Radio+Television Business Report

With its shares on the rise in pre-market trading on Tuesday following the release of third quarter results that are highly encouraging, Townsquare Media is cautiously optimistic that chip shortages and supply chain issues will bring negligible impacts to the company’s Q4 and early 2022 ad revenue results.

But, Townsquare is cushioned by its local digital business. For peers that are more reliant on radio station ad revenue driving the bottom line, the coming weeks may be ones full of nail biting.

Join Townsquare Media CEO Bill Wilson and some of Wall Street’s top financial voices on November 16 at Forecast 2022, at the Harvard Club in Midtown Manhattan. There’s still a seat with your name on it, but you’ll need to act fast, as this limited-capacity event is filling up fast. Join Wilson and such analysts as Drew Marcus, Senior Advisor at Guggenheim Securities; Steven Cahall, Managing Director and Sr Equity Media/Cable Analyst at Wells Fargo Securities; and Christopher Ensley, Managing Director/TMT at Noble Capital Markets. REGISTER TODAY!

To do so and to view the entire agenda, please visit www.radioinkforecast.com now.

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The third quarter is shaping up to be a highly important one for every business that depends on advertising to drive the bottom line and make the P&L sheet look great.

What’s to come is on everyone’s minds, and there seems to be some questions. Are supply chain woes at automotive and in the CPG sector a legitimate concern for broadcast media?

Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) COO Albert Rodriguez shares his insight on how his Hispanic-focused multimedia company is seeing little slowdown from advertisers, as the executive also chimes in on how Audacy Inc.’s change of WNSH-FM in New York from Country to a multicultural-appealing classic hip-hop and rhythmic pop format only solidifies how SBS’s stations in New York are a vital part of the total market buy.

Rodriguez even offers an explanation as to why Bad Bunny is a global phenomenon, first championed by SBS in Puerto Rico, in this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

 

 Albert Rodriguez will be there. So will the heads of Townsquare Media, Katz Media Group, the TVB, the NAB, and American Urban Radio Networks — and that’s just before 11am!

Be where all of the leaders will be on November 16.

Secure your seat at Forecast 2022 by clicking here and registering now.

 

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Albert Rodriguez” on Spreaker.

On October 26, Zacks Equity Research predicted that the nation’s No. 1 licensee of television stations, Nexstar Media Group, would post quarterly earnings of $4.05 per share in Q3 2021, with revenues reaching $1.14 billion, up 2% from one year ago.

With the company’s stock less than $6 from an all-time high reached in late September, did Nexstar meet those forecasts? Yes.

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Audio creative research and analytics firm Veritonic has added “brand lift” to its platform’s campaign reporting capabilities. What does this mean for Veritonic clients?

“The addition of brand lift further solidifies the platform’s position as the only provider of end-to-end research, data and insights for the audio industry, providing its users with a comprehensive view of their audio advertising effectiveness and the key drivers behind it,” New York-based Veritonic claims.

Calling it “purpose-built for audio,” Veritonic uses an intuitive UI that includes filtering and segmentation parameters. Veritonic says its brand lift studies can be run for target audiences of all sizes, measuring both controlled and organic exposure across broadcast radio, streaming audio, and podcasts.

“The resulting data provides brands with the insight they need to understand how each audio asset is achieving their goals as it relates to awareness, favorability, intent, and recall,” the company founded by CEO Scott Simonelli says. “Brands can then use this data to make informed decisions around every element of their audio campaigns, including creative performance and ROI.”

Simonelli adds that the addition of brand lift “underscores our platform’s position as the exclusive destination for actionable audio insights from start to finish, providing our clients with the data they need to understand their campaign performance and more confidently invest in audio moving forward.”

The move sees Katz Digital Audio appoint Veritonic as a preferred Brand Lift partner.

Scott Porretti, President of Katz Digital Audio, commented, “The most recent study findings–which include a 170% lift in favorability–meaningfully furthered the advertisers’ confidence in audio as a highly effective channel for reaching their desired audience with the right message, in the right location, at the right time.”

A company known as a global provider of content protection technology products has named a SVP of Sales and Strategy for the Americas.

