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Tuscarawas Broadcasting Company enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

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The idea of allowing U.S. radio stations to “geo-target” content via FM boosters took a step forward this week.

We also got some insight into how several FCC commissioners are thinking about the proposal, with one describing the idea as a “potentially industry-altering technology.”

On Tuesday the Federal Communications Commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to allow limited geo-targeting, and asked for comments.

This proposal has been pushed for years by technology company GeoBroadcast Solutions LLC, and has gained support and interest from a number of influential industry players.

The FCC wrote that the idea “presents novel technical and public interest issues that would benefit from additional consideration.”

Geo-targeted content could include advertisements as well as other content. The NPRM would change the booster rules to “enable FM broadcasters to use FM booster stations to air geo-targeted content … independent of the signals of its primary station within different portions of the primary station’s protected service contour for a limited period of time during the broadcast hour.”

GeoBroadcast Solutions welcomed this step: “The prospect of hyper-localizing over-the-air radio content has great potential for the industry in reaching underserved audiences, as well as providing news and alerts on a regional basis, and improving the advertising revenue for the stations,” said spokesman Robert Udowitz. “Industry groups, media and advertising companies, broadcasting companies, minority coalitions and individual stations have all supported and seen the prospects for this technology.”

GBS has said that the technology will work without causing any adjacent-channel interference, and that any self-interference would be manageable.

We learn in statements issued by the commissioners that Brendan Carr, a Republican, and Geoffrey Starks, a Democrat, have been working together to bring the idea to this point.

Starks has been a more public supporter of the idea, emphasizing its potential benefit to small, women and minority broadcasters.

But Carr wrote after the NPRM was released, “We both saw the public interest benefits of this new technology, and I welcomed the chance to work with him and his team over the past few weeks and months to ensure that the commission launched this rulemaking.”

Carr calls the idea “potentially industry-altering technology that will allow FM broadcasters to deliver targeted content over their existing spectrum.”

He wrote, “This technology promises to enhance service in local markets and help these stations compete in an ever-expanding media marketplace. And it means that the freedom to transmit targeted or customized content, which mobile wireless carriers have long enjoyed and broadcast television stations are now realizing with ATSC 3.0, could soon extend to broadcast radio as well.”

Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, also a Republican, took a more cautious view.

O’Rielly said he welcomes creative ideas intended to help “legacy providers to compete effectively with their unregulated counterparts.” But O’Rielly expressed reservations about the pace of the rollout, “given its substantial implications for reshaping FM radio policy and the radio advertising marketplace.” He said the FCC should not rush.

“This rulemaking’s embrace of new radio technologies seems to have occurred at almost light speed,” O’Rielly wrote. “In addition to these process-related concerns, there are also substantive reasons to proceed with caution. … Any rulemaking that considers taking steps that rely on a proprietary technology should be done under a watchful and extremely skeptical eye. It can take years, if not decades, to undue problematic regulations that contain embedded technologies.”

He said comments that will be filed in coming weeks will be important. “Geo-targeting will likely have different consequences for different stations, and it will be important for the record to flesh out the relevant benefits and drawbacks of more targeted ad sales,” he wrote.

“Some argue that increased targeting could expand ad sales by making smaller stations, and even boosters, more attractive to ad buyers. However, it is also possible, at the same time, that geotargeted ads will lower station revenues overall because these ads will be cheaper as a result of reaching fewer ears, leaving stations with a more limited product to offer and putting them in the position of having to recoup lost revenue.”

O’Rielly said that if advertisers can slice any given market into half a dozen mini markets, “it is possible they will only buy spots in certain neighborhoods and forego others, while potentially reallocating remaining funds to digital advertising or other media.”

In the best-case scenario, he said, stations would be under heightened pressure to sell even more ads, at a time when potential ad sales are already being lost to other media. “In the worst-case scenario, the door could be opened to allowing advertisers to entirely ignore certain neighborhoods or mini markets, placing an untenable strain on small stations or broadcast boosters that operate in these areas and harming consumers who live there. In the absence of more robust analysis, the assumption that these changes will promote diversity of voices, much less ownership, is incredibly premature.”

