Radio+Television Business Report

The NAB Show and SCTE are teaming up for a joint forum that will link the SCTE·ISBE Cable-Tec Expo in Atlanta with NAB Show’s Broadcast Engineering and Information Technology (BEIT) Conference in Las Vegas.

The joint forum on October 12, 2021 will be the first live, bi-coastal collaboration between SCTE, a subsidiary of CableLabs, and the NAB.

SCTE and NAB have previously partnered to provide content for their respective events.

Joint sessions will include live, interconnected presentations and audience questions originating from both Cable-Tec Expo in Atlanta and the BEIT Conference in Las Vegas, with hosts at each location to field questions and moderate the conversation. The dual-site event will also feature live panels and interactive discussions that explore timely topics, such as dynamic ad insertion, NextGen TV and more.

NAB Chief Technology Officer Sam Matheny and Chris Bastian, SCTE’s CTO, will open the event with a fireside chat on leadership over a link between the two venues. This  conferencing approach will offer a unique educational opportunity for technology professionals, and create dialog between broadcast and telecommunications professionals, the NAB says.

“We are excited to offer this groundbreaking feature during the 75th BEIT Conference at NAB Show,” Matheny said. “We are thankful to SCTE for this collaboration and to be able to provide attendees at our respective events a truly innovative experience with expanded programming.”

Bastian added, “Our concurrent events present a unique opportunity to collaborate on this session which we believe will bring great value to both audiences. After the success of our virtual Cable-Tec Expo show in 2020, we know this type of interactive, virtual session has great potential to bring together new audiences and ideas.”

The dual-site event will be held at 10:00 a.m.–1:15 p.m. PT (1:00–4:15 p.m. ET) on October 12, 2021. The session takes place during the BEIT Conference in Las Vegas, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary at NAB Show, October 9–13, 2021, and SCTE·ISBE Cable-Tec Expo, October 11–14, 2021 in Atlanta. The program will conclude with networking receptions in both Atlanta and Las Vegas.

Out-of-home (OOH) advertising remains a vital part of building brand awareness and plays an increasingly important role in advancing the consumer journey. That’s why Comscore has joined the DPAA and the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA).

The new alliances with two of the leading industry organizations come as Comscore accelerates its efforts to add OOH measurement to its cross-platform product suite.

The goal, Comscore says, is to help marketers drive market share and profitability through superior audience insights.

More than $9 billion is projected for OOH ad spend in the coming years. Comscore’s vision is to measure outdoor advertising platforms, cinema, and place-based distribution such as retail spaces, stadiums, office buildings and transportation hubs and make it available through traditional buyside planning and buying tools.

“The addition of out-of-home measurement is a natural extension of Comscore’s impressions-based currency that the media ecosystem relies on to drive better business outcomes,” Comscore CEO Bill Livek said. “With rapid changes in consumer consumption and the need to drive maximum return on investment for every ad dollar, marketers need a complete and unduplicated view of where their target audience is seeing content. This is why Comscore has an advantage in the market. We are the trusted source for superior audience insights across linear TV, OTT, desktop, mobile, and cinema and are now bringing the same measurement acumen to bear on outdoor and digital out-of-home at a time when America is starting to go out of home again.”

Andy Sriubas, Chief Commercial Officer at OUTFRONT Media, welcomed the move by Comscore. “Their data flows through the internal planning and buying platforms at major holding companies, independent agencies and leading third-party processors. It is time for out-of-home to take its rightful place beside digital, mobile, TV and OTT on the agency desk, through cross-media comparative value measurements.”

Comscore’s OOH efforts are being spearheaded by EVP Gary Warech, who most recently led the company’s Brand Direct, Brand Tracking, Pharma and Branded Content businesses.

Good Parts Media, an AdLarge company, has entered into a deal with Bonneville’s Denver stations for use of Prep Country, a member of the Good Parts Media portfolio.

Good Parts Media offers a family of prep products for multiple formats that content hosts use to connect with their listeners.

The Good Parts Media suite of show prep services includes Mr. Prep, The Hook Up, Locker Room, Mr. Laughs, Juicy Prep, and the aforementioned Prep Country.

The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) has selected who will deliver the opening keynote at its newly created NATPE Virtual: News Television event scheduled for April 20.

It’s Council of Foreign Relations President Richard Haass.

NATPE Virtual: News Television sees ABC News Transportation Correspondent Gio Benitez 

Attendees can expect keynotes, fireside chats, and panel discussions covering news franchises, streaming, sponsorship sales, and different concentrations including “sensationalized breaking news,” politics, crime, health, financial, entertainment, sports, weather, special interests, and much more.

Notable companies participating in a variety of ways include AccuWeather, Axios, CNN, Newsmax, PBS and Tubi, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Also planned for the event will be the inaugural NATPE News Awards, honoring excellence in TV news reporting. Being recognized for excellence as an anchor is Greg Kelly. PBS Newshour is being honored for excellence as a news program.

NATPE President/CEO JP Bommel said, “News is at the core of the television experience, and we are thrilled to bring together such great minds as we dig into how the space is changing as the industry evolves.”

NATPE Virtual News Television is the next of a string of events being produced through NATPE VIRTUAL. To register, go to https://www.natpe.com/news/attend/

A trio of experienced local broadcast TV station leaders have been selected to oversee Nexstar Media Group‘s respective stations in Knoxville; Roanoke-Lynchburg; and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

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He’s been a fixture at a group of stations in Los Angeles owned and operated by Audacy, the company formerly known as Entercom Communications. He stayed with the stations, which include “93.1 Jack FM,” “K-Earth 101,” KNX, “94-7 The Wave,” “97.1 Amp,” and KROQ, through Entercom’s tax-free merger with CBS Radio.

Now, this sales leader is heading north. He’s just been appointed VP/Market Manager of Cumulus Media‘s San Francisco-Oakland station group.

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Taking the post previously held by the retired Doug Harvill is Larry Blumhagen.

He’ll start his new role on May 3, putting him in command of Classic Rock KSAN-FM (107.7 The Bone), News/Talk KGO-AM, Sports Talker KNBR-AM & FM and Talker KSFO-AM.

In L.A., he was VP/Director of Sales at Audacy, prior to its corporate name change. He’d been with the stations for six years.

But, before that, he was CBS Radio’s GSM for San Francisco, and held the role from 2006-2015.

For nine years before that, he was GSM for the former CBS Radio (and Infinity) stations in Portland, Ore.

A 29-year radio broadcasting veteran, Blumhagen started his career as Account Executive for Henry Broadcasting/American Radio Systems.

“Larry brings a strategic mind focused on building successful sales organizations and positive cultures,” says Cumulus EVP/Operations Dave Milner. “Aligning his exceptional leadership abilities and deep knowledge of the San Francisco market with our talented team and strong brands is a winning combination.”

Blumhagen added, “I’m beyond thrilled to return to San Francisco and to join the
exceptional team at Cumulus Media. Leading these great brands forward while meeting the needs of both our listeners and advertisers will be an exciting journey. I’m fortunate to be stepping into Doug Harvill’s shoes, as I know first-hand that he is a man of deep integrity and immense passion for the industry.”

In Q4 2016, Viacom agreed to purchase Telefe, a major Argentine TV operation, for $345 million.

Now, the company that is today ViacomCBS is crossing the Andes to purchase a WarnerMedia asset.

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HC2 Station Group is committed to owning and operating television stations. It simply seeks to have fewer properties in its stable, and has been paring down assets in the broadcasting sector as part of a large capital-raising campaign led by Wayne Barr Jr.

In the latest divestment move from HC2, it is shedding a trio of LPTV permits under the HC2 Station Group licensee name and another three LPTV permits from HC2-held DTV America Corp.

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In October 2020, Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group acquired MGM‘s over-the-air broadcast television networks This TV and Light TV, offered as digital multicast networks with national distribution, for an undisclosed price.

Now, This TV is getting a boost, bringing it to more U.S. locales.

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MIAMI — Until now, its collection of radio stations has been represented on a national level by Gen Media Partners, through its HRN Media Network. 

That’s changing, thanks to an agreement signed this morning by this Hispanic media company’s COO, Albert Rodriguez.

What’s the new national representation firm for Spanish Broadcasting System?

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The former General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has joined Wiley Rein LLP, today going by the “Wiley Law” brand, as the co-Chair of its Appellate Practice.

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Thomas M. Johnson Jr., has joined Wiley as a partner.

Johnson has more 15 years of experience in private practice and public service at the federal and state levels, representing clients in high-stakes appellate and regulatory litigation matters.

And, he has advised clients on all stages of Federal agency rulemaking, adjudication, and litigation, in fields ranging from communications to environmental law to securities to labor and employment.

in his role as the FCC’s General Counsel, Johnson successfully persuaded the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Commission’s media ownership reforms, resulting in last week’s unanimous ruling in favor of the Commission in FCC v. Prometheus Radio Project.

Johnson also “successfully defended” the Pai Commission’s “net neutrality” repeal at oral argument before the D.C. Circuit. “While naturally building upon a regulatory litigation practice that focuses on communications, technology, and the internet, Mr. Johnson will be positioned to strengthen Wiley’s capabilities in administrative law and appellate litigation across all sectors and practice groups,” the law firm says.

“Tom is an accomplished leader who has been an innovator throughout his career,” said Wiley Managing Partner Peter D. Shields. “His deep understanding of administrative and appellate law on a wide range of issues – as well as his nuanced insights from working in the government and private sector – will be indispensable to our clients.”

Kathleen A. Kirby, co-chair of Wiley’s Telecom, Media & Technology Practice, added, “Among Tom’s many accomplishments at the FCC is his important work streamlining regulations, strategically and successfully leading the effort to defend the Commission’s decision to relax certain media ownership rules before the Supreme Court, and freeing up spectrum for public use for 5G and other applications. His foresight and ingenuity greatly contributed to the efficient operations of our country’s communications systems, especially given the increased network demands of the past year. We’re thrilled he’s joining the firm.”

Prior to serving as FCC General Counsel, Mr. Johnson was the Deputy Solicitor General in the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General, where he helped develop litigation strategy and draft briefs in a series of challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. In addition, he managed a team of attorneys, drafted briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeals, and argued seven cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

It boasts the moniker “Key Weird Radio.” And, it presently has a Construction Permit for a Class A signal putting 680 watts of power over the southernmost city in the continental U.S.

Now, “the most diverse radio station” in Key West is heading to a new owner.

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What are the most active brands using spot radio?

The list of companies isn’t so different for the week ending April 4 than it was in the prior week. And, that’s good news for Radio.

Why? It demonstrates stability, with certain brands committing to the medium. Among those brands: Progressive, Indeed, and GEICO. That said, Bank of America is back, with a No. 7 placement in the most recent Spot Ten National Radio report.

With GEICO firmly in place as the top brand using Spot TV, by play count, there’s lots of new activity at over-the-air television with respect to campaigns getting a boost.

For the week ending April 4, a Unilever brand and a Procter & Gamble Co. brand, in particular, made waves with consumers.

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With T-Mobile President/CEO Mike Sievert gushing with confidence and a big trade marketing budget in play, TVision was designed to change pay TV for good.

It failed to catch on with consumers. But, one Wall Street feels Sievert’s plan worked — to the long-term detriment of MVPDs.

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With all eyes last week turned to Washington, D.C., and also fixated on a major audio media company’s name change, attention is just now being placed on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Here, a judge has cleared the way for Alpha Media to exit from debtor-in-possession status.

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She holds a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law and until now has been a senior associate at Mayer Brown LLP.

Starting today, she’s now the lead in-house counsel for Townsquare Media.

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Taking the role of SVP/General Counsel is Allison Zolot.

At Mayer Brown, she served as an associate in Mayer Brown’s New York office and a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. Her practice focused on representing financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and other multinational corporations in complex commercial and securities litigation in federal and state courts.

Specifically Zolot concentrated on the areas of banking and financial services, including actions involving alleged violations of the securities laws and allegations of fraud or misrepresentation in the sale of complex financial instruments, such as residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and other derivative instruments.

Townsquare CEO Bill Wilson said the local audio and digital media company is “thrilled to have such a talented lawyer” join the company.  He continued, “Allison is a strong and effective leader who will make a great addition to our senior management team.  I look forward to working with Allison as we continue to drive long-term growth and shareholder value through the execution of our ‘Local First’ strategy.”

Allison Zolot, Townsquare Media

Zolot said she is “humbled by the opportunity to work with Bill and the company’s senior management team.”

Mayer Brown has been her lone professional position following her receipt of a Fordham J.D. in 2009.

In late February, RBR+TVBR first shared the news that TEGNA was adding to its pot of digital multicast networks by stirring up a third creation.

As of today, Twist is on the air, putting a focus on women — and perhaps the LGBTQ+ crowd, too.

With a focus on lifestyle and reality programming including Top Chef Masters, Clean House, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Dance Moms, Tabatha Takes Over, Tiny House Nation and Flipping Out, Twist is already available in 41 TEGNA markets — and 43 of the top 50 Nielsen DMAs.

Aside from the TEGNA stations, Twist will also be found as a digital multicast for 11 Univision stations — a huge boost giving the network access to viewers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia.

Then, there are 31 stations licensed to HC2 Broadcasting, a company that is paring down assets but intent on operating a core group of low-power TV stations in various markets.

In Indiana’s biggest market, DuJuan McCoy‘s Circle City Broadcasting has placed Twist on a digital multicast channel associated with WISH-8 in Indianapolis.

Other partners include Adell-owned WADL-38 in Detroit and CNZ Communications’ WIWN-TV in Milwaukee.

“With today’s launch of Twist, reality TV just got much more exciting for over-the-air viewers,” said Brian Weiss, president and general manager of TEGNA’s entertainment networks. “Audiences craving lifestyle and reality programming, who have been underserved in the multicast space, now have free access to high quality shows that have never before been available over-the-air.”

For nearly four and a half years, he has been linked to a group of Cumulus Media stations comprised today of WSBN-AM “ESPN 630” and highly regarded Talker WMAL-FM in Washington, D.C.

Before that, he led sales for iHeartMedia’s D.C. and Baltimore stations as a Sr. VP of Sales, a job he took in September 2009.

Sadly, his current post at Cumulus will be his last, as Ken Roberts has passed away. According to one media report, he was 65 years old.

Cumulus Media EVP/Operations Dave Milner confirmed Roberts passing, with a statement distributed to radio trade publications early Monday. “This is such tragic news and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” Milner said of Roberts. “Ken was a passionate and smart professional, who cared greatly for the team in D.C. He had been a friend and coach to so many in radio and we’re all better because of our time with Ken. We send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Ken’s family, and are grateful for the time we had with him.”

Roberts in November 2020 had been promoted to VP/Market Manager from VP/Sales of the Cumulus/D.C. duo. He succeeded Jake McCann, who “returned home” to Philadelphia in
late December to lead The HOW Group, a real estate investment group.

With that promotion, Roberts said, “I am proud to continue our mission of super serving our listeners, employees and client partners. I am humbled to be part of our great history and excited to be part of our future.”

Among those already mourning the loss of Roberts is Jay Rosenberg, President/CEO of Rosenberg Media. “We lost a friend, a great husband and father, and great leader in the radio community.”

According to Rosenberg, Roberts died on Saturday. The cause of death has not been formally released. However, RBR+TVBR has learned that Roberts suffered from a suspected heart attack.

Roberts arrived in the Baltimore-Washington corridor in fall 2009, after spending 19 months in Phoenix as Director of Sales for Bonneville’s stations. From March 2001-February 2008, he was GSM of Susquehanna Radio’s former Dallas station group. It was his entry into radio, having served before that as VP of Videoaxs, which created “unique revenue programs that incorporated advertising and content distribution platforms.”

Roberts is a graduate of Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey.

Funeral arrangements were not disclosed by Cumulus Media.

He is not to be confused with original KROQ station owner Ken Roberts, who passed away in May 2014 at the age of 73.

The latest quarterly broadcast station totals have been released from the FCC.

And, when one compares the numbers to the end of the third quarter of 2020, there’s one clear takeaway: noncommercial FM radio continues to be a growing opportunity for licensees, as the total number of commercially licensed FMs, and AMs, declined.

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