This individual will oversee business development for Friend MTS’ full suite of managed anti-piracy services for new and current partnerships with operators, rights holders and broadcasters.

Mike Baron is also responsible for sales and marketing strategies as well as strategic growth plans, policy and procedures.

He will have a regional focus on the United States and South America, and is based in Los Angeles. Baron reports to John Ward, Executive Vice President for the Americas at Friend MTS.

With 25 years of experience, Baron most recently served as Senior Vice President of Partnerships for Super League Gaming / Virtualis Studios where he launched Super League Gaming’s cloud-based, virtual studio technology. Before that, Baron held the position of Vice President of Global Business Development and Special projects for Deluxe Entertainment Services, as well as Head of FOX Sports Enterprises, where he was responsible for managing and monetizing FOX Sports’ IP-related new business initiatives.

Forget about 2020 comps: Townsquare Media is offering Q3 2021 comps to two years prior, and the results are strong.

The local digital and radio broadcasting company is reporting third quarter net revenue that falls short of Q3 2019 by just 1%.

At the same time, Townsquare’s Q3 2021 adjusted EBITDA beat Q3 ’19 by a good 4%.

 

Want to chat about Townsquare Media’s unique position in the broadcast media space with CEO Bill Wilson? You may just get the chance to do so in person, but only if you’re at Forecast 2022.

Join RBR+TVBR and Radio Ink at the Harvard Club in Midtown Manhattan on November 16 for this special VIP event by clicking here.

 

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GatesAir has introduced an embedded software update that adds professional ten-band audio processing software from ATC Labs, a specialist in audio compression and processing technologies, within two recently announced GatesAir Intraplex single and multi-channel transport products.

GatesAir will add ATC Labs’ Perceptual SoundMax Audio Technology to its Intraplex IP Link 100c hardware codec and its scalable Intraplex Ascent cloud transport platform.

According to GatesAir, the enhancements are designed to “eliminate the costs and rack space of an external audio processor, while achieving exceptionally bright and open sound.”

Both integrated solutions are now shipping.

GatesAir introduced Intraplex Ascent in late 2019, and followed with the IP Link 100c late last year. The Intraplex IP Link 100c codec provides broadcasters with integrated single-channel solution for remote contribution, Icecast streaming and standard STL IP connections. Intraplex Ascent’s scalable platform accelerates migration to a software-based, cloud transport solution.

Both solutions include standard Intraplex features such as Dynamic Stream Splicing software for stream repair and redundancy, SRT protocol support, and Intraplex SynchroCast simulcasting across multiple transmitters.

GatesAir will demonstrate both integrated Intraplex IP Link solutions for the first time at IBC2021, taking place December 3-6 at RAI Amsterdam. GatesAir exhibits at Stand 8.D60.

ORLANDO — PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips digital signage, LED, and pro TV
products, software, and innovations, revealed at the recent InfoComm 21 conference that the Philips X-Line UHD videowall series in now available to customers across the U.S. and Canada.

The 49” and 55” Philips X-Line videowall range has been designed for continuous use in an indoor environment, automatically adjusting to changing lighting conditions, whether in natural indoor lighting or the full strength of natural sunlight.

With Direct LED Backlight technology and running on the latest software, Philips X-Line’s high-resolution setup and Pure Colour Pro technology for superior depths of black and high-brightness color levels, “ensures even the most detailed or complex content can be viewed with the crispest clarity, while its innovative Smart Insert technology and dedicated handles make installation and maintenance effortless,” PPDS says.

It continues, “With PPDS’ FailOver technology, displays will always remain active, switching automatically between primary and secondary inputs, ensuring that content keeps playing even if the primary source goes down.”

Bruce Wyrwitzke, Director of Digital Signage at PPDS, said, “There are a vast number of different videowall options available in North America today, so it was important for PPDS to offer a solution that didn’t simply follow what’s already there. Our teams have dug deep into researching and understanding the historic pains and frustrations experienced in specific environments, where portraying the right image and displaying content clearly is vital. The Philips X-Line range addresses those issues and provides the tools to help companies present themselves in the very best light and ensure they always stand out, whether that’s in a retail store, a corporate office, studio or somewhere else.”

