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James River Broadcasting Company enters into consent decree to resolve political file investigation

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Winton Road Broadcasting Co., LLC enters into consent decree to resolve political file investigation

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Shares of Black consumer-centric Urban One improved by 27 cents, to $4.87, on a day when nearly every media company stock price dipped — swept up in inflation fear worries.

The Dow Industrials were down by 2%, to 33,587.66. The Nasdaq index was down by 2.7%, to 13,031.68.

Joining UONE in a gain: Hemisphere Media Group, owner of Puerto Rico-based WAPA Television. HMTV gained 2%, to $12.25.

Otherwise, it was a dreary Wednesday for media stocks.

Audacy was down 5.4% to $4.02.

Veritone slipped 7.8% to $17.69.

Meanwhile, following its 30% surge on Tuesday, Saga Communications was down 8.5% to $25.10.

Beauford Jester and seven Waco businessmen started KWTX radio in 1946. (Associated Press Photo, 1946.)

The author worked at KWTX(AM/FM) in 1975–1979 as a board operator, announcer and DJ. He is a personal collector and preservationist of central Texas broadcasting memorabilia.

An application for a new Class 4 radio station (250 watts, unlimited broadcast hours) at 1230 “kilocycles” in Waco, Texas, was filed with the Federal Communications Commission by Beauford Jester in April 1941. Jester (1893–1949) was an attorney with political ambitions. He would be elected Texas governor in 1946 and again in 1948. He died before the end of his second term.

After submitting his FCC application, Jester realized he would need strong local support and financial backing to improve his chances of getting the Waco radio station. He recruited seven prominent Waco businessmen as investors. They formed a corporation and began acquiring the necessary equipment to build and operate the new station.

The FCC stopped approving new broadcast station licenses soon after World War II began. This was in an effort to help conserve raw materials, manufactured goods and skilled labor needed for the war effort. All Jester and his Waco investors could do now was wait until wartime equipment and construction restrictions were lifted.

M.N. “Buddy” Bostick was hired as KWTX(AM) station manager in 1946. He was the youngest radio station manager in Texas at the time. (Photo date and location unknown.)

The end of the second world war brought the news Jester had waited nearly five years to hear. The FCC granted the license for the new Waco radio station in January, 1946. Jester and associates turned their attention to getting the station on the air as quickly as possible. But first they needed someone to oversee construction and management. This task went to M.N. “Buddy” Bostick (1918–2017). Twenty-eight year old Bostick was the youngest radio station manager in Texas at the time.

“I knew radio was going to be my life,” Bostick told this author during several interviews between 2010 and 2012. “I went through Baylor University in Waco studying to be a radio announcer.”

While in college, Bostick began his own radio program, and became Baylor’s publicity man, scheduling broadcasts on Texas radio stations to promote the university’s professors, musical groups and sporting events. “I was ready for radio when I got out of school,” Bostick said.

KWTX radio advertisement in the 1946 Waco City Directory.

After graduating in 1939, Bostick worked at radio stations in Little Rock, Ark., Memphis, Tenn. and Dallas. During World War II, he trained as a fighter pilot, but the war ended before he saw action. Bostick dreamt for years of starting his own radio station in Waco, and after learning that Jester had applied for the license, Bostick contacted him many times in hopes he would be considered for a position once the license was granted.

“[Jester] called me, and said he wanted me to make my presentation [to the investors],” Bostick said. “I told them how good I was, and what a big operation we were going to have, and how it was going to be highly successful. They believed me, and said go to work.”

Bostick may deserve credit for selecting KWTX as the station’s ID. The call letters K Waco TeXas were selected not only for the station’s locale, but also to let Wacoans know they now had a new station at 1230 kHz on the radio dial to listen to besides the one with the city’s namesake — WACO at 1460 kHz.

Two-story building at 108 S. 6th Street in downtown Waco was the original of KWTX radio from 1946 to 1952. The radio studio and offices were on the upper floor. (2012 photo.)

