Radio World

Digital Radio Mondiale in collaboration with Asia-Pacific Broadcast Union and Arab States Broadcasting Union will jointly host a two-part interactive webinar session.

Dubbed “DRM Benefits in Times of Crisis,” the first session takes place on Thursday April 23. A second session follows on Thursday April 30. Both will begin at 4 p.m. MYT (9 a.m. BST).

Discussions will focus around DRM features, which include the Emergency Warning Functionality, monitoring map and content server programming using Journaline. They’ll also highlight the usage of DRM in public signage.

In addition, presenters will outline how it’s possible to use DRM datacasting technology in education, particularly in regions without a stable internet or television signals.

Speakers include Ruxandra Obreja, DRM chair; Alexander Zink, Fraunhofer IIs, DRM vice-chair; Yogendra Pal, chair Indian platform), Simon Keens, Ampegon; Jan Bremer, NXP; and Radu Obreja, DRM Marketing Director.

“This webinar duo is a first for us as our long and fruitful cooperation with ABU is now being enriched with that of ASBU,” said DRM Chairman, Ruxandra Obreja.

“Many people are under lockdown now so we believe a webinar provides an excellent opportunity for those interested to learn more about DRM and its advantages, beyond audio, that are particularly useful in times of crisis.”

Register here.

The post Digital Radio Mondiale Announces Webinar appeared first on Radio World.

Getty Images/monsitj

The U.S. broadcast industry, it seems, wants AM radio stations to have the option to turn on all-digital transmissions, if they wish, on a station-by-station basis.

Comments filed with the FCC by major broadcast entities generally have been supportive. This article provides a sampling, collected by Radio World. Comments to the FCC about all-digital AM (Docket MB 19-311) were due March 9. Reply comments are due April 6.

The U.S. broadcast industry, it seems, wants AM radio stations to have the option to turn on all-digital transmissions, if they wish, on a station-by-station basis.

Comments filed with the FCC by major broadcast entities generally have been supportive. This article provides a sampling, collected by Radio World. Comments to the FCC about all-digital AM (Docket MB 19-311) were due March 9. Reply comments are due April 6.

— HD Radio developer Xperi said the technology provides many benefits over traditional analog radio, including crystal clear, static-free sound, multicasting, enhanced metadata — including artist, song title, and album information — traffic services, and enhanced digital emergency alerts.

The company is offering AM stations a license to use all-digital technology in perpetuity without any initial or ongoing licensing fees. 

“Nevertheless, the cost to upgrade a station’s facilities to accommodate all-digital operations will vary by station. By providing broadcasters with the flexibility to transition if they want and when they want, however, the commission will facilitate a transition driven by market forces rather than regulatory fiat.”

Xperi said that because all-digital signals have less spectral occupancy, the potential for interference is greatly reduced as compared to hybrid mode. “Moreover, the HD Radio system was designed to operate in a mixed environment of analog, hybrid and all-digital stations, with all-digital signals designed to protect analog and core digital services within their protected contours.”

— Hubbard Radio has been testing all-digital AM broadcasting on its WWFD(AM) outside Washington, D.C., since July 2018. According to the broadcaster, the ride has been mostly a smooth one. 

Hubbard says the MA3 signal of WWFD, which operates in full-time all-digital under special temporary authority, has proven to be much more robust than the hybrid mode of HD AM broadcasting, and with improved signal coverage. The company says it has received positive feedback from listeners about the fidelity and reliability of their signal.

“In Hubbard’s experience, the data conclusively confirm that all-digital MA3 operation provides an improved, consistently high-quality listener experience, in terms of audio fidelity and signal robustness,” according to the filing.

The station, which broadcasts at 820 kHz, has seen ratings gains since launching the all-digital signal. “WWFD broadcasts an Adult Album Alternative music format. The station had no ratings in its home market of Frederick, Md., for the five years it was an analog station with that format, but now that it is operating in MA3, the station is ranked by Nielsen in the market,” it wrote.

Hubbard is using the MA3 technology to transmit auxiliary data and metadata to listeners of WWFD, it says. “The secondary and tertiary carriers of WWFD can provide stereo audio information, data services such as station logo, album artwork, and other artist experience information, as well as multicast channels.”

In addition, earlier reliability issues with the secondary and tertiary carriers on WWFD have been resolved, Hubbard said. The station fixed the issues by “installing a replacement transmitter, a Nautel NX-5, with a pulse duration modulator that runs at a sufficiently high rate to pass the secondary and tertiary carriers, allowing the full MA3 waveform to be transmitted.” 

WWFD in December tested an HD-2 multicast channel, according to Hubbard, transmitting musical track data and a station logo image as well. Future versions of enhanced EAS alerting will use the secondary and tertiary carriers to supplement the data transmitted on the Primary IBOC Data Service Logical Channel (“PIDS”) carriers.

“Hubbard believes that these continued improvements in the MA3 delivery system will mitigate any concerns about secondary and tertiary carrier issues, and that these technologies will continue to be expanded to better serve listeners,” it stated.

Hubbard believes all-digital AM technology will help WWFD compete in the dashboard of the connected car. “Trends in vehicle entertainment system receiver designs are converging on ‘tuning by visual metadata,’ where listeners select an audio program by pressing a thumbnail image of the desired program. MA3 allows AM broadcasters to have both aural and visual parity with other broadcast services in the automobile dashboard.”

In conclusion, Hubbard told the FCC the MA3 mode provides “far more manageable solutions” to any unintended interference with neighboring analog AM stations in the band when compared to the MA1 mode. In fact, WWFD “has never received any interference complaints from co-channel or adjacent channel stations,” it reported.

— National Public Radio “generally supports” the voluntary transition but believes the commission needs to go further on how it would handle interference complaints from neighboring analog stations in the band. 

About 80 AM public radio stations are affiliated with NPR or receive operational funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, including WNYC(AM) in New York City. 

NPR says it has significant interest in any measures to help AM broadcasters better serve the public by improving the listening experience.  

“Facilitating the expansion of HD Radio and its additional functionality for program and public safety information and services would serve the public interest, provided the transition to all-digital HD Radio operation does not cause harmful interference,” NPR wrote. “As it has in the past, NPR supports the expansion of HD Radio, but not at the expense of current analog AM service.”

