Radio broadcasters, be warned. On-demand audio giant Spotify is rolling out a new advertising format that enriches podcasting by giving listeners a series of “Call-to-Action Cards” allowing them to learn more about an audio ad they hear.
It’s yet another opportunity for the audio industry, so long as legacy broadcast companies in the digital space follow suit.
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TORONTO — The owner of such radio stations as “Boom 97.3” in Toronto and “Live 88.5” in Ottawa, which has a presence in the U.S. via its audio channels found on such MVPD service providers as Hotwire, has finalized the approximately $46,642,450 USD acquisition of the largest in-store audio advertising network in the 50 states.
As a result, Stingray, based in Montréal, is now the owner of InStore Audio Network.
That’s the Gary Seem and Jeff Shapiro-led entity sold by Pop Radio LP for $59 million CDN.
Serving as the broker in the transaction is Richard A. Foreman and Associates.
InStore says it reaches some 100 million shoppers each week in more 16,000 grocery retailers and pharmacies across the U.S., including CVS, Rite Aid, Albertsons, Safeway, Southeastern Grocers (Winn-Dixie), Ahold (Food Lion, Giant, Hannaford and Stop & Shop), Western New York-focused Tops Markets, Pennsylvania Dutch Country favorite Weis Market and Brookshire’s, with more than 180 stores operating in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
The total price paid by Stingray is subject to a specific earn out mechanism set forth in the purchase agreement.
“With this acquisition, Stingray expands its retail-based digital audio advertising footprint in the United States and reaffirms its position as a leading global provider of state-of-the art digital media solutions,” Stingray says.
InStore will continue until the continued leadership and direction of its current management team, Stingray says.
— Carina Newton, in North York
NEW YORK — He’s been the U.S. chief revenue officer since January 2020, and joined FreeWheel in 2018.
Now, he’s succeeding Dave Clark as General Manager at the Comcast-owned premium TV marketplace for buyers and sellers.
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The company’s stock went ex-dividend on November 10. Its five-year growth trend is excellent, even when factoring in the COVID-19 stock dips seen nearly two years ago.
Nexstar Media Group is enjoying another rise in its share price, with activity on Friday signaling a finish at a level last seen in November, when shares briefly topped the $170 mark.
Is NXST en route to quickly matching and perhaps surpassing that price?
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DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. — It’s a joint venture that includes Optimum owner Altice USA, Spectrum owner Charter Communications and Xfinity parent Comcast designed to bring national brands TV and digital advertising opportunities in the nation’s top DMA, New York.
And, it now has an agreement with the nation’s dominant audience measurement and consumer data analytics provider.
New York Interconnect has signed a multi-year agreement for local TV measurement in the New York DMA with Nielsen.
NYI covers the entire Tri-State Area, ensuring DMA-wide advertising opportunities, given the specific geographic territory for Altice USA, Comcast and Charter. Altice USA dominates in Westchester County and parts of Long Island; Charter, through its Time Warner Cable acquisition, is a near-monopoly in the City of New York and in the Mid-Hudson Valley; Comcast is the leader for MVPD services in Northern New Jersey.
The deal will see NYI take Nielsen’s data to evaluate the daily performance of its campaigns and the cable networks it represents, as well as calculate TV campaign reach and frequency at the DMA level. New York Interconnect also has licensed Nielsen Ad Intel, a source of local and national advertising spend.
LAS VEGAS — It’s full speed ahead for the National Association of Broadcasters and the 2022 NAB Show in late April, scheduled to be the second big conference in a city battered by COVID-19 still suffering from CES 2022 cancellations and lighter-than-anticipated attendance.
That’s the official word from NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt, who was in attendance at an invitation-only Radio Reception on Thursday evening at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino co-presented by RBR+TVBR and Radio Ink.
“We’ve got great feedback from our core exhibitors that they’re anxious to be back in person,” LeGeyt said in an exclusive interview with Streamline Publishing’s RBR+TVBR and Radio Ink. “People really lamented the timing with what happened with the October show. Listening to all the latest health and safety information, there’s a lot of optimism around April. There’s pent-up demand. We are pacing extremely well in terms of the exhibitor interest in our show. I think we will knock it out of the park in April. The biggest takeaway from here is a reduced attendance does not mean a diminished value for the exhibitors who rely so much on these shows. If you can get the right attendees, it’s quality over quantity. That’s our emphasis between now and April.”
