with editing by Adam R Jacobson

According to a newly made SEC filing, there’s a Michigan-based institutional investor that now holds 5.2% of the publicly traded shares associated with Gray Television.

What do we know about this holder, MBX Capital LLC?

It’s controlled by an Indian-American billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist.

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When you are communicating your big ideas, persuading, and inspiring others, it is your voice that helps establish your authority and humanity. Yet audio problems continue to plague meetings on Zoom and other platforms. Here are some tips to help overcome those challenges, courtesy of veteran PR pro Rosemary Ravinal.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the first time ever, the FCC is entering into partnerships with 11 federal, state, and local agencies to assess the delivery of Wireless Emergency Alerts in areas across the country during a planned nationwide test on August 11.

The FCC also sent letters to nationwide wireless providers asking them to provide information on their performance following the upcoming test.

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It’s been an active few weeks for NEXTGEN TV rollouts, with more markets firing up lighthouses to help usher in the next era of broadcast TV.

In this edition of the InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM, Pearl TV Managing Director Anne Schelle shares new details about the pace of the rollouts, and the increase of ATSC 3.0 signals in the Phoenix Model Market.

Schelle also has an update on the Motown 3.0 Open Test Track, NEXTGEN TV promotional efforts, and just how affordable an ATSC 3.0-enabled set is today.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Anne Schelle, Pearl TV” on Spreaker.

The Federal Communications Commission wants to get a better sense of how effective the delivery of Wireless Emergency Alerts are.

So it has announced a new program of partnerships with 11 other government agencies. For the first time, it will survey these federal, state and local government partners about the delivery of WEA during the upcoming nationwide test on Aug. 11.

The FCC also has sent letters to wireless providers asking them to provide information on their performance after the test.

[Read: National EAS Test Will Focus on Broadcast Chain]

Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel made the announcement.

“While the FCC has long required Emergency Alert System participants to report how nationwide EAS tests fared on their television and radio systems, this is the first time we will gather meaningful data about the performance of a nationwide Wireless Emergency Alert test,” Rosenworcel said in the announcement.

FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct the nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

For the WEA portion, a test message will be directed only to consumer cellphones where the subscriber has opted in to receive test messages.

Participating in the survey will be FEMA, the National Weather Service, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, Harris County (Texas) Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department, New York City Emergency Management, Mendocino County (Calif.) Office of Emergency Services, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, and the Utah Department of Public Safety.

 

The post FCC Wants Better Feedback About WEA appeared first on Radio World.

An Indiana public radio news station will be doubling down its efforts to reach even more listeners thanks to a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

The $983,000 grant to Indianapolis-based WFYI will allow its radio and TV stations to continue leading the America Amplified 2.0 public media program that is designed to meaningfully address local news and information needs through solid journalism practices. The initiative builds on the success of the first America Amplified, a CPB-supported partnership with public media outlets across the country.

[Read: CPB Announces Federal Grant Amounts]

Launched in 2019 to help strengthen public media’s ability to better incorporate community and citizen perspectives into the nation’s election coverage, the partnership also helped shape public media coverage of the coronavirus. One such venture under the previous grant was the establishment of weekly call-in radio shows co-hosted by public radio stations in different parts of the U.S.

With this current round of funding, WFYI plans to establish a team that will develop community engagement journalism practices at 20 public media stations around the country, with a particular focus on those parts of the nation that are often underserved by media.

“At WFYI, we believe engagement is the key to expanding audiences and deepening impact through all our public media platforms,” said WFYI President and CEO Greg Petrowich. “We’re pleased to have this opportunity to work with our colleagues at other stations to strengthen the role public media plays in their communities and learn from our shared experiences.”

[Read: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media to Take Reins of Purdue Station]

As part of the 18-month grant, a four-person team hosted by WFYI will develop and implement community engagement journalism strategies alongside participating public media stations. According to WFYI, stations will be grouped in peer learning groups based on their shared interests. Subgrants will be distributed directly to those stations to fund their engagement initiatives.

“America Amplified demonstrated that community engagement is vital to public media journalism and a key to the trust that people place in their local public media stations,” said Kathy Merritt, CPB senior vice president, journalism, radio and community service grant services. “CPB is proud to support this initiative, which will extend engaged journalism across the system, enable stations to be more responsive to their audiences and foster public trust.”

 

The post $983,000 Grant to Help Public Media Stations appeared first on Radio World.

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Have you taken the 2021 Television Sales Compensation Study yet? If not, what is stopping you! It will only take 5 minutes of your time to complete.