NPR goes on to note the “concerns of others in the FCC record” over the potential for interference. “NPR urges it to collaborate with industry to monitor both the progress of stations that adopt all-digital AM and the effects of such deployment on all-digital stations’ analog neighbors. 

“Second, NPR suggests that the commission consider periodically disclosing general information about the number of stations transmitting all-digital AM signals, the number and type of interference complaints it receives, and how such complaints were resolved to help stakeholders understand the full landscape,” NPR commented.

NPR acknowledges certain FCC policies might prevent it from disclosing specific facts about complaints it receives.

“Finally, NPR encourages the commission to issue a public notice on or about the first and second anniversaries of the effective date of any rules it adopts here, seeking comment on the positive and/or negative effects of any all-digital AM deployments.”

— A group of smaller-market AM owners support the idea and cautioned the commission against repeating the AM stereo situation of the 1980s.

The collection of broadcasters — in all 25 licensees — consists of groups such as East Texas Broadcasting and Georgia-Carolina Broadcasting that typically operate AM stations in smaller markets.   

The comments were submitted by attorney John Garziglia of Womble Bond Dickinson LLP. They say broadcasters can control their own destiny by deciding whether to invest in all-digital AM technology. They cite the “significant” harm to AM listenership from interference and reception issues, and the availability of higher-fidelity alternatives.

“The AM broadcasters believe that allowing for all-digital AM operations is one means by which this listener erosion may be stemmed in the future. The undersigned AM broadcasters ask the FCC to make the all-digital AM mode of broadcasting available to them to use at their option.”

The group recognizes that listenership could potentially drop since people with analog radios will be unable to receive the new signals, but they argue that it is broadcasters, not the FCC, that can best discern what mode of broadcasting is most likely to attract audiences now and in the future.

All-digital AM operation should be allowed “both day and night,” the broadcasters say. They also are asking the FCC for some flexibility to be built into the new rules: “That any decision by an AM station to operate in an all-digital mode is discretionary and reversible, so that no station is required to operate in an all-digital mode, nor is any station who chooses to do so locked into that mode of operation.”

But the broadcasters said that mistakes made during the launch of AM stereo in the mid to late 1980s should be avoided. 

“The undersigned well-remember the listener and broadcaster confusion that surrounded the failure to adopt a specific AM stereo standard some decades ago, and have no wish to foist that uncertainty once again on the public and broadcasters,” they wrote. “Therefore, the undersigned AM broadcasters fully support the FCC’s decision to reject in this proceeding any comments advocating for a different AM digital mode of broadcasting.” 

Digital Radio Mondiale has asked the FCC to allow DRM to be considered for use in the United States. The FCC has stated in a footnote to the current NPRM that it declines to reconsider the choice of IBOC HD Radio as the U.S. standard.

—The California and Missouri Broadcasters Associations urged the FCC to adopt the MA3 digital operation rules as promptly as possible. They believe that this proceeding is especially important to small towns and diverse communities where local AM remains the most relevant source of local news and information.

“AM broadcasters provide unique, community-based programming that distinguish them from other media sources in an increasingly competitive mass media market,” they stated. “Many local communities still have but one ‘community-oriented’ resource: their AM station.”

The groups also said that the MA3 mode can produce a respectable HD2 signal that has the ability to support a second local translator with a second, independent stream of programming, a benefit that Xperi has recently been emphasizing.

“A small town’s single AM station can, therefore, effectively become a second local station supporting a second FM signal, multiplying the local sources of news and entertainment,” the associations wrote. “[A]ll-digital AM technology will improve the ability of diverse communities to better receive specialized programming tailored to their needs.”

The post Broadcasters Get Behind All-Digital AM Option appeared first on Radio World.

BRUSSELS — Against a backdrop of increased competition from streaming services and declines in listening from younger audiences, an EU-funded project is working to develop new radio services.

The HRadio demo kit at IBC

HRadio — “Hybrid radio everywhere for everyone” — seeks to exploit the full potential of hybrid technology to deliver time and location-independent linear radio services.

By combining IP and broadcast signals, listeners can interact with their radio station, receive personalized content such as news and weather updates, and easily pause or substitute broadcast radio with on-demand content.

CHALLENGES

Jaco van der Bank, the project’s researcher at IMEC and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), said there were three sets of challenges for the project to overcome.

The first was technical integration. “FM does not converse well with other media,” he explained. “Because of a lack of integration options into digital platforms, there’s a strong risk that FM radio will remain an analog island in the digital ocean of modern mobile digital systems.” Van der Bank also said the project concluded that hybrid radio depends on good and consistent metadata. “This turned out to be one of the most important challenges to solve. Without the availability of metadata, very few scenarios could be released.”

The second challenge was service harmonization, Van der Bank said. “The integration of service features in the radio world is often not satisfying. Radios are radios, and IP radios are IP radios — both are often sold together as a single device, but a real integration has never happened. Regular IP radios do not deliver the same ‘super-easy’ experience as a standard DAB/FM device, which simply plays radio after unboxing. IP radios require connections and aggregators, and permanent updates of streaming URLs for radio stations.”

Guests meet HRadio at IBC

Van der Bank believes that stations are being forced into competition with sophisticated services such as music streaming and on-demand content. “In order not to be perceived as the ‘old’ radio service, broadcasters must combine their traditional linear services together with their IP-based on-demand content in order to provide an integrated service which matches the expectations of end users.”

The hand-drawn HRadio stand at IBC in Amsterdam

The final challenge for the HRadio project was user engagement. “Radio applications on mobile platforms enable broadcasters to get in direct contact with their listeners and increase audience engagement — yet the transition into this domain is not easy,” explained van der Bank.

“Besides enabling more interactive features, such as personalization, targeted advertising, games and voting, this also opens up the new market segments and revenue models. Very few have successfully managed this level of engagement.”

SOLUTION

To overcome these challenges, the HRadio consortium created 47 different hybrid user scenarios, which were analyzed and clustered into 10 categories. From there, 29 user scenarios were ranked by both end-users and the consortium, according to what they found to be the most interesting, and the industry relevance. These were mapped onto user and technical requirements, grouped and distributed over two pilot phases.

