Industry News

The National Association of Broadcasters remains steadfast in its opposition to an increase in power for the LPFM service in the United States despite a new plan by one low-power advocate to simplify the process to boost the maximum power level for many stations from 100 to 250 watts.

REC Networks’ “Simple 250” LPFM proposal is being considered by the FCC and would amend Parts 73 and 74 of the rules to create an LP-250 class of service with an effective service contour of about 4.5 miles in addition to the current LP100 service.

However, NAB continues to argue the petition does not justify such a dramatic change to LPFM service. In reply comments filed this week the group reiterates worries over possible interference to FM translators and how a power increase would contradict the FCC’s aim to preserve the “simple nature” of LPFM.

[Read: LP-250 FM Petition Draws Lots of Interest]

NAB told the FCC granting a maximum power level of 250 watts would put LPFM stations on equal footing with 250 watt Class A stations.

“Granting REC’s request would effectively provide LPFM stations the same coverage as full-service Part 73 FM stations, but with a fraction of the obligations. Given that any LPFM entity is always free to apply for a Class A FM station, which would operate with the same radiated power as REC’s request, NAB respectfully asks the FCC to prohibit such a sidestep of its rules and dismiss the petition,” NAB commented to the FCC.

The NAB has been joined by Educational Media Foundation (EMF), the largest owner of noncommercial religious stations in the United States, arguing against adoption of the Simple LPFM plan. EMF, which also deploys a large FM translator network, has said in comments the plan under consideration would dangerously allow LPFMs to increase their power without any examination of whether it would cause actual interference with other stations.

“NAB echoes EMF’s concerns that the petition effectively ignores the potentially harmful interference that allowing LPFM power increases will cause to existing radio services,” NAB commented. And while REC asserts that its proposal will cause “only de minimis disruption” to FM radio service, NAB said it believes that characterization is unrealistic.

In particular, NAB points to concern over potential interference to FM translators. “FM translators provide vital radio service to millions of listeners in areas where direct reception of radio broadcast signals is inadequate due to distance or terrain barriers. Translators are also a lifeline for many AM broadcasters, helping them to improve fill-in service or launch first-time nighttime service,” NAB said. “Given these concerns, it is perplexing that the petition fails to even acknowledge the impact of LP-250 service on translator service.”

NAB in its most recent comments also expresses a lack of trust in how LPFM broadcasters would handle interference complaints if necessary. “A cursory glance at the FCC’s website reveals numerous instances of LPFM stations broadcasting at much higher power levels than authorized, including one station that operated at 23 times its authorized power and another that was recently issued a Notice of Violation for spurious out-of-band emissions affect air safety near the Orlando International Airport.”

The broadcast industry group also contends LPFM volunteers are often unqualified to handle technical obligations required by the FCC.

In conclusion, NAB says the Simple LPFM petition contradicts the intent of low-power FM service when it was created. “Granting REC’s proposal would also undermine the intended localized nature of LPFM service envisioned by the FCC and Congress by allowing some LPFM stations to expand their coverage area by a 100% or more and reach hundreds of thousands of additional listeners, including in some of the largest markets nationwide,” NAB commented.

Common Frequency and other LPFM advocates have subsequently filed comments asserting that some of NAB’s arguments are “not substantiated and incorrect.” Here are the FCC filings regarding the Simple LPFM proposal.

The post NAB Renews Objections to LP-250 appeared first on Radio World.

For a generation of Boston radio listeners, the call letters are very familiar. Today, WMEX is associated with a Class D AM at 1510 kHz licensed to Quincy, Mass.

Now, this incarnation of WMEX is about to be sold. Who’s the buyer?

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On December 30, 2020, the sale of a former Tribune Media property serving the Big Apple formally closed. As a result, The E.W. Scripps Company was no longer the owner of The CW Network’s New York flagship, WPIX-11.

How Scripps ended up with the station, and how it ended up selling it, is a story of its own. Originally, Sinclair Broadcast Group planned to operate WPIX via a Joint Sales Agreement with Cunningham Broadcasting Corp., and its officer and director, Michael Anderson. That arrangement ended up in flames, triggered by former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s concerns over “sham” transactions created to push Sinclair’s planned merger with Tribune Media through the regulatory test.

Now, the current ownership of WPIX has come under scrutiny. But, it isn’t the Commission that’s complaining. Rather, it is one of the largest MVPD operators in the nation — and the owner of two direct competitors to WPIX in the Big Apple.

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Travel between Terre Haute and Indianapolis, and you’ll cross Putnam County, Indiana.

Here, a 3kw FM offering Adult Contemporary programming is the local home of Indianapolis Colts football, Indiana Pacers basketball and St. Louis Cardinals baseball.

And, it is about to be sold to a new owner.

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Technical Services Group, a Baton Rouge, La.-based broadcast engineering and commercial AV consultancy, designer and integrator, moved into new, much larger facilities to accommodate growth in business. At 36,000 square feet, the new digs are said to be six times larger than their previous home.

TSG CEO Bo Hoover said, “Both our commercial AV and broadcast integration, RF, and field services teams are busier than ever. The transmission business continues to grow, too, even as we draw closer to the end of the FCC Repack.”

The new site includes a 25,000-square-foot warehouse; climate-controlled sections for fabrication, integration and training; staging areas for projects; and a loading dock.

