Radio+Television Business Report

Xperi Corporation SVP of Digital Platforms Ashruf El-Dinary and Capitol Broadcasting Company’s Peter Sockett are the recipients of the 2022 NAB Engineering Achievement Awards.

They will be recognized at the 2022 NAB Show, held April 23–27 in Las Vegas.

El-Dinary oversees the HD Radio systems engineering teams, manages the certification and quality control processes, and represents HD Radio technology standards in International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and international regulatory discussions. He currently leads the efforts for new broadcast applications, upgrades to emergency alerting, and deployment of digital radio solutions internationally.

Sockett is responsible for leading and steering the technology needs of CBC and preparing for the coming trends affecting broadcasting. He sits on the board of directors for the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and is the chair of the ATSC 3.0 Advanced Emergency Alerting Implementation Team. He is a co-inventor of a patent for geolocation.

Established in 1959, the Radio and Television Engineering Achievement Awards are given to individuals who are nominated by their peers for significant contributions to advancing broadcast engineering.

NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt will present the Radio and Television Engineering Achievement Awards during a session titled “Hollywood’s ‘Binge Times’ OTT Battle and NAB Engineering Awards” on Sunday, April 24 at 3 p.m.

Workflow automation specialist Telestream, which also offers media processing, quality monitoring and test and measurement products designed to enable the production and distribution of video, has unveiled the latest version of its remote media player.

Built for broadcast engineering, operations and post production personnel who need to visually QC files when they are remote from the media, GLIM plays master video files of any size and format directly to a browser without the need to generate a proxy.

The new release of GLIM features a new UI that places the video front and center to the user experience while surrounding the content with audio VU meters and a new “zoomable” mini timeline with selectable overlays for GOP, SCTE 35 and 104 markers, and Nielsen watermarking.

The latest version of GLIM also introduces a technology preview of a new luma waveform display with more scope tools to follow in subsequent releases.

When running GLIM on a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) server, it supports up to five simultaneous playback sessions. A new, turn-key GLIM hardware appliance is now available which runs up to 15 concurrent sessions thanks to powerful GPU acceleration. GLIM can also run five sessions in an AWS EC2 environment or up to 15 simultaneous sessions when using GPU-accelerated instances of EC2.

GLIM is built upon the Telestream Media Framework, also used by the Vantage Media Processing platform.

Electronics Research, Inc. is welcoming to the company a new Western Region Account Manager for Television. He will be responsible for managing ERI’s broadcast television equipment sales in the western U.S.

Jeff Heldman brings over 30 years of experience in the broadcast and telecommunications industry to ERI, and he has 15 years of experience as a broadcast engineer in radio and television. At Indiana State University in Terre Haute, he was responsible for maintaining the radio station, several radio and television production studios, and training communications students to operate radio and television equipment. He then joined Harris Corporation’s Broadcast Communications Division (now GatesAir) after completing his degree as a radio and television proposal engineer and later as the quality control engineer in the television remote truck and studio construction division.

Following his time at Harris, he worked at Axcera LLC as a Television Sales Applications Engineer, rising to Sales Manager. Heldman joins ERI after working several years for Mitsubishi Electric in their Diamond Vision Division, where he supplied sales support and system design for the division’s large-format LED video display systems.

Dave Benco, ERI’s Vice President of U.S. Sales, commented, “ERI is delighted to add someone with Jeff’s experience to our U.S. