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About the Broadcasters Foundation of America
The mission of the Broadcasters Foundation of America foundation is to improve the quality of life and maintain the personal dignity of men and women in the radio and television broadcast profession who find themselves in acute need. For more than 70 years, the Foundation has provided financial support to those broadcast industry professionals who have faced life-altering circumstances. We reach out across the country to provide an anonymous safety net in cases of critical illness, advanced age, death of a spouse, accident, natural disaster, or other serious misfortune. The Broadcasters Foundation of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in New York City, and it is the only charity devotedly exclusively to helping broadcasters in dire need. The staff consists of four full time employees and one part-time employee. The Board of Directors of the foundation is made up of high-level Broadcast professionals who have achieved tremendous success in radio and television and want to give back to the Broadcast community.

Expectations (report to the Co-Presidents)
• Commit to 3 days a week, ideally in office, some flexibility open for discussion
• Oversee cash flow for grants, general ledger activities, insurance, and payroll functions
• Provide monthly income statements, balance sheets, and other financial reports, for monthly Executive Committee and quarterly Board of Directors meetings
• Review and approve event contracts throughout the year
• Preparation of monthly and annual budgets
• Provide appropriate information to external auditors and assist in final preparation of year-end financial statements

Qualifications:
• Minimum of 4 years of general business accounting
• Understanding of SAGE accounting system strongly preferred
• Not-for-profit background preferred
• Proficiency in payroll processing (ADP) and financial statements
• Ability to converse with management M-F, 9a-5p EST (flexibility to be discussed)
• Ability to communicate with high profile board members

Salary is negotiable.
References will be checked, and a background check completed prior to hire.

Broadcasters Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Interested in learning more? Contact Tim McCarthy tim@thebfoa.org

Royal Media Services, based in Nairobi, Kenya, recently upgraded the broadcast studio infrastructure for its Radio Citizen station with a new 12-fader Lawo crystal console.

The move follows successful installations of Lawo mixing consoles and IP infrastructure at other RMS radio stations. Project management and installation were handled by Lawo system integrator Byce Broadcast.

[See Our Who’s Buying What Page]

RMS, Lawo and Byce Broadcast began their relationship in 2017 with the installation of their first Lawo mixing console; crystal consoles are now in service at Radio Citizen’s sister stations Ramogi FM, Inooro FM and HOT96, all also headquartered in Nairobi.

“It is exciting to watch as Royal Media Services sets the pace for the adoption of broadcast IP technology in Kenya,” says Cynthia Odari, head of business development for Byce Broadcast. “RMS were our very first client in Kenya, and we thank them for their continuing trust in us and in Lawo.”

Send news for Who’s Buying What to radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post Royal Media Services Upgrades Fourth Station to AoIP appeared first on Radio World.

Český Rozhlas set Dec. 31, 2021, as the “end of broadcasting on medium wave AM.”

Czech public service broadcaster Český Rozhlas shuttered three long- and medium-wave services as the calendar turned from 2021 to 2022.

Until midnight on Dec. 31, 2021, the broadcaster’s Dvojka channel was heard on 639, 954 and 1332 kHz, and the ČRo Plus station was heard on 1071 kHz. The ČRo news channel Radiožurnál was previously heard on 270 kHz.

The Oxford Shortwave Log posted to YouTube audio from the last minutes of Radiožurnál’s longwave broadcast, which had originated from Topolná, Czechia, since 1951.

Český Rozhlas has been working towards shuttering the AM services for several years by increasing the reach of the stations on FM and DAB+ nationwide, as well as via the internet.

According to the broadcaster, about 95 percent of the country can now receive the stations via DAB+.

The post Medium-Wave Transmitters Go Dark for Czech Public Service appeared first on Radio World.

In mid-December, Audacy Inc. shares earned an upgrade from Wall Street financial house B. Riley. The firm’s Daniel Day saw bad news for the audio media company “more than priced in” ahead of an earnings inflection for the coming year.

A better-known Wall Street analyst now shares that he sees things differently for the owner of Cadence13 and Pineapple Street, BetQL, the Audacy streaming app and AM and FM radio stations including KROQ/Los Angeles, WFAN/New York and WXRT/Chicago.

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USSI Global promoted Amanda Flynn to vice president of customer relations and business development.

The company is a turnkey provider of network, broadcast and digital signage systems and services.

