Industry News

A battle against the FCC that sees the NAB; Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC); and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) join hands in a united fight to stop the Commission’s order mandating disclosures for foreign government-sponsored programming has yielded a freshly submitted reply brief — one that reiterates its belief that the new rules are overreaching and burdensome.

Another reply brief was filed on Friday by the three groups with U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The organizations have waged a legal challenge of the FCC’s order requiring disclosures for programming tied financially to a foreign government. The matter is pending judicial review, and oral arguments in the case are scheduled for April 12.

In the brief, the organizations refute the FCC’s claims that the rule is lawful and argue that the rule violates with the Communications Act, the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act.

On April 22, 2021, the FCC adopted what the three broadcast media advocacy groups call “unnecessary and overly burdensome rules that impose on every broadcaster onerous requirements to make specified inquiries of, and conduct independent research on, all the entities with whom broadcasters currently or will in the future have lease agreements.”

As the FCC sees it, the rules will “eliminate any potential ambiguity to the viewer or listener regarding the source of programming provided from foreign governmental entities.”

Specifically, the new FCC rule states that by having stations identify its sources of programming, “we seek to address an important issue of public concern while going no further than necessary, thus balancing considerations of the First Amendment with the need for consumers to be sufficiently informed as to the origin of material broadcast on stations licensed on their behalf in the public interest.”

The Commission rule goes on to say by refining the rule it is ensuring that the public is fully informed on the source of programming consumed. It notes, “We find it is critical that the American public be aware when a foreign government has sponsored, paid for, or, in the case of political programs or programs involving the discussion of a controversial issue, furnished the programming for free as an inducement to air the material, particularly given what seems to be an increase in the dissemination of programming in the United States by foreign governments and their representatives.”

In August 2021, the NAB, NABOB and the MMTC moved ahead and filed a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging the Order.

In the latest objection brief from the three organizations, NAB, NABOB and MMTC say the rule is “pointless” and addresses a “phantom harm” that is highly unlikely to occur since foreign agents, under threat of criminal penalties, must disclose their three foreign principal in all programming and supply copies of that programming to the Department of Justice.

The Order requires broadcasters to conduct investigations of every programming lease, even infomercials and local programming. The groups say it is “arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.”

The target of the R&O? It is most likely the Sputnik radio service, which airs on an FM translator serving the Washington, D.C., market and in select hours on a Kansas City radio station; W288BS is owned by prominent communications attorney John Garziglia, through his licensee Reston Translator LLC.

The Order also likely targets URadio, a Chinese-language service said to be funded by the People’s Republic of China that uses XETRA-AM 690 in Tijuana, Baja California to serve audiences in Southern California.

— Reporting by Ed Ryan and Adam R Jacobson

Sinclair Broadcast Group’s News Reporter Academy, an interactive workshop for college students interested in pursuing a career in news reporting, is back.

The Academy will hold its next virtual session on March 30 from Noon-3pm ET.

Now in its second year, the News Reporter Academy, hosted by Sinclair’s corporate news operation, gives university-level students an opportunity to learn about working in a newsroom and interact with Sinclair’s news teams.

In the three-hour interactive session, students will learn the basics of news reporting and investigative storytelling, managing a social media presence, how to look and sound their best on-camera and how to package a resume and reel.

“After the success of Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Producer Academy, a workshop for students interested in pursuing a career in digital or broadcast news producing, which is now in its fifth year, the company developed a seminar for students focused on news reporting,” Baltimore-based Sinclair says.

The virtual workshop is open exclusively to undergraduate and graduate college students. Registration is limited to 150 students and an .edu email address is required.

Students must register in advance by March 25: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsc-6tqjkqGNWwZIRFQ47sVkHkrp8_GeZm

NEW YORK — MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Solutions has moved forward with the promotions of two key executives, who each report to CEO Frank Jachetta.

This sees expanded responsibilities given to the pair, focused on the company’s daily business operations and strategic company direction moving forward.

Earning the boost at MultiDyne are Jesse Foster, as Vice President of Product Development, and Matt Watkins, as vP of Sales.

Foster joined MultiDyne in 2018 from Cobalt Digital as Director, Product Development and Western US Sales. He’ll retain his Western U.S. Sales territory, reporting to Matt Watkins for all sales activities and to Frank Jachetta on product development initiatives.

Watkins came to MultiDyne from the consumer electronics world in 2008 as an Inside Sales Manager, where he learned the professional broadcast and production business from the ground up. Matt’s trajectory has now taken him from an entry-level position to a VP post, following 12 years as Sales and Systems Design Manager.

