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On Monday, iHeartMedia distributed a press release that shared details about a “leadership realignment” in its Markets Group, and simultaneously distributed via an internal memo to all staffers with nearly all of the same details.

It is now known that the information distribution to iHeartMedia staff contained news that was omitted from the press release: A Division President is stepping back and becoming a Strategic Advisor, while a Region President is leaving “to pursue a new opportunity.”

In the memo, shared with Streamline Publishing late Thursday, “Bob and Rich” — a.k.a. CEO Bob Pittman and COO/CFO Rich Bressler — told iHeartMedia employees that Scott Hopeck is exiting after nearly two decades with the company.

Hopeck since 2015 has been President of the iHeartMedia station group in the nation’s No. 1 market — New York. Previously, he had oversight of the company’s Phoenix stations. Prior to that, Hopeck was based in Atlanta, serving as SVP of Sales. He initially joined iHeart predecessor Clear Channel in 2004 as General Manager of the Braves Radio Network.

As Pittman and Bressler said, Hopeck is leaving iHeart to pursue a new opportunity.  “We know you will join us in wishing him all the best and congratulating him on his many accomplishments at iHeart,” the executives said. “We thank him for his important contributions during his career with us.”

Hopeck has also served as Chairman of The New York Market Radio Association (NYMRAD), earning the role in January 2018.

Meanwhile, the former President/CEO of Cox Media Group, who joined iHeartMedia in July 2022 for a Florida role that saw her replace Linda Byrd, “has decided to take a step back from her day-to-day role as Division President and will become a Strategic Advisor.”

What does this mean for Kim Guthrie?

Kim Guthrie

To be clear, she will be working with iHeartMedia for the next three years, Bressler and Pittman said in the memo. Commenting on her efforts, they shared, “We continue to be extremely appreciative of Kim’s extraordinary experience and expertise in navigating us through the post-pandemic world. We are lucky to have had her leadership at such a critical time and we thank her for her commitment; we’re very pleased that she will continue to work with us to keep iHeart at the forefront of innovation.”

Guthrie, who holds a B.A. in Journalism from Iowa State University, began her career in 1987 for All Pro Broadcasting, owned by the late Willie Davis, as the General Sales Manager for the Milwaukee-based radio company. In 1992, she took on similar duties at Heritage Media, before landing at Hubbard Broadcasting in 1995 for GSM duties at its Minneapolis-St. Paul cluster.

Guthrie had been associated with Cox Media Group since August 1998, taking the top role at CMG in January 2017. She joined Cox as VP/General Manager for its Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y., radio stations, rising through the ranks to the top position prior to Apollo Global Management’s takeover of Cox Media Group.

Until succeeding Byrd as the head of the iHeartMedia stations in Florida, Guthrie considered herself retired, concluding a career that included honors such as the 2020 Leadership Award by the Broadcasters Foundation of America. Guthrie is a multi-year honoree of Radio Ink’s “Most Powerful People in Radio” and “Most Influential Women in Radio.” She also was named “Woman of Distinction” by the March of Dimes, “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the “Trailblazer Award” by the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio group (MIW) and was awarded the “Women Who Lead” honor by the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM).

Well, isn’t that special? Saga Communications shareholders are poised to enjoy a Christmas bonus of sorts come January 12, 2024, as the company’s Board of Directors has declared a special cash dividend of great significance.

 

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Order adopts Consent Decree entered into by the Media Bureau and Willamette Broadcasting Company, Inc., licensee of station KYKN(AM), Keizer, Oregon

ENCINO, CALIF. — Benztown, the radio imaging, voiceover, programming, podcasting and jingles company, has shared that a “key member” of its affiliate sales team will be retiring at year’s end, concluding a 40-year career.

Readying his industry farewell is Tim McDonald, who joined Benztown in 2019. He started his career in affiliate sales in 1983, at Westwood One in Culver City, selling long and short-form programming while also doing music/studio work in Los Angeles.

