Radio+Television Business Report

In March 2018, The Mainstay Station Trust LLC came to fruition. It was created to take on four stations divested by Cumulus Media in order to complete its Chapter 11 reorganization plan.

The Trust is headed solely by noted broker Elliot Evers.

In October 2019, two of the four properties were spun from the trust. This followed the removal of a Missouri station from the trust, as Cumulus turned in the license for another property in the market.

Now, the last of the stations licensed to Evers is being sold.

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

Hey, Alexa … play K-I-N-K on iHeartRadio.

That’s just one of many, many commands one can voice to their Amazon Alexa smart speaker to listen to live audio streaming of a U.S. broadcast radio station.

But, just how many consumers do this, rather than “play Pandora” or audio content that doesn’t represent a broadcast radio station’s live stream?

Triton Digital has the answer.

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

In June 2016, well before anyone in Washington, D.C., expected Donald Trump to become the 45th U.S. President, concerns over the re-nomination of a Democratic FCC Commissioner surfaced.

Then came the November election, and the transition of Commission leadership from Tom Wheeler to Ajit Pai. With Republicans in control, Jessica Rosenworcel became a political pawn. She left on Inauguration Day 2017, only to return six months later with her re-nomination from President Trump confirmed.

Now, he’s actually to thank for making Rosenworcel the interim FCC Chairman.

Well … sort of.

President Biden on Thursday (1/21) designated Rosenworcel as Acting FCC Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission.

“I am honored to be designated as the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden,” she said, thanking Biden for the opportunity to lead an agency “with such a vital mission and talented staff.”

Rosenworcel called it ” a privilege to serve the American people and work on their behalf to expand the reach of communications opportunity in the digital age.”

In her stints at the Commission, Rosenworcel has worked to promote greater opportunity, accessibility, and affordability in the nation’s communications services and has been a consistent champion for connecting all.

Prior to joining the agency, she served as Senior Communications Counsel for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, under the leadership of Sens. John D. Rockefeller IV and Daniel Inouye. Before entering public service, Rosenworcel practiced communications law for Drinker Biddle Reath in Washington, D.C.

Her brother, Brian, is the drummer in the alternative rock band Guster.

Republican colleague Brendan Carr extended his congratulations to Rosenworcel, calling her “a talented and dedicated public servant, as evidenced by her eight years of distinguished service on the FCC.”

NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith also applauded Rosenworcel on becoming acting FCC chair. “She is a dedicated and experienced public servant who has demonstrated great aptitude in leading communications policy during her tenure at the Commission,” he said. “We look forward to working with her and her fellow Commissioners on regulatory policies that help local radio and TV stations serve the public interest.”

What are the most important policy issues facing local television and radio stations during the 117th congress that the NAB will be advocating to policymakers and Members of Congress?

That was distributed on Thursday, one day after Joe Biden was sworn in as President of the United States.

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

One week ago, the nation’s chief lobbying group representing small, and small market, MVPDs held court with the office of the newest FCC Commissioner.

What did ACA Connects discuss with representatives from Nathan Simington‘s office?

Consolidation in the broadcast television industry and retransmission consent matters.

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

On Tuesday, all eyes were on the U.S. Supreme Court as oral arguments were heard in FCC v. Prometheus, the case that sees the Commission and the NAB teaming to get its cross-ownership rules approved with a reversal of a lower court’s remand.

While that’s certainly a huge matter, other legal issues impacting radio and TV in 2021 deserve attention.

What’s the first one that comes to mind to Gregg Skall, the noted Washington, D.C. communications attorney with boutique firm Telecommunication Law Professionals?

Find out in the latest InFOCUS Podcast, presented by DOT.FM.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Gregg Skall” on Spreaker.

Cumulus Media on Thursday revealed what it calls “important changes” to its top-level sales leadership, impacting both its broadcast radio stations and its Westwood One national radio arm.

At Westwood One, Sales President Bryan Forbes is out. He’s leaving the company “to pursue another opportunity.”

As such, Ron Russo is taking the role, gaining oversight of network sales and sales planning. Russo, a 17-year sales leader, was previously EVP/Sales, Northeast at Westwood One. His resume includes roles at iHeartMedia and CBS Radio.

Meanwhile, at the Cumulus stations, Rafe D’Amico succeeds Forbes’ role that saw him oversee the AM and FM properties’ national spot team and manage their relationship with Katz Radio Group.

D’Amico will serve as SVP of National Sales. His resume includes roles as VP of Strategic Partnerships and National Sales at Beasley Media Group.

D’Amico reports to Cumulus EVP/Operations Dave Milner, while Russo reports to WWO head Suzanne Grimes.

In addition to those moves, Westwood One EVP/Sales and Sports Partnerships Brandon Berman, who has focused on sports and overall Midwest region efforts, adds the Northeast region for WWO.

Berman started his career at Westwood One some 15 years ago, as an account executive.

Taking on Southeast region duties at Westwood One is Kim Bryant, adding them to her role as EVP/Sales for the West and Southwest.

Bryant has been associated with Cumulus since the early 2010s. Before that, she held management roles at iHeart predecessor Clear Channel and Entravision.

Finally, seven-year WWO veteran Adam Shifrin rises from a Midwest and West sports sales role to become VP/Sports Sales and Marketing at Westwood One. He now manages all Westwood One Sports Play by Play, CBS Sports Radio, and associated shoulder inventory as well as the dedicated sports sales and operations teams.

“Westwood One is extremely fortunate to have a group of sales executives poised to lead the team forward seamlessly,” Grimes said. “I’m thrilled to announce these well-deserved promotions that will enable us to manage through this challenging pandemic with confidence, commitment, resilience and results.”