Your responses are important to help us track changes in television sales compensation. Here are some reasons why you should participate.

You will be:

• Informed before others on industry standards to help you stay competitive when hiring.
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THE DEADLINE TO PARTICIPATE IS FRIDAY! CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY NOW.

Earlier this month, Nexstar Media Group moved forward with exercising an option to acquire two MyNetwork TV affiliates serving the Shreveport, La., and Tyler-Longview, Tex., markets.

Now, Nexstar is agreeing to proceed with an option to purchase another station in Texas. With the FCC’s approval, the nation’s largest broadcast TV company would have a duopoly in the Rio Grande Valley, converting a services agreement to outright ownership.

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The nation’s largest owner of radio stations has successfully completed its previously announced voluntary prepayment of a portion of both its Term Loan and its Incremental Term Loan.

It used cash on hand to do so, while it also repriced its Incremental Term Loan.

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Only seven will carry home the prestigious award. And, the only place winners will be announced is at the live and in-person Hispanic Radio Conference, scheduled for September 22-23 in Miami, Fla.

The 2021 Medallas de Cortez finalists have been revealed.

The awards, sponsored by vCreative, honor the best in Hispanic radio and are named for Raoul Cortez, founder of the first full-time commercially licensed Spanish-language broadcast media property in the U.S.: KCOR-AM in San Antonio.

In addition to honoring the winners in each of these categories, this year’s presentation will be part of a festive ceremony beginning with a musical tribute by BMI songwriter and recording artist Elston Torres to Emilio Estefan, who will receive the Medallas Distinguished Leadership award.

A gala cocktail reception will immediately follow the awards.

Here are this year’s finalists:

Marketer of the Year Elisa Torres AIRE Radio Networks Julie Garza Curtis Media Group, WYMY-FM, Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point, NC Karina Cerda Entravision Communications, KLYY-FM, Los Angeles, CA Stacie de Armas Nielsen Audio Doug Brisotti Curtis Media Group, WYMY-FM, Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point, NC Local Personality of the Year Dani Lomeli AeroStar Media, KNIV-FM, Salt Lake City, UT Patricia De Lima Audacy, WLZL-FM, Washington, DC Ana Maria Caraballo JVC Broadcasting, WBON-FM Nassau/ Suffolk, NY Maria Del Pilar Mega Philadelphia, WEMG-AM/FM, Philadelphia, PA Angelica Vale Meruelo Media. KLLI-FM, Los Angeles, CA William Franco Spanish Broadcasting System, WXDJ-FM, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, FL Raul Brindis Univision, KLTN-FM, Houston-Galveston, TX Syndicated/National Personality of the Year Alberto Cortez AIRE Radio Networks Enrique Santos iHeartMedia/iHeartLATINO Edgar ‘Shoboy’ Sotelo Shoboy Productions Raul “Rico” Colindres Skyview Networks, Carmen’s Calls Stephanie Himondinis Stephanie Himondinis Media Dana Cortez The Dana Cortez Show, Skyview Networks El Bueno, La Mala, y El Feo Univision Program Director of the Year Candy Cintron Audacy, WLZL-FM, Washington, DC Estee Martin Cox Media Group, WOEX-FM, Orlando, FL Andrea Bederra Entravision Communications, KRCX-FM, Sacramento, CA Jorge Melendez Mega Philadelphia, WEMG-AM/FM, Philadelphia, PA Elena Jovel Spanish Broadcasting System, KRZZ-FM, San Francisco, CA Arturo Sosa Spanish Broadcasting System, WSKQ-FM & WPAT-FM, New York, NY DOS/Sales Manager of the Year Debbie Flores Entravision Communications, KKPS-FM, McAllen-Brownsville, TX Armando Lapido iHeartMedia, WZTU-FM, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, FL Mari Velazquez Lazer Broadcasting, KMQA-FM, Bakersfield, CA Crystal Gomez Entravision Communications, KLYY-FM, Los Angeles, CA Patty Valdes Spanish Broadcasting System, WXDJ-FM/WRMA-FM/WCMQ-FM, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, FL Eric Garcia Univision, New York, NY Market/General Manager of the Year Shirley Davenport Curtis Media Group, WYMY-FM, Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point, NC Humberto Hormaza Entravision Communications, WNUE-FM, Orlando, FL Dr. René Heredia Guadalupe Radio, KZNO-FM, Los Angeles, CA Mark Masepohl Univision, KLNO-FM, KFZO-FM, KDXX-FM, KFLC-AM, KESS-FM, Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX Sabina Widman Univision, KLNV-FM, San Diego, CA Station of the Year KNIV-FM AeroStar Media, Salt Lake City, UT WCMQ-FM Spanish Broadcasting System, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, FL WLZL-FM Audacy, Washington, DC WRUB-FM iHeartMedia, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL WSKQ-FM Spanish Broadcasting System, New York, NY WXNY-FM Univision, New York, NY

 

Conference registration includes admission to the awards and reception.