McDonald then drove up the 405 Freeway to the San Fernando Valley, taking a role at RPMC Inc. in Tarzana. There, he sold travel, event, and concert promotion packages nationally to radio stations.  McDonald then took a role at Transmedia in San Francisco before segueing to affiliate relations for Jones Radio Networks in New York, working with prep services and morning shows.

Prior to joining Benztown, McDonald was Director, Affiliate Relations for Grooveworx, an imaging and music jingle house based in Santa Monica.

She spent a decade as Director of Sales for Cumulus Media‘s Providence, R.I., radio stations and was then upped to VP/GM. Now, this company veteran is being promoted and will not only oversee the cluster, but the company’s stations in nearby New London, Conn., too.

Earning Regional Vice President stripes is Holly Paras, who will be adding responsibilities for Classic Rock WMOS-FM “The Wolf 102.3,” heritage Top 40 WQGN-FM “Q105,” and News/Talk WXLM-AM 980.

In Providence, Paras has been in charge of News/Talk WPRO-AM & WEAN-FM 99.7; Top 40 WPRO-FM 92.3; Sports WPRV-AM “The Score Sports Radio 790”; Rhythmic Top 40 WWKX “Hot 106,” and Adult Contemporary WWLI “Lite 105.”

Paras is an industry veteran who was once a Katz Radio Group Account Executive based in the City of New York. In Providence, she has been National Sales Manager for crosstown WWBB, WHJY and WSNE-FM, a Taunton, Mass., station serving the Providence market.

“Holly is an extremely effective and capable leader,” says Dave Milner, President of Operations for Cumulus Media. “Having her lead New London in addition to Providence allows for us to provide enhanced solutions for customers in Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut.”

Paras commented, “I am thrilled to be able to work with the incredible stations and team at Cumulus New London. Together, Cumulus Media’s vibrant brands in these two adjacent markets create a highly effective marketing platform and opportunity for advertisers and community partners.”

In this letter to the editor, the author comments on Randy Stines’ recent article “FCC Finds Collecting Pirate Radio Fines a Challenge.” Comment on this or any article. Email radioworld@futurenet.com.

Randy,

Your Nov. 24, 2023 RW article, “FCC Finds Collecting Pirate Radio Fines a Challenge,” is excellent and necessary reporting. It should be expanded to cover all FCC fines. How many FCC fines are collected, or never collected? Does Congress take no interest in this question? Are uncollected fines in the millions, or billions? Without transparency the public can’t evaluate FCC enforcement.

Your article also states: “Pirate radio is an unauthorized transmission of radio signals on the frequencies in or adjacent to the FM and AM radio bands.” That is not strictly correct, in the words of the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act (PIRATE Act). The FCC relies on this act for its authority to perform “sweeps” of pirate stations and impose the heavy penalties it is announcing.

You accurately quoted an FCC news release. What the commission wishes to say, and what the law actually says are different. Congress took up the issue of exactly what defines pirate radio. At 47 U.S.C. 511(h), the PIRATE Act specifically limits “pirate radio” to “spectrum frequencies between 535 and 1705 kilohertz, inclusive, or 87.7 and 108 megahertz, inclusive.” Frequencies adjacent to those bands are excluded from the scope of this law.

Unlicensed broadcast stations are prevalent in the high-frequency spectrum, especially between 5 and 10 MHz. Not a single sweep, interdiction or fine has occurred with these stations under PIRATE Act authority. At this writing, the FCC database “Pirate Radio Enforcement Actions by State,” contains 64 records of enforcement actions against pirates since January 2020. None of these involved the HF band, or the 535-1705 kHz band either.

Are unlicensed HF broadcasters legal? No. But Congress made clear where in the spectrum it wants the FCC to focus its attention.

— Bennett Kobb, Arlington Va.
(The author is editor of Experimental Radio News.)

