Industry News

While the nation’s leading radio broadcasting companies have shunned it, TuneIn remains one of the leading live streaming and on-demand audio platforms on a global level.

As such, it is ramping up its C-Suite with the appointment of a Chief Technology Officer, a Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Product Officer — among other changes.

The moves see Paul Brody become CTO, Rob Deichert as CRO, and Joe King taking the CPO role.

At the same time, Yasmin Coffey has been elevated to Chief Legal Officer (CLO).

Kevin Straley will continue to serve as Chief Content Officer (CCO).

The news comes on the heels of the recent appointment of Richard Stern to Chief Executive Officer and a new investment in TuneIn led by Innovation Endeavors.

Additionally, six new members will join TuneIn’s Board and bring their deep expertise in the areas of business, technology, media and entertainment: Eric Botto, Steve Cakebread, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Greg Coleman, Rick Scanlon and Harpinder Singh.

Previously, Brody served as CTO at Rakuten Advertising, where he built and operated the technology for the company’s ad platforms and innovative e-commerce measurement business. Before that, he served as Chief Product Officer for CleverTap, co-founder and CEO of Sococo, and Vice President of Products for Yahoo!

Deichert was formerly CEO at Eyeview, where he refactored the product roadmap, business processes and developed a plan to continue scaled growth.

As CPO, King is responsible for TuneIn’s product management and interaction design. Previously, he served as Principal Product Manager, Kindle Content at Amazon.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Board of Directors for the company that owns such key NBC affiliates as WXIA-11 in Atlanta and WGRZ-2 in Buffalo has declared a dividend payable April 1.

The news came ahead of the Closing Bell on Wall Street, which saw TEGNA shares reach close to $18 in a positive trading session for the broadcast TV company.

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This article appeared in Radio World’s “Trends in Codecs and STLs for 2020” ebook.

Working from home or remote studios is in “normal” times a challenge for broadcast and voiceover talent. When one factors in a pandemic lockdown and the ensuing scramble to move studio-quality audio back and forth, a service like ipDTL can make that task less of a challenge.

The ipDTL service has been enjoying more attention during the pandemic but has been around for several years. It comes from In:Quality, which “operates a worldwide network for the real-time transmission of professional audio.” The company says its users include the BBC, New York Public Radio, NPR and Global Radio.

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The service is based on the open source Opus codec. Founding Director Kevin Leach, a former radio host and BBC sound engineer, says ipDTL runs smoothly on any modern computer: “If you can browse the internet smoothly on your computer, then you can run a stable ipDTL connection.”

A subscriber of the service can send a link to another location, where that link is opened in a browser and a bidirectional studio quality audio link would then be established.

ipDTL has additional capabilities: With the proper configuration, the subscribing user can also connect to legacy ISDN codecs (where still available) and even connect to a voice grade telephone. With SIP protocols and using a sip.audio account from In:Quality, a subscriber can also connect to hardware codecs (e.g. Comrex, Tieline, Telos, JK Audio) that are configured for Opus connections.

It is also compatible with G.722 and G.711 over IP. There is a video angle as well, VP8 and H.264. And it lives on Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS computers.

Subscription Levels

There are three levels of ipDTL annual subscriptions: Bronze users can send one connection link, Silver users two and Gold users may send up to four simultaneous connections. A version allowing six connections is in the late stages of testing. The Gold subscription also includes basic video functionality. Prices start at $15 per month. Subscribers get a sip.audio address (XXXXX@sip.audio), which allows SIP-enabled devices to talk to the subscriber.

How does this work in the real world? I tested the service recently during a virtual NAB Show demonstration with Leach.

There are some caveats from my experience.

All codec developers (software and hardware) caution users that sending a true mix-minus is vital for proper operation of the codec. For example: On a mixer like the Allen+Heath ZED 10, there are three ways to send a mix-minus (aux send, FX send and record bus). The best one that seems to work with USB connections is the record bus, where inputs other than the USB connections are selected (mics, etc.). The USB out can be fed from the record bus. If the main mix were fed to the USB out, that would create a feedback loop. A standalone codec could be fed mix-minus from the aux or FX send.

