Radio+Television Business Report

It began service in September 1987 with home shopping programming. Its history includes ownership by Paxson Broadcasting, which had hoped to use the property as a flagship for what is today ION Network. It was also earmarked as a New York DMA home for Azteca América some 20 years ago, but the plan collapsed.

Now, this facility using digital Channel 21 is being acquired by the company whose digital multicast network aired on the station from Jan. 4, 2012 until fall 2015: Weigel Broadcasting.

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The individual who will direct the marketing strategies for each of the business units within FOX Entertainment, including the FOX broadcast TV network and free AVOD platform Tubi has been selected.

It’s the man who presently serves as EVP of Marketing for FOX Entertainment.

As such, it’s a promotion for Darren Schillace.

His duties extend to projects from Bento Box, FOX Alternative Entertainment and Blockchain Creative Labs.

But, Schillace’s responsibilities for FOX and Tubi are perhaps the greater focal point of his task list. They include on-air and off-air promotion, brand and program advertising, national media and promotions, digital marketing, strategic partnerships, music, social media, affiliate marketing and production.

He will continue to oversee FOX Entertainment’s strategy for its program development, Newfront and Upfront presentations.

With his expanded purview, Schillace’s direct reports will now include Natalie Bastian, who, as Head of Marketing for Tubi, was recently promoted to Senior Vice President.

The FOX Marketing team will continue to report to Schillace.

Under Schillace’s marketing campaigns, Call Me Kat, starring Mayim Bialik and featuring Leslie Jordan and Swoosie Kurtz in supporting roles, emerged as the pandemic-impacted seasons top new sitcom.

Before joining FOX in 2017, Schillace oversaw all marketing strategies for ABC’s primetime, late-night and daytime programming, spanning on-air promotion, off-network creative, digital marketing, social media, paid media, strategic partnerships and events.

From 2010 to 2012, he was VP of Consumer Marketing for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Before that, Schillace posted his first stint with ABC, where he was VP of Marketing Strategy.

The Pennsylvania State University graduate joined ABC in 2003 from Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, where he handled marketing strategy for EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando. Schillace, who started his career working in production and design at Random House, also worked at a number of advertising agencies, including Ogilvy & Mather and TBWA Chiat/Day.

The affiliate boards of directors of ABC, CBS, FOX Television and NBC will once again meet during NAB Show, scheduled as an in-person event from October 9-13 in Las Vegas.

It’s another sign that the “premier event for broadcasters and the broader media, entertainment and technology industries” isn’t concerned about the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus or increases in positive virus cases tied to personal decisions not to vaccinate.

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The 2021 NAB Shows marks the 12th year the ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC affiliate boards have met in conjunction with the event.

“The challenging, changing times and events we have all experienced in recent memory have reinforced the critical importance of broadcasting, particularly accurate, trusted, relevant local journalism – and the vital need to not only preserve it, but to see that it thrives now and in the future,” said Mike Meara, President of NPG Broadcasting and chair of the ABC Television Affiliates Association. “NAB Show – with industry leaders and representatives all back live and in-person, and the latest, emerging technology on display – provides the ideal platform to explore how to ensure that happens. The ABC Affiliates look forward to seeing and meeting with one another, with our network partners, and with other broadcasters in Las Vegas in October.”

The CBS Affiliate Board Chair is Patrick McCreery, President of Meredith Local Media Group, which could be finalizing the sale of its television stations by the time the NAB Show commences.

McCreery said, “Broadcasters are excited about the future and are poised to capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead for our industry. That is why NAB Show is the right venue for the CBS Affiliate Board meeting — it is where industry leaders, innovators and influencers come together to not only reflect on the current state of our businesses but to discuss and lead the charge into the future. The last two years have shown us that local broadcasters and the trusted journalism we provide are essential to our communities, and no other event provides us with the tools, insights and networking to help us reinforce our commitment to serving our audiences.”

Patricia McRae, president of KHQ Inc. and Cowles Montana Media, chairs the FOX Television Affiliate Board of Governors.

Emily Barr, President/CEO of Graham Media Group, is the NBC Affiliate Board of Directors chair.

As previously announced, signature NAB events including the Sales and Management Television Exchange (SMTE), October 8-9, and the Radio Show, will co-locate with NAB Show in Las Vegas for the first time.

With the promise of a large, demographically diverse audience, the Games of the XXXII Olympiad — the pandemic-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics — are forecast to bring in record-high advertising revenue.

In fact, Kantar believes the ad dollars will be more than 20% higher than the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

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There will be no blackouts of Spongebob, CBS2 News or BET fare for subscribers of Charter Communications’ Spectrum MVPD services across the U.S. — including New York and Los Angeles.

The continued carriage of ViacomCBS’ portfolio of broadcast, entertainment, news and sports networks on Charter Communications’ Spectrum systems is now assured.