The post Letter: Not All Pirate Radio Sweeps Are Created Equal appeared first on Radio World.

Willamette Broadcasting Company has entered into a Consent Decree with the FCC allowing it to resolve, without a blemish to its permanent record at the Commission, a matter in which a controlling interest in the company was transferred prior to getting regulatory approval of the transaction.

 

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International Sales Team has signed on as a dealer for RF manufacturer DB Elettronica Telecomunicazioni SpA of Italy.

The agreement covers Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The announcement was made by Charlie Day, partner manager of International Sales Team, and Guglielmo Feliziani, CEO of DB.

Feliziani called the agreement “a cost-effective way for us to address the very important Northern Europe markets” with DB’s broadcast transmission solutions and services. 

International Sales Team calls its offering StaaS, or sales teams as a service. Earlier this year it became a dealer of products for Aldena Telecomunicazioni.

[Visit Radio World’s Global News Page]

The post DB Elettronica Signs With International Sales Team appeared first on Radio World.

In this letter to the editor, the author comments on Randy Stines’ recent article “Pirate Radio Is Not Just a Big-City Problem.” Comment on this or any article. Email radioworld@futurenet.com.

Just read Randy’s article. We’ve had several cases here in central Oregon. So far, threats to report them to the FCC have shut them down.

Just yesterday I checked on a Christmas display in a neighboring town. In the past they were transmitting on one of our translator frequencies. And a second transmitter was on a first adjacent. 

I talked to a contact in the police department. I told him if the offenders didn’t shut down I would report them to the FCC and that they really didn’t want to receive a visit or inquiry. He in turn spoke with the offenders.

They did move to frequencies that are not interfering with anyone. I suspect that their ERP is above the legal limit for unlicensed operation, but since they are temporary and not interfering it isn’t worth my time or the FCC’s to pursue it. Our FCC engineer-in-charge has been very helpful on these matters.

I think most FCC engineers will respond if they know that a pirate is causing interference to a licensed service.

— Terry Cowan, KNLR(FM)/KNLX(FM), Bend, Ore.

[Related: “FCC Writes Up 3 More NYC Pirates, This Time With $6M in Proposed Fines“]

The post Letter: With Pirates, Sometimes a Threat Is Enough appeared first on Radio World.

It has a Construction Permit for a signal covering its city of license, Jacksonville, Tex., and reaches much of Tyler, to the north.

Soon, this FM will be under new ownership, thanks to an agreement finalized on Tuesday.

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In our previous column we discussed Ron Schacht’s inexpensive EAS receiver idea. Now I hear from Ken Beckwith that he is building and selling antennas to feed your EAS receiver. 

We shared a do-it-yourself AM loop antenna several years ago, but many readers don’t have time for projects like that, and Ken has solved the problem by offering AM loop and VHF antennas for sale.

The AM version is an untuned shielded loop, based on a Motorola AM Stereo bulletin published in 1989. The antenna is weatherproof, made with PVC pipe.

Fig 1: An AM loop antenna designed to feed your AM EAS receiver.

Because it is a loop antenna, it should be pointed parallel to the desired signal. There is a sharp null when the antenna is perpendicular to the received signal; this feature can be used to null out an offending signal. 

The antenna output is an “F” connector, and 75-ohm coax can be used to connect to the receiver. Ken recommends inserting a lightning arrestor, available from Amazon, between the antenna and receiver input. 

Depending on mounting hardware, prices for the loop version range from $135 to $180. 

The VHF model is tuned to the weather band but is also capable of receiving FM broadcast signals. It was designed as a 2-meter amateur antenna by F.C. Judd, G2BCX, and is commonly known as a Slim Jim. 

Fig. 2: The VHF version is tuned to the weather frequencies but also handles the FM broadcast spectrum.

The antenna, shown in the second image, is vertically polarized. It has a very narrow angle of radiation, about 8 degrees toward the horizon. As such, it has a gain that exceeds that of a 1/4- or 5/8-wave antenna.