This translated into seven products that were tested by end users on Open Mobile Radio Interface (OMRI) architecture, which integrates and harmonizes FM with streaming features using web-based DAB over IP Player.

“For the harmonization between DAB broadcast and IP signals, we achieved this with DAB over IP — this was really a challenge,” said van der Bank

HRadio now has working prototypes that it is testing with end-users in Belgium with the VRT, and in Germany with RBB. “From there we will integrate the results, learnings and feedback to fine-tune the prototype” he concluded.

“Through our commercial partner Konsole Labs, we are providing interested broadcasters a proof of concept, and started a round of limited testing with broadcasters outside the current consortium in March.”

The post HRadio Exploits Hybrid Technology for Radio appeared first on Radio World.

A new FM translator for an AM station may be on the horizon in Durham, N.C., despite concerns from another local station about interference. It’s a case that will be of interest to those paying attention to how the commission plans to handle translator interference claims under its new rules.

The petition to deny was stymied, the FCC said, by a series of incomplete claims and half-finished maps that are needed to pinpoint areas of interference.

In the fall of 2019, Radio One Licenses filed against a translator application from WDNC(AM) LLC, claiming the station would be violating FCC rules because its proposed 1 mV/m contour would overlap an area covered by Radio One’s WFXK(FM), based in Bunn, N.C.

[Read: Massachusetts FM Translator Nixed After Interference Concerns]

In the halls of the FCC, however, steps were being taken to revise the commission’s translator interference rules; and as a result, the Media Bureau would process Radio One’s petition under those new rules.

Among other things, the new rules require the petitioner to show that granting the application would be against public interest. The rules also require the petitioner to submit at least 15 valid listener complaints, create a map that plots the specific location of the alleged interference, draft a statement that the complaining station is operating within its own licensed parameters, provide proof that the station has attempted private resolution of the problem, and showcase data that demonstrates that the undesired-to-desired signal strength — at each and every listener location — exceeds certain limits.

Radio One failed to meet several of those requirements, the Media Bureau stated in its response. It failed to submit appropriate description of the alleged interference locations. Only three of the listener complaints contained a clear, concise and accurate description of the location where interference would occur.

Descriptions cannot be described as “Downtown Durham” or “near the UNC campus,” the Media Bureau said. The petitioner must instead provide a pinpoint location in specific detail — such as a cross-street or mile maker — so that the location can be properly mapped. Although Radio One did submit maps with hand- and computer-drawn marks, the mas are not signed and cannot be proven to belong to the listeners themselves. Those missing requirements include a shortfall on the minimum number of complaints, a map with the location of each alleged interference and proof that the new translator’s station signal strength would exceed proper limits.

The FCC also noted that many of the interference areas provided by Radio One are outside the 60 dBu contour of WFXK but are within the contour of the station’s sister station WFXC. Since both stations are branded as “FOXY” and both broadcast the same program, the Media Bureau wondered if there is some consumer confusion going on.

“Therefore, we direct Radio One, if it chooses to pursue any further interference claims regarding these stations, to ensure that its standardized listener complaint makes a clear distinction between these two stations,” wrote Albert Shuldiner, chief of the Audio Division within the Media Bureau, in a statement.

As a result, the Media Bureau denied the Radio One petition and moved to grant the new cross-service FM translator application to WDNC. Radio One had 30 days to revise its petition if it wishes to.

 

The post FCC Gives Green Light to Durham Translator appeared first on Radio World.

NEW Delhi, India — At a time when people are confined to their homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic lockdown, community radio stations play a vital role in spreading and advocating awareness on social distancing, sanitization, and fake news.

Alfaz-e-Mewat presenter Anuradha broadcasts in the studio

Several community radios are working tirelessly to inform the communities in their respective regions, and some are the trendsetters like one radio station, Alfaz-e-Mewat.

This community radio first started airing the awareness program in the beginning of February, before the coronavirus outbreak in India, and after many others broadcasters followed the path.

ALL WOMEN

Alfaz-e-Mewat FM’s team is made up of only women. These women are managing all their RJ’s by zoom meetings, telephone and WhatApp conversation and using the modern information technology as a tool to inform the community and share correct information via their community radio Alfaz-e-Mewat.

Director of Communication, S M Sehgal Foundation and Radio Chief Pooja Murada leads the staff. Arti Manchanda Grover, program leader routinely guides the RJ’s and presenters of the program to broadcast and writing scripts. Anuradha records programs, announcements and also writes script, etc.

A radio volunteer sanitizes the studio and epuipment

Located in in district Nuh of Haryana and part of the the Sehgal Foundation, Alfaz-e-Mewat reaches 225 villages and is playing an instrumental role in broadcasting information received from the district collector, chief medical officer, and other govt. authorities, including the entitlements of the extended schemes.

The station started a program “21 din 21 baatein” (“21 Days 21 Topics”) with a message by an expert along with a thematic poem on frequent hand washing, access to healthcare services, physical distancing, the importance of yoga, and the time for self-learning on a daily basis to spread positivity in people.

Discussions on contemporary issues, including the coronavirus outbreak, and local folk songs on social isolation are presented to listeners.

A special program, “Savdhaan,” focusing on cautioning people from believing fake news and myths about COVID-19, shares the prerequisites needed to identify the authenticity of news. The “Áaj Ka Hero” program showcases a personal account highlighting a change made in lifestyle/behavior that protects oneself and others from spreading the coronavirus.

CONNECTION

With scare and panic all around, community listeners share in daily live phone-in programs, saying that radio is their only source of information and entertainment during this period. Radio connects callers with experts via telephone. The station answers a lot of questions that the community raises — how long the lockdown is in the area and about their entitlements based on the information received from district administration and the health department.

The station also broadcasts informative jingles shared by the District General Hospital, Nuh. “Due to high illiteracy in our area, only audio can ensure effective communication,” said Fakat Hussain, RJ at Alfaz-e-Mewat.

“We review the situation daily and follow the advice of the relevant authorities. Our main focus is on providing daily updates regarding the lockdown, government initiatives, and what all essential services are available. We are regularly updating our listeners about the announcements by district administration,” added Pooja Murada, director of communications, S.M. Sehgal Foundation.

