Radio+Television Business Report

Many high-power broadcast stations have few options for staying on the air while replacing a transmitter. Acrodyne Services, focused on transmitter installation and service, has developed the Mobile Acrodyne Transmitter (MAT) — a self-contained UHF transmitter housed in an enclosed trailer.

As an external system, MAT maintains broadcasting without interfering with the removal of the old transmission system, room prep, electrical modifications, and new transmitter installation inside the facility. MAT can broadcast ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0 signals.

“Stations and TV groups are continuing to upgrade their broadcast infrastructures by replacing old transmitters,” Acrodyne GM Andy Whiteside said. “There are low-power solutions and other workarounds, but none of them are ideal, especially for stations that have limited space or run into unexpected delays because of logistic and structural issues. MAT provides a clean, external, and high-power solution that allows broadcasters to conduct business as usual.”

Whiteside added that the UHF version has been deployed successfully several times, and a VHF version is currently being prepared for deployment later in 2021.

Dale Scherbring, Director of Engineering for RF transmission at Sinclair Broadcast Group, described MAT as a “full-power transmitter on wheels that was designed by Acrodyne engineers who get their hands dirty.”

The climate-controlled trailer features a one-rack, liquid-cooled Rohde & Schwarz THU9evo UHF19kW transmitter with 12 amplifiers, Dielectric tunable mask filter, patch-panel, test load plus pumps, and separate heat exchangers for the transmitter and test load. Stations only need to provide AC power and an input signal from master control. Acrodyne provides a run of coaxial flex line to connect MAT’s output to the antenna to maintain regular broadcasting.

Sinclair Broadcast Group Manager of TV Transmission Engineering Rusty Mooney was part of MAT’s initial deployment in June 2020 at the company’s two stations serving Raleigh: WLFL-TV and WRDC-TV. Both transmitters were in the same room and both needed to be replaced. Plus, a new filter for WRDC needed to be installed. “There just wasn’t enough room for all of that work,” Mooney recalled. “You’d run out of wall space trying to keep one transmitter running while trying to build a new transmitter.”

With MAT parked outside the facility and transmitting, the old WRDC transmitter was removed – and when the new WRDC transmitter was commissioned, MAT was quickly reconfigured to broadcast for WLFL while its transmitter was replaced. “MAT allows you to offload your signal to the trailer,” Mooney said. “Then you can gut the room and start with a clean slate for the new install.”

MAT’s next stop was KDNL-TV, a Sinclair station serving St. Louis, in early January 2021. According to Mooney, the small RF facility required extensive renovations in addition to a new transmitter. The station stayed on the air until late March with MAT while it replaced its two-cabinet IOT transmitter.

Acrodyne’s “transmitter on wheels” concept was first developed during the recent FCC Repack, when hundreds of UHF stations across the country transitioned to new channels. Last September, WHKY, an independent station owned by Long Communications that serves part of the Charlotte market, rented an earlier version of MAT while renovating its facility and replacing its old transmitter.

Between the four-cabinet transmitter and two very large filters for the channel 14 UHF station, the building did not have room to accommodate a second transmitter. “I had to get the old transmitter out of the building,” said Tom Long, one of the station owners. “MAT makes it a lot easier. It got everything out of my way and it’s self-contained.”

Once all its Repack projects are complete, Sinclair is expected to replace the remaining IOT transmitters in about 20 of its stations with solid-state transmitters. Scherbring expects to use MAT at those locations and at the VHF-to-UHF conversions currently being considered. However, he said MAT can also be deployed for emergency or disaster situations, and the system can be operational within a day. Both VHF and UHF versions of MAT will be available for use by all broadcasters, subject to demand.

At first glance, the 2021 first quarter results for the nation’s largest owner of broadcast TV stations seems super: Net income rose by 26.3%. Adjusted EBITDA improved by 2.4% against tough comps tied to roughly $50 million fewer political ad dollars.

But, the big reveal for Nexstar Media Group is that its “Distribution Fee Revenue,” a.k.a. retransmission consent dollars, are far and away the greatest revenue driver — significantly surpassing core ad revenue, which slipped in Q1.

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Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned broadcast antenna and RF system subsidiary Dielectric has selected the individual who will succeed Steven Moreen.

He’s retiring, and will soon conclude a 52-year career in the broadcast industry.

Taking the job of Western Region Sales Manager is Dan Glavin.

He now has responsibility for all U.S. TV and FM sales and customer service west of the Mississippi River and reports to Jay Martin, Dielectric’s Vice President of Sales.

