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The Jacobs Media TechSurvey2021 is out, and as always, it reflects both consumer adoption of new media technology and the social environment it evolves in. For 2021, the survey says some areas were heavily impacted by COVID-19, while others continued on their established trajectory. Of course, there are always surprises.

The annual media- and brand-usage pyramids fall into the “business as usual” category, with little change over the past year. In usage, the leader is still TV/video, followed by smartphones and AM/FM radio. Brands are led by Facebook, down four percentage points from last year with 68%, followed by Netflix and the respondents’ home station stream, referred to in the survey as P1.

The 2021survey results for AM/FM radio are a mixed bag. Overall, listening is trending down, especially among younger demographics, but it was headed that way before COVID. On the plus side, localism remains a key secret of success. The number who strongly agree that a local orientation makes the difference has trended upward from 43% in TS 2017 to 49% in TS 2021.

AM/FM has, according to TS 2021, picked up some momentum this year. The number who reported listening more in 2021 increased from 15–23% over the previous year. While those listening less also increased two percentage points to 13%, that loss, according to Jacobs, is largely explained by those who later in the survey reported spending less time in their cars as a result of COVID.

High on the surprises part of TechSurvey 2021 are the reasons that respondents suggest for why they tune in. Six out of ten who answered say that personalities are a main reason they listen to radio. Of those, CHR and hot AC fans seem to value them the most. TechSurvey’s data suggests this is part of a larger trend.

Over time, the long-standing appeal of music on the radio seems to have been replaced by the popularity of its personalities as a main reason to listen. This trend began with TS 2014, music and personalities reached near parity in 2018, and since then, the trend clearly favors personalities. No reasons are posited for why this switch might be happening.

Has the music industry gone into a slump, producing fewer hit songs?

Have radio personalities become more mainstream in their presentation and delivery?

Or could it be a bit of both?

One wonders.

 

The post Amidst Social and Economic Upheaval, Radio Continues to Flourish appeared first on Radio World.

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Announces the status of short-form applications to participate in Auction 109

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Bohn Broadcast Services made several business announcements, most notably a name change.

The technical services company founded by Josh Bohn has rebranded as The MaxxKonnect Group (TMG).

“TMG will continue to focus on providing MaxxKonnect Wireless connectivity solutions, as well as expanding broadcast technical integration services across the U.S.,” it stated in an announcement.

MaxxKonnect is also the name of its high-speed internet service designed for transmitter sites and remote broadcasts.

“TMG will also expand our equipment sales and turnkey service offerings.”

Joe Myers joined the company as sales manager. He has worked in broadcast sales at Broadcast Electronics, Northeast Broadcast, ENCO and DJB.

Also, the company hired Emily Hager as office manager. Her background is in education and retail; she will handle inventory and logistics operations, sales support and customer interaction.

And support engineer Micah Dempsey was promoted to operations manager of TMG; Josh Bohn called him “my right hand on daily operations.”

The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Pelham, Ala. It provides technical and turnkey services, connectivity solutions and broadcast equipment sales. Its repair arm is based in Dallas.

 

The post Bohn Broadcast Is Now The MaxxKonnect Group appeared first on Radio World.

Spencer Bynes will take the reins for iHeartMedia’s Texas operations.

He was named area president to oversee the Beaumont, Bryan, Corpus Christi, McAllen and Waco markets, which include 29 radio stations. Bynes reports to Division President Nick Gnau.

[Visit Radio World’s People News Page]

This is his second stint with IHM; he was director of talent management and talent acquisition for five years before starting a consulting business.

Gnau complimented Bynes’ “contagious” energy “and his ability to develop teams and talent.”

Bynes was VP of business development for Lee Hecht Harrison’s southern region; prior he was managing partner and co-founder of Accendo International Consulting.

“He has more than 25 years of demonstrated business acumen and proven strategic and tactical success in a diverse group of industries,” the company said in the announcement.

Send news of radio engineering and executive management positions to radioworld@futurenet.com.

 

The post Bynes Will Lead iHeart’s Texas Stations appeared first on Radio World.

One hundred and fifty-eight initial applications to participate in Auction 109 have been received by the Federal Communications Commission.

That auction of 136 FM and four AM construction permits is scheduled for July 27.

The FCC says 107 of the applications arrived complete, 50 more require additional information, and one was rejected.

Applicants whose information was incomplete or deficient (here’s the list) will get a letter instructing them to resubmit by June 16.

Applicants accepted for filing must make an upfront payment by the same date; if the applicant later becomes a winning bidder, it will have to fill out a longer-form application showing its qualifications to hold a CP or license and its eligibility for any bidding credit.

Many applications named only one permit, but some are pursuing numerous permits. Those include 3D Built, ColdTrain Media, Estrella Broadcasting, Mainstreet Broadcasting Co., Mekeddesh Group, Michael Radio Co. and Tracy K. Wood (here’s the list of completed initial applications).

One application, from 2820 Communications, was rejected because the FCC isn’t accepting any in this auction for a noncom educational station that is mutually exclusive with any application for a commercial station.

If multiple short-form applications pursue the same permit, the CP will be decided by competitive bidding.

The FCC expects to release the final list of applicants that are qualified to bid in early July, along with schedules for a mock auction and the first day of actual bidding.

Details are on the FCC’s info page for Auction 109.

 

The post FCC Receives 158 Applications for CP Auction appeared first on Radio World.

Its stock price hasn’t been this high since March 2015. With a 1-year price target of $18.67 in place, Townsquare Media has successfully weathered the COVID-19 pandemic storm by already offering comps to 2019.

This led the Wall Street whizzes at Zacks Equity Research to conduct an assessment on Townsquare’s stock. They conclude that TSQ, while enjoying swift share growth, is a good investment to consider today.