“We disseminate only official announcements and refrain from airing information related to alternate sources. Our RJs are working on rotational basis to fulfill their responsibility, and they also work from home where possible. If this had happened twenty years ago, it would have been difficult, because we didn’t have the technology we have now,” she said.

Alfaz-e-Mewat is using social media, IEC materials like posters, and the community newsletter, “Vikas Patrika,” to keep villagers informed.

 Sonia Chopra, is program leader, communications, at S.M. Sehgal Foundation, a rural development organization, registered since 1999.

The post How Community Radio Is Helping India appeared first on Radio World.

Find out about the latest audio processors from Wheatstone, Omnia, Orban, Inovonics, DEVA and JT Communications in the Buyer’s Guide section. Learn how churches and hospitals can use unlicensed transmitters to cover their parking lots. And read how volunteers from a local SBE chapter helped renew the facilities of a reading service for the blind and visually impaired.

Read it online here.

Prefer to do your reading offline? No problem! Simply click on the Issuu link, go to the left corner and choose the download button to get a PDF version.

TECHNOLOGY
“ZoneCasting Will Level the Playing Field for Radio”

On March 13, GeoBroadcast Solutions asked the FCC for a rule change to allow radio broadcasters the ability to air geo-targeted programming. The company’s chief technology officer explains why this is notable.

RADIO AT 100
Lee de Forest, Pioneer Broadcaster

This radio scientist was playing a key role years before KDKA’s historic broadcast.

HISTORY SPECIAL

• Metadata Is Both Glue & Lubrication
• Low-Power Radio in the Parking Lot
• New Gear and SBE Volunteers Boost Reading Service

The post Inside the April 15 Issue of Radio World appeared first on Radio World.

The Alabama Broadcasters Association will not hold its annual conference this August, according to an announcement from the ABA board of directors Wednesday.

The board said they expect stations will find it “difficult to commit financial resources to attending the meeting” because they will instead “be focused on economic recovery.” 

However, the ABA also took this opportunity to announce the dates and location of its 2021 event: the 75th Anniversary of the Alabama Broadcasters Association will be celebrated during the conference  Aug. 13-14, 2021, at the Ross Bridge Resort & Spa in Birmingham.

The association says it will shift resources to focus on offering more virtual training and resources. The ABA also said they want feedback from members to learn what would be helpful during this time. 

Additionally, the press release encouraged members to contact congressional representatives to lobby them to seek aid for local media outlets from President Trump. The deadline for lawmakers to sign a letter with this sentiment is Friday morning.

The post ABA Cancels Annual Conference, Shifts Funding to Virtual Resources appeared first on Radio World.

If you’re looking for new audio spots to boost morale during the pandemic, Grace Broadcast Sales has created some 30-second audio clips to address self-care during the age of coronavirus.

Grace Broadcast says these features are available as market exclusives and can be aired as standalone or sponsored content. They are the second series of these clips, the company says they added the second installment in response to station requests.

Listen to the “In This Together” demos here. 

The post Grace Broadcast Is Selling Self-Care Audio Clips appeared first on Radio World.

Synthax Inc. is kicking off a webinar series to help A/V pros stuck at home bone up on their audio networking knowledge and skills. Audio networking is part of the content.

The company is the U.S. distributor for Digigram, RME, Appsys, Ferrofish, myMix and ALVA. It says it plans to offer online learning opportunities during the normal workweek through at least the month of May. The webinars are free with registration and hosted via Zoom. 

Those who tune in to the Friday 11 a.m. (ET) session titled “Reliable Audio Over Unreliable Networks” and the 1 p.m. “Unravelling Audio Networking: Dante, AVB & MADI” webinar may be eligible for two Certified Technology Specialist RU credits.

The release quoted Synthax Director of Sales Derek Badala as saying the webinars are intended to help attendees “make most of their time and advance their knowledge of different audio networking systems and solutions as well as receive up to four CTS RU credits for some of the sessions in the process.”

Check out the Synthax webinar schedule here. 

The post Synthax Launches Webinar Series appeared first on Radio World.

Find the ready-to-edit-and-then-run python program here:

#!/usr/bin/python

# These are libraries used by the program.
import smtplib
from gpiozero import Button
from time import sleep

# The “gpiozero” library calls an input a “Button.” If it goes LOW,
# we assume that the input has been turned on. Note that we assign
# the “genrun” Button to GPIO 22, which is actually pin 15 on the
# 40-pin connector.

genrun = Button(22)

# Other values to try might include pin 7 for GPIO 4 (“Button(4)”),
# or pin 13 for GPIO 27 (“Button(27)”).

# These are simple “flag” variables that I use to keep from sending
# the same email over and over.
running = 1
sent1 = 0
sent2 = 0

# IMPORTANT: Change these to your needed values. You’ll need a
# valid email account for the Pi, and a valid recipient. Replace
# “pi” and “recip” below with the correct values.
msg1 = “””From:pi@yourserver.com
Subject: Generator Is RUNNING! \n
To: recip@yourserver.com\n”””
msg2 = “””From:pi@yourserver.com
Subject: Generator Is NOT Running! \n
To: recip@yourserver.com\n”””

# This subroutine takes care of actually sending the email. You
# must edit this with a valid server name; you may need to change
# the port number. Note that this will also need “pi’s” password
# to log in, and that I’m using a secure SSL/TLS connection.
def sendmsg(mstr=””):
server = smtplib.SMTP_SSL(‘mail.yourmailserver.com’,port=465)
server.ehlo()
server.login(‘pi@yourserver.com’,’password’)
server.sendmail(‘pi@yourserver.com’,’recip@yourserver.com\n’,mstr)
server.quit() # exit the connection

# The main program loop, which runs forever, or until you
# press CTRL-C in the terminal that’s running this program.
while(1):

# Check the genrun “Button” object. The “running” flag
# prevents sending the same email if it has already
# been sent.
if genrun.is_pressed:
if( running == 0 ):
running = 1
print(“Gen running.”)
if not sent1:
sent1 = 1
sent2 = 0
sendmsg( msg1 )

# Same, but check for Button “genrun” NOT being pressed —
# i.e., the generator isn’t running.
if not genrun.is_pressed:
if( running == 1 ):
running = 0
print(“Gen idle.”)
if not sent2:
sent2 = 1
sent1 = 0
sendmsg( msg2 )

# Go to sleep for 60 seconds, then run again.
sleep(60.0)

Remember to change the email addresses, password, the email server and port numbers as needed.