The feed is at the bottom, using an “F” connector, and you’ll use 75-ohm coax to connect antenna to receiver. Like the AM version, the VHF antenna can be opened for repair and is designed to be weatherproof. And like the AM version, it is available with several choices of mounting brackets. 

It costs $105 to $150 depending on mounting choice. 

For information or to order, contact Ken Beckwith at kebeckwith@gmail.com. 

What’s on your plate?

Branding has taken over most radio studios, so what’s left to stick your logo on? How about the butt end of your microphones?

Dan Slentz found these nifty end plates, which can be screened with your logo and affixed to the rear of a Shure SM7 microphone. The plates screw in but are also available in a magnetic version for quick transfer. They cost about $25 and are available here. 

Fig. 3: Promote your station with mic plates designed for the Shure SM7 family.

If you don’t need to promote your logo, how about numbering each mic in a busy studio setting, 1 through 4, so the board op knows which mic to switch on? 

The ultimate multi-tool?

Leatherman is known for developing the multi-tool market. Its latest model is the ARC. 

This substantial offering costs about $230 but provides a total of 20 tools in one, including a MagnaCut steel saw blade designed for wet or dry sawing; large and small bit drivers; wire cutters; scissors and plenty more. 

Fig 4: The ARC is one serious Leatherman.

The design of the ARC places the fold-out tools on the outside of the chassis, so they can be selected without opening the jaws of the handle. The individual tools, including pliers, can be opened with one hand, and lock magnetically. 

Do you know the story behind the company? 

“While on a budget trip to Europe in 1975, Tim Leatherman and his wife Chau constantly came across leaky hotel plumbing and road-side fixes for their cranky Fiat,” its website tells us.

“Tim realized the need for a pliers-based multipurpose tool. ‘I was carrying a scout knife and used it for everything from slicing bread to fixing the car. But I kept wishing I had a pair of pliers!’ When Tim came back to the states, he took his ‘multi-tool’ idea and some sketches he made on the trip, and got to work. …

“From Tim’s first prototype to our latest multi-tool innovation, we’ve been building our tools in Portland, Ore. And when it’s time to put our tools through their paces, we test them in the great Pacific Northwest.” 

The company opened in 1983. All of its tools have a 25-year warranty. Find the ARC here.

Makes sense

In August we told you about EEsensors.com and how these devices, designed for monitoring server room temperature and humidity, can help broadcast engineers. Faith Radio’s Wiely Boswell, CBRE, CBNE, says the tip from Dan Slentz has sparked a real interest in these and similar sensors. Workbench is all about sharing your expertise with colleagues!

Their pricing depends on what you want to monitor. EEsensors.com also offers an Internet of Things interface platform, should you have your own sensors to connect over the IoT.

Workbench submissions are encouraged and qualify for SBE recertification credit. Email johnpbisset@gmail.com.

[Read Another Workbench by John Bisset]

The post Ken Beckwith’s EAS Antenna Solution appeared first on Radio World.

The 2024 primary season is about to heat up, with predictions of record-breaking spending of over $10 billion, according to news reports.

While such revenues may be a boon for broadcasters, the political season can be a minefield, necessitating a refresher on the importance of record-keeping and timely, proper posting to the station online political file. 

The FCC monitors this closely. The 2022 mid-term political season saw more than 220 consent decrees issued to stations for failure to comply fully with political recordkeeping rules (and this despite the consideration the FCC gave to stations suffering from staffing shortages and technical issues as a result of the pandemic).

The consent decrees provide some guidance on the commission’s expectations regarding information required to be placed in the station’s political online public file and deadlines. With Covid now causing far fewer staffing emergencies, we can expect a less tolerant agency that recognizes fewer exceptions and forgives fewer transgressions. 

Therefore, it is critical for stations to understand the rules and policies and follow these procedures for compliance with FCC requirements. 