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Lotus Communications, which is agreeing to purchase Sinclair Broadcast Group‘s lone radio properties, has decided to part ways with a TV property of its own as it doubles-down on serving the Western U.S. as an audio-centric company.

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TORONTO — One of Canada’s biggest media companies, which includes 39 radio stations and 15 broadcast television stations among its holdings, has completed an agreement to amend and restate its existing syndicated senior secured credit facilities with its bank group, led by RBC Capital Markets and TD Securities.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The afternoon news program of NPR is the latest inductee into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

The honor will be bestowed upon All Things Considered at the 2021 NAB Show. Executive producer Cara Tallo and host Ailsa Chang will accept the award at the NAB Show Welcome event on Monday, October 11, at 9am Pacific in Las Vegas.

ATC made its debut broadcast oon May 3, 1971, airing on 90 public radio stations. Today, it airs for two hours each weekday and for an hour each Sunday.

In addition to Chang, ATC hosts include Audie Cornish, Mary Louise Kelly and Ari Shapiro. On weekends, the program is hosted by Michel Martin.

“For a half a century, ‘All Things Considered’ has engaged, educated and entertained countless listeners about the news and culture affecting our lives, while serving as a showcase for the importance of public radio,” NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith said. “It is a fitting tribute that we induct this landmark program of radio history into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame as it celebrates its 50th year on the air.”

The NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame recognizes radio and television personalities or programs that have earned a place in broadcasting history. Explore the complete list of past inductees here.

“All Things Considered” will be inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made by National Association of Broadcasters President/CEO Gordon Smith.

The iconic public radio program will be honored at the NAB Show in Las Vegas in October. Executive Producer Cara Tallo and host Ailsa Chang will accept the award.

“ATC made its debut broadcast 50 years ago on May 3, 1971, airing on 90 public radio stations,” NAB stated in the announcement. “Now broadcasting live every weekday for two hours and for one hour every Saturday and Sunday, ATC is the most listened-to, afternoon drive-time news radio program in the country.”

“Hosted by Chang, Audie Cornish, Mary Louise Kelly and Ari Shapiro and on weekends by Michel Martin, ATC airs coverage of the most important news of the day, reports from NPR correspondents in the U.S. and around the world, thoughtful commentaries, interviews with newsmakers and features on arts, music and entertainment.”

In this image from the NPR website, the staff of “All Things Considered” celebrate its 10th anniversary in 1981. Click the image to see an NPR timeline.

NAB noted that ATC has been honored with the George Foster Peabody Award, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award and the Overseas Press Club Award.

Recent radio inductees include Cathy Hughes, Elvis Duran, Delilah and Mike & Mike.

[Read our profile of John Records Landecker, the 2020 radio recipient.]

Iconic radio people inducted earlier include the likes of Walter Winchell, Wolfman Jack, Ronald Reagan and Kate Smith. The Hall of Fame began in 1977.

The post NAB Will Honor “All Things Considered” appeared first on Radio World.

Alfred “Pat” Robertson III is the licensee of a Class A FM radio station licensed to Elaine, Ark.

He’s agreed to transfer control of this station, and it will soon be under the ownership of a Michigan-based operator of Contemporary Christian Music stations.

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From 2011-2016, he served as the Director of Talent Management and Talent Acquisition for iHeartMedia markets in the Lone Star State.

Now, after operating his own consulting business and working at a talent development and transition company, he’s back in a top leadership role putting him in charge of five iHeartMedia markets in Texas.

Spencer Bynes has been named Area President for the Texas area.

This will see Byrnes oversee the Beaumont, McAllen-Brownsville-Weslaco, Waco, Corpus Christi and Bryan-College Station markets for the nation’s largest licensee of radio stations.

Bynes reports to Nick Gnau, Division President for iHeartMedia.

“Spencer has been a proven leader throughout his career, his energy is contagious and his ability to develop teams and talent are unmatched,” Gnau said. “I am extremely excited for Spencer to lead these markets and expand our community efforts as well as our revenue and rating footprint in the great state of Texas.”

Bynes has most recently served as VP of Business Development in the Southern Region for Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH). Prior to joining LHH, he was Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Accendo International Consulting.

“I am excited about my return to iHeartMedia,” Bynes said. “The growth and transformation of this organization have been phenomenal. I am looking forward to working with my team to build sustainable, long-term growth for our clients and shareholders.”

For radio industry veterans, the name Clear Channel conjures up images of AMs and FMs, and perhaps of Lowry Mays and Red McCombs. Today, that legacy lives on in Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., a global out-of-home advertising giant.

Within that company is Clear Channel Airports. That entity has just partnered with a provider of music, TV, and digital signage services for businesses across North America in filling the void left by the closure of the CNN Airport TV Network.

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It’s unfathomable in the radio broadcasting space, given the dearth of deals and low valuations assigned to some of the more recent transactions involving AMs and FMs.

Meredith Corporation received an unsolicited proposal to acquire its Local Media Group, following the May 3 announcement that it had agreed to sell its broadcast TV assets to Gray Television for $2.7 billion in total enterprise value.

What did Gray do? It responded with an increased offer for Meredith Local Media.

Meredith Corporation said yes to the amended transaction.

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He was honored by the readers of the Radio + Television Business Report as one of Broadcast Television’s Best Leaders. As he looks back on the last year, what’s the biggest sense of pride Mike Meara, President of NPG Broadcasting, has across the company’s TV stations?

Meara joins RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson in this new InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM, to discuss the continued rollout of NextGen TV and the big advantages that come with ATSC 3.0.

 

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Mike Meara” on Spreaker.