Glavin joined Dielectric in 2018 as an Electrical Engineer, with an emphasis on system
design, data analysis and antenna testing. He has since led technical development
initiatives and field installations for RFHAWKEYE, the broadcast industry’s first IP-based
RF monitoring system.

“The ability to identify product requirements and respond in a technical capacity is key to
this position, and Dan’s level of problem-solving expertise is rare among field sales,”
Martin said. “Dan is an extrovert and extremely technical, and will be a strong mediator who can communicate complex technical requirements between our customers and internal
Dielectric engineers. His fluency in Spanish will benefit the Hispanic communities we serve,
and his experience across site logistics, off-air challenges and other common over-the-air
issues will benefit all customers.”

Glavin added, “The expansion and integration of ATSC 3.0 broadcast systems, single-frequency networks, and investment in public television and radio all represent exciting opportunities for business development throughout the western U.S. region. Steve has set the bar high, but I look forward to building on his example in working closely with customers to help them solve problems, and explore the next-generation of over-the-air opportunities. Every opportunity comes down to helping broadcasters achieve their goals through cost-effective and efficient implementation, while delivering robust designs and products that offer long-term value.”

PromoSuite has revealed who its new VP of Product Design & Development is. It is someone who joined PromoSuite in 2018 to lead the design and development of the new PromoSuitePlus platform.

That would be Rey Mena, who PromoSuite says will ontinue fulfilling his current role, in addition to new responsibilities including strategic oversight to PromoSuite’s entire product line.

Mena’s media career spans over three decades and includes key leadership roles including LSM, NSM, GSM and Marketing Director at Emmis Communications’ former Chicago properties and as Co-President of Emmis Interactive.

Mena left the radio industry in 2014 to launch branding and consulting firm Menagery Inc.

“There’s no one more qualified, capable and forward thinking in the media technology space to propel PromoSuite to the next level than Rey,” said PromoSuite CEO Rocco Macri. “I’ve known him for over 20 years and have watched in awe of the advancements he’s made for brands, radio stations and in technology. He’s an innovator that dreams big and knows how to execute. We are proud to have him on our team.”

Technical Services Group (TSG), a broadcast engineering and commercial AV solutions provider, has been awarded the bid to upgrade the statewide microwave distribution system for Alabama Public Television (APT) to support ATSC 3.0 transmission.

Valued at approximately $2.8 million, the project will require an upgrade of 30 locations with bi-directional, high-speed IP components from Vislink Inc., which focuses on the collection, delivery, and management of high-quality live video and associated data.

“Before we could upgrade to an ATSC 3.0 on our transmitters, we had to have an IP network over the microwave system designed to handle an ATSC 3.0 signal,” said Windell Wood, Director of Engineering and COO for APT.

The current system has been in place since 2010; it is only capable of supporting ATSC 1.0.

The APT network utilizes nine transmitters and 21 repeaters to maintain statewide coverage. The master signal originates from the network operations center at APT’s flagship station, WBIQ-TV in Birmingham. To achieve bi-directional connectivity and full redundancy across the entire network, TSG will install 120 of Vislink’s most popular transceivers, the IPLink 3.0 — four at each site.

Vislink’s all-indoor digital video microwave system, which features a touchscreen display and clean front panel design in a 2RU chassis, will allow APT to transition from traditional ASI transport to an IP-centric system architecture. The new system will also use Simple Network Management Protocols (SNMP), which will monitor and manage the overall health of the APT network.

Both TSG and Vislink have worked with APT in the past. During the recent FCC Repack, for example, TSG replaced three IOT transmitters with GatesAir solid-state transmitters for APT.

“Alabama has one of the best public television organizations in the country, with one of the most robust microwave infrastructures,” Mickey Miller, CEO of Vislink, said. “We have worked with APT for more than 20 years, and we’re proud to continue our relationship as they prepare for an ATSC 3.0 migration and move toward a total IP-centric network. TSG is an incredible company that provides great technical solutions, and we value our collaboration.”

Work on the project is expected to begin in early summer and be completed by the end of the year. With the built-in redundancy (and hot standby feed) of the system, APT should be able to minimize or avoid signal disruption during the upgrade, according to Wood.

Once ATSC 3.0 is implemented across the state, a portion of the bandwidth will be allocated to emergency services, including police and fire departments, while part will maintain distribution of the ATSC 1.0 signal. The remaining bandwidth will be allocated to the ATSC 3.0 feed.

Another key technical layer to the APT plan for ATSC 3.0 adoption is a separate fiber network, currently in the planning stage, which will connect all 30 transmission sites throughout the state. Fiber connectivity will provide additional redundancy and seamless failover for APT.

