Feed aggregator

Just days ago he was seen chatting in Spanish with Amador Bustos at the Encore in Las Vegas while attending the 2024 NAB Show.

Now, Norberto Sánchez and Norsan Media CEO Natalia Alvarez are celebrating the addition of radio properties in the capital of the Lone Star State.

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

If you have strong opinions about how the FCC will handle the rules allowing limited geotargeting of FM broadcast signals, you should file them with the commission by May 16.

That’s the deadline for comments in the further notice of proposed rulemaking that the commission recently released.

The FCC gave unanimous approval to the concept of allowing FM stations in the United States to originate programming on boosters for a limited amount of time every hour, something boosters currently are not allowed to do.

The order limits the origination to three minutes per hour and requires boosters to handle emergency alerts in the same manner as their primary station.

Until final rules can be put in place, the FCC will allow existing booster stations to originate programming under one-year, renewable experimental authorizations.

Comments on the issues raised in the FNPRM are due May 16. Reply comments are due June 17.

You can read the recent order and FNPRM here. File comments using the FCC’s online system. In the Proceedings field refer to MB Docket Nos. 20-401 and 17-105.

The post FCC Sets Deadline for Geotargeting Comments appeared first on Radio World.

A 6kw Class A serving tiny Ripley, W. Va., with Country music is trading hands.

What does this mean for those who tune in to “The Bull”?

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

On April 3, Townsquare Media announced that it will release its financial results for the first quarter of 2024 as the sun rises on the East Coast of the U.S. on Thursday, May 9. And, as has been tradition for CEO Bill Wilson and the rest of the executive leadership team, an 8am Eastern conference call for analysts and investors will be held.

Following Thursday’s Closing Bell on Wall Street, a peer in the broadcast radio industry shared when it will release its Q1 2024 report and hold its earnings call. It’s at the same exact time as that of Townsquare Media, resulting in a challenging situation for analysts as Wilson and CFO Stu Rosenstein find themselves competing for attention against Bob Pittman and Rich Bressler.

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

In the 117th Congress, a Democratic Senator from Michigan introduced legislation that would require the FCC to take certain actions to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry and establish related tax incentives.

The Senate bill did not attract an abundance of co-sponsors; companion legislation in the House of Representatives lacked Member magnetism, too.

Now, the 118th Congress is trying again with support of a Congressman whose district includes the northern portion of Las Vegas.

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

It launched three years ago as an independently owned and minority certified Spanish-language audio network under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer José Villafañe. And, growth has come swiftly in a highly competitive marketplace.

Now, Nueva Network has launched a digital platform that brings a digital footprint to the company’s content.

Introducing Nueva Plus, created through a partnership between Nueva Network and multicultural content distributor Zeno Media, known for its proprietary streaming and digital services.

“The launch of Nueva Plus represents a strategic expansion into a digital footprint that offers streaming, podcasting, and programmatic media, further solidifying their commitment to serving the vibrant Latino community,” the company said.

Villafañe added, “The Nueva Plus platform marks a significant milestone in our journey to connect with Latinos in the U.S. We have established ourselves as a trailblazing media company with premium content, and through our partnership with Zeno Media and our network of radio affiliates, we are well-positioned to thrive in the digital landscape. Zeno Media’s expertise and premium audio assets perfectly complement our offerings, enabling us to reach over 50 million Latinos across the U.S. on a monthly basis.”

As of today Nueva Network includes 425 stations across 103 markets, giving 95% U.S. coverage to marketers seeking to reach Spanish-language audio consumers. Syndicated programming includes El Genio Lucas and Chiquibaby.

The 2024 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards were held this week at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, and for the eighth consecutive year, a Qatar-based global broadcasting organization has earned the honor of Broadcaster of the Year.

The award again goes to Al Jazeera English, honored for its “consistent excellence in covering international issues and a diverse array of themes.” Al Jazeera’s in-depth reporting earned Gold trophies across their news and current affairs programming, including 101 East, Fault Lines, and Witness. Gold winning work honored “Gold Mafia – The Laundry Service, Fault Lines”; “The Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, Start Here”; “On The Road, Sudan Exodus, Witness”; “Rescue Mission Gaza,” and “101 East – Myanmar Rohingya VJs.”

Issa Ali, Acting Managing Director of Al Jazeera English, commented, “This award comes from the hard-working teams at Al Jazeera who are so committed to reporting and telling the stories that matter. In today’s world, we believe good journalism is more important than ever. We are deeply grateful to receive this recognition for the work we do.”

Meanwhile, U.S.-based television organizations were scant in the winners’ category, as “Crypto 911: Exposing A Bitcoin Billionaire” (CNBC) won a Gold honor in the documentary category.

In the entertainment category, German broadcast television network ZDF took a Gold honor for “The Swarm,” a science-fiction eight-episode series that aired simultaneously in the U.S on The CW Network, owned by Nexstar Media Group.

Produced with an estimated budget of €40 million, it is the most expensive German TV production — produced in English — ever seen.