X-Line videowalls offer a seamless visual performance, with a 3.5mm bezel providing a near seamless connectivity between panels, and the FHD (1920x1080p) resolution, offering native UHD on a 2×2 videowall, to command attention, with dazzling clarity and 500cd/m2 brightness.

 

Radio syndication company Key Networks has partnered with Summit Technology Group to bring “an advanced routine and emergency weather reporting system” to radio stations for no additional barter.

ATMOS Weather Reporting was developed by Summit Technology Group that uses artificial intelligence to generate a script and natural text-to-speech synthesis to deliver a customized, localized weather forecast in a broadcast quality voice.

“The result is seamless, accurate and as personable as a real meteorologist,” Key Networks asserts.

Key Networks also notes that with ATMOS Weather Reporting, all advertising inventory is contained in the weather forecasts that are delivered, so stations can sell the forecasts to local sponsors and others.

Summit Technology Group President Paul Stewart comments, “Automated weather reports aren’t new to the broadcast industry, but with ATMOS, we’re able to provide a weather
report that sounds indistinguishable from a human speaker, and uses all the abbreviations inherent in our speech patterns. Best of all, stations can take control to adjust their reports based on their format and customize their virtual talent to suit their
listenership.”

Dennis Green, Chief Revenue Officer at Key Networks, adds, “Key Networks’ mission is to bring innovative products and services to the market that you cannot find anywhere else. Mission accomplished with ATMOS Weather powered by Key Networks. Stations will get precise and accurate weather forecasts without having to give up additional inventory outside the content. That is a game changer. This service works on any station in any format and you’ll want to sign up soon, as there is additional cutting edge technology coming that will provide even more localization to your weather forecast. Prepare to be wowed and provide your local listeners and advertisers with weather forecasts around the clock and branded as you desire. I’m beyond excited to get stations on board!”

Last week, Jeffrey Wlodarczak, the Principal and Entertainment/Interactive Subscription Services Analyst at Pivotal Research Group, gave Spotify a glowing assessment in his latest investor note.

Now, another analyst is heaping praise on the streaming audio giant. And, that pushed the company’s stock past a major threshold in Monday’s trading.

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Getting engagement from your team members during an online meeting is a challenge. F

First, how to incentivize them to turn on their cameras is still a question without an easy answer. Second, how to keep them from multitasking while you run the meeting is a near impossible goal. Third, how to you make the meeting worth everyone’s time remains a key need.

Faced with the reality that remote teamwork will continue indefinitely, department heads and meeting managers are eager to find activities to bring teams closer together.

Rosemary Ravinal, the veteran public relations executive turned “Zoom” master, has some suggestions.

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Attention, noncommercial FM operators: A filing window for applications for noncommercial educational (NCE) FM new station construction permits opens on Tuesday, just after Midnight ET.

It’s a seven-day window, closing promptly in one week.

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One is a Class C AM with 1 tower, emitting 630 watts of power. The other is a Class C2 FM with a Country format.

Both stations serve Palestine — the small city in Texas due southwest of Tyler, that is.

And, they’ve just traded hands in a transaction brokered by Media Services Group.

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“How worried should we be about the impact of supply chain disruptions on advertising?”

Michael Nathanson of MoffettNathanson, the respected Wall Street financial analyst house, offered some conflicting answers about the negative impact supply chain issues have ad on advertising demand in an investor note distributed Friday.

It seems he has more to say about the matter, and Nathanson has now shifted his concerns to the radio business and TV industry.

Will broadcast media revenue, led by broadcast advertising, see new and continuing challenges in 2022? A Forecast 2022 panel of experts are ready to engage in a provocative discussion about who is going to “show us the money” in the year to come.

Moderator: Jack Myers, Media Ecologist/Chairman, MyersBizNet
Leah Casterlin, Founding Partner, Media Fortitude Partners
Mark Gray, CEO, Katz Media Group
Steve Lanzano, President/CEO, TVB
Jen Soch, Executive Director/Specialty Channels, GroupM

 

This is one of a full day of insightful and exclusive panel discussions and keynote speeches scheduled for Forecast 2022. Don’t miss out! Save your seat by clicking here.