[Related: “USSI Global Supports SES in C-Band Transition”]

“Flynn will focus on expanding the manufacturer client base for installation and repair services within the company’s Digital Signage and Electronic Business and Consumer Solutions,” it stated.

She is currently director of business development and customer relations.

The announcement was made by CEO David Christiano. Flynn is based at the company headquarters in Melbourne, Fla.

Send announcements for People News, especially roles involving radio engineering, technology and executive management, to radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post USSI Global Promotes Amanda Flynn appeared first on Radio World.

Audacy and Samsung have a new content distribution partnership, making Audacy’s podcast library available on Samsung platforms.

“Listeners will be able to hear favorites from Audacy’s market-leading podcast studios including Cadence13, Pineapple Street Studios and 2400Sports, along with hundreds of other Audacy podcast titles from across its large and rapidly-growing network on the Samsung Free platform and any other Samsung customized or developed apps,” according to the press release.

 [Related: “APM, Audacy Create a Podcast Partnership”]

Samsung Free is a content aggregator introduced in 2020, a successor to its Samsung Daily and Bixby Home platforms.

The announcement was made by Tim Murphy, executive vice president of strategy and corporate business development at Audacy.

The post Audacy Podcasts Now on Samsung Platforms appeared first on Radio World.

The Federal Communications Commission has released its year-end station totals for 2021.

As of Dec. 31, 2021, the number of licenses were as follows,

Station type

Dec. ’21 Dec. ’20

+/−

AM stations

4,509

4,551

−42

FM commercial

6,676

6,699

−23

FM educational

4,204

4,195

+9

FM translators and boosters

8,866

8,420

+446

LPFM

2,069

2,136

−67

In the past 12 months the number of AM stations fell about 1 percent, continuing a contraction over time in the category, which peaked at around 5,000 in the 1990s.

FM translators and boosters continued their rapid expansion. Ten years ago, their number was 6,099; it has grown 45 percent since then, helped in part by the FCC’s AM revitalization initiative, HD Radio multicast rebroadcasts and other spectrum strategies.

The category of FM educational will grow soon, given that the commission recently opened a window for new noncommercial educational FM construction permits and received almost 1,300 applications.

The full station count, including TV station classes, is on the FCC website.

The post FCC Releases Year-End Station Totals appeared first on Radio World.

Martin Miller in 2021 announced his decision to retire as president of New England Public Media. While he will continue to support NEPM by serving as an advisor to the organization in its ongoing fundraising and development efforts, its new President will take over on February 1.

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Assessing the true extent and impact of login/password sharing for Netflix and other SVOD operators is an important gauge of just how many people pay for what they watch. It is also challenging, S&P Global Market Intelligence‘s Kagan group notes.

A just-released Kagan Consumer Insights survey of U.S. internet adults sheds some light on “admitted login sharers.”

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The NAB is now accepting entries for the 35th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards, honoring outstanding community service efforts undertaken by radio stations throughout 2021.

Winners will receive national recognition for their community service at NAB Show, scheduled for April 23–27, 2022 in Las Vegas.

Established in 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards recognize local radio stations for their year-round commitment to serving communities. A panel of judges representing the broadcast industry and community service organizations will review applications and select 50 finalists and 10 winners.

Stations must submit an online entry through NAB’s member platform, My NAB, describing their community service efforts for the 2021 calendar year. The deadline for submissions is January 31.

Finalists will be announced in February.

Entry information is available here.

Michael J. Hayes was named an EVP and group head of Hearst Television in 2017, with operational oversight over a portfolio of Hearst markets.

Now, Hayes has earned a promotion.

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We are currently seeing a return of premium audio equipment to the home. People are now buying high-end audio/video receivers and surround systems, and they are appreciating high quality audio.

This is a call to action for broadcasters and streaming groups to up their game.

Concept art from Sony for the HT-A9 Home theater system with 360° sound mapping

At the SVG Summit in New York in December 2021, I had the pleasure of listening to Tom Sahara speak. He made several very good points about changing consumer expectations when it comes to audio quality.

The pandemic has encouraged people to choose high fidelity playback for the streams they listen to. No longer are they listening on poor quality speakers via their computers.

During the pandemic, many people invested in improved audio and video systems to reduce the fatigue caused by poor audio. As companies implemented work from home policies, people spent many hours on conference and video calls with poor audio and video quality.