During our demonstration, I fed the record bus with the USB output. When Leach talked about the importance of a mix-minus, I created a feedback loop (which happens when the codec or other receive channel is fed back to the other end of the connection).

Unless a laptop is within visual distance of a wireless router, and it is the only device on the network at that particular time, in:Quality strongly recommends a wired connection to the network router when using the ipDTL service. With a wired gigabit connection over Cat-6,  I experienced no connection problems.

Leach says multiple SIP connections with ipDTL at the studio end provide maximum flexibility. He said devices such as Wheatstone SwitchBlade and Comrex Access MultiRack can receive multiple duplex real-time SIP streams from remote sites and guests. The studio so equipped can send a connection link to talent and guests so they can connect easily to the SIP hardware. There’s also an option to connect from one of the company’s range of SIP Opus Codecs.

Subscribers may opt to be listed in a database of ipDTL users around the world for an extra charge. That’s a useful resource for audio reporters and producers, and it could also help those producers and reporters to connect with newsmakers and subject matter experts.

“For too long now, there has been uncertainty and trepidation about the migration from ISDN to IP codecs,” Leach said. “With SIP now, it feels like we’re finally past the point of no return, but there’s still some work to do. A newspaper journalist should be able to ask a radio producer what SIP address they should call for an interview, and get a confident reply. Looking at the messages in our support inbox, we’re not quite there yet.”

Paul Kaminski, CBT, is a longtime Radio World contributor, and host and producer of msrpk.com’s “Radio-Road-Test” program. Twitter: msrpk_com; Facebook: PKaminski2468

The post Live Remote Broadcasting in Your Browser appeared first on Radio World.

The author is president of WorldDAB.

Last year was a pivotal year for DAB+ radio — with a string of developments providing clear evidence of the standard’s progress:

• In October, Germany launched its second national multiplex — offering 16 new services to a potential audience of 67 million people;
• In December, Switzerland confirmed that it would be switching off FM radio — starting with the public broadcaster in 2022, followed by the private broadcasters in 2023;
• Also, in December, the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) came into force — requiring all new car radios in the EU to be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio.

Device Sales

These market developments have been mirrored by strong consumer demand for DAB+ radios:

• DAB/DAB+ consumer receiver sales increased by 12% in 2020 (analog sales dropped by 21% over the same period);
• In Q4, the DAB/DAB+ performance was even stronger with sales up 22% year-on-year.

Consumers are moving away from FM-only devices to the more compelling offer available on DAB+ (increased choice, more consistent audio and, increasingly, color displays).

DAB’s Green Credentials

At the end of last year, a major advance was made when the BBC published its report into the energy footprint of its radio services. Presented at the WorldDAB General Assembly, this report broke new ground as, for the first time, it considered energy consumption across the whole of the radio full value chain: production, distribution, and consumer listening.

The conclusions highlighted the greater efficiency associated with DAB radio:

• 28% more efficient than FM (per listening hour);
• 59% more efficient than IP (per listening hour).

These findings are clear evidence of the critical role which DAB/DAB+ plays in creating a sustainable future for radio — a priority of increasing importance for broadcasters and policy makers.

Prospects for 2021

The next major development for DAB+ in Europe will be the launch of national (i.e. metropolitan) services in France.

The media regulator, the CSA, has given the green light for services to be on air beginning July 15. Two national multiplexes offering 25 services will be available, with the key focus on the major road networks — starting with the highways between Paris and Marseille.

Conclusion

The EECC directive, coupled with strong developments in key European markets including France and Switzerland confirms that DAB+ is established as the core future platform for radio in Europe.

The strong growth in DAB+ receivers in cars and consumer radios underlines this progress, and the significance of these advances should not be understated.

• Radio’s role as the most trusted source of news and information has rarely been more important;
• In times of emergency, broadcast radio consistently provides levels of service reliability unmatched by mobile networks;
• The environmental advantages of DAB radio are clearly evidenced in the BBC report into energy consumption.

The challenge for us now is to maintain this momentum. Digital broadcast platforms lie at the heart of radio’s future. Now is the time to ensure we have the policy frameworks and strategic focus to deliver on this promise.

The post DAB+ Takes Center Stage appeared first on Radio World.

On January 25, ten brands in the state of Michigan went live with sports betting.