“ATSC 3.0 is the next step in the evolution of broadcast television. With their emphasis on infrastructure, Alabama Public Television is in front of the curve,” said Bo Hoover, CEO of TSG. “APT’s transition to ATSC 3.0 is going to serve as a model for other statewide networks, and we are excited to work with Vislink to deliver this solution.”

RBR+TVBR Products and Services

Lav miking options have just increased, with the release of the new LAVALIER SWITCH KIT from Point Source Audio. The new kit offers one lavalier mic that transforms into two wearing styles, and into three different color options to help audio technicians meet the ever-changing conditions of miking the talent.

At the heart of the LAVALIER SWITCH KIT is the company’s IP 57 Waterproof Omnidirectional Lavalier. The mic choice includes a low sensitivity option for live stage applications or a high sensitivity option for studio broadcast. The mic has a low profile at 4mm in diameter.

EMBRACE earmounts include beige, brown and black colors.

To further camouflage the mic, the mic element color can be changed with a selection of custom-designed color caps in beige, brown, black, white, and gray that also serve as pop filters and added protection from water and other elements.

For traditional lavalier mounting, the kit contains 8 clip-based mounting options to meet every need. The smooth SLIDER clips come as a single or a double mount, while magnetic, vampire, and alligator clip options are also included in black and white colors.

The LAVALIER SWITCH KIT can be purchased in a variety of different connector variants including Lemo-style, 5-pin mini-XLR for Lectronsonics, 4-pin mini XLR for Shure wireless, as well as 3.5mm locking ring terminations for either Sony or Sennheiser wireless. In addition to this, every kit also comes with an X-connector with TRRS termination for mobile devices and computers.

Pricing and Availability

• The new LAVALIER SWITCH KITS are available to order immediately through all Point Source Audio authorized resellers and distributors.
• Each SWITCH KIT is priced at $800 MSRP and includes the lavalier microphone in black color, 3 pre-trimmed EMBRACE earmounts, 8 mounting clips, 5 colored windscreen caps, 6 additional foam windscreens, an X-Connector for a specified wireless system, and a bonus TRRS audio X-Connector for computer and mobile phones.
• A total of 10 LAVALIER SWITCH KITS are offered based on the mic sensitivity rating and wireless compatibility:

High Sensitivity Mic Rating for Studio Broadcast
CO-8WLh-KIT-XLE-BL – 5-pin mini-XLR termination for Lectrosonics
CO-8WLh-KIT-XSK-BL – Lemo-style termination
CO-8WLh-KIT-XSE-BL – 3.5mm locking-ring termination for Sennheiser wireless
CO-8WLh-KIT-XSY-BL – 3.5mm locking-ring termination for Sony wireless
CO-8WLh-KIT-XSH-BL – 4-pin mini-XLR termination for Shure wireless

Low Sensitivity Mic Rating for Live Stage
CO-8WL-KIT-XLE-BL – 5-pin mini-XLR termination for Lectrosonics
CO-8WL-KIT-XSK-BL – Lemo-style termination
CO-8WL-KIT-XSE-BL – 3.5mm locking-ring termination for Sennheiser wireless
CO-8WL-KIT-XSY-BL – 3.5mm locking-ring termination for Sony wireless
CO-8WL-KIT-XSH-BL – 4-pin mini-XLR termination for Shure wireless

• Additional technical specifications and accessories are available at https://www.point-sourceaudio.com/lavalier_switch_kit/

To learn more about the LAVALIER SWITCH KIT collection and other Point Source Audio products, visit www.point-sourceaudio.com.

It’s that time of year again, and the IAB NewFronts are upon us already. Upfront presentations the week of May 17 already dotting the calendar.

Hispanic-targeted LATV is right in the thick of it, offering a platform self-described as “The Latino Voices Redefining Culture.”

Today’s LATV is quite different than what existed a decade ago. How does one define what LATV is today, and its primary value proposition? It’s a question Gisella Fu-Ripp answers, among others, in this fresh InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Gisella Fu-Ripp, LATV” on Spreaker.

Telestream, known for its file-based media workflow orchestration, media streaming and delivery technologies, has brought to market the latest version of its live production and streaming platform for Mac and Windows.

The new version of Wirecast adds native support for Apple Silicon (M1) hardware and includes new features that add enhance flexibility and further streamline production workflows.

In Wirecast Pro, users can now send their live outputs to a secondary display. The live program feed can be sent to a big screen or to an independent capture device without the need for specific hardware. When paired with a UVC HDMI capture device, users can capture live output for use in other applications like Zoom or Teams as an alternative to using a virtual camera/mic.