The freshly signed deal between Charter and ViacomCBS, announced Thursday morning, also includes licensing ViacomCBS’s Paramount+, Pluto TV, BET+ and Noggin for future distribution to Spectrum customers.

“We are pleased to have reached a new deal to deliver ViacomCBS’ expansive portfolio of popular brands and premium programming for Spectrum audiences to enjoy, plus greater choice in how they consume our content,” said Ray Hopkins, President of U.S. Network Distribution at ViacomCBS. “Charter is a valued partner, and we look forward to deepening our long-standing relationship.”

Added Tom Montemagno, EVP of Programming Acquisition for Charter, “These comprehensive agreements with ViacomCBS recognize the fast-changing pace of the subscription video business and provide us the flexibilities to adapt for the benefit of our customers while also furthering our strategic interests in the advanced advertising realm and aggregated video store concept with the addition of the streaming apps.”

ViacomCBS and Charter also will expand their existing collaboration around addressable media and advanced advertising.

Others terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

To facilitate regulatory approvals for its approximately $2.825 billion purchase of Meredith Local Media, announced on May 3, Gray Television agreed to divest an ABC affiliate  “to an independent third-party no later than the closing of the Meredith acquisition.”

At the time, RBR+TVBR asked if it was Allen Media Group.

It is now known that this guess was the correct one.

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Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation, the owner and operator of Adult Alternative WYEP-FM and NPR Member station WESA-FM, has appointed a Vice President of Broadcasting.

It’s an individual who has been associated with the stations for nearly two decades: Mike Sauter.

Terry O’Reilly, President/CEO of Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting, commented, “WYEP and WESA share a common goal: to be leaders in the service they provide in music and journalism, respectively. We’re thrilled to take this next important step for our organization, by placing Mike at the helm of our broadcast operations and programming.”

Sauter joined Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting in 2004 as WYEP’s Program Director. He was promoted to station manager in 2019. He began his career in 1984 in Ithaca, N.Y., and his career includes a run as an air personality at WHTG-FM in Monmouth-Ocean, N.J.

 

MESA, ARIZ. — As the first market in the U.S. to experience NEXTGEN TV when it launched in 2018, audiences in the Phoenix area have been among the first to experience the next generation of digital TV broadcasting.

Now, there is an expanded roster of stations using the ATSC 3.0 digital broadcast TV standard available for viewing.

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The national news program from Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced who will be seated in the anchor chairs come September 27 for its late newscasts.

One individual is returning to Sinclair to become a co-anchor. The other is a Sunshine State veteran who left broadcast TV in March 2018.

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It has quietly become one of the biggest media companies serving Spanish-speaking audiences across the Southeast. Now, Norsan Media is growing by bringing one of the region’s fastest-growing markets an Estrella TV affiliate.

To do so, it is buying a low-power digital TV facility in this locale, the nation’s biggest city by square miles.

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One reportedly impacted Cox Media Group‘s TV and radio properties’ streaming capabilities for weeks. Other companies including Audacy, Urban One and Max Media also had their share of headaches because of similar instances.

Ransomware attacks have been particularly vicious to broadcast media companies.

The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Committee that oversees the FCC is putting a microscope on these attacks.

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From its corporate headquarters in Central Florida, a family-owned radio broadcasting company with roots in Providence, R.I., operates AMs and FMs across six markets, including Lancaster, Pa.

That market, until now, has involved the operation of two FMs and an AM that combine to serve the area as an ESPN Radio affiliate. The other property is an Adult Contemporary FM with a “Fun” disposition.

That latter FM is about to get a lot of Love, thanks to a deal brokered by Kalil & Co.

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The nation’s No. 1 owner of broadcast TV stations has responded to a Petition for Declaratory Ruling submitted to the FCC on July 1 by Comcast that argues the company is in violation of the national broadcast cap for what it believes is its de facto control of WPIX-11 in New York.

Nexstar Media Group didn’t offer a retort in a Commission filing, however. Instead, it has filed a complaint in New York State Court that the companies believes goes straight to the heart of the real issue at hand: retransmission consent agreements.

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RBR+TVBR OBSERVATION

When it comes to nostalgia, there’s no bigger industry than Radio that likes to recall those golden days of yesteryear, when “Boss Radio” ruled the airwaves and big, booming voices including Dan Ingram, The Real Don Steele, Dr. Don Rose and Joey Reynolds dominated the Hooper surveys.

Thanks to the 2019 film Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood, 93 KHJ enjoyed a renaissance in remembrance. For many today, the Top 40 station born in May 1965 that switched to Country in November 1980 is the epitome of how “great” radio was.

It’s funny how fuzzy memories can create illusions. At high noon on July 24, 1970, with Charlie Tuna at the mic, KHJ offered a perfect example of how awful radio had become. It’s a learning lesson today’s radio industry leaders should absorb, as long spot sets and commercial clutter remains a big topic no one wants to debate and resolve.