Register now before the price increases to attend the conference and the presentation of these coveted awards.

WideOrbit, which offers products focused on broadcast TV inventory and revenue workflow management, has released a new version of WO Network, the company’s network ad sales and commercial operations platform.

WO Newtwork is used for the business operations of national, cable, and broadcast TV companies.

The 2021 release includes new features and enhancements designed to help its users generate new revenue, reduce costs, and improve efficiency, WideOrbit says.

The newest release of WO Network includes the Electronic Material Instructions module, the first automated product that WideOrbit says “addresses the need to simplify and streamline the traditionally cumbersome material instructions process.”

A licensed module for WO Network, Electronic Material Instructions integrates with several  material instructions providers, including ITN Networks, ECN, and PremiumMedia360, with other integrations coming soon, including Warren Lamb. “These integrations help networks save time and money by simplifying the exchange of new and revised material instructions between buyers and sellers,” WideOrbit notes.

The WO Network 2021 release also introduces new functionality for Sales teams, including the Master Deals Wizard, a centralized location to view and manage all deals sold under a single proposal. The ADU Prediction Tool, now widely available with WO Network 2021, is designed to help networks increase revenue and reduce liability by minimizing both over-and under-delivery, using predictive analytics to identify the number of Audience Deficiency Units (ADUs) needed to deliver on a deal.

“With our 2021 release of WO Network, WideOrbit is excited to continue our tradition of ongoing innovation and investment in improving our core products,” says Arden Adair, WideOrbit’s Senior Director of Product Management for WO Network. “Both the Electronic Material Instructions module and the ADU Prediction Tool are game-changers for our broadcast and cable network customers, promising long-term, positive impact on revenue growth, cost savings, and improved efficiency.”

 

PromoSuite has launched what it believes is “the radio industry’s first product that enables stations to manage their digital creative process with fully customizable workflows.”

PromoSuite Digital allows teams to create, approve and post all digital assets from start to finish, without ever having to leave the platform.

“PromoSuite Digital gives our clients the ability to create custom order forms and workflows for each of their digital channels including websites, social media pages, YouTube channels and more,” PromoSuite CTO Chris Bungo said. “Our design and development team did an amazing job simplifying the process.”

PromoSuite CEO Rocco Macri added, “Rey Mena (PromoSuite’s VP, Product Design & Development) and his team did a great job solving the challenges that our radio partners were experiencing. For instance, we’ve now made it incredibly easy to review creative. Designated approvers will be able to review, approve or reject with comments directly in our system eliminating the need to rely on emails and speeding up the entire process. We’ve given a sneak peek to a handful of our industry friends, and they are raving about it.”

Friend MTS, a provider of content protection services to media companies across the globe, is welcoming a new EVP/Americas and General Counsel to its executive team.

The individual taking the executive VP role will be based in Santa Rosa, Calif.

That would be John Ward. 

The legal job goes to Andrew Shindler, who will be based in London.

Friend MTS provides end-to-end technology products to address piracy concerns at media companies

Ward joins Friend MTS with a deep background in broadcast media, and he’ll be responsible for creating and managing both the sales and operations across North and South America. He most recently served as Chief Technology Officer for iNDEMAND, a U.S. cable consortium.

Earlier in his career, Ward held a variety of positions with FOX Sports Productions, where he supervised all studio production for FOX NFL, MLB and NASCAR coverage, and set up the production and broadcast operations for Speed and Fuel TV. Ward also was the executive in charge of broadcast for NFL Europe in London.

Shindler was previously Partner for Locke Lord (UK) LLP, where he represented clients in technology. He was also Partner and Head of IT at the leading European law firm, SJ Berwin LLP, (latterly part of King & Wood Mallesons), for 20 years.

— Nora Ellish

Digigram, a manufacturer of critical solutions designed for the production and distribution of audio content, is now offering its IQOYA X/LINK-MPX IP audio codec to customers.

Designed with radio broadcasters and tower companies in mind, the MPX is a 1U rack codec designed for transporting an FM/MPX composite signal over IP networks.