Every station should: (1) ensure that all key staff members are aware of and understand the FCC’s political file rules; (2) designate a senior staff member to be responsible for ensuring station compliance with the political advertising rules; (3) adopt a procedure to screen political ad buys; and (4) provide regular training sessions to staff to ensure they know the relevant internal procedures and FCC requirements. Stations should ensure their staff know which ads the rules apply to and what needs to be done if the political rules do apply. 

Definitions

When is the public file requirement triggered? 

The requirement is triggered when the station receives a “firm inquiry” for political advertising, whether candidate or issue advertising. This does not include general inquiries about availabilities or about political rates on the station. A “firm inquiry” has been referred to by commission staff as an inquiry for a specific date, time or schedule and rates for that time or schedule. 

What constitutes issue advertising?

Stations are not required to upload information related to every single ad they sell.  The Communications Act at §315(e)(1)(B) states that a station must maintain a political file for requests to purchase broadcast time: (1) made by a legally qualified candidate for public office; or (2) that communicates a message relating to any “political matter of national importance,” including a national legislative issue of public importance. 

At a minimum, “political matter of national importance” includes: (1) References to legally qualified candidates for federal office (the commission has noted that this refers only to federal candidates, although some ads concerning state and local candidates may qualify as raising “political matters of national importance”) or, although placed by a local or state candidate, the ad may refer to a political party slate that includes a reference to a federal office or the party’s candidate for that office; (2) any reference to a federal office (for example “our next senator” or “our person in Washington”) and any reference to an election to federal office; or (3) a “national legislative issue of public importance.”

A “national legislative issue of public importance” is any matter that is the subject of controversy or discussion at the national level; the term is narrower than a “political matter of national importance.” It includes issues that are the subject of federal legislation that have been introduced and are pending in Congress at the time the request for airtime is made. 

In considering context as to whether an advertisement constitutes a “political matter of national importance,” analyze whether the message is both “political” in nature and of “national importance,” having significance on a national level. To trigger the disclosure obligation, the broadcast message must satisfy both requirements. 

Another important distinction is whether the issue, though possibly relating to a national issue, is really only a statewide or local one. 

An example might be abortion, particularly since the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. While reproductive rights are certainly discussed on a national level, various states are passing legislation or placing the issue on state ballots as a referendum. To the extent that the advertisement addresses only a state referendum or specific state legislation that may be voted on only by the residents or legislators of that state, the FCC may consider that it addresses only a state issue and not a national legislative issue or national political issue.

When considering such an order, listen carefully to the ad and consult your station lawyer if it raises the question.

[See Our Business and Law Page]

Political File Disclosure Requirements

Once a station determines they have accepted a political ad, they need to comply with the FCC’s rules and recordkeeping requirements. The following is required to be disclosed by the station: 

All Issues and All Candidate References 

For each request to purchase time that relates to the political matter of national importance, licensees must disclose in the station political file ALL political matters of national importance mentioned in the ad. The disclosure must include any mentions of any or all of the following: the names of ALL legally qualified candidates and the offices to which they are seeking election, ALL elections for federal office (with or without a candidate name), and all “national legislative issues of public importance” referred to in the communication. 

“All” is emphasized here because in the past, some stations reported only the principal issue discussed in the ad, or only the candidate primarily addressed in the ad, even when others were mentioned. This has now been clarified to make certain it is understood that all such issues and all such candidates must be identified in the public file posting.

The Required Political File Information

The station must place in its political file (a subset of its online public inspection file) the following information: 

1. Whether the request to purchase broadcast time is accepted or rejected by the licensee;
2. The rate charge for the broadcast time;
3. The date and time in which the communication is aired;
4. The class of time purchased;
5. The name of the candidate to which the communication refers, the office to which the candidate is seeking election and the election to which the communication refers;
6. The issue or issues to which the communication refers (remember, ALL issues discussed must be listed); and 
7. In the case of any other request, the name of the person purchasing the time, the name, address and phone number of a contact person for such person, and a list of the chief executive officers or members of the executive committee or of the board of directors for such person.