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In January 2022, the leadership of the nation’s leading voice for broadcast media on Capitol Hill and at the FCC will change. NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith will formally turn over the reins at the trade association to Curtis LeGeyt. Smith and LeGeyt have worked closely together for almost a decade; the transition promises to be smooth and cohesive.

As Smith readies to say goodbye to Inside the Beltway politics and LeGeyt picks up the mantle, where are we now and where are we going? An exclusive Forecast 2022 question-and-answer session is poised to present many answers — and insight — into the path ahead for the NAB under LeGeyt. You have to be there to hear what they have to say.

FORECAST 2022: LIVE AND IN PERSON A Conversation with Gordon Smith and Curtis LeGeyt

What are the front burning issues the incoming NAB CEO expects to tackle first when the New Year rolls around? How will new FCC leadership affect regulatory issues? And what parting words of advice does the former senator have to offer his successor?

Moderator Steve Newberry, formerly of the NAB, will be armed and ready with the key questions you want to have the answers to.

REGISTER NOW TO SAVE YOUR SEAT AT FORECAST 2022.

 

MIAMI BEACH — In late January 2020, the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) successfully staged its NATPE Miami conference. Even as concerns over the COVID-19 virus grew across Asia, there was little worry that a pandemic would sweep across North America.

Now, two years later, NATPE Miami is back. And, it will very much be an in-person event.

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It may be six months away, but the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is busily putting together what will be a 2022 NAB Show that EVP/Managing Director of Global Connections and Events Chris Brown believes will “more closely mirror today’s media, entertainment and technology ecosystem.”

And, this “reimagining” will be done in a way “that is intuitive and makes it easier for attendees to navigate the event.”

A trio of distinct conference center sections will be created, with a focus on “three main pillars associated with the content lifecycle.”

Thus, the event scheduled for April 23-27, 2022, will see North Hall, Central Hall and new West Hall exposition areas of the Las Vegas Convention Center house what Brown calls “new curated experience zones designed to spotlight innovation, stimulate meaningful networking, inspire new ways of thinking and provide premium education, insights and a focus on real-world implementation.”

How will attendees now navigate the NAB Show?

The Central and North Halls will focus on content creation from pre-production to post, including the latest tools and advanced workflow options to elevate storytelling, in the “Create” area.

The West Hall will be a destination to explore content distribution and delivery, from cloud computing to new media infrastructure, in an area dubbed “Create.”

The North Hall, the traditional home for broadcast media technology companies of interest to Radio, will be home to the “Capitalize” area. It will feature content monetization solutions and “next-generation technologies creating new revenue streams and fueling the content economy.”

Within the three pillars, “specially tailored exhibits, networking and education programming will comprise experience zones designed to drive innovation, provide inspiration and spur implementation,” the NAB says.

A fourth NAB Show content pillar in development will focus on critical components impacting all aspects of content creation and delivery, the association adds.

He’s gained a national reputation as an outspoken African American broadcast TV station owner, with stations in Indiana including WISH-8 and WNDY-TV in Indianapolis.

Now, DuJuan McCoy is offering a three-year commitment to provide more than $1 million in platform distribution and media resources to produce and broadcast a program dedicated to economic opportunity and “business equity.”

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A multimedia company known for content superserving African American audiences has looked toward Deon Levingston and his success with Hispanic programming in Indianapolis by shifting a FM translator serving Southern Ohio’s largest metropolitan area to a regional Mexican-intensive Hispanic format.

It was the biggest and best event yet, say attendees. The Hispanic Radio Conference returns to Miami June 21-22, and you can make sure you don’t miss this amazing opportunity to learn what Urban One has about the power of the Hispanic audio content consumer and its powerful customer base.

Learn more now! Just CLICK HERE!

 

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There’s a new leader on the Spot Ten TV report from Media Monitors.

And, just in time for the holiday shopping season, it is the biggest retailer in the U.S. that is strutting its stuff.

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