Once you’re done, save the file as genwatch.py, then copy it onto your Pi. In a terminal, in the same directory as that file, enter the command

“chmod +x genwatch.py”

to make the file executable. Now you can run it by entering

“./genwatch.py”

at the terminal prompt, while still in the directory containing the file. The program will continuously check the assigned pin at 1-minute intervals, sending an email if the generator’s status changes. Press CTRL-C to stop the program.

The post Raspberry Pi Python Program appeared first on Radio World.

The author is chief technology officer of GeoBroadcast Solutions.

The prospect of geotargeting radio transmissions to better serve the public has seemingly been a pipedream for OTA broadcasters, as they’ve watched their television and mobile competitors improve their revenues through technology that seemed beyond reach. And, although radio still maintains the highest audiences for sources of entertainment, news and information, the elusive goal of localizing its content has been a hurdle it can’t leap until the FCC allows separate single-frequency network content. 

A single-frequency network can be designed to the necessary specifications for geo-targeting, as illustrated in how our deployment for WXLO(FM) in Boston added a million potential listeners to its signal.

Think of the highest-powered, largest radio stations in the country and consider their reach and popularity. Now consider how better served their millions of listeners would be —  through the very same call letters on the dial — if they could receive a localized early warning weather alert or, simply, a news update or traffic report that was more specific to their region than it is today. 

Now recognize the competitive disadvantage radio has to ATSC 3.0 TV or mobile apps because its advertising is too cost-prohibitive for small business or regional political advertisers who only need to reach a limited audience in the broadcaster’s signal. 

On March 13, GeoBroadcast Solutions requested from the FCC a minor rule change to allow radio broadcasters the ability to air geotargeted programming, including emergency alerts, news and advertising, on a voluntary basis through technology we developed called ZoneCasting. 

[FCC Seeks Comment on Geo-Targeting for Radio Stations]

For radio, localization is a sort of holy grail. With technological abilities to improve signal strength and reach, the only impediment is providing a personalized experience for each listener at every exit on the airwave highway. That elusive “last mile” has just recently been a boon to TV, internet and mobile devices, and it should now be granted to radio. 

TESTED TECHNOLOGY

GeoBroadcast began in 2011 to explore and design an FM single-frequency network that would create geotargeted coverage areas, or zones, that could deliver separate audio content to those zones. 

As an outgrowth of this research we discovered new design parameters and processes that could use the same technology to help stations improve coverage in low signal areas. Since the main program audio would be unchanged, and therefore is fully compliant with all FCC rules, GeoBroadcast rolled out MaxxCasting, which further allows the Radio Data System (RDS) screen to carry zoned data for targeted on-screen advertising.

Put simply, MaxxCasting is a system of FM on-channel boosters, otherwise known as a single-frequency network deployed similar to cellular technology, with transmitters fully synchronized to boost the signal from the main transmitter with seamless transitions from the main to the booster nodes. Since the signal level is vastly improved in otherwise spotty areas, the host station enjoys higher listening — and greater recovery of Nielsen PPM decoding.

If we take a MaxxCasting system and add some additional equipment, we can actually geotarget programming from the station — this is ZoneCasting. The process is made by arranging transmitters in a cluster to allow programming in the zoned area break away from the main signal and transmit geotargeted content. 

One of MaxxCasting’s recent deployments was at Cumulus’s WXLO(FM) just outside of the Boston market. Until implementing the technology the station didn’t get a listenable signal into central Boston. Now in place, the signal added about 1 million potential listeners to the WXLO signal and changed the profile of the station virtually overnight. With the installation of its new highly-directional antennas WXLO has added geotargeted RDS information, which will change what the listener sees on his screen. This adds a new revenue source to the WXLO signal and poises it for using ZoneCasting if the FCC agrees with the petition.

We estimate that geotargeting will be active about 5% of the overall time, and will be primarily used during commercials, local news, weather or emergency alerts. Stations can also operate in multiple zones and generate local revenue in each one. When ZoneCasting is not active, the boosters often revert to MaxxCasting, for improved coverage. 

As for the listener experience, tests have shown that the transition areas do not cause interference and there is no noticeable change in audio. Transitions are not long enough to be noticeable. For the average listener the change-over would appear as if the station would be switching to a network news feed or different programming.

For station groups and owners, the costs of embracing this new technology would be elective. If the rule change request was accepted by the FCC, there would be no changes to the interference rules requested, and participation would be entirely voluntary. 

PROOF OF CONCEPT IN FRANCE

We traveled to France in the summer of 2019. Its national highway system has been using a ZoneCasting-like system. 

In France the 107.7 MHz frequency is dedicated to broadcast solely along the roadways and operated by different stations through 1,100 transmitters set up to broadcast on a SFN. When not broadcasting the required local traffic and emergency information as needed to drivers, it has music, news and other programming that vary by region.

Station 107.7 is broadcast along the roadways by many different operators, with each operator required to bring local traffic and emergency information as needed to drivers. Its system uses over 1,100 transmitters to create zones every 8 to 10 kilometers on average. When not broadcasting localized information, the network provides music and news that may vary by region or operator. Sometimes it’s the same programming and sometimes it’s different.

What we learned from the models in France was that the ZoneCasting concept is feasible and that it can be successfully deployed. In France this system of entertainment and zoned information has been very successful. 

DO LISTENERS CARE? DO ADVERTISERS?

Yes, and yes. In 2018 Edison Research found that 77% of listeners say they would pay more attention to ads on the radio if they were for local products or businesses, and 72% said they would actually listen more to their radio station if the commercials they heard were better targeted to their local area. 

GeoBroadcast Solutions has performed three ZoneCasting tests under FCC experimental operation. For WIIL(FM) in Milwaukee the main zone is shown in red on the left and the increased zone is shown in green. This successful design is being used full-time in France.

Generations of radio listeners embrace their favorite stations but are used to filtering out the ads, traffic reports and news that do not pertain to them. A geotargeted broadcast would surprise and awaken their listening experience.