Although candidate ads are not specifically addressed in this article, note that for a request made by or on behalf of a candidate, the name of the candidate, the authorized committee of the candidate and the treasurer of such committee must also be included in the political online public inspection file. 

Importantly, for each ad that references a political matter of national importance, whether or not it is designed or placed for a candidate PAC, the public file information must also include: 

1. The names of ALL candidates for federal office referenced in the broadcast message; 
2. The respective offices to which all such candidates are seeking election; 
3. ALL elections referenced in the broadcast message; and
4. ALL national legislative issues of public importance. 

The Sponsor

The Communications Act and FCC rules also require that, whenever the station broadcasts ANY political matter or a matter involving a controversial issue of public importance that is paid for or furnished by any entity, the station must obtain and place in the public file a list of the chief executive officers or members of the executive committee or of the board of directors and make it available in its online public inspection file.

A problem that frequently occurs in the political online public file materials is when the ad buyer provides only one name or a short list of names. This is not sufficient. If you have a reasonable basis for believing that the provided sponsor information appears to be incomplete, the station has an affirmative obligation and MUST inquire further, at least once. 

For example, whenever the name of only one official has been supplied, the station must make further inquiry. The obligation to inquire will be satisfied by making a single further inquiry to either the organization sponsoring the ad or the third-party buyer of advertising time acting on the organization’s behalf. But it MUST make the inquiry. 

While the response is not required to be placed in the public file, it should be obtained in writing and provided to the station manager or station political advertising official and maintain it in a safe place to document the station efforts should a later inquiry be made. 

In summary, make certain that anyone wishing to place such advertising with you provides complete information to satisfy your requirements. 

Timing for Compliance

Section §315 (e)(3) of the Communications Act states that the information is to be placed in the political file “as soon as possible” and shall be retained by the licensee for a period of not less than two years. The commission has defined “as soon as possible” as the next business day. In the prior election season, which occurred during Covid, the commission did try to take into account the extraordinary situations that occurred due to the pandemic. Licensees should not rely on such relief as this season faces a much different situation, and stations must diligently ensure all uploads are completed by the next business day.

Conclusion

Political campaigns recognize that broadcasting remains one of the most important and potent means of effectively communicating their message. The 2024 cycle is likely to be highly partisan, addressing some of the most critically important issues America has ever faced. It promises to be a good one for broadcasters and their revenues. It is equally important that broadcasters embrace their historic role in contributing to a properly informed electorate and understand the rules that apply to their role.

This column is provided for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice pertaining to any specific factual situation. Legal decisions should be made only after proper consultation with a legal professional of your choosing.

Read more articles by Gregg Skall.

The post Political Issue Advertising: The Blessing and the Curse! appeared first on Radio World.

MIAMI — It was rolling along as another typical quarterly earnings call, held one week after the company released its third quarter earnings results.

Then, just after the last question e-mailed to the C-Suite from a financial analyst was answered, a big surprise came from Spanish Broadcasting System‘s longtime day-to-day leader: He’s leaving.

In the final two minutes of the 30-minute Q3 2023 earnings call, Albert Rodriguez took a moment to share with SBS’s investors, clients, and industry colleagues — as well as those at SBS  — that, “after much reflection, and consideration, I have decided to resign from my position as President and COO of Spanish Broadcasting System.”

Rodriguez continued, “It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together, in particular to be beacon of the Hispanic voice in America — my dear brother Raúl Alarcón Jr., who has been like a brother to me.”

While Rodriguez is stepping down from the role, he assured those on the call that he will remain active with the company as a Senior Advisor. “In this capacity, I’ll continue to support ‘one million percent’ the company’s vision, providing guidance and strategic insights to ensure a seamless transition.”

Rodriguez concluded by saying he looked forward to continuing to collaborate with those on the earnings call and the SBS team in his new role.