In his new role, Matt will oversee all global sales and business development initiatives, with regional sales teams and channel partners reporting to him. That includes Sebastian Mucha, Director of Business Development, EMEA Region; and Michael Jordan, who came to MultiDyne through its Census Digital acquisition and has been promoted to Director of Business Development, CALA and APAC.

Matt will also continue to head Eastern US Sales, a job he assumed in 2018, serving as Jesse’s sales counterpart east of the Mississippi River; and take on increasing responsibilities in marketing communications.

“MultiDyne has always valued long-term employee retention and encouraged promotion from within,” said Jachetta. “Matt has spent his entire professional career here, and his talents have touched nearly every department over 14 remarkable years. Jesse came to us several years ago with strong industry pedigree and made an immediate impact on how we market and position our fiber solutions, while bringing MultiDyne into new product areas and business verticals. These are well-deserved promotions that set the stage for our next generation of business growth.”

— Brian Galante

Boston-based video accessibility provider 3Play Media has a new owner. It’s a company known for products devoted to live and recorded captioning, localization, and audio description services.

The acquisition of Captionmax includes National Captioning Canada (NCC), the largest live captioning provider in the nation and a subsidiary of Captionmax.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“Live video captioning is a tremendous area of growth and one that 3Play has been increasingly focused on for our customers,” said Josh Miller, co-CEO and co-founder of 3Play Media. “As we evaluated the market, we realized there are a lot of benefits to a combination with Captionmax. Its reputation as a trusted and high quality live captioning solution, particularly in the broadcast space, was a great complement to 3Play, which has a strong presence in the recorded captioning space across industries and is focused on the same goals of reliability and quality.”

Said 3Play Media co-CEO and co-founder Chris Antunes, “Captionmax is well aligned with our commitment to exceptional service, customer experience, and accessibility – making this a natural partnership. We look forward to combining 3Play Media’s innovative technology and processes with Captionmax and NCC’s deep industry experience and expertise to drive our collective growth.”

Captionmax was founded in 1993 and is led by CEO Truck Morrison.

Ahead of the 2022 NAB Show, 3Play Media in January introduced Live Professional Captioning, a live captioning solution that the company says is the first to provide users with automated failover.

In addition to Captionmax and NCC’s foothold in the broadcast market, the global video streaming market is growing exponentially year-over-year and is forecasted to approach $930 billion by 2028, with live streaming expected to reach $250 billion within 5 years.

The FCC and the NTIA say they will be working more closely together on spectrum issues.

The Federal Communications Commission and National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced an initiative intended to improve U.S. government coordination on spectrum management.

“The Spectrum Coordination Initiative will involve actions by both agencies to strengthen the processes for decision making and information sharing and to work cooperatively to resolve spectrum policy issues,” they said in the announcement.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the agreement with NTIA Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson.

[Read More of Our FCC Coverage]

“Now more than ever we need a whole-of-government approach to spectrum policy,” Rosenworcel said in the statement. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen the cost of not having one — and we need a non-stop effort to fix that.”

They laid out a plan to reinstate high-level meetings; “reaffirm” roles and responsibilities; and renew efforts to develop a national spectrum strategy. They also said they would “recommit to scientific integrity and evidence-based policymaking” and revamp their technical collaboration.

Among other steps, the FCC will participate as an observer in the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee, while NTIA will participate as an observer in the FCC’s Technological Advisory Council and the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.

The organizations wrote: “The FCC and NTIA jointly manage the nation’s radio spectrum resources, and the agencies have a long history of working together to ensure that spectrum policy decisions foster economic growth, ensure our national and homeland security, maintain U.S. global leadership and advance other vital U.S. needs.”

The post FCC, NTIA Seek Better Spectrum Coordination appeared first on Radio World.

He’s been with iHeartMedia for 14 years and has a 50-year career in broadcasting.

Come March 22, it will all come to a conclusion, as the Area President for iHeart in Alabama — Destin, Fla.-based Ray Quinn — will enter retirement.

Quinn has been in the role for iHeart since December 2007. He joined the company to take on the Alabama regional leadership role after serving as VP/Market Manager for Audacy Corp. predecessor Entercom’s Denver stations. Before taking that role in 2005, Quinn spent four years as VP/Market Manager of Entercom/Milwaukee. From 2003-2004, he held similar duties for Entercom in Madison, Wisc.

Quinn joined Entercom after spending 11 years with a company he helped launch in December 1988, Opus Media Group. It owned stations in Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Fla.; Savannah, Ga.; Jackson, Ms.; and Monroe, La.

Entering radio station ownership came after a market leadership role for American Media in San Antonio. He earned that position after serving as GM of Capitol Broadcasting-owned WMJJ in Birmingham, Ala.

In the 1970s, Quinn gained notice for serving as PD of WFIL-AM in Philadelphia. He took the job in September 1979, after serving as Program Director of WCBM-AM in Baltimore.