Advertisers have begun embracing geotargeting in television and mobile to localize their reach and are looking forward to using radio to reach specific communities. Stations with geotargeting capability would be able to offer lower-cost advertising opportunities to small businesses, restaurants, medical centers and even local political races. 

BIA Advisory Services estimates the impact of zoned radio advertising could provide more than $750 million in needed added revenue to the industry. Its recent survey with Advertiser Perceptions found that more than 90% of local retailers and two-thirds of national advertisers are poised to put more money into FM radio when geotargeting becomes available.

PASSING ALL TESTS

The GeoBroadcast Solutions technical team has been involved in SFN design and deployment for many years. Our patented multiple node FM analog stereo and analog/ HD Radio SFN design has now been successfully deployed across the United States.  

In order to obtain design parameters on what listeners will accept for interference, Geo contracted NPR Labs and Towson University for a subjective analog FM listening study (one of the largest ever) to determine objective target parameters Geo used both for Maxxcasting and ZoneCasting geotargeting research and development. 

The results were instrumental in the now field-proven successful design for Maxxcasting, and we believe we can now leverage the Maxxcasting specifications to implement Zonecasting when approved by the FCC.

NEXT STEP: PUBLIC COMMENT

This is a forward-moving initiative that now requires industry and public support. Tell the NAB and FCC what you think. The commission is taking comments at www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings (use proceeding RM-11854). Comments must be uploaded in a .doc or .pdf format.

Bill Hieatt oversees GBS technology operations including system architecture definition, network infrastructure design, single-frequency network, RF coverage/field measurements/model tuning, project management, intellectual property development, patent applications and field trials.

The post ZoneCasting Will Level the Playing Field for Radio appeared first on Radio World.

A former head of FEMA says the FCC should allow geo-targeted radio programming in the United States.

Craig Fugate was administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 2009 to 2017. He told Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai in a letter this week that he supports a rule change that would permit radio broadcasters to deploy geo-targeted programming.

The change was requested by technology company GeoBroadcast Solutions, which has been advocating the idea for years and recently made a formal request for a rule change. The FCC is taking comments through May 4 on the idea.

[Read “FCC Seeks Comment on Geo-Targeting for Radio Stations”]

Geo-targeted radio programming would include locally targeted advertising — which is a significant selling point to the radio industry — as well as targeted informational programming. But it is the emergency alerting aspect that Fugate focused on. “I have witnessed first-hand that our oldest form of broadcast, radio, remains the most reliable, stable form of communicating,” said Fugate, according to a press release from GBS.

He told the FCC that “localized” radio broadcast updates of the COVID-19 crisis would serve the public good. “Consider the benefit of reaching a 25-mile portion of a radio signal about local test sites or shelters versus informing that same station’s 100-mile audience that do not need those specifics but require their own, zoned, details,” Fugate wrote.

Fugate has often spoken publicly, both during and after his tenure at FEMA, about the value of radios and radio broadcasting in emergency preparedness.

[Read what Craig Fugate said about radio and the coronavirus pandemic.]

The system GeoBroadcast wants to use is based on FM booster networks. “Radio is currently the only mass medium that cannot geo-target its content,” the company has argued.

The FCC is taking comments here. Use proceeding number RM-11854.

 

The post Former FEMA Head Backs Geo-Targeted Radio appeared first on Radio World.

Broadcast content management system developer ATX Networks has released Version 7 of its XDS content management system.

ATX General Manager and CTO, Media Broadcast, Jose Rivero laid out a chief reason for the new whole number version — centralized control. He said, “The fact that most broadcast platforms are made up of a series of discrete components that must be managed and controlled separately, rather than a fully-integrated solution, is a significant operational challenge — and cost concern — for network operators.”

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

An added benefit, “It’s imperative that today’s audio distribution and content management systems offer flexible and open APIs that facilitate the integration of the back-office business solutions that are so crucial to the network’s financial health,” Rivero said.

According to ATX, the new version supports the latest versions of Microsoft Windows Server and SQL Server, .Net Framework 4.0, enabling network operators to deploy their audio distribution and monitoring operations in virtualized server- and cloud-based environments. ATX says that will improve “benefits of server virtualization include reduced hardware costs, improved network resiliency and recovery, deployment flexibility and significant operational savings.”

Furthermore, “The new version of the XDS Content Management System also provides additional centralization capabilities and openness, further facilitating the simplification of complex operational environments and network health monitoring.

Back office features streamline “the sales organization, empowering account managers to sell spots in multiple markets or even regions, but still offer their clients the ability to customize their ads, station IDs, interstitials and programming to specific markets.”

Info: www.atx.com

 

The post ATX Releases New XDS CMS appeared first on Radio World.

Steinberg has launched of Cubasis 3, a digital audio workstation/music creation app designed for both iPad and iPhone iOS mobile devices. According to the company the new whole number version was “rewritten from the ground up.”

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

Cubasis 3 offers new features like Group Tracks grouping; eight rearrangeable insert and send effects; 75 new effects presets; MIDI resolution dramatically improved with 960 pulses per quarter note; redesigned instruments and effects; and undo reinvented with a history list.

The audio, MIDI and automation editors have been updated. Cubasis has full screen mixer and waveform editing GUIs.

Free Cubasis 2 in-app purchase transfer to Cubasis 3.

Info: www.steinberg.net

 

The post Steinberg Launches Cubasis 3 appeared first on Radio World.

Eric Hoppe, shown “sheltering in place”

This is one in a series of interviews about legal, unlicensed low-power broadcasting and how these systems are being used during the coronavirus crisis in the United States. Eric Hoppe is owner of Progressive Concepts. Its product line includes FM and low-power systems.

Radio World: Are you hearing interest from unfamiliar quarters in how to use low-power transmitter systems for specialized applications right now?

Eric Hoppe: Yes. We are getting a huge number of calls from churches around the country asking if we can help them to broadcast their sermon into the parking lot of their church.

RW: Can you share a specific example?