But Commissioner Starks has expressed no such reservations.

Starks pointed to the impact of the pandemic on small, minority broadcast owners, and said this proposal will help. He cited supported from civil rights organizations including MMTC, the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB), National Urban League and numerous others.

“The ability to use of booster stations to provide hyper-localized content potentially opens up opportunities for station owners to increase advertising revenue, which for struggling stations could increase their chance of staying on the air to serve their local communities. It could also provide a cost-effective means for other small businesses to customize advertising to a targeted audience.”

Another benefit, he said, is that it could help minorities gain more access to capital.

“GeoBroadcast Solutions has developed an advertising revenue sharing model that would help smaller stations install boosters and new technology necessary to use the system without having to come up with up front capital and operational expenses,” he wrote. “If this innovative proposal can provide a new revenue stream that keeps even a few struggling stations on air or opens up opportunities for new broadcasters to enter the market, it is well worth our serious consideration.”

The comment deadline will be set once the notice appears in the Federal Register.

Read the NPRM and the many questions the FCC wants comments about.

The post FCC Asks for Comments on FM Geo-Targeting appeared first on Radio World.

The Alabama Broadcasters Association emailed members this week to let them know it has reduced membership dues by 30% for 2021.

It also urged stations to send their savings to help the National Association of Broadcasters.

“The NAB is in an incredibly difficult financial situation,” the ABA wrote. “Because of the pandemic, they were unable to conduct any major conference events this year. The income from those meetings represents the vast majority of their income.

“This is important because winning in the halls of federal power is costly. Our opponents are powerful and well-funded. NAB needs resources to remain an effective advocate on Capitol Hill.

“If you are in a position to send the money you are saving on your ABA dues this year to the NAB, we encourage you to do so.” The message included an address to send donation checks.

At the NAB, Senior VP of Communications Ann Marie Cumming told Radio World that the ABA effort was not prompted by a coordinated effort from the NAB, and she noted that the organization recently took steps of its own to respond to this year’s challenges.

“The NAB Board unanimously approved a one-time assessment, which has positioned NAB with the necessary resources to effectively advocate in Washington and stand up for broadcasters at a time when they need it most,” she said.

“We greatly appreciate the support of our membership and state associations, understanding the hardships many stations are enduring due to the pandemic.”

 

 

The post State Association Solicits Donations to NAB appeared first on Radio World.

iHeartMedia said it plans to provide $1 million worth of public service media to organizations working for social and racial justice. It named UNCF as the first recipient.

The company said its new “iHeartRadio Communities Spotlight Media Grant Program” extends its existing public service commitment and that messages will be “targeted to most effectively serve impacted communities.”

“The inaugural Spotlight Grants will provide a nationwide platform for Black-focused community organizations to inspire, educate and empower listeners to take a stand against systemic racism and promote social justice; celebrate Black excellence, achievement and culture; help members of the Black community express themselves and address the unique needs of their communities; and invest in educational programs and individuals that are inspiring the next generation of Black journalists and leaders,” it stated in a press release.

UNCF helps fund private historically Black colleges and universities; it will receive a minimum grant of exposure valued at $350,000.

“The all-new PSA will begin airing today through the end of the year across all iHeartMedia radio stations and will bring attention to the many social, financial, educational and mental health challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has caused to communities of color and the threat to America’s progress for a more equitable society.”

UNCF is asking listeners to donate online to help HBCU students who had to withdraw from school because of the pandemic to get back to college.

 

 

The post iHeartMedia PSA to Support HBCU Students appeared first on Radio World.

Congratulations, you’ve decided to buy a radio broadcast console!

The complexity of broadcast plants has increased, accelerated by the demands of new types of content across many types of platforms.

Here are important questions to ask yourself as you prepare to make your purchase.

Who am I?

Identifying “who you are” is the first step in the decision tree.

Are you a stand-alone station? A cluster in a market? A group owner with a handful of markets, or hundreds of stations? A state-owned network? A network serving affiliates on a regional or national basis? A production house or podcaster?

Identifying your size and scope can point you as you navigate audio mixing and routing technologies.