Many will argue that audio quality is more important than visual, however, radio broadcasters have long argued that a listener will continue listening even through static if the content is compelling.

[Read More by David Bialik]

Consumer surveys conducted since the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020, help us better understand how consumer demands and expectations are changing.

• Sound quality is the top priority for end-users, with 52 percent of the respondents saying that they are seeking high-resolution or lossless quality audio. (NPD Group)
• A key growth driver is increased spending on audio content, including streaming and satellite subscription services, as well as podcasting, which grew 12.4 percent. (PQMedia)
• Voice integration became a sought-after feature as “smart home” purchases increased during the pandemic. (FutureSource)

The audience will continue to expect premium quality audio even when the pandemic ends. People have accepted that they have to pay a premium for better products.

• After a breakout year in 2019, Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds accounted for more than 67 million units sold, a 35 percent increase. (ReportLinker)
• Apple’s introduction of the high-end AirPod Max demonstrates a belief that consumers are willing to pay for high-quality sound. (FutureSource)
• Immersive sound is a key feature of the AirPod Max. (Apple)

The ease of installation and the presence of disposable income has encouraged consumers to have better AV systems in their homes.

• Sound bars have become popular due to their ease of installation and immersive, spatial sound. (ReportLinker)
• High-end sound bar systems are Dolby Atmos and DTS:X enabled. (ReportLinker)
• Sales of home theater systems costing more than $1,000 grew by 32 percent in 2020. (ReportLinker)

The advent of smart speakers has introduced many to streaming audio, and listeners have discovered that it can sound good. Smart speakers are the fastest growing home appliance.

• Smart speakers sales grew by 31 percent in 2020. (ReportLinker)
• Smart speakers are emerging as common appliances in the American home; 27 percent of all households own at least one. (Edison Research)

The r revolution has happened. 2020 was the year that 50 percent of home televisions were connected to the internet. Online advertising is exceeding 50 percent growth annually! Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Apple TV are common in U.S. households. Over-the-top television is here!

• Digital video overtakes broadcast TV. In close to half of all countries surveyed, 75 percent of internet users had viewed streaming video-on-demand within the past month. (GlobeNewsWire)
• Uptake of VOD reached 92.5 percent, further reinforcing the fact that digital video is far more popular among internet users than live TV. (GlobeNewsWire)

The consumer is expecting superior audio.

• With immersive audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos, video service providers are empowered to deliver a next-gen listening experience for live sports. (TVB Europe)

Audio quality is not confined to the home. Many will discover that streaming will be the crown jewel of the 5G revolution. With low latency, sports streaming will be common.

• Three apps that saw the most gains in listenership during this pandemic: (Comscore)
• Pandora ↑ 42 percent
• iHeartRadio ↑ 11 percent
• Spotify ↑ 1 percent

The pandemic has pushed the public to want the best quality of audio, and the importance of quality audio is clear. Now the broadcasters have to provide that desired quality or the consumer will go elsewhere. And as consumers continue to invest in high-fidelity, premium audio equipment, broadcasters have to be prepared to always deliver the best.

The author is a consultant who has held technical broadcast and streaming positions for companies like Entercom and CBS Radio. He is co-chair of the AES Technical Committee for Broadcast and Online Delivery and chair of the Metadata Usage Working Group of the National Radio Systems Committee. Contact him at dkbialik@erols.com or 845-634-6595.

The post Premium Audio Entertainment Returns to Homes appeared first on Radio World.

In late July, the FCC was asked to approve the sale of seven TV stations and four radio stations across five markets by Waypoint Media and related entity Vision Communications.

The transaction, which saw Kalil & Co. serve as the broker, has now closed, making Coastal Television Broadcasting Group LLC the owner.

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Among the first radio industry transactions of 2022 to await FCC approval is the sale of a radio station from the Estate of Robert Cummings Toole and Karen Toole to a Montana corporation.

The deal involves an FM that can reach the capital, Helena, and a FM translator serving a small mountain community.

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RBR+TVBR OBSERVATION

When it comes to creativity, sometimes remembering the past can spark ideas that can fuel innovation needed for today’s overcommunicated world. For the Radio industry, a Bauer Media brand with national coverage of the United Kingdom has just the type of inspired lightbulb moment needed to ignite some excitement into a rather staid media in need of a jolt.

Who knew that Bauer’s Absolute Radio would turn the clock back by more than 45 years to do something today that U.S. operators should mimic?