“We had our first office and studio upstairs at 108-1/2 South 6th Street,” Bostick said. The second floor included a control room, 78 rpm record library, offices for sales, copy and bookkeeping, a reception lobby, along with the studio.

“The large, wood-paneled studio had no parallel walls. They were cylindrical,” Bostick said. He recalled that Jester, who had served on the University of Texas Board of Regents, asked University of Texas professor Dr. Paul Boner to design the studio. The professor was an expert in architectural acoustics, and had planned similar studios at several Texas radio stations. Dr. Boner had developed a thin soft plywood panel that could be curved into half-circle shapes. These rounded shapes resembled long pipes of different diameters stacked one on top of the other and attached to the studio walls. The design helped eliminate echo and evenly absorb low- and high-pitch tones. “The acoustics were wonderful,” Bostick said.

KWTX’s inaugural broadcast occurred at 11 a.m., May 1, 1946, at “1-2-3 on the dial.” KWTX broadcast from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Bostick interviewed more than 150 announcers — many of them with network experience — and chose four to represent KWTX on the air and spin records of popular tunes. The station presented numerous shows using local talent. Nationally known orchestras, drama shows and commentators were picked up from the Mutual radio network.

To help promote the new station, Bostick could be spotted driving around Waco in a Willys Jeep station wagon equipped with a public address system and loudspeakers. He announced what program was currently on the air and the schedule of upcoming programs. When he took a break, he placed the PA microphone next to the Jeep’s radio speaker to pick up the live KWTX broadcast and amplify it throughout the neighborhood.

KWTX moved to 4520 Bosque Blvd. in 1952. This new facility was designed specifically for radio operations. After the building was expanded a couple of years later, it was known as Broadcast Center with AM radio sharing space with KWTX(TV), Channel 10, in 1955 and KWTX(FM), 97.5 MHz in 1970.

Station manager Buddy Bostick drove around Waco neighborhoods in 1946 announcing the KWTX program schedule in this Willys Jeep station wagon equipped with a public address system and loudspeakers. (Photo circa 1946. Courtesy of Ellen Deaver.)

The AM station’s transmitter building and 200-foot-tall tower are still at the original location near South 17th Street and Primrose Drive in Waco. The FCC granted a daytime power increase from 250 to 1,000 watts in 1962, while nighttime power remained at 250 watts. Today the station broadcasts 24 hours at 1,000 watts.

KWTX(AM/FM/TV) moved to a new facility at 6700 American Plaza in 1986. Both radio stations were sold to GulfStar Communications in 1996. Today, KWTX (AM) “Newstalk 1230,” KWTX(FM) “97.5 FM #1 Hit Music” and other Waco iHeartMedia stations are located at 314 West State Hwy. 6. KWTX(TV) was sold to Gray Communications in 1999 and remains at American Plaza.

 

The post Remembering the Early Days of KWTX appeared first on Radio World.

Now more than ever, companies are looking for ways to engage the remote workforce.

“A year after most of us were forced to work from home, I cringe when I hear from online meeting managers that they still struggle to get participants to turn on their cameras,” says noted communications and PR veteran Rosemary Ravinal, most recently with Univision Communications. “Speaking to a black tile on screen is a morale crusher. But when combined with overall lagging engagement and short attention spans, the situation becomes part of the broader challenge of team building on Zoom or your video platform of choice.”

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More radio stations reported running local news in 2020, new research from the RTDNA finds.

There’s one twist to that data, however. An increase among AM stations was seen, offsetting a slight decrease among FMs — even with NPR member stations experiencing a pandemic surge in consumption.

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Three unbuilt construction permits for low-power TV stations in Illinois, New Mexico and North Dakota, respectively, are being purchased by Roseland.

OK, so most New Yorkers may only know the former Roseland Ballroom on 52nd Street. One Gothamate knows of another, and it’s a Vice President at HC2 Broadcasting — the entity selling the facilities.

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Despite facing revenue shortfalls, budget cuts and unprecedented operational challenges, local TV stations aired more news in 2020 than ever recorded.