For example, a large group owner might be more interested in virtual or centralized operations, while a small cluster might be more interested in a self-contained digital system.

Or let’s say you operate as a network that serves affiliates; you may be interested in consoles with extra control capability and extra routing. Large-scale radio shows need to be routed to various paths for regionalized spot insertion, potentially avoiding copyright issues with beds, to feed audio streams and video channels.

The network studio console also requires buttons and controls to send cues to satellite stations for commercial switching, imaging and IDs.

Now, typical modern consoles can do a lot of that; the point is that on a network syndicated program, you may want an expanded version of the same.

These few examples illustrate why it is essential to identify who you are. Many consoles look alike but differ in functionality, and the differences are not always immediately apparent. Understanding how to identify and navigate the nuances can make a big difference in your users’ long-term satisfaction and productivity.

Do I need a physical console?

Don’t be afraid to ask this aloud.

For most of us, the notion of a studio has included a physical mixing console at the center. But it’s becoming more common to use a tablet or flat-screen control surfaces; some are even transitioning into private or leased cloud platforms. These can handle the mixing and content playout for many stations. In some instances, there’s no console in the studio at all. (There may not even be a need for a studio.)

Some radio groups have announced that they are looking to virtualize to reduce their footprint and save on real-estate costs.

So before you go shopping for a traditional console, consider whether you need one, or if a flat-screen or tablet approach makes sense.

Do I understand the terminology?

You’ve heard the terms thrown around: AoIP (audio over IP), AES, AES67, AES70, cloud or virtual mixing, node, blade, driver, glass, Opus, CAN bus, multicast, unicast, engine, Livewire, Wheatnet, Dante, MPX over IP, auto-mix, GPIO, master clock and console- versus network-centric.

Defining each is beyond the scope of this article, but take time to learn what they are. Discuss terminology with your engineer, consultant or preferred equipment vendor. Do a Google search.

Learn about AoIP, the most widely installed recent technology. AoIP’s newest implementations, like cloud-based mixing, are best explained by manufacturers that offer it or technical consultants who specialize in audio technology.

What’s the purpose?

Will the room function as an air studio, production room, combo air/production room, voice-track room or booth, a newsroom, a network program control room for syndication, a workstation for news or sports?

Chances are you’re buying consoles for several rooms; that adds another layer of consideration; you’ll still need to define each room’s purpose, but you’ll also need to consider the facility’s big-picture purpose as well.

Also, take into account what type of content each room is producing. A sports station has different needs than a music station, which has different needs than a 24/7 news station. Air studio consoles are configured differently from a production room. The latter rely more heavily on digital audio editing software to handle mixing but can be smaller than an air studio console. On the other hand, a network control room needs more individual channels and busses. Other use cases may change the console layout.

From the big picture perspective, establish whether the facility is to operate on its own or connect to a centralized operations center. If you decide on centralization, will the equipment be housed in your building, another remote location, or in the cloud?

Seek input from the stakeholders

This can be overlooked, but the people who operate and manipulate the console are excellent sources of information regarding what works and doesn’t with your current setup.

They will have a list of improvements and features they would like to see in the workflow. Talent, producers, PDs, and board ops all have something to say about the console they touch every day.

For complicated situations like multi-person morning shows, I have sat in a few times to watch what goes on and learn in real time what their pain points might be.

By interviewing the stakeholders and doing in-studio sit and watch sessions, you will learn beneficial information to guide you in selecting the right console (physical or soft). If you skip this step, you may end up with complaints and unhappy team members who felt they were not given a voice.

Analog, Digital, AoIP, Cloud or Hybrid?

These days, it is rare for stations of any size or complexity to choose an analog distribution path for broadcast on-air use.

Good analog consoles for radio are still being made; one of them may be the best fit for users who need simple reliability and affordable cost. But with digital options more affordable than ever, do research that option too.

Be aware that going analog can involve a lot of cabling, which can be expensive to install and maintain. Analog consoles can lose calibration and may not provide the same noise floor or stereo separation, not to mention other specs.

Note that recording studios and musicians at times may prefer analog for their specialized needs, though to be clear, those boards (they sometimes call them desks) are very different in style and function than a radio console.