Hoover added, “This new facility is an important move forward for TSG and our clients. Now, we have more space to stage, store, and prepare equipment in order to respond faster to what our clients demand. We’ve also incorporated advanced technologies to manage inventories and provide better facility-wide communications.”

The post TSG Moves Into Larger Facility appeared first on Radio World.

Since 2016, she has served as the Director of Sales for the Nexstar Media Group-owned FOX and The CW Network affiliates serving the second-largest market in Colorado.

Now, she’s being promoted to VP/GM.

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Behind Atlanta, it’s the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. South.

And, its residents now have access to ATSC 3.0-powered next generation broadcast TV signals.

NEXTGEN TV is now available in Charlotte.

Those with select new TV models manufactured by LG Electronics, Samsung, and Sony are now able to tune to ATSC 3.0-powered signals for Cox Media Group’s unaffiliated WAXN-64 and ABC affiliate WSOC-9, Nexstar Media Group’s FOX affiliated WJZY-17, Gray Television’s CBS affiliated WBTV-3 and TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate WCNC-36.

Its spoken word stations are among the most listened-to commercial radio properties in North America.

Now, the company formerly known as Entercom is moving forward with taking its news brands further into the digital realm. To do so, it’s committing to journalists in 8 newsrooms across the U.S. to help shepherd a “multiplatform transformation” for Audacy.

This, Philadelphia-headquartered Audacy says, allows it to offer more original digital news content as well as in-depth reporting. This will complement breaking news broadcast coverage.

And, it undoubtedly adds to the exclusive content on the Audacy app, which had been Radio.com.

A centralized digital team dedicated to news is taking shape. This will see Audacy add more than 50 journalists in eight of its newsrooms across the country.

“This coordinated, multi-platform focus will allow the company to produce an array of fresh audio and local reporting that will be distributed across the Audacy network,” the company said on Wednesday (7/7).

Is Audacy hiring the journalists, or are they adding duties to their current responsibilities at all-News and News/Talk radio stations the company owns? RBR+TVBR’s request for clarification was not immediately responded to.

What is clear is that Audacy will create original podcasts and “other specialty digital content” that will add to the local reporting at Audacy all-News and News/Talk stations.

Audacy EVP/Programming Jeff Sottolano is overseeing the initiative.

“The past year has underscored the crucial role of journalism and the demand for trusted quality content has never been higher,” Sottolano said. “Audacy’s local news brands have been delivering on-demand news and information for decades and are now poised to build on that foundation. While other news organizations are downsizing, this further investment will allow us to leverage the credibility of our news brands to expand our reach and engagement while continuing to deliver the premier coverage our audience is accustomed to and relies on.”

Plans also call for an original national weekly podcast that highlights “the most pressing story of the week” and draws on reporting and interview content from across the Audacy network of news brands; daily in-depth podcasts and on-demand audio that explore local stories and issues that most affect listeners’ lives; as well as custom newsletters and in-app experiences that offer audiences a chance to explore areas of interest and interact directly with Audacy brands.

Additional details will follow in the coming months.

It markets itself as “a first-of-its-kind” cloud-based television advertising
tool that requests and receives ads from programmatic digital ad exchanges to
enable linear cable television ad insertion by using existing cable and broadcast TV
infrastructure.

Now, it is one step closer to closing the gap between linear TV and digital advertising, as this Viamedia-owned division has just snagged its third patent — a move that the company says solves “last mile” challenges for marketers.

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A series of FCC filings made late Tuesday confirm that West Virginia Radio Corp., the entity owned in a partnership between Dale Miller and David and John Raese, is about to get a complexion change in its attributable interest visage.

One of these partners is cashing out.

Miller, who serves as President/CEO of the Morgantown, W. Va.-based owner of 32 radio stations, is selling his equity interest in the company to the Raeses.

It’s a sign that Miller may be ready to retire, concluding a storied 44-year career at one of the region’s strongest and most influential audio media companies.

Miller joined West Virginia Radio Corp. in 1977. At that time, its holdings were comprised of WAJR-AM & FM in Morgantown. In 1981, the FM shifted to Contemporary Hit Radio, taking the call sign WVAQ. The station remains a nationally recognized success story, known as the home of the late programming executive Lacy Neff.

West Virginia Radio Corp. would grow substantially under Miller’s leadership, growing to 28 radio stations between 1993 and 2014. A former past president of the West Virginia Broadcasters Association, Miller was awarded the association’s highest honor when he was named the WVBA Broadcaster of the Year in 1993.

But, it is the Raese family that has been tied to Radio since 1940. That’s when John and David’s grandparents, Agnes and Herbert Greer, signed WAJR-AM on the air. The Raese brothers assumed control of the company following Agnes Greer’s 1972 death.

Three filings seeking Commission approval show that Miller’s decision to hand his shares of West Virginia Radio Corp. to the Raese brothers came in early June.

Terms call the Raese brothers acquiring Miller’s shares in West Virginia Radio Company of Raleigh; of the Alleghenies; and of Salem; for a combined value of $314,000. The allocation is as follows:

West Virginia Radio Corp. today continues to own WAJR-AM and WVAQ-FM, plus WKKW-FM in Morgantown. Its holdings also include stations in Beckley, Charleston, Clarksburg, Berkeley Springs, Martinsburg and Elkins, W. Va.; and Cumberland, Md.