Industry News

Vitec Group brand Joby has introduced a string of entry-level mics and lavs aimed at content creators, and the flagship of the new audio capture offerings is the Wavo Pro shotgun microphone, intended for use by storytellers, filmmakers and creators on the go.

The Wavo Pro is equipped with a hybrid analog/digital system to power onboard active noise reduction, a sound management app, and integrated second 3.5 mm mic input. Designed to pair with mirrorless camera hardware, Wavo PRO adapts technology from sister brands like Rycote and Audix for its feature list.

An active noise reduction system leverages onboard Rycote technology to process and clear sounds made by users in the process of operating gear, removing self-generated structural noise.

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LEDs in front and back of the microphone help provide users with real-time monitoring no-matter the orientation, but more in-depth monitoring is available via a simple, dedicated iOS and Android digital sound management app that connects to Wavo Pro via Bluetooth. The app provides creators with real-time and remote visual monitoring of sound input, independent dual-mode EQ, and customized, shareable sound setups.

A secondary mic input is provided on the microphone itself, allowing users to use multiple microphones for interviews or dual-channel recording. The mic also sports an onboard −10 dB safe track for mono or dual channel recording.

Helping ensure the microphone doesn’t bleed a camera battery drive, the Wavo Pro has an auto power mode to switch the mic on/off automatically together with the camera. Lastly, the mic pairs with the entire Joby content creation kit, including tripods, lights and mics.

Send your new equipment news to radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post Joby Wavo Pro Shotgun Mic Debuts appeared first on Radio World.

A Bauer Media brand with national coverage of the United Kingdom has unveiled the name — and, as such, the winner — of an all-digital radio station named after one of its listeners.

It concludes a unique promotion that began one month ago at Absolute Radio.

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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.