For many console buyers today, digital is the preferred way to manage audio and route signals in a broadcast facility, even for buyers with relatively modest budgets.

If you opt for digital, you must decide between using a traditional digital technology such as AES-3, MADI or similar with localized inputs and outputs or an AoIP network-centric design.

For years we built studios using a console-centric mentality; the console was the center of everything in the room. Your input sources wired to it directly. There was a single program or audition output that fed the air chain. There may have been an external router installed in more extensive facilities, but this was not a network-centric design.

A network-centric system uses consoles and source gear that rely on off-the-shelf network switches to move audio, control, and metadata around your plant. You’ll find AoIP networked audio systems in many of the newer studio buildouts worldwide in all sizes of facilities.

Several console manufacturers offer a large selection of AoIP solutions and peripherals to meet almost any requirement. A network-centric solution has many advantages and cost savings over traditional digital or analog designs. The wiring is greatly simplified, as AoIP uses the same Cat-5/6 cabling that your data and phone network does. You can manage the system from almost anywhere with a smartphone or laptop. Routing audio and everyday things such as IFB, mix-minus and remote (OB) feeds is a cinch.

Virtualization?

The concept of virtualization is becoming more familiar.

By virtualizing audio infrastructure, you can remove some or all of the hardware, thereby reducing your capital and annual maintenance costs, replacing a portion of those with cloud service costs over time.

Virtualization also enhances your off-site backup capability, which allows you to restore operations should something happen to the studio. It’s not just about an off-site backup of data (music and other critical files), but also about being able to restore broadcast operations from any location with suitable internet.

A virtualized environment allows you to operate using the “cloud” (some central data center that you own or lease from a console vendor) and, if you desire, to directly feed your transmitter site. You only need to log in remotely to your data center and log into your playout system to manage the station from anywhere.

If you are not ready to leap entirely into the cloud, you have the choice to go with a hybrid approach. Hybrid involves a certain amount of locally maintained hardware with a complimentary cloud solution on the back end.

It could be something as simple as running your automation playout system locally but having it backed up in the cloud for business continuity purposes. If something went wrong with the studio, you could switch to the cloud for playout or immediately sync the cloud data to another computer that would pick up where the other left off.

Another example would be to utilize a work surface (glass or physical console) that uses a mixing engine in the cloud. Think of it like having a traditional console with faders and knobs but being able to plug it into any internet connection and run the station like you were in the original studio.

What’s my budget?

I recommend you consider the budget only after you’ve thought hard about what technology makes the most sense. Don’t let budget concerns get in the way of making the right call on technology.

Of course, in some situations, the amount of money available isn’t negotiable. But there are good choices for consoles that fit almost every budget, so there’s no reason to rule something out prematurely just because you think, “I can’t afford that new digital stuff.”

I’ve sat in many meetings where the budget increased after senior management and stakeholders received an education on the benefits of AoIP and the future of network-centric design.

Also, be aware that as technology moves toward service models, your costs migrate from a “capital expense” model, meaning largely paid up at the time of purchase, to “operating expense,” with costs incurred over time. For instance, if you choose to use virtualization or a hybrid approach, you’ll be paying an ongoing fee for the benefit of media cloud services; that’s an “op-ex” model.

For many buyers, a final analysis of operating versus capital will involve someone from the business department.

Where should I shop?

Depending on which technology you’ve chosen and where you are in the world, a particular group of manufacturers makes sense for you; the list will include companies you know, but make sure to learn all that are active in your country or market.

Develop your list through online research, discussions with fellow engineers and consultants, trade shows, and reading articles like those in Radio World about the decisions made by well-regarded facilities and managers.

Buying a console is like buying an airplane; it lasts for many years. Even if you aren’t using a physical surface, you’ll be living and working with your software system for a long time. The quality of the company, including its level of support, is critical.

Pricing deals can be time-consuming as there are several components to a digital audio system. You may be purchasing a work surface, network switches, software drivers (for playout systems and other computer-based audio sources), XY panels, headphone panels, support, etc.