That’s the finding of a new RTDNA newsroom survey that also reveals 2020 saw a record amount of local TV news for the second year in a row.

In addition, a record number of stations are running local news.

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She began her career in 1997 as an assistant assignment editor at WPXI-11, Cox Media Group’s NBC affiliate in Pittsburgh.

Now, after some time in the South, she’s coming back to the Keystone State to serve as President/GM of a TEGNA ABC affiliate.

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Mark Chernoff, the veteran programming executive who is one of four members of the New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) Hall of Fame Class of 2021, is stepping down on June 30.

While that puts a firm date on previously known news he’d be calling it a day, it is only now known who will be taking on the VP/Programming role for what is perhaps Audacy‘s most prestigious asset: Sports Radio WFAN-AM & FM in New York.

It’s hardly a surprise. The job is going to Spike Eskin.

Eskin is the Brand Manager of Sports WIP-FM, which successfully transitioned from Rocker WYSP, in Philadelphia. He’ll serve as the programming chief for not only the WFAN on-air brand, but also for CBS Sports Radio.

The transition date is July 1.

“Spike has the vision, creativity, and drive to craft the next chapter of the iconic and influential WFAN brand,” said Chris Oliviero, SVP and Market Manager for Audacy/New York. “Along with CBS Sports Radio, his experience will be ideal … As a long-time colleague of Spike, I am excited that he has joined our all-star team and have no doubt that he will succeed.”

Eskin added, “I’m humbled and excited for the opportunity to help lead WFAN into its next chapter. It’s an iconic station with incredible talent, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m grateful to Chris Oliviero and Audacy for the opportunity. Working at 94WIP over the last decade has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’m grateful to David Yadgaroff for his belief in me and the staff who stepped up to every challenge.”

Eskin has been Brand Manager of 94WIP since 2014. Prior to that, Eskin held additional on-air and programming roles at the station and was a member of the WYSP staff.

Xperi announced a connected car partnership with one of Germany’s biggest media groups.

It reached an agreement with Südwestrundfunk (SWR) to integrate the ARD-Eventhub metadata distribution platform with Xperi’s DTS AutoStage hybrid radio platform.

“The integration means that all broadcaster metadata, such as program information, station logos, album/artist imagery, etc., on the ARD platform for SWR stations will be accurately, consistently and seamlessly represented in the DTS AutoStage ecosystem,” the organizations announced. “This delivers a cutting-edge in-vehicle entertainment experience to German owners of vehicles supporting DTS AutoStage platform, such as the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class.”

Xperi positions DTS AutoStage as a global radio platform that will deliver rich in-car experiences in a way that also protects the role of broadcasters in the dashboard, where it says big tech companies are encroaching on radio’s familiar terrain.

[“Xperi Has Big Ambitions for DTS AutoStage”]

The company says the platform was “purpose built to support radio broadcasters around the world … open and available to all broadcasters at no cost.”It encourages broadcasters to participate to ensure that their metadata is protected and compliant with local privacy and copyright laws.

SWR’s radio station partners will be represented in the DTS AutoStage ecosystem with artwork, artist and album information and imagery, songs, playlists and personalization. Listeners can also continue to listen to a station after they drive out of a given broadcast coverage area via the service following feature.

The announcement was made by Joe D’Angelo, Xperi senior VP, business development, broadcast, and Christian Hufnagel, co-founder of SWR Audio Lab.

In the announcement Hufnagel described DTS AutoStage as delivering a “stunning infotainment experience.” D’Angelo complimented SWR — which is part of ARD, the association of public broadcasting companies in Germany — for its reputation for innovation.

Xperi hopes to expand the platform into mass market vehicles globally, and it has content partnerships with broadcast groups and aggregators including names like BBC, Bauer, Audacy, Beasley and Commercial Radio Australia.

Read more of Radio World’s coverage of radio’s role in connected cars.

 

The post SWR Signs on With DTS AutoStage appeared first on Radio World.

On April 19, RBR+TVBR exclusively reported on the sale of WNUE-FM 98.1 in Deltona, Fla., as part of Entravision’s wind down of operations in the Orlando DMA.