Shot Templates allow users to add a pre-configured shot layout to a document. Cameras and sources can now be assigned to Placeholders to quickly add a source to any number of shots. For example, an operator could assign a guest to a placeholder and once that guest arrives, they are automatically placed in all shots designated for them.

Additional new features and updates:

Lock Shot Icon – users can take a snapshot of a live shot and save it as an icon thumbnail. Example: PTZ cameras with multiple shots configured can display customized snapshots for each angle for quick identification during production

PTZ control for Sony X-Series IP cameras – adds direct support for Sony X-series cameras from within the Wirecast PTZ controller

Support for LinkedIn Live Auto-Captions – When streaming to LinkedIn Live, users can now enable Automatically Generated Captions in a broadcast, which will enable viewers to see captions in their player

Input Connection selector for Blackmagic devices – Adds an option to choose video/audio input connections (HDMI/SDI) for Blackmagic source devices directly from Wirecast

Clock enhancements – several updates to the clock overlay including:

• Option to automatically start the countdown clock when it gets pushed live
• Ability to display times in minutes greater than 60 minutes for sports and other applications
• Option to display day-of-the-week only
• Option to countdown to a specific date and time, for longer broadcasts and countdowns.

Wirecast 14.2 is available now and is a free update to all users with a Wirecast Access plan.

Television stations such as market-leading ABC affiliate WFTV-9 in Orlando and top-rated radio station including “96.9 The Eagle” in Jacksonville have just gained a collection of digital siblings.

It’s thanks to a deal that sees Apollo Global Management, which holds the purse strings for Cox Media Group, acquire what will soon no longer be known as Verizon Media.

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Gray Television and Meredith Corp. each enjoyed big days on Wall Street today, on word that the company buying Quincy Media, Inc., which acquired Raycom Media at the start of 2019, is purchasing Meredith Local Media’s 17 broadcast stations.

At the Closing Bell, GTN was up 9.1%, to $22.17, thanks to a $1.85 improvement on heavy volume of nearly 3 million shares.

For MDP, a 13.2% gain from Friday was seen, pushing the company’s shares to $35.21. Volume was 1.48 million shares against average trading of 467,160 shares.

For a complete look at Monday’s closing prices for media stocks, visit the Wall Street Report on the homepage of RBR.com.

It describes itself as “an innovative media company serving the greater good of the communities it serves.”

That would be TEGNA, the company formerly known as Gannett that owns broadcast TV stations across the U.S. On May 4, it is making its IAB NewFronts debut.

We’ve got an early look at what to expect.

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She rules evening radio — and has for decades — with her unique approach of uplifting the lives of listeners all across the country.

Now, she’s returning to where it all began … sort of.

Delilah is buying the Oregon radio station where she first took to the airwaves.

COMING IN THE MAY 10 ISSUE OF RADIO INK

MAKING RADIO MAGIC: MIW LEGEND DELILAH — Premiere Networks President Julie Talbott says it’s not a cliché to talk about Delilah as a companion and someone who brings comfort. “Reaching millions of listeners with a calm, inspiring voice not only provides an entertaining outlet, but also an uplifting and encouraging environment for this dedicated audience,” she notes. For more, click here.

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Call it a “no-GO” for Educational Media Foundation. Sort of.

In mid-April, RBR+TVBR was first to report on the purchase by EMF of the former KZGO-FM 95.3, a Class A licensed to St. Paul, and the former KQGO-FM 96.3, a Class C3 licensed to Edina, Minn., from The Pohlad Companies. At the time, KZGO, given its market heritage as a religious station, was poised to see a return of the predecessor to “Go” —  Christian Adult Contemporary “Praise Live.”

This happened, along with the return of the KNOF call letters. As such, EMF, which specializes in its national CCM networks, is selling what is now KNOF-FM in St. Paul.

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The company’s Q1 2021 earnings call is still on for Thursday (5/6). However, with Monday’s blockbuster announcement that it is acquiring all of Meredith Corporation‘s local media assets for $2.7 billion, Gray Television moved forward with the release on Monday of its first quarter financial results.

How did the company led by Hilton Howell Jr. and former Raycom Media head Pat LaPlatney perform in the first three months of 2021?

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RBR+TVBR OBSERVATION

As I pen this column, there’s an AARP Member who is presently driving north on I-95 from South Florida to the Empire State. Like other “snowbirds,” Bubbe from Boca has packed her car, put the cute little puppy in his belted-in canine crib, and has made her way to New York State.

Two days. Eighteen hours of driving. How much time will she spend listening to the radio?

Zero.