Review every line item and double-check those quantities are right. For complex systems, it is best to go over the details with an expert, someone at the manufacturer, a trusted reseller, a consulting engineer, an integrator or your corporate engineering team if you have one. One pass is not enough; it’s standard on larger projects that the buyers review their equipment list several times.

Deep breath, and let’s buy! Before buying that next console, also check out the free ebook “Console Tech 2021.” Click the image to access it.

When you are ready to “pull the trigger,” step back and review each step in your decision tree.

This is not about second-guessing but ensuring you’ve carefully thought through the process. If you rushed because it’s budget season or management issued a last-minute directive, this is the time to step back and review. A pause also adds credibility to the procurement process.

Executing your purchase, believe it or not, is the easy part. Sign the contract and place the order.

Then get ready for the excitement of delivery and installation. Studio and console upgrades are a huge morale booster at any station anywhere on the globe. It signifies an advance and an investment in your product. Every employee will feel it.

The author is a broadcast consultant who has held technical positions with several major broadcast organizations, most notably as senior VP of engineering at Cumulus Media.

He has provided engineering support and consulting in the United States, Canada, China, Europe and several South American countries. He is a past recipient of the Radio World Excellence in Engineering Award.

 

The post How to Choose Your Next Radio Console appeared first on Radio World.

A new program from the Society of Broadcast Engineers aims to help encourage development of technical talent for the industry.

The Technical Professional Training Program, or TPTP, is a response to “the ongoing concern about new technical talent choosing broadcasting as a career,” according to SBE.

“As technology and the average age and tenure of technical professionals advances … there is concern to adequately fulfill the technical staffing needs in the long term.”

The society noted that familiar career starting points of the past, in which part-time employment and smaller-market stations served as a training ground, have been largely eliminated through streamlining of the workforce, consolidation of ownership and the shrinking number of electronic technology programs at trade schools and colleges.

SBE called the result “a looming crisis.”

[Read Radio World’s ebook “Radio Engineering in Crisis.”]

The SBE Technical Professional Training Program is a membership option that costs $475, which SBE hopes will be covered by employers and broadcast associations.

“Stations and media outlets can groom young talent to fast track their technical skills with one application and one purchase,” it said.

The fee includes a one-year SBE membership with SBE MemberPlus (including access to the society’s extensive webinar library); a copy of SBE CertPreview to help with certification preparation; a copy of the SBE Engineering Handbook; enrollment in the SBE Mentor Program; and the SBE CBT certification exam application fee, with the test to be taken later.

Mentoring is an important component: “The SBE Mentor Program provides new entrants to the technical broadcast field regular access and guidance from a seasoned professional – a personal touch not unlike days of old when the senior staff would take the new person under a wing to show him or her the ropes.”

“Ideally, the mentor would come from within the ranks of the organization in which the mentee is employed, but the mentor role can be filled by any qualified engineer willing to invest the time.”

The announcement of the new program was made by SBE President Wayne Pecena and Education Committee Chair Geary Morrill.

Morrill said the program aims to simplify the steps to engage someone who is new to the broadcasting technical career path.

 

 

 

The post SBE Launches New Training Program appeared first on Radio World.

PreSonus has introduced its new Revelator USB microphone. Intended primarily for home studio use as well as podcasting and voice-overs, the mic includes accessible presets, loopback audio, and selectable polar patterns.

The Revelator offers the same DSP algorithms found in PreSonus’ StudioLive Series III mixers, providing users with eight presets with various combinations of EQ and compression, and offers an additional eight user-defined presets that can be created and saved using the full StudioLive Fat Channel controls available in Universal Control. Also onboard are a selection of voice effects and the ability to store up to four presets to be instantly selectable via the preset button on Revelator.

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

Revelator also features two stereo streams for loopback audio so users can conference in Zoom calls, record gameplay, or showcase the audio in a YouTube video. The presence of two streams for loopback audio means users can mix and record the audio from two different applications on a computer, along with their voice, at the same time using the intuitive interface in Universal Control. Built-in monitoring and an onboard headphone amplifier let users listen to your performance and your mix in real-time.

Three pickup patterns are provided — cardioid pattern, for one-person use; figure 8 for two users, such as in an interview situation; and omnidirectional to pick up multiple speakers around the microphone.