The public’s desire for unique, “real world” experiences has led to a resurgence in live events, with ticket sales reaching record-breaking levels. At the same time, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and game engines are transforming content creation and production in film and TV.

Yet, activism is also growing in the media sector, with the industry facing pressure from activist shareholders and writers’ strikes protesting streaming royalties and new technologies

These are some of the key findings in Arthur D. Little’s State Of The Media Market 2024 report, an annual analysis of the global trends impacting the media, sports, and entertainment sectors.

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

The National Association of Broadcasters named the recipients of the 37th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards.

The Crystals recognize stations for exceptional year-round commitment to community service. Winners were announced at the NAB Show this week:

• KFI(AM) Los Angeles, Calif
• KKBQ(FM) Houston, Texas
• KMVP(FM) Phoenix, Ariz.
• KNDE(FM) College Station, Texas
• KSL(FM) Salt Lake City, Utah
• WBZZ(FM) Pittsburgh, Pa.
• WHPT(FM) Tampa Bay, Fla.
• WJJY(FM) Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
• WLBC(FM) Muncie, Ind.
• WNRP(AM) Pensacola, Fla.

Hubbard Broadcasting’s KSTP(FM) in Minneapolis-St. Paul received the Crystal Heritage Award, which recognizes radio stations that have won five Crystal Radio Awards; 11 other stations have been so honored.

The post NAB Names Crystal Radio Award Recipients appeared first on Radio World.

Key Networks has expanded its syndicated programming lineup to include the conservative political talk show Tony Katz Today.

Starting Monday (4/22), the show will be available to News/Talk stations across the nation from its flagship station, WIBC-FM in Indianapolis.

Tony Katz Today blends pop culture, comedy, and hard news to deliver engaging and aims to distinguish itself by focusing on moral rights and wrongs rather than purely partisan issues.

Katz has a diverse background in entrepreneurship that ranges from selling pizza door-to-door to running restaurants and a construction company. He has been featured on national networks such as FOX News, Newsmax, and CNBC, and has served as a consultant for various organizations.

In addition to his Tony Katz Today, Katz hosts the Eat! Drink! Smoke! podcast, celebrating gourmet food and cigars. Key Networks Chief Operating Officer Dennis Green commented, “Tony brings a successful track record to the national stage with his common-sense approach to talk radio. When you have worked construction and the restaurant business, and have been a successful entrepreneur, you have a host who can talk the talk with audiences from coast to coast.”

Katz commented, “There is nothing better than when everything perfectly aligns in life. And with syndication, having the full backing of David Wood and WIBC, and Dennis Green of Key Networks guiding the ship, I have that perfect alignment. I’m looking forward to working hard, proving my value to programmers and market managers across the country and providing a show, every day, that is fun and engaging.”

— Reporting by Cameron Coats, in Las Vegas

Executive leaders representing the No. 1 owner of broadcast television stations in the U.S. will be participating in a pair of major institutional investor conferences during the month of May.

Nexstar Media Group Chairman/CEO Perry Sook will participate in a “Fireside Chat” at 9am Eastern on May 14 at the MoffettNathanson Technology, Media & Telecom Conference.

The timing is intriguing, given its proximity to Upfront Week in New York. The MoffettNathanson gathering will be at the Hilton Midtown in Manhattan.

Sook will then head to Boston, as the JPMorgan 52nd Annual Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference is scheduled for Monday, May 20 at the Westin Boston Seaport District hotel.

He’ll participate in a Fireside Chat at that event, too. It is scheduled for approximately 1:10pm Eastern.

A live webcast and replay of the MoffettNathanson and JPMorgan fireside chats will be available through the “Events and Presentations” section under “Investor Relations” on Nexstar’s website at www.nexstar.tv.

By all accounts, the 2024 NAB Show in Las Vegas was largely successful for Xperi Inc., as its DTS AutoStage continues to gain momentum while its HD Radio and TiVo branded products also give the company growth opportunities it perhaps hasn’t seen in several quarters.

Rubric Capital feels otherwise, and seeks to replace half of Xperi’s independent board directors. Xperi on Wednesday addressed this “puzzling campaign” by firmly dismissing Rubric’s effort.

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

The NAB Show drew around 61,000 people this year, according to the association’s projections, down from around 65,000 last year.

The association is emphasizing its success at bringing in new attendees. It said a “staggering” 54 percent were first-timers, which it defined as people “not having attended since 2017 if ever.”

It also saw an uptick in the percentage of international attendees, to around 27 percent from outside the United States.

Attendance in 2022, the first year back after the COVID interruption, was approximately 53,500.

There were about 1,300 exhibitors this year including around 200 first-timers. The show dates next year are April 5–9. The Central Hall will be under renovation next year.

The post NAB Show Drew Around 61,000 appeared first on Radio World.

MIAMI — NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises has created a new structure for its Telemundo Studios arm the Comcast unit says is designed to boost its scripted content offerings across linear and streaming platforms.