In August 2017, RBR+TVBR shared the news that a St. Louis-based provider of private-label online audience engagement and interactive content platforms had agreed to purchase a data-driven email marketing software and consulting business focused on the collection and use of first party data for the media industry founded by Ruth Presslaff.

Now the company that acquired Presslaff Interactive Revenue (PIR) is itself being purchased.

Second Street, which has carved a niche as a provider of private-label online audience engagement and interactive content platforms for broadcast media companies including contesting, quizzes, ballots, polls, surveys, e-mail, and data profiling, is being purchased by Upland Software, which offers products that give its clients opportunities for digital consumer engagement.

The all-cash deal is valued at $25.4 million, paid at closing.

Terms include a $5 million cash holdback payable in 12 months (subject to indemnification claims).

Upland expects the acquisition to generate annual revenue of approximately $9.4 million, of which all is recurring, and will not be subject to reductions for deferred revenue discount as a result of GAAP purchase accounting.

“The price paid for the acquisition is within Upland’s target range of 5-8x pro forma Adjusted EBITDA and it is expected that Second Street will generate at least $4.2 million in Adjusted EBITDA annually once fully integrated,” Upland says.

Additionally, the company notes that the acquisition will be immediately accretive to Upland’s Adjusted EBITDA per share.

“Adding Second Street to Upland’s product portfolio will provide Upland’s customers the power to build promotions and email campaigns that grow revenue, customer databases, and consumer engagement,” the Austin-based company says.

The Cosine Group acted as exclusive financial advisor to Second Street.

He became a renowned radio industry figure for serving as Station Manager at one of America’s most-listened-to Top 40 stations of the 1970s, with his 50kw Class A AM outdueling its rival, “The Voice of Labor in Chicago,” by March 1976.

In May 1979, he was named President of ABC-owned FMs following the resignation of Allan Shaw.

Now, media executives across the U.S. are paying tribute to Marty Greenberg, who has died of pancreatic cancer.

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

SAVANNAH, GA. — Travel 40 miles south of the University of Georgia’s main campus in Athens, and you’ll find Greensboro, Ga., and the small town of Siloam, situated on Carl Sanders Highway.

Here, a Class A devoted to praising Jesus is trading hands. The buyer is based on Florida’s Panhandle.

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

It’s a topic of conversation no one wants to have: a big transaction that a company hoped to close didn’t make it to the finish line.

That’s exactly what has transpired with multiple deals involving Deb McDermott and radio and television properties found across the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York; and TV stations that were to be sold by Bill Christian and Mike Reed.

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

A resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives last night by Rep. Cheri Bustos and 42 House Members thanking journalists for their reporting during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW RBR+TVBR ON FACEBOOK!

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

It’s been a radio station in the capital of the Old Dominion, pitching itself as a home of “Timeless Rock N’ Roll, Pop & Soul,” for the last few years.

Now, “Boomtown Richmond” is officially getting a little more oomph.

It is officially purchasing two AMs and an FM translator that were once part of Davidson Media Group’s Spanish-language holdings across the East Coast, operated via an LMA for nearly three years.

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

As 2021 began, the FCC formally objected to a Petition for Reconsideration of a Commission Report and Order that effectively eliminates the radio duplication rule for AM stations … and FM stations.

The petition was filed by three groups, who have come together to challenge the sudden re-inclusion of FM stations in the R&O, approved in August 2020.

Last week, the trio of groups submitted a joint “final consolidated reply” — as did a fourth group that’s been a NAB antagonist.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW RBR+TVBR ON FACEBOOK!

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

In November 2020, RBR+TVBR first reported on the October 16 signing of an Asset Purchase Agreement that would see the transfer of ownership of a pair of UHF properties to Soohyung Kim-led Standard Media Group from Sinclair Broadcast Group.

The FCC last week gave its blessing to the sale.

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

In one of the final acts of the Pai Commission, the FCC on Tuesday adopted a Report and Order modifying technical rules to promote the expanded use of distributed transmission systems, or single frequency networks (SFNs), by broadcast television stations.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW RBR+TVBR ON FACEBOOK!

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

As of today, Northern California Public Media has used a 120-watt signal to reach such Mendocino County towns as Healdsburg, Cloverdale and Windsor. To bring its programming to listeners in Santa Rosa, a 16-watt translator at 90.9 MHz was brought into the mix.

Soon, everyone north of San Francisco will be able to hear NoCal’s programming. It’s buying a Class B1 commercially licensed FM and converting it to noncommercial status.

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

On Twitter and via pen and paper, Ajit Pai offered words of thanks to FCC staff and the agency’s Commissioners, as his final act as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Pai’s goodbyes came just hours after the Commission released a parting shot aimed at departing President Donald Trump: It denied a request to stay its unanimous decision to authorize Ligado Networks to deploy a low-power terrestrial national network using portions of its licensed spectrum.

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

On January 4, 2021, the newest entrant in the ever-expanding OTT universe bowed.

It’s Discovery+, from Discovery, and the promotional thrust of its rollout has been focused on, ironically, drawing consumers from MVPDs.

A marketing blitz is underway for Discovery+, and it is nearly exclusive to cable TV.

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

While online language learning platform Babbel remains the biggest user of spot radio, according to the latest data from Media Monitors, commercials tied to the continued prevention of the spread of the COVID-19 virus are now being joined by spots promoting vaccination.

For the week ending January 17, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention was the No. 2 paid advertiser using broadcast radio, behind Babbel. It accounts for some 56,300 spot plays detected by Media Monitors.

New at No. 7? An effort from Bristol Myers Squibb-Pfizer, as COVID-19 vaccines roll out from Pfizer and Moderna across the U.S.

What does the remainder of the Spot Ten look like? More of the same, with Progressive, The Home Depot, Bank of America and GEICO continuing their long string of activity at broadcast radio.