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LG Ads, which offers cross-screen media and measurement products for convergent TV, has given the CEO reins to its co-founder — the man who has served as Chief Product Officer since 2013 and gave the entity its original name, Alphonso.

Meanwhile, a new President has been selected at LG Ads. He spent more than 15 years at Comscore.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has proposed establishing Raleigh and Boston as innovation zones to allow for advanced wireless communications and network innovation and research.

These designations would, among other positive impacts, help spur the development and integration of 5G network technologies and open radio access networks, or Open RAN.

Innovation zones are FCC-designated, city-scale test beds managed by the National Science Foundation’s Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research. If approved by a vote of the full Commission at its August 5 Open Meeting, this proposal will allow Raleigh and Boston to join New York City and Salt Lake City at the forefront of wireless technology innovation.

“These Innovation Zones will support cutting-edge research and development that is crucial for advancing our wireless leadership,” Rosenworcel said. “Moreover, by bringing together operators, vendors, vertical interests, and other government agencies, we are helping to spur a market for more secure and open 5G technologies. I am grateful to city and research facility leaders, and our partners at the National Science Foundation, for working with us to deliver these opportunities.”

The Innovation Zones initiative was first proposed by NSF’s Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research and, in September 2019, the FCC designated New York City and Salt Lake City as the first designated zones. These wireless technology test beds extend the geographic areas in which already licensed experimental program licensees can conduct tests. Parties have flexibility to conduct multiple non-related experiments in the zone, and the designation allows experimental program license holders, which are licensed to operate elsewhere, to also use the Innovation Zones.

In keeping with the FCC’s effort to explore the potential of Open RAN technology, each test bed is equipped for Open RAN research and testing. The FCC is in the process of taking public comment on the current status of Open RAN development and deployment, whether and how the FCC might foster its success, and how to support competitiveness and new entrant access to this emerging market. The Acting Chairwoman made the announcement of her proposed designations at today’s FCC-hosted Open RAN Solutions Showcase.

The Boston Innovation Zone, at Northeastern University, will support the transition of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Colosseum network emulator to a shared platform, usable by the research community. Colosseum, the world’s largest wireless network emulator, was originally designed to support DARPA’s Spectrum Collaboration Challenge. With the conclusion of that challenge, the larger research community will now be able to take advantage of Colosseum’s unique capabilities, including the ability to emulate full-stack communications, to support artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms and hardware in the loop. This project is expected to bring academia, government, and industry researchers together to accelerate advancements in wireless networked systems and Open RAN.

The Raleigh Innovation Zone, in collaboration with North Carolina State University, will house Aerial Experimentation and Research Platform for Advanced Wireless (AERPAW), which will focus on new use cases involving wireless communications and unmanned aerial systems. AERPAW will focus on how cellular networks and advanced wireless technologies can enable beyond visual line-of-sight unmanned aerial systems to accelerate development, verification, and testing of transformative advances and breakthroughs in telecommunications, transportation, infrastructure monitoring, agriculture, and public safety. The AERPAW testbed will be the first platform to allow testing at scale of open 5G-and-beyond solutions in unmanned aerial system verticals.

The proposed Public Notice to be shared by Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel today with her fellow Commissioners would also, if adopted, modify the New York City Innovation Zone (known as COSMOS) to cover the three Columbia University and City College of New York campus areas. COSMOS is a city-scale outdoor testbed with a technical focus on ultra-high-bandwidth and low-latency wireless communications, with tightly coupled edge computing, a type of cloud computing enabling data processing at the edge of the network. COSMOS also was a host facility for the 2019 and 2020 O-RAN Alliance worldwide plugfests.

— RBR+TVBR Washington Bureau

It is an FM translator serving the Tennessee city of Chattanooga at 104.3 MHz.

Soon, it will be licensed to Immanuel Broadcasting Network.

Will “The Message” be altered for this operation?

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Despite an effort by the company’s founder to stop it, the Audio Division of the FCC’s Media Bureau has moved forward with the approval of Alpha Media‘s voluntary debtor-in-possession status.

As such, an emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection appears imminent.

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Sinclair Broadcast Group has created a position that will see an individual lead the company’s information security program across all business functions, charged with creating and executing Sinclair’s security vision, strategy and operating model across its entire portfolio.

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Crossings TV can be found over the air on low-power TV station KBTV-8 in Sacramento; on Comcast Xfinity systems in Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, San Francisco and Seattle-Tacoma; and on Charter Spectrum systems in Los Angeles in New York — some of the nation’s biggest Asian American population centers.

Why did Frank Washington, founder and CEO of the Sacramento-based channel, and COO Daniel Sakaya, each decide to focus their careers and attention to the build-out of a television channel that offers a variety of programming targeting all of these different groups?

They share this, and more, in this encore RBR+TVBR InFOCUS Podcast from January 12, 2021, presented by DOT.FM.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Frank Washington” on Spreaker.