This sees a promotion from within to fill the dual role of President/Entertainment and Chief Content Officer. At the same time, an Executive Vice President of Telemundo Studios has been hired.

Now reporting to NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Chairman Luis Fernandez in the higher role of CCO is Ronald Day. Reporting to Day as Telemundo Studios EVP is Javier Pons.

“At a time when Telemundo is the most-watched network in prime time, we are super-charging our scripted content production under one strong brand: Telemundo Studios,” Fernandez said. “For almost two decades, Telemundo has led in the production of Spanish language content made by Hispanics for Hispanics. With this streamlined structure, we are doubling down on our commitment to serve the Latino community with the best scripted content across all platforms for years to come.”

Day’s new role sees him expand his responsibilities beyond the network’s entertainment programming and unscripted content to include Telemundo Studios, comprising the development and production of all scripted content for linear, as well as owned and third-party streaming platforms.

Pons will be responsible for all scripted productions for the Telemundo network and streaming platforms.

A veteran production executive, Pons brings to Telemundo decades of production and management experience across major media companies in Spain, Mexico and France.

Day joined Telemundo in 2018 as Executive Vice President of Entertainment for Telemundo Networks. Before that, he held multiple leadership roles at Univision Network, including SVP/Programming and Promotions, where he oversaw all executive producers and in-show content. He also oversaw the launch of Telefutura, later rebranded UniMás, the third Spanish-language broadcast network.

Pons arrives from Spain, where he served as General Director of Globomedia and as Head of TV at The Mediapro Studio.

Pons has held multiple leadership roles in Spain at such major operations as Prisa Radio, Televisión Española and Discovery Kiss. He also worked in Mexico as President of the production company On Demand and as Executive Producer at Estudios Azteca.

Eight affiliates of The CW Network can now be seen by DirecTV streaming customers, thanks to new carrier agreements signed by the direct broadcast satellite service provider and the network’s owner, Nexstar Media Group.

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

It might have a company name that suggests it focuses on print media, but Better Newspapers happens to be the owner of four FM radio stations and an AM with an FM translator in Missouri.

Now this licensee, owned by Greg and Scott Hoskins, is officially adding to its station stable some six months after a deal was reached.

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)

Local Daily Media publishes online newspapers powered by its radio stations in each of the markets it serves.

That market roster is about to grow, thanks to a deal to acquire JAM Media Solutions‘ properties as that company completes a Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding.

LDM, a unit of Williamsburg, Va.-headquartered Davis Media LLC, has agreed to purchase the following properties from Jeffrey Testa, who serves as the Chapter 7 trustee overseeing JAM’s debtor-in-possession resolution process:

• KMCS-FM 93.1, K236CF and KWPC-FM 95.1 in Muscatine, Iowa
• WCXL-FM 104.1 “Beach 104” in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., and WCMS-FM 94.5 in Hatteras, N.C.
• WVOD-FM 99.1 in Manteo, N.C.; and WZPR-FM 92.3 in Nags Head.

An $800,000 purchase price was agreed to. This reflects a substantial loss and a distress sale situation in a difficult climate for transactions. JAM’s Iowa stations were acquired from Prairie Communications for $965,000, while WCXL and WCMS were sold by Max Media for $1.75 million; a Max Media subsidiary sold WVOD and WZPR for $100,000.

As RBR+TVBR reported in October 2023, JAM, founded in 2018 by Jonathan A. Mason, had no choice but to move ahead with the liquidation of its assets in order to resolve its debt. Testa, of Newark-based law firm McCarter & English, became the court-appointed trustee. That decision came two months earlier, after a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition filed in October 2022 was converted to the more devastating Chapter 7 bankruptcy plan.

With creditors including Max Media, Prairie Communications-affiliated WPW Broadcasting, Broadcast Electronics and the major music licensing groups, including SESAC, GMR, BMI and the Radio Music License Committee, funds owed by JAM will now start flowing to them.

At closing, $650,000 will be wired to Testa; $150,000 will be retained to “correct any antenna, transmission line, lighting, structural or maintenance issues” at the WCMS-FM tower site, establishing a maintenance reserve.

A good faith deposit of $25,000 has been made by Davis Media.

The broker in this transaction is Media Sales Group, doing business as Hanna Unwired LLC.

Serving as the buyer’s legal counsel is Brad Deutsch of Foster Garvey P.A. 

Operating as “Local Daily Media,” Davis Media LLC saw Treasurer/CFO Adam Crotty sign off on the agreement. Once the deal closes, the JAM stations will join WBQK-FM “Cannon Country 107.9” and WNTB-FM “93.7 The Dude” in the Wilmington, N.C., market; WUIN-FM “98.3 The Penguin” in Cape Fear, N.C.; and WTYD-FM 92.3 “The Tide,” which serves an area to the immediate north of Newport News, Va., and the Chincoteague peninsula of Virginia.

LDM will assume control of the JAM properties on Wednesday, May 1, via a Time Brokerage Agreement.