Industry News

On December 8, 2021, now-former Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey ordered the Elliot Evers-administered “CXR Radio Station Trust” to move forward with the timely divestiture of two Florida FM radio stations. While Evers wanted an extra six months to get the price he believes is fair for the properties, despite an offer for one of the FMs from Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), Carey said no.

Now, with days remaining, industry observers are eagerly awaiting the station sales. Little is being said privately about the matter, leading some to question when the necessary deals will be struck.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate has confirmed three Corporation for Public Broadcasting board members.

Two of the board members were re-nominated, and retain their seats. The third board member is new to the CPB. He’s a major Hollywood figure.

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There’s a new individual who will oversee all live-action programming, scripted and unscripted series and movies created by Disney Branded Television for the Disney Channels and for OTT platform Disney+.

It is an individual stepping into a role most recently held by DBT President Ayo Davis.

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Are you a bilingual executive who struggles with a marked accent when speaking in English? Does presenting on Zoom make it worse? “Zoom expert” and veteran public relations executive Rosemary Ravinal offers three quick fixes to help you communicate your authentic personality and expertise without needing to reduce your accent.

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As of September 29, 2021, the second-largest investor in Townsquare Media reported having a 6.39% stake in the “local first” owner of radio stations in small and medium-sized markets.

It has now revealed in a SEC filing that it has taken a bigger position in Townsquare.

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The advocacy and lobbying group acting on behalf of the nation’s small and independently-owned MVPDs has filed comments with the FCC that present the argument that broadcast television station owners’ fast-rising retransmission consent revenue needs to be tempered.

If not, consumers, and cable television service providers, will continue to be harmed.

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The Nebraska Broadcasters Association has joined the Society of Broadcast Engineers’ effort to bring new technical talent to the field of broadcasting through the SBE’s Technical Professional Training Program.

The SBE created the program at the beginning of 2021 in response to concerns about the ability to fill technical positions as current engineers age out of the workforce, as well as innovations in broadcasting technologies continue.

Launched in January, the NBA plans to cover the cost of TPTP enrollment for up to 12 enrollees, each accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for 2022. It has limited enrollment to one enrollee per dues-paying station employment unit.

[Related: SBE Launches New Training Program]

Jim Timm, president and executive director of the NBA, said many broadcast engineers are retiring faster than they can be replaced.

“Recognizing that many stations have a person or two on staff with some technical aptitude,” he said, “we feel the SBE’s TPT is an ideal way to help them expand their capabilities and potentially, groom some future engineers for NBA member stations.”

The Missouri Broadcasters Association launched a similar support program in 2021. Terry Beth Harper, director of member services for the MBA, agreed that finding replacements for those who have or are getting ready to retire can be difficult.

“Someone just starting out might find the right fit in the technical environment, and this program gives them a chance to explore that world a little deeper,” she said.

SBE President Andrea Cummis, CBT, CTO, added, “The SBE continues to increase its education efforts, which includes the TPT. The Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Missouri Broadcasters Association have actively embraced the program, which will hopefully serve as models for other state associations to follow.”

[Related: Cummis Set to Take the Lead at SBE]

There have been 33 participants since the launch of the TPTP. So far, the fixed number of participants budgeted for by the SBE has not been met.

The cost of the SBE TPTP is $475. This includes a one-year SBE membership with SBE MemberPlus, a copy of SBE CertPreview, a copy of the SBE Engineering Handbook, enrollment in the SBE Mentor Program, and the SBE CBT certification exam application fee to be taken later.

The post Neb. Association Support for SBE Training appeared first on Radio World.

A Mississippi AM station finds itself liable for a monetary forfeiture of $7,000 after allegedly operating the station without authority.

Magnolia State Broadcasting, licensee of station WMOX(AM) in Meridian, Miss., was required to renew its broadcast license on Feb. 3, 2020, which was four months before the station’s license was set to expire on June 1, 2020. No application was filed on time, the Media Bureau said, and the station’s license expired. On June 5, Magnolia sought reinstatement of the station’s license, which the bureau treated as a petition for reconsideration. The bureau granted the petition, reinstated the station’s license and had the application formally filed on Sept. 25, 2021.

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But the Media Bureau said that Magnolia did not request special temporary authority to operate the station following the expiration of the station’s license. And because the station continued operating after the license expired, the Media Bureau said Magnolia was in violation of FCC rules. The licensee also failed to comply with the Communications Act by broadcasting for more than one day with an expired license.

The commission’s forfeiture policy establishes a base forfeiture amount of $3,000 for failure to file a license renewal application on time. The guidelines also specify a base forfeiture amount of $10,000 for operation without authorization. However, the commission can adjust the base amount upward or downward as it sees fit.

In its review of the facts and circumstances — including that Magnolia failed to file its license renewal application on time, continued to operate the station after the license expired and never filed an STA to operate the station after its license expired — the bureau proposed a final amount of $7,000.

Despite the forfeiture, the bureau found that Magnolia’s violation of the rules and the act do not present serious violations. The bureau also found no evidence that the violations constitute a pattern of abuse.

As a result the bureau agreed to grant Magnolia’s application as soon as this forfeiture proceeding is resolved. Magnolia has 30 days to submit payment.

The post Unauthorized Broadcasting Nets Miss. Station $7,000 Fine appeared first on Radio World.

It’s a town due south of Dallas known as the home of the Munster Mansion. And, it is the city of license for an AM and FM translator that at present is control by a husband and wife.

Pending FCC approval, their shares in the stations will be transferred to a single individual.

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Colleen Harper is stepping down from her role as the executive director of the Audio Engineering Society in March. Harper, a Certified Association Executive (CAE), has led the AES headquarters staff for the past three years, having started with the organization in January 2019.

During her time at the AES, Harper has worked with the Society’s volunteer leadership, members and industry partners to shepherd the organization through a period of radical transition due to the global pandemic.

“I care deeply about the AES, and I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” said Harper. “The past three years have been a tremendously rewarding experience and some of the most challenging and enjoyable years I could have imagined. My decision to step down has been a difficult one, but I leave knowing that I have accomplished the goals established when I joined the AES. As I leave to pursue a new challenge, I am genuinely sad to leave the Society, its dedicated staff and leadership, and the wonderful community that has accepted me as one of its own.”

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“The AES has been privileged to have Colleen’s experience and unique skill set to rely upon during trying times,” said Josh Reiss, AES President. “Not only is the AES in the best financial position it’s been in for years, despite a global pandemic, but Colleen has also helped usher in forward-looking operational plans, procedures and practices that will further solidify the Society’s role as the world’s leading professional audio technological organization. On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Board of Governors and the Society’s membership, we offer Colleen our sincere gratitude and wish her well as her career takes her in new directions.”

The AES Board of Directors will form a search committee to work with an outside search firm in the selection of Harper’s permanent replacement. Bill Foster, a veteran of AES leadership who served as Interim Executive Director during the search that led to the hiring of Harper, has agreed to serve again in that role following Harper’s departure in early March.

“Bill has proven his ability to see the Society through this type of transition,” said Reiss. “The Board of Directors has every confidence that he will once again provide the interim leadership needed. Colleen has set a high standard of performance that will be a perfect template to guide our search for her replacement.”

The post AES Executive Director Colleen Harper Steps Down appeared first on Radio World.