Speaking with RBR+TVBR and Radio Ink at the reception, LeGeyt shared that he was taking notes and observing how the Consumer Technology Association made adjustments across CES 2022 to adapt to the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. More importantly, LeGeyt was in attendance to converse in person with radio executives attending the event in his first official in-person role since succeeding the NAB’s top leadership position from now-retired former U.S. Senator Gordon Smith.
“The biggest takeaway from here is a reduced attendance does not mean a diminished value for the exhibitors who rely so much on these shows. If you can get the right attendees, it’s quality over quantity.” — NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt
Speaking to those in attendance at the Radio Reception, LeGeyt shared his pleasure in seeing key broadcast industry leaders — including newly appointed Salem Media Group CEO Dave Santrella and Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley — in Las Vegas for CES 2022. In particular, LeGeyt was pleased that the radio industry leaders understand the importance of the partnership with the consumer electronics industry, especially the auto manufacturers, who took a major spotlight this year. Among the head-turners, aside from autonomous vehicles, was a color-changing BMW. “That’s one that both sides are investing in in a tangible way,” LeGeyt told those in attendance. “It recognizes we need to be at forefront of everything that’s going on in the automobile, the home and broadcasters are embracing that challenge.”
For some 20 years, automotive brands have used CES as a springboard for important events such as the L.A. Auto Show and similar gatherings in Detroit, New York and Miami Beach. In-dash technology gets the spotlight in Las Vegas, however, and with dashboards resembling iPads these days, the radio industry needs to consistently demonstrate it is doing whatever it takes to be an important partner while giving consumers the content they desire. That’s why LeGeyt is excited about what he’s seeing from the auto manufacturers.
“It’s very clear that radio is a present piece of that conversation,” LeGeyt said. “When you talk about consumer electronics the focus from the media can be around the streaming services, SiriusXM. What’s evident to me is there’s a real desire from consumers to have a seamless access to broadcast radio and that the car manufacturers understand that and are focused on it. That’s why you have such a radio presence from a broadcast perspective out here.”
The NAB Show will be held in Las Vegas from April 23-27. Details HERE.
It’s a newly created position for Patrick Butkus, who was most recently Director of Acquisition Marketing at Discovery streaming products discovery+ and GOLFTV. He’ll be responsible for building and enhancing recognition of the Acast brand, products and services globally.
Lizzy Pollott, Acast’s SVP Marketing Communications and Brand, said, “Pat is a really important addition to our growing global marketing team, and will allow us to get the Acast brand in front of thousands more creators, listeners and brands, all around the world.
Butkus added, “The name ‘Acast’ is one I’ve heard more and more over the past couple of years, and it’s easy to see why it’s become such a high-profile player in the creator economy — this is an innovative, ambitious podcast company with the leadership and vision in place to become the world leader. I’m looking forward to playing my part in making that happen.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lerman Senter has added a Member to the firm, and it is a woman who first joined the communications, technology and media-focused PLLC on L Street NW in April 2020 as Counsel.
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A Senior Director of Content Strategy and Inclusive Journalism has been selected for the Local Media division of The E.W. Scripps Company. It’s a new role that the company says “will help all Scripps television stations better connect with their audiences.”
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Radio imaging, voiceover, programming, podcasting and jingles company Benztown has appointed an East Coast Director of Commercial Production.
It’s an individual who was previously Creative Services Director for iHeartMedia radio stations in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, where she’s been for the last nine years.
Taking the position is MJ Bloch, a role that will also see Bloch serve in the position at Benztown client Yamanair Creative.
Dave “Chachi” Denes, President at Benztown, said, “We’re excited to have MJ Bloch join
our all-star team as East Coast Director of Commercial Production. Her incredible talent
and deep experience as a producer make her an industry go-to, and our client
Yamanair Creative and their customers and listeners will love what they hear. The fact
that MJ has done contract work for us in the past and knows our systems is a definite
advantage and makes her a terrific fit for this position.”
Bloch added, “I am overjoyed to join the incredible team at Benztown. They
have been family and friends for years, a trusted name for quality wherever I was
working, and now, I get to be part of that team! It’s a dream come true! We look forward
to continuing to super-serve our clients and produce incredible branding and advertising
campaigns for radio stations across the globe.”
In mid-December, noted Washington communications attorney David Oxenford shared details of a new joint letter posted on the Radio Music License Committee website that shed light on a possible settlement with Global Music Rights (GMR) that would settle their long-running litigation over the royalties that the commercial radio industry will pay for the public performance of music written by GMR composers.
A “conditional confidential settlement” has now been distributed to RMLC members that outlines a member station’s ability to obtain future licenses from GMR to avoid potential copyright infringement.