Outside of his daily duties, Quinn is highly involved in the community. In fact, the Governor of Kentucky recognized him as a “Kentucky Colonel” for participating in numerous charitable projects. Additionally, Quinn was awarded the March of Dimes “Order of the Battered Boot” for walkathon fundraising efforts over the years.

Quinn was named one of Radio Ink’s Best Managers in 2019 and was even recruited by the U.S. State Department in 1992 to provide pro bono consulting work to the first companies to be awarded commercial radio and TV licenses in the former Czechoslovakia and Hungary.

“Ray is one of a kind. He is known as a unicorn of a leader with his passion, enthusiasm
and constant innovative thinking,” said Shosh Abromovich, Division President for
iHeartMedia. “He has impacted so many of our lives in this industry for the better. We
are beyond thankful for the many years Ray has led our teams and are truly excited for
him to enjoy this next chapter of his life.”

Quinn commented, “It’s been an amazing 51 years in radio and 14 years with iHeartMedia. Along the way, I’ve worked for and with some of the most intelligent people in the
business and I am grateful to iHeartMedia for allowing me to lead multiple markets in the
Southeast. While I will miss my team and the day-to-day battles, it’s time to pass the
torch to the next generation of leaders.”

iHeartMedia owns radio stations in the Alabama markets of Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Gadsden and Tuscaloosa.

In an effort to reflect modern campaign practices and increase transparency, the Federal Communications Commission has updated its rules about political programming and recordkeeping. The change takes effect March 14.

In late January, the Media Bureau at the commission released the order changing the way broadcast licensees, cable TV system operators, DBS providers and satellite radio licensees update their political programming and recordkeeping information.

It expanded the definition of the term “legally qualified candidate for public office” in an effort to better determine if a write-in candidate has made a substantial showing of a bona fide candidacy.

[Related: “FCC Adopts Revised Political Broadcast Rules”]

Generally, in order to be considered a legally qualified candidate, an individual must publicly announce an intention to run for office, as well as be qualified to hold the office and either have qualified for a space on the ballot or have publicly committed themselves to seeking election as a write-in. If they’re seeking election by write-in, they must make a clear, substantial showing that they are actually running for office.

The rule update adds two items to the existing list of activities that a station can use to determine if a write-in candidate has a bona fide candidacy. One is the use of social media; the other is the creation of a campaign website. Other previously listed activities include making campaign speeches, distributing campaign literature, issuing press releases, maintaining a campaign committee and establishing a campaign headquarters.

In its order, the commission also amended its political file rules. It requires entities to maintain not only records of each request for advertising time but also records of each request for advertising time that communicates a message relating to any political matter of national importance.

It also amended the rules to specify which records must be maintained in online political files for both candidate ads and issue ads. These records include:

• whether the request to purchase advertising time is accepted or rejected by the licensee
• the rate charged for the advertising time
• the date and time on which the communication aired
• the class of time that is purchased
• the name of the candidate to which the communication refers and the office to which the candidate is seeking election or the election to which the communication refers or the issue to which the communication refers
• the name of the candidate, the authorized committee of the candidate and the treasurer of such committee
• the name of the person purchasing the time; the name, address and phone number of a contact person; and a list of the chief executive officers or members of the executive committee or of the board of directors of such person

“These revisions ensure that the political recordkeeping rules fully and accurately reflect statutory requirements [and will] foster greater transparency about the entities sponsoring candidate and issue ads,” the commission wrote.

The post FCC Updates Political Programming, Recordkeeping Rules appeared first on Radio World.

The saga of Roger Wahl, a convicted felon who has been ordered to appear at a March 8 virtual initial status conference as part of a FCC Hearing Designation Order, has apparently entered a surprising new chapter.

As Wahl could see the license cancellation and call letter deletion of his 630-watt FM radio station atop Mt. Hunsrick, serving Somerset County, Pa., it now appears that a long-lost equity holder in the FM has emerged — or so the person alleges.

FCC Administrative Law Judge Jane Hinckley Halprin late Monday (2/14) released an Order revealing that the Presiding Judge in the HDO received an e-mail from a woman named Julie Barth.

Barth claims to have an ownership interest in WQZS-FM 93.3, licensed to Meyersdale, Pa.

What does this mean for Halprin, Wahl, and the entire HDO?

First, the Presiding Judge is treating Barth’s email as a petition to intervene, pursuant to section 1.223(c) of the Commission’s rules. And, Barth’s email is being placed into the record of the proceedings.

What is Barth’s “primary aim?” As Halprin explains, it is to inform the Presiding Judge of her alleged ownership interest in WQZS, with the ultimate goal of receiving proportional compensation if the station is sold. She outlines the circumstances of how she came to acquire the alleged interest, along with other details regarding her financial stake in the station.