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SATELLITE BEACH, FLA. — USSI Global, the Space Coast-headquartered provider of customized network, broadcast and digital signage systems and services, has selected someone from within to take the VP of Customer Relations and Business Development role.

This will see the 14-year company veteran now focus on expanding the manufacturer client base for installation and repair services within the company’s Digital Signage and Electronic Business and Consumer Solutions.

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Introducing a new offering from Nielsen designed to allow Connected TV operators and advertisers to better understand who is watching a show within the household.

Named “Streaming Signals,” the product is being heralded by the nation’s dominant audience measurement and consumer data analytics firm as a “first-of-its-kind solution” that unbundles household viewing.

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On Wednesday, a truncated three-day CES 2022 begins at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Despite the high-profile cancellation of in-person experiences from such companies as iHeartMedia, Facebook parent Meta, Microsoft and Procter & Gamble Co., the show is on — and so are Thursday events geared to radio industry professionals, including an invitation-only Radio Reception co-presented by RBR+TVBR.

Among those gathering intelligence about potential opportunities for both the industry and her company is Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley. She speaks with RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson in this fresh InFOCUS Podcast to share the reasons behind her travel to CES 2022 and why it is important.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Caroline Beasley” on Spreaker.

By Brian Galante

Live event and broadcast production specialist CP Communications is welcoming a new Director of Production for its St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Red House Streaming unit.

He reports to the VP of Red House Streaming, Lowell Beckner, and will manage the Red House Streaming studios’ in-house broadcast and A/V productions from CP’s Pinellas County production complex and network operations center.

Taking the role: former WFTS-28 in Tampa Master Control Supervisor Karl Prentiss.

He has more than 40 years of broadcast engineering, video and photography experience and began his career as a Master Control Operator at WBAK-TV in Terre Haute, Ind., in 1979. He later handled similar duties for WPTV-5 and, in a different role, at WPEC-12 in West Palm Beach, and has been in the Tampa Bay region since 1994.

“This new position at Red House Streaming is an incredible career opportunity for me,” Prentiss said. “As the Director of Production, I am excited to work alongside a creative team of proven innovators, and I am looking forward to trailblazing the future of our industry with them.”

Prentiss’ experience at WFTS, the ABC affiliate serving Tampa, St. Petersburg and Lakeland-Winter Haven, saw him working closely with Beckner, who served as the station’s Director of Engineering. CP says Prentiss’ work ethic made a lasting impression on Beckner.

“When I thought about the kind of manager we needed at Red House Streaming, I thought of Karl,” Beckner said. “His engineering expertise and understanding of studio operations are strengthened by his creative eye and hands-on work producing high-quality content. From photography to graphic design, to video, Karl knows what it takes to create high-quality content and to push forward the boundaries of our industry.”

Prentiss in 2014 left WFTS-28 to pursue his own photography business, Prentiss Photography, where he specialized as a portrait, wedding, and commercial photographer. Then, a move back to Indiana in 2017 allowed Prentiss to broaden his creative skillset even more.

As the Creative Projects Manager for The Skinny Productions and Fatheadz Eyewear in Indianapolis, Prentiss handled all photography, art direction and production management for a variety of brands and projects. He designed and built all aspects of the in-house video studio for “The Skinny with Rico and Ken” racing podcast, fully incorporating vMix 4K Production software, which Prentiss directed, switched, edited, and delivered.

He’s now returning to Tampa Bay, as CP subsidiary Red House continues to build the line-up of productions being taped and streaming from its 5,600-square-foot St. Petersburg facility. Once settled in northeast Pinellas, Prentiss will lead the local production team in providing custom glass-to-glass IP production and streaming solutions for every type of live event or recorded programming.

The RHS production complex features two 600-square-foot studio spaces and an adjacent control room with vMix 64 4K production switchers, and a Yamaha TF1 64-channel audio console with Dante interface.

Studio A houses a professional anchor desk with several monitors for custom branding, and Studio B offers a dynamic chromakey space for virtual packages. Both studio spaces include Panasonic AW-UE100KP 4K PTZ cameras, Sennheiser wireless talent microphones, and DMX lighting with Dracast studio lights.

RBR+TVBR’s Weekly Tech Roundup is scheduled to tour the Red House facility in St. Petersburg in early March. Coverage is slated to appear in the Spring 2022 RBR+TVBR Special Report, distributed at NAB 2022 in Las Vegas.