“The new MPX version of the IQOYA X/LINK codec is a game-changer for radio broadcasters and tower companies that are using multiple pieces of equipment on each transmitter site to create an MPX signal,” said Derek Badala, director of sales at Synthax, U.S. distributor of Digigram. “It’s a costly and time-consuming process when it comes to the constant maintenance it requires to sustain this equipment. The IQOYA X/LINK-MPX is a powerful tool because it streamlines broadcasters’ processes by centralizing the MPX signal studio side and saves money on MPX equipment at each transmitter site.”

With input signals that can be analog, digital or RAVENNA, and output signals that can be either analog and/or digital, the IQOYA X/LINK-MPX includes a feature set that enables reliable transmission of the MPX signal over managed or unmanaged networks. This also ensures uninterrupted audio service on transmitter sites thanks to two backup levels. The codec is fan-less and features an energy-efficient platform that runs on the highly acclaimed Digigram Fluid IP streaming technology.

The new IQOYA X/LINK-MPX also allows for status monitoring thanks to status LEDs and an LCD display and keypad. Two internal redundant PSUs ensure secure operations while the unit also features two analog I/Os and one AES/EBU audio I/O, plus 10 mHz/1 PPS synchronization inputs. The MPX codec also includes 1 digital MPX input and 1 digital MPX output, 1 analog MPX input and 1 analog MPX output, and 4 GPIO/s for tunneling of physical status.

— Katie Kailus

TORONTO — Drawing on a heritage of more than 20 years in newsroom production, Imagine Communications is introducing a new approach to content access, management and multiplatform delivery.

Introducing Nexio NewsCraft, marketed as a all-in-one news production tool that enables organizations to work smarter and more efficiently ― ensuring every news story gets to air quickly no matter where operators are located.

Nexio NewsCraft provides a feature-rich and intuitive toolkit in a single, highly automated environment that streamlines news production from ingest and preparation to playout and delivery over multiple platforms. Based on proven open standards throughout, Nexio NewsCraft operates seamlessly in hybrid SDI/IP architectures, interfaces tightly with newsroom computer systems (NRCS) via a fully implemented MOS interface, and allows access to systems on-prem, in the field or from home.

“In talking to news broadcasters around the world, the message was absolutely clear,” explains Steve Reynolds, president at Imagine Communications. “The overwhelming desire is to be first with an accurate telling of the story ― and our new solution will meet that mission-critical requirement hands down.

“Whether for commercial news channels, for government broadcasters, or for public service, the ability to quickly get news to their viewers is of paramount importance and adds real value to their operations. We designed Nexio NewsCraft as a seamlessly integrated, software-defined ecosystem that makes implementation simple and the production process more efficient. Journalists can tell the best story, and producers can get it on air and online quickly. Equally important, we’re able to deliver a full-featured, elegant workflow solution at a competitive price point.”

Nexio NewsCraft incorporates best-of-breed components in highly integrated, virtualized software for implementation on premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid architecture. The solution combines the field-proven performance and reliability of MOS-enabled Nexio® production servers and IOX shared storage with the modern, easy-to-use GUI and best-in-class media management capabilities of the EditShare FLOW family.

Multiple software tools can be layered on the server architecture, giving wide and fast access to content and empowering journalists by removing technical and operational constraints wherever they access the functionality. As needed, artificial intelligence tools like automated metadata extraction can be added to facilitate increased productivity and monetization of assets.

As a system purpose-built for speed, Nexio NewsCraft enables crash recording to be started with a single button on the control screen; scheduling a recording is as simple as dropping an event in a calendar. No matter how the content is ingested, material can be played out or edited within seconds of recording starting. Smart, flexible UIs simplify operators’ tasks in-facility or in remote collaborations.

Simple browse controls in the journalist’s workstation allow basic newsroom tasks like topping and tailing and shotlisting and logging, all through intuitive web user interfaces. Where more sophisticated editing is required, Nexio NewsCraft is fully integrated with popular third-party tools like Adobe® Premiere® Pro and DaVinci Resolve, ensuring fast access and seamless content flow from ingest to delivery and transparent sharing of projects between editors.

For broadcasters already using Imagine’s widely deployed Nexio servers, the newsroom functionality can be simply layered on top. For media production companies looking to a new approach to news content management, Nexio NewsCraft can be cost-effectively implemented with resources scaled directly to their operational needs. For any news operation, the Nexio NewsCraft solution’s COTS-hosted, software architecture makes it easy and affordable to scale channels and storage with no system downtime and provides a future-proof migration path to IP, UHD and the cloud.

— Carina Newton, in North York, Ontario