Barth’s knowledge of this proceeding is limited to what has been reported in local media, and this led to her sending an e-mail to the Commission.

If Barth indeed has attributable interest in WQZS, a whole other series of problems could erupt for Wahl, who has indicated to the FCC that he is the individual owner of the FM. And, as the FCC sees it, Wahl as 100% equity interest holder still stands to see his license revoked due to his felony conviction and related misdemeanor convictions, which have been well reported by RBR.com and media in Western Pennsylvania.

Importantly, Barth did not offer information that Halprin says will assist the Presiding Judge in the HDO. Furthermore, it is not the role of the Presiding Judge to validate Barth’s claim. “That is a matter for private litigation,” Halprin reasons.

Barth’s allegations may, however, provide the basis for enlarging the issues to be considered in this proceeding, pursuant to section 1.229 of the Commission’s rules, if further investigation indicates that Wahl has misrepresented the ownership status of WQZS to the Commission.

How could Julie Barth suddenly emerge, as if this were a soap opera script being played out in real life?

RBR+TVBR has learned that she is the widow of Andreas G. “Andy” Barth, who passed away on January 22, 2012.

Andy Barth was a partner in the now-defunct Target Broadcasting, in which Barth and Wahl each shared equity interest in WQZS.

Did Andy Barth’s interest pass on to his widow? Alternatively, did Wahl simply absorb it? Was their legal documentation confirming Andy Barth’s equity interest in WQZS, or was it a handshake partnership?

These questions won’t be addressed by the Presiding Judge at the FCC, which will retain its focus on the fact that Wahl is a convicted felon — one would could next see a misrepresentation case surface at the Commission while private litigation ramps up.

Meanwhile, RBR+TVBR has confirmed from a local source that Wahl on Tuesday (2/15) returned to hosting the WQZS morning show. It was his first appearance since Tuesday, January 11, one day before back surgery — a matter that led to the cancellation of the ALJ’s pre-hearing conference. Wahl was heard interviewing two guests about an upcoming local event.

Click Here for More from the RBR+TVBR Archives

Ray Quinn, area president of iHeartMedia’s Alabama area, will retire on March 22.

“Quinn has been with iHeartMedia for 14 years and has worked in the broadcasting industry for over 50 years,” the company said in its announcement.

“He has held leadership positions at several stations throughout his extensive career, including vice president/market manager for KOSI(FM), KALC(FM) and KQMT(FM) in Denver; WMYX(FM), WXSS(FM) and WSSP(AM) in Milwaukee.; WOLX(FM), WMMM(FM) and WBZU(FM) in Madison, Wis.; and many more.”

Among the prior broadcast groups for which he has worked are Entercom, Opus Media Group, American Media and Capitol Broadcasting.

[Visit Radio World’s People News Page]

It noted that the governor of Kentucky had recognized Quinn as a Kentucky Colonel for participating in numerous charitable projects. He was awarded the March of Dimes “Order of the Battered Boot” for walkathon fundraising efforts over the years. Quinn was recruited by the U.S. State Department in 1992 to provide pro bono consulting work to the first companies to be awarded commercial radio and TV licenses in Czechoslovakia and Hungary.

Division President Shosh Abromovich described Quinn as “a unicorn of a leader with his passion, enthusiasm and constant innovative thinking.”

The Alabama area of iHeartMedia includes the Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Gadsden and Tuscaloosa markets.

Send news of engineering and executive personnel changes to radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post Ray Quinn of iHeart to Retire appeared first on Radio World.

A provider of media workflow software presently run by CEO Susie Hedrick is welcoming a SVP of Technology to the company.

He’ll oversee the production development team, platform operations, security and IT.

Now at vCreative is Drew Cain. He most recently held senior engineering roles and oversaw mission critical cloud infrastructure projects at Simpli.fi, helping to design, code and deploy products designed to optimize workflow. There, Cain also aided in the development and manufacture of omnichannel programmatic advertising products across various multimedia categories.

“vCreative is on a tremendous growth trajectory, adding new services and more value for our customers at a rapid pace,” Hedrick said. “Drew is a proven technology leader who has demonstrated how important the overlap of technology and business enablement can be. It’s his blend of digital experience, vision, innovation, and trusted leadership that made him the perfect candidate for the role.”

Cain added that he’s thrilled to join vCreative during an “exciting period of growth and change in the industry.” He adds, “As advertising spend continues to transition from linear to digital, we will work together to accelerate the delivery of new products, features, and integrations with a focus on enabling the ongoing future success of our customers. vCreative has a fantastic reputation as a trusted partner to the media industry and I look forward to being part of such an incredible team.”