There are many directions we can turn in commenting on this reality. Today, we wish to discuss the No. 1 value of Radio, and how efforts to hyperlocalize the medium may be counter-productive to its greatest asset: Reach.

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On Thursday (4/29), rumors became reality as Allen Media Broadcasting, the fast-growing television company owned by Byron Allen, emerged as the buyer of 10 television stations Gray Television agreed to sell in order to receive regulatory approval of its $925 million merger with Quincy Media, Inc.

While the end of the Ralph Oakley-led QMI is certainly noteworthy and will reshape Gray even further, following the January 2019 completion of its mega-merger with Raycom Media, Gray’s latest “transformative” transaction is a blockbuster in the making.

Gray has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of Meredith Corporation for approximately $14.50 per share in cash, or $2.7 billion in total enterprise value. Importantly, this will occur following the spin-off of Meredith’s National Media Group to current Meredith shareholders.

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Following its mammoth divestment of the Local Media division, Meredith Corp. will be a company wholly enveloped in its National Media assets.

What does this mean for the Des Moines-based company and for Local Media Group President Patrick McCreery?

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The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is now accepting nominations for the 2021 NAB Marconi Radio Awards and will be accepting submissions until May 31.

Established in 1989 and named for inventor and Nobel Prize winner Guglielmo Marconi, the prestigious awards recognize overall excellence and performance in radio.

Station and on-air personality nominations may be submitted for the 23 awards presented in the following categories:

• Legendary Station of the Year
• Legendary Manager of the Year
• Radio Station of the Year by Market Size
• Radio Station of the Year by Format
• Personality of the Year by Market Size
• Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year
• Best Radio Podcast of the Year

The NAB Marconi Radio Awards finalists are selected by an independent task force of broadcasters and will be announced in July. Winners will be recognized during a special event at the Radio Show, held October 13-14, 2021 in Las Vegas, and co-located with NAB Show.

All nominations must be submitted through the NAB member portal. The complete list of categories, entry rules and qualifications can be found here.

Contact Tobi Hall with questions regarding the Marconi Radio Awards, nomination process or station eligibility.

In a repeat of an already successful partnership, Procter & Gamble Co. in June will again team up with iHeartMedia for the return of “Can’t Cancel Pride,” a virtual relief benefit for the LGBTQ+ community as part of the company’s Pride Month observances.

The benefit is scheduled to feature performances and appearances from “the most influential voices in the community,” and what iHeart promises to be “the biggest names in culture and entertainment.”

“Can’t Cancel Pride” formally returns on June 4 at 9pm, in each time zone. The event will stream on iHeartRadio’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram TV pages, iHeartRadio’s PrideRadio.com and broadcast on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide. It will also be available on demand throughout Pride Month — until Thursday, June 30.

The event began in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic’s spread across the U.S.

This year, “Can’t Cancel Pride” will also again partner with The Greater Cincinnati Foundation to administer and distribute financial support raised by the event to LGBTQ+ organizations with a track record of positive impact and support of the LGBTQ+ community.

This includes GLAAD, SAGE, The Trevor Project, the National Black Justice Coalition, CenterLink and OutRight Action International.

The 2020 inaugural virtual relief benefit helped raise visibility and funds for LGBTQ+ communities most impacted by COVID-19; the pandemic had a damaging effect on the fund-raising efforts that LGBTQ+ organizations rely on to survive. It has also closed community centers, prevented support groups to meet in person and has had an adverse effect on a number of industries in which so many LGBTQ+ people make their living.

Partnering with six organizations with a long track-record in creating positive change within the community, “Can’t Cancel Pride” raised over $4 million.

Hosted by Elvis Duran and Laverne Cox, the one-hour benefit special featured performances by Adam Lambert, Ben Platt, Big Freedia with Tank and the Bangas, Katy Perry, Kim Petras, Melissa Etheridge, Sia, Ricky Martin and Carla Morrison, as well as John Cameron Mitchell, Neil Patrick Harris, Darren Criss, Andrew Rannells and more.

In addition to music, “Can’t Cancel Pride” also featured special appearances from Billy Porter, Bebe Rexha, Cara Delevingne, Ciara, Dan Levy, Hayley Kiyoko, Kermit The Frog, Lena Waithe, Matt Bomer, Nico Tortorella, Peppermint, and Tituss Burgess.

Full details and lineup announcement for the 2021 “Can’t Cancel Pride” are forthcoming.

In late February, Nexstar Media Group announced that President of Broadcasting Tim Busch will retire on May 31.

On Monday (5/3), it revealed who will be rising to take on Busch’s soon-to-be former duties.

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