SBS Chief Financial Officer José Molina formally concluded the earnings call by wishing Rodriguez the best in his new role. “You did an amazing job and will continue to do amazing things,” he said of Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has been associated with SBS since 1999, and rose from General Sales Manager for the company’s three Miami-Fort Lauderdale FMs. He then rose to a corporate-level role as Chief Revenue Officer of Mega TV and became COO in May 2012, later adding the President title in June 2021 as Alarcón stepped away from day-to-day operational duties for the station.

According to a just-released study from SalesFuel and BIA Advisory Services, hospitals and offices of physicians, dentists and chiropractors are top spenders in the healthcare marketing realm. For 2024, billions will go into local advertising — and over-the-air TV is a top media channel when it comes to spending.

 

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Furniture for podcasting was among the company’s offerings.

Studio furniture maker Omnirax has closed its doors.

“We are sorry to inform you that Omnirax is no longer able to proceed in business and we are unable to fulfill your orders,” wrote Chief Design Officer David Holland in a letter to a customer dated Nov. 28.

“We are undertaking to move forward into bankruptcy and under the advice of counsel will provide you with further information at the earliest possible time.”

The Omnirax website has been locked under password protection since at least Dec. 1, and the company has not been answering phone calls or emails, prompting concerns among broadcasters about its business status.

Calls, emails and texts from Radio World seeking comment from the company have not been returned.

Several broadcast clients have told Radio World that they have pending orders with the company directly or through a dealer.

The letter announcing an intended bankruptcy proceeding was forwarded to Radio World from an Omnirax customer who had a pending order. He said he’d placed a deposit on Oct. 13 but was unable to contact anyone at the company starting about two weeks after that.

An engineering manager at one of the larger broadcast companies told Radio World that his employer had been notified with a similar letter from Omnirax. His employer declined to comment officially.

A third client told Radio World that he has a current studio project built out with Omnirax cabinetry specs in mind and that he was due to receive his order in the first three weeks of December. He had not received a letter from the company but was advised by his dealer that the furniture apparently would not be shipped.

Several social media pages for the company remained live as of Dec. 7. The most recent tweet on X was dated Oct. 15.

Omnirax was founded in 1985 by business partners Philip Zittell and David Holland. It made furniture for broadcast, office and technical environments. It had its roots in a jewelry company, Sausalito Craftworks Inc.

According to a version of its website scraped in October at web.archive.org, Omnirax began building custom broadcast furniture when John Buckham, then of Entravision Communications, hired the company for a 27-studio project in Los Angeles, which led to a 12-studio job for Phil Lerza, chief engineer at KFRC, in San Francisco in 2004.

In 2021 the company introduced a line for the “work from home” market segment, and it had recently been pushing harder in the podcasting space.

The post ​Omnirax Shuts Its Doors appeared first on Radio World.

According to a fresh report from Parks Associates, one in five U.S. households with internet access in the home possess a television antenna. At the same time, 12% of these households do not have a TV antenna but plan to purchase one within the next six months.

Coming in January: RBR+TVBR’s Winter 2024 magazine features a one-on-one conversation with Pearl TV’s Anne Schelle on the latest NEXTGEN TV developments, how growth is really transpiring, and why time and patience are the practical choices when gauging the rollout and reception of the ATSC 3.0-powered broadcast television standard. It’s a Radio + Television Business Report Member exclusive. Become a Member now!

 

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A first-half 2023 earnings call was held on Thursday by Black consumer-focused multimedia company Urban One, with CFO Peter D. Thompson and CEO Alfred Liggins III offering Q1 and Q2 commentary on much-delayed results first shared to the public on November 20.

While Liggins expressed his willingness to discuss long-term financial plans, now that Richmond voters have shot down a casino resort proposal for a second time, Thompson offered a glimpse at the company’s Q4 pacings. They’re lackluster, at best.

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