The buyer is the operator of a “positive & encouraging Christian radio” non-commercial Contemporary Christian Music network, and programming has already shifted from secular Spanish-language programming.

Now, this Christian broadcast ministry is growing again, with the addition of FMs in the Treasure Coast and in the state capital.

Radio Training Network Inc., a Georgia-based non-profit corporation that owns The Joy FM, is agreeing to purchase WTSM-FM 97.9 in Woodville, Fla., presently an ESPN Radio affiliate, and Adult Contemporary WHLG-FM 101.3 in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

WTSM is a Class A covering Tallahassee from the southeast. WHLG’s Class A signal covers Martin and St. Lucie Counties, including Stuart and Fort Pierce; it is not to be confused with the original WHLG, at 102.3, which is today WMBX-FM.

The seller is licensee WJZT Communications, and licensee WHLG FM LLC, doing business as Horizon Broadcasting Co., led by Christopher D. Smith.

The deal was struck on May 5, with an asset purchase agreement posted to the FCC’s LMS after hours on Tuesday (5/11).

With Melissa G. Repp representing the seller, Horizon is pocketing $1.3 million from the asset sales.

A $65,000 escrow deposit is being held by Fowler Media Consulting, led by Todd Fowler, the buyer’s broker. Representing the seller is industry veteran Jay Meyers, of Broadcast Management & Technology.

With the divestments, Horizon’s holdings are reduced to WSBH-FM 98.5 in Satellite Beach, Fla., and WGSX-FM 104.3 in Lynn Haven, Fla. The station serve Melbourne and Panama City Beach, respectively.

For The Joy FM, the Florida footprint will now extend to the Panhandle, and closer to South Florida.

Listener-supported, The Joy FM in 2021 celebrates its 35th year of operation.

Ed Bukont provides some frank advice about working with AoIP in an IT world. Wheatstone, Jutel and Orban announce new offerings.

Buyer’s Guide lists visual radio resources from Comrex, MultiCam Systems, StudioCast, Broadcast Bionics and Broadcast Pix.

We check in on the realms of college and high school radio, and hear from the new head of radio at the European Broadcasting Commission.

And lots more! Read the issue.

The post Inside the May 12, 2021 Issue of Radio World appeared first on Radio World.

Alphonso Inc., recently rebranded as LG Ads, has successfully won a patent dispute with the developer of a content recommendation engine and viewer tracking application designed for Smart TVs regarding the use of television audience data for targeting viewers on digital devices.

It concludes 5 1/2 years of litigation, including a December 2018 Federal District Court ruling in Alphonso’s favor.

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If you didn’t think anyone could make money podcasting, think again.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has just released its U.S. Podcast Advertising Revenue Study, and it reveals that podcast advertising will grow as much in the next two years as it did in the past decade.

Do you want to learn how you can get in on some of that revenue? Join us in July for our virtual podcasting conference:
CLICK BELOW FOR MORE! How to Make Real Money Podcasting

 

Driven by a strong Q4 in 2020 (+37%), podcast ad revenues climbed to $842 million in 2020, up from $708 million in the year prior.

IAB projects podcasting will see $1 billion in ad revenue in 2021 and $2 billion in 2023.

Here are additional highlights from the IAB report:

• Dynamically-inserted ads, which enable ad placement at the point of listener download, increased share of revenue from 48% to 67% year over year.
• Announcer-read/pre-produced ads increased share from 27% to 35%.
• Host-read continues to represent over half of revenue by ad type.
• Brand advertising (45% of 2020 revenue) is approaching parity with direct response (51% of 2020 revenue).
• At 76%, mid-roll spot placements continued to account for three-fourths (76%) of revenues.
• Half of Podcast ads lasted longer than 30 seconds in length.
• News continued to be the top content genre for Podcast advertisers (22% market share).
• Direct-To-Consumer brands maintained the top advertiser category market share (19%), while Pharmaceuticals more than doubled in share Year-Over-Year (9%).