To better understand the consumer reaction in Michigan to the launch of sports betting, Cumulus Media and its Westwood One national radio arm commissioned MARU/Matchbox to conduct a study of 700 Michigan adults aged 21 and older.

The research was conducted from Friday, Jan. 29-Monday, Feb. 1. The findings are now being shared.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has selected the agency’s next Press Secretary.

It’s an individual joining the Commission’s Office of Media Relations after having served as Communications Director for then-Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico.

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Have you downloaded Discovery+ yet? If not, perhaps you’ve heard about the new OTT platform from the company behind some of cable TV’s most watched networks.

Or, maybe you haven’t — given the ad plan of action from the company.

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The latest Media Monitors Spot 10 Radio report shows a big gap between the leading auto insurance brand and its closest competitor. Is this the start of a new trend?

It may be way too soon to make such predictions, but Progressive has a commanding lead by play count over GEICO in the latest report.

And, Progressive is the lone fully paid brand over 55,000 plays.

Otherwise, there’s little movement in the Spot Ten for the week ending February 14, 2021, with McDonald’s now at No. 10.

She began her career in 2011 as an intern at iHeartMedia/Milwaukee’s WKKV-FM.

Now, this sales talent has come full circle, as she’s been named VP of Sales for the company’s entire group of stations in Wisconsin’s largest market.

Jasmine M. Johnson has been named Vice President of Sales for the company’s Milwaukee stations, comprised of WISN-AM, WKKV-FM, WMIL-FM, WOKY-AM, WRIT-FM, and WRNW-FM.

Johnson reports to Nathan Tonarelli, Senior Vice President of Sales for iHeartMedia Milwaukee, and will be responsible for leading multicultural initiatives for broadcast, digital and iHeartRadio customers across the region.

“This for me is a full circle moment,” said Johnson. “To return to the company that gave me my first start – from an intern to my first job post-undergrad – as Vice President of Sales leading such an iconic brand in our community and serving such a loyal listenership base is a gift.”

Johnson’s resume includes roles as Diversity Programs Director for Manpower Group, a role she held until January 2021. Before that, she spent more than 12 years at Pfizer, serving as Senior Manager of Government Relations and Corporate Affairs. From May 2002-July 2006, Johnson was an account executive for iHeart predecessor Clear Channel Communications.

It continues to build momentum in sports audio, with a marketing alliance with FanDuel, an acquisition of sports data and iGaming affiliate platform QL Gaming Group and the launch of the BetQL Audio Network exciting investors of Entercom Communications of late.

Now, it is adding a Vice President of Sports who arrives at Entercom from regional NBC Sports Washington.

Starting today, Matthew Volk is Entercom’s Vice President of Sports.

Mike Dee, appointed President of Sports in May 2017, stays in that role.

However, an Entercom representative explains to RBR+TVBR that Dee’s focus is on revenue strategy and business growth, while Volk’s role is content-based. This explains why Volk reports to EVP/Programing Jeff Sottolano and not to Dee.

Nevertheless, Dee and Volk will collaborate on their respective sports-focused efforts at Entercom.

According to Entercom, Volk will collaborate with national and market-level leadership “to ideate and manage the integration of existing and new sports and sports-betting content and partnerships” across the company’s broadcast, podcast and on-demand sports audio portfolio. He will also be charged with expanding on Entercom’s sports betting content through the expansion of the BetQL Audio Network and additional broadcast and digital concepts.

“This is an incredible opportunity to build on the core assets of Entercom’s sports brands and its broadcast pipes to drive its premier content both locally and nationally across digital, editorial, audio, video and betting content on all platforms,” said Volk. “Our multiplatform first approach will enable us to leverage our market-leading talent, programs and access to bring our fans all of the content they crave on the devices they choose.”

Volk had been VP of Content Strategy for NBC Sports Washington since 2018. Before that, Volk held multiple roles for ESPN from 2003 to 2018, including Director of Programming and Acquisitions for its NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL content. From 2001 to 2003, Volk was a Coaching Assistant and Football Operations Assistant for the New England Patriots.

Former Entercom VP of Sales & Strategy James Ingrassia now serves as VP of Media Strategy of Oxford Road, based in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He’s held the role since June 2020.