The bus-powered, USB-C-compatible mic comes with PreSonus’ Studio One Artist recording and production software and Studio Magic Software Suite, as well as an integrated desktop stand with built-in cable management.

Revelator is available now for a U.S. street price of $179.95.

Info: www.presonus.com

 

The post PreSonus Revelator USB Mic Debuts appeared first on Radio World.

I am a systems engineering consultant and chair for the Audio Engineering Society’s Technical Committee for Broadcast and Online Delivery.

Previously, I was director of stream operations for CBS Radio and then held the same position at Entercom. In these roles, I was responsible for setting up and maintaining over 300 streams.

Early on at CBS Radio, we were doing streams the same way as everyone else, with old PCs and without much priority. Eventually, management asked us to try to find a better solution to manage our streaming content.

We searched and spoke with a number of companies, but nobody could provide the exact solution that we were looking for. In 2014 I went to the AES convention in Los Angeles and after one session I got several members of Telos Alliance together in the back of a conference room and explained how CBS needed a new solution for streaming.

At the end of the day, it turned out we had similar goals for a new streaming platform. I dubbed the meeting a success and came back to New York and worked with Telos’ team over many months providing input and feedback on the project. After a little more than a year, the Telos Z/IPStream R/2 was born.

We started installing them in all the CBS stations. The rollout was a complete success and has continued to be for all the projects I have used the R/2 on since.

R/2 comes with Omnia three-band processing “in the box,” with optional Omnia.9 processing, allowing me to create unique and great-sounding individual presets for each stream.

Having the power of Omnia processing lets me tweak each one to sound amazing as well as staying within the specifications of AES TD-1004, the AES recommendation for the loudness of audio streaming and network file playback.

Remote operation is smooth as the design was always meant to be controlled and configured by a web GUI. With the Supermicro IPMI control port, the system can be cold-booted. As long as the facility’s firewall rules are configured for proper access, nobody has to be onsite.

The advent of smart speakers has caused unprecedented growth in stream listening. It is one of the fastest-adopted new technologies in our lifetimes. It has brought audio listening back into the home and is driving further expansion into mobile.

In my role chairing the Audio Engineering Society’s Technical Committee for Broadcast and Online Delivery, we are looking into recommendations for stream loudness. We believe it is very important to set the stream content and any injected interstitial to a standard loudness. Not only are these jumps jarring, but forcing listeners to take action to adjust the volume level also opens the door for them to turn off the stream.

The Z/IPStream R/2 is the first streaming appliance to be designed from the ground up as a broadcast stream transmitter. With its built-in redundancy, it is truly the broadcaster’s friend, and I have not worked with an engineer who has been unhappy with this product after I install it.

Radio World User Reports are testimonial articles intended to help readers understand why a colleague chose a particular product to solve a technical situation.

For information on this product, contact Cam Eicher at The Telos Alliance in Ohio at 1-216-241-7225 or visit www.telosalliance.com.

The post User Report: Z/IPStream R/2 Offers Power, Reliability appeared first on Radio World.

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Courier Communications Corporation enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

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Talley Broadcasting Corporation enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

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WGEM License, LLC enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Political File Investigation

What’s the best way for broadcasters to get the word out about COVID-19 vaccines? That’s the question to be explored by a research project that the NAB will participate in.

The National Association of Broadcasters and the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute announced a “nationwide research project to identify effective COVID-19 vaccine education messaging.”

[Read: NAB Ad Campaign Emphasizes Local Broadcasting]

They said the findings will help in development of a “toolkit” for radio and TV broadcasters and other journalists “to craft public health messages and educational programming that will best resonate with their communities.”

The project will be conducted by consulting firm SmithGeiger. It will do a national survey that the organizers call a first: looking into “the challenges and opportunities facing local and national media presented by the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.”

NAB and RJI want to put out a toolkit for broadcasters and other journalists “that provides messaging guidance focused on a local and regional approach rather than relying solely on a national message.” It is expected to be released early next year in English and Spanish languages.

 

The post NAB Explores “Vaccine Education Messaging” appeared first on Radio World.