Hoppe: Just last week a customer from Texas called and explained that he was trying to find a way to set up a mini drive-in theatre in the parking lot of his temporarily closed restaurant using a large screen TV and a DVD player. But he needed help figuring out how to get the audio signal out into all of the cars that would be parked in his lot. We set him up with one of our FCC certified Part 15 FM transmitters to solve the problem. [Part 15 is the section of federal regulations that pertains to unlicensed transmissions.]

RW: Which product of yours is used in these kinds of applications?

Hoppe: That would be our model ACC100, which is FCC certified for license-free Part 15 use in the U.S. We manufacture them right here in Streamwood, Illinois.

RW: What should potential buyers of such systems know about legality and about FCC certification?

Hoppe: Whatever you do, avoid at all costs buying something from websites like Amazon or eBay. That is a recipe for disaster. Most, if not all, of the FM transmitters you will find on sites like those are made in China and will not be FCC certified.

Using an FM transmitter that is not FCC certified can get the user into a lot of trouble with the FCC. Fines start at $10,000 and go up to $75,000 for each offense of this type. Look for the FCC ID number on the transmitter you intend you use.

Avoid at all costs buying something from websites like Amazon or eBay. That is a recipe for disaster.

For example, our model ACC100 bears the FCC ID number MBMACC100. You can look that number up on the FCC’s database to verify that the product is certified and registered with the FCC before using such a device. The first three letters of the ID are the manufacturer’s “Grantee Code” (in our case this is “MBM”) and the remaining letters and numbers are the manufacturer’s “Product Code.”

RW: A common question we hear is “How far will it cover?” What can users expect?

Hoppe: We get that question all the time. Users can expect to get anywhere from 50 to 200 feet in radius when using a Part 15 FM transmitter. Results will vary depending on the location that the transmitter is deployed in. If all the stars are in alignment, you can cover an area the size of a football field (just the playing surface, not including the stadium) or about one acre.

Many customers think that they will be able to set up the transmitter inside the church then connect it to their mixing console and broadcast through the walls of the church and out into the parking lot. This just isn’t possible with such a low-power device.

To get the best results with a Part 15 transmitter we recommend that the customer locate the transmitter as close to the center of the parking as is possible. This requires using a long extension cord for the power and a relatively long audio cable. Then they need to use their car radio to scan for an open spot on the FM “dial” and then simply set their transmitter to that frequency. Once the customer understands this concept, they have reported back to us with very good results!

[Related: “Distinguish Pirates From Part 15 Operators”]

RW: What else should we know?

Hoppe: Some customers have asked me if I can set them up with an FM transmitter that will cover an area of several miles. Unfortunately, while we do sell LPFM transmitters that can provide that kind of range, there is no legal way for them to do that. They would need a license for that kind of RF power and range. Fortunately there is a legal way that they can cover the area of an average size parking lot. They can use one of our FCC certified Part 15 FM transmitters. Part 15 certified FM transmitters can be used legally by anybody, anywhere in the U.S. without the need for a license.

The post Look for FCC Certification When Choosing a Part 15 FM Transmitter appeared first on Radio World.

Chris Tarr

Magnum.Media has tapped Chris Tarr to serve as group director of engineering for its 16 radio and three LPTV stations in Wisconsin. 

Tarr stepped down from his role at Entercom last week after accepting an offer from Magnum.Media in mid-March. He had been with the broadcaster for 16 years and most recently held the title of director of technical operations for its Wisconsin cluster. Tarr was quoted in the release as saying, “I made lifelong friends at Entercom and am so proud of all we accomplished with the Milwaukee and Madison facilities.”

At Magnum.Media, Tarr steps into a newly created position for the family-owned business. According to Tarr, he and Dave Magnum had been friends for 15 years before he recruited him. Tarr also called Magnum a kindred spirit and said he expects the role to be “a perfect match” for him and his lifestyle. 

The media company was founded in 1991 by Dave and Lynn Magnum. Initially, the Magnums kept the stations on the air with the help of contract engineers, namely Steve Konopka, Mark Burg, Bruce Herzog, Jim Zastrow, Jon Zecherle, Darrel Sanders, Bob Gorjance, John Church and Chuck Gennaro. 

However, Magnum explained in the press release that “the more we’ve grown, several of those great contract engineers have strongly encouraged me to bring on board a group chief to take our stations under his wing,” which is why he sought out Tarr. He also noted that the choice was greeted with approval from those same engineers. 

[Most People Don’t Have a Cybersecurity Plan, Tarr Warns]

“Working with Chris is no doubt going to make our on-going adventure in broadcasting even more of a blast as we head into our fourth decade,” said Magnum.

Chris Tarr currently serves on the Society of Broadcast Engineers’  national board as the Mentor Committee chair and has earned CSRE, AMD, DRB, CBNE accreditations. Additionally, in 2007 the society recognized him with the Wulliman Award for service to the SBE and engineering community in southeast Wisconsin.

The post Tarr Takes on New Role for Magnum.Media appeared first on Radio World.

MultiCAM Systems has named SCMS Inc. as U.S. master distributor for its automated visual radio offerings, the company announced.

According to a press release, SCMS is now MultiCAM Systems-certified to provide technical service and support.

SCMS’ Matt Cauthen was quoted in the announcement saying that MultiCAM’s offerings are the type of “product that everyone is looking for right now” given the workflow changes spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Read our ebook: Trends in Visual Radio]

MultiCAM Systems is headquartered in Paris, and SCMS is a dealer based in Pineville, N.C., with representatives at several locations in the United States.

The post SCMS Is Named MultiCAM’s U.S. Distributor appeared first on Radio World.

Wheatstone is expanding its blade offerings with the StreamBlade, a WheatNet-IP appliance that accepts up to eight input steams of native WheatNet-IP audio directly from a sound card or AoIP driver as well as RTP sources and can output each in four streams; providing up to 32 total streams per device.

Output choices include Opus, AAC and MP3 encoders. The company says it is cloud-ready and compatible with standard CDN and streaming platforms, including Icecast, Wowza and RTP.

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

The StreamBlade has onboard processing with a six-band parametric EQ, a five-band AGC, a two-band final limiter and a stereo width control.

Wheatstone says that the AGC is designed for streaming. Jeff Keith, senior product development engineer for Wheatstone’s audio processing line explains, “Fast time constants (compression) can add intermod sidebands around a sustained note or bass note, which the codec has to spend bits on instead of the signals that are actually part of the program. That can be bad for any stream, but it’s especially bad for low-bitrate streams that don’t have a lot of data bits to begin with.”

StreamBlade can be configured and managed from a laptop and web browser using WheatNet-IP Navigator software. The box has two Ethernet ports, one for direct connectivity into the WheatNet-IP audio network on one end and another for connectivity into a WAN for streaming to a CDN or other service provider.

Info: www.wheatstone.com

The post Putting the Blade to the Stream appeared first on Radio World.

The National Association of Broadcasters has released details for its digital 2020 NAB Show alternative.

Dubbed NAB Show Express, it will be held online May 13–14. Registration opens April 20 and is free. 

NAB will feature on-demand content including 100 educational sessions organized into three channels: 

• BEIT Express, which centers on broadcast engineering and information technology
• NAB Show Experience, offering product showcases, interviews with industry leaders and more
• Tech Talks, produced by Broadcast Beat 

Each channel will be populated with eight hours of on-demand content, including interactive panels and some sessions originally slated for Las Vegas.

Additionally, the NAB Broadcast Engineering and IT Conference proceedings will be released online May 13 via nabpilot.org. 

This also is the first time the show’s technical proceedings will be available only online rather than also in print; that was a planned change, not related to the coronavirus cancellation, according to NAB Vice President of Technology Education and Outreach Skip Pizzi.

And for those who usually get their gear fix in Vegas, they can check out the NAB Show Express Solutions Marketplace, which will house exhibitor profiles, company-hosted events, press conferences and resources such as white papers, articles, webinars, guides and research reports.

According to Pizzi, the association will also incorporate its award presentations during the digital event. The format and schedule have not yet been announced. The recipient of the NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award is Jeff Welton of Nautel.

Three related events were also announced Monday. On May 11, NAB and Variety will co-host an Executive Leadership Summit. On May 12, NAB will offer a Cybersecurity & Content Protection Summit. And Post | Production World Online is scheduled for May 17–19.

The 2021 NAB Show is scheduled for April 10–14 in Las Vegas.

The post NAB Show Express Details Announced appeared first on Radio World.

Tracy Johnson

The author is president and CEO of Tracy Johnson Media Group, a company that excels in programming and talent consulting that attract fans, grows ratings and generates revenue. In addition to his long career in programming, Tracy managed a group of stations for 10 years and has worked with hundreds of media brands to develop digital content, promotion and revenue strategies.

Everyone knows the world has changed in the past few weeks. Life has been disrupted, and there’s no timeline for returning to normal. The current crisis has had a lasting impact on everyone. 

So now what? What’s our new normal? 

In our recent webinar, Ken Benson (P1 Media Group), Dave “Chachi” Denes (Benztown) and I shared best practices and ideas for the current environment, provided guidance for the near-term, and offered our forecast for the long-term. 

Here are some of the highlights from the webinar.  

THE NEW NORMAL: PROGRAMMING

In contrast with recent surveys indicating listeners say they are listening to radio more, early ratings results show AQH has declined significantly in most markets. Listeners are now forming new habits, which may or may not be similar to previous habits. The longer folks are at home, the more difficult it will be to re-attract them to our stations when society is more mobile. 

Listening to AM/FM radio via streaming and smart speaker usage is higher. Programmers that have not converted to Total Line Reporting to consolidate over-the-air and online listening into one ratings number should do so immediately. 

Stations should focus on connecting with listeners emotionally, providing an escape from anxiety, and renew efforts to reflect the local community. 

In times of stress, listeners seek comfort. Consider adjusting the music mix to play fewer new songs and more popular library titles. This is a great time to become more nostalgic, familiar and comfortable. 

THE NEW NORMAL: PERSONALITY

Air talent plays a vital role at this time. Most shows should remain calm, generally upbeat and positive. Don’t ignore the crisis, but find ways to relieve listener stress. 

Personalities should continue to be themselves, with a few subtle adjustments. Some segments that were hilarious a month ago (like prank calls) may seem mean-spirited now. Be a little more sensitive with a little less less edge.

Keep your sense of humor. The number one most desired trait listeners seek from radio personalities is someone that makes them laugh. That may be even more important now. But be tasteful. There’s plenty to have fun with, but it’s probably not a good idea to make jokes about the disease itself. 

Personalities having a hard time finding content ideas should consider just being the show that listens to the listener. Many personalities are finding connections just by asking “How are you doing today?” 

THE NEW NORMAL: PRODUCTION

It makes no sense to spend marketing or contesting budgets now. If it hasn’t already been taken out of the budget, save it for when life returns to normal. However, play games on the air. You don’t even need prizes! Just have fun. 

Most stations report phone and text activity is virtually non-existent, but social media engagement remains strong. Use that leverage. Create videos. Take listeners behind the scenes into your new normal. Some should consider starting a podcast now.

Plan now for the future. It seems a long way off, but this will end, and life will return to normal. Be ready to take advantage of it. Brainstorm ideas for being at the center of your city’s celebration when life resumes. 

FORECAST AND RECOMMENDATIONS

From Tracy Johnson: Just when you thought the radio industry had no more room to cut, the COVID-19 event has made it necessary for more changes. This is a painful time for everyone in radio. Some stations will never recover. Some may simply go off the air. There are two major challenges ahead. One is re-attracting listeners to your radio station. The other is finding new sources of revenue, because we can’t assume advertisers will automatically return anytime soon. 

From Dave Denes: Radio is going to struggle well into 2021. Smart managers will apply the principles in the Stockdale Paradox by maintaining a balance of reality and optimism. This is the time great leadership steps up to keep their teams positive and inspired. 

From Ken Benson: The world has changed as much as it did after 9/11. We need to step back and take a new look at the industry and realize there’s an opportunity for radio to shine. This is the time to pull together and make major differences in listener lives. This could be one of the most exciting and meaningful times in your station’s history.

The webinar is available to watch on demand anytime for free. It includes a 50 minute presentation, followed by 40 minutes of Q&A. Additionally, for more ideas visit the Coronavirus Radio Idea Facebook Group established by Benztown and P1 Media Group.

The post Programming, Personality and Promotion In the New Normal appeared first on Radio World.