Asked for comment, RMLC Executive Director Bill Velez said, “At this juncture, neither side is commenting beyond what has been transmitted to radio operators.”
But, what was sent to RMLC Members contains important information concerning a conditional settlement of antitrust litigation that dates to late 2016. The battle was bruising, with RMLC striking first in November 2016. A month later, GMR countersued, assailing the RMLC as “an illegal cartel.”
At long last, those war cries appear to be squelched, as RMLC has offered instructions to its members on their ability to continue to obtain a GMR license after the current one expires.
Importantly, an election is required by January 31.
“GMR will send each broadcaster a direct communication about the settlement, which is confidential and should not be discussed outside your radio group,” the RMLC said.
It added, “The conditional settlement recognizes a shared desire by both sides to resolve these disputes and to find a way for radio stations and GMR to work together on a long-term basis without repeatedly resorting to litigation. The resulting conditional settlement reflects a commitment by GMR to treat all similarly situated radio stations consistently
and to ensure that radio stations … have access to the performance rights you currently need as well as those you may need in the future as your business evolves and grows.”
The conditional settlement also reflects changes in the licensing landscape, including growth in GMR’s roster, since the parties filed these lawsuits five years ago, the RMLC says.
The settlement opens the door to long-term license agreements to commence on April 1, 2022. However, there is one important — and large — caveat.
The settlement is “conditional” because it will be finalized only if a sufficient percentage of radio stations opt into the settlement by signing the form license agreement that
RMLC and GMR negotiated. The negotiated form license agreement, with member
stations’ annual license fees, will be sent directly by GMR via e-mail.
What happens if a significant number of RMLC members say no to the settlement?
“While it is ultimately your decision whether to enter into the license, we strongly
encourage your company to consider this negotiated settlement offer if your
stations desire to continue publicly performing songs in the GMR repertory,” the RMLC advised. “It will put an end to five years of litigation between RMLC and GMR, and give radio stations the opportunity to perform GMR works for several years with rate certainty. If an insufficient percentage of radio stations accept the negotiated license with GMR, the settlement will not be finalized and the litigation will continue.”
Thus, the RMLC has issued to its members a “take it or leave it” notice. A “no” to the settlement means more litigation, and GMR has made zero commitment to offer any other license to Radio once the current interim license expires at the end of the first quarter of 2022.
“[If] this settlement fails and the litigation continues, there is no guarantee GMR will make another license available to your stations at all, much less at the prices in this settlement,” RMLC warns.
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With Nexstar Media Group‘s merger with Tribune Broadcasting — a transaction originally planned by Sinclair Broadcast Group until the Pai Commission questioned Sinclair’s close relationship to station spinoff partners — the company founded by Perry Sook in Scranton, Pa., became one of the most important affiliate partners of The CW Network.
Now, according to multiple reports Nexstar’s not commenting on, it appears the nation’s largest Over-The-Air TV station group seeks to take a sizable equity interest in the network known for its young adult programming, including just-concluded sci-fi series “The 100.”
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By Brian Galante
RAYMOND, ME. — For many low-power television station licensees, the multilevel ROI opportunities associated with ATSC 3.0 and NEXTGEN TV — getting a big splash in Las Vegas at CES 2022 — could mean big dollars for savvy operators investing in the right technology.
Among the companies with LPTVs in its stable taking the lead with ATSC 3.0 is ARK Multicasting. It’s just selected a Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned antenna provider to usher in the NEXTGEN era at its television stations.
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SAVANNAH, GA. — Dick Broadcasting has selected an Operations Manager to lead the programming of its five radio brands serving the Coastal Empire of Georgia.
The individual taking the slot was formerly in a similar role at SummitMedia in Omaha.
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“If its start is any indication, 2022 is going to be a busy and productive year at the FCC.”
Those are the words of Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who shared on Wednesday a preview of what the Commissioners will consider at its January 2022 Open Meeting on Thursday, January 27.
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Should a television station licensed to Opelika, Ala., offering content from diginets THISTV and NBCLX be given “must carry” status for the Atlanta DMA, something its owner believes should be enforced by DirecTV?
The Media Bureau of the FCC says no.
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LAS VEGAS — Despite the negative press, lines of CES 2022 registered attendees were seen at McCarran International Airport awaiting their official credentials on Wednesday.
At the same time, the NEXTGEN TV team was busily sharing three big stories involving the rollout of the ATSC 3.0-powered broadcast television technology — making Day 1 of the three-day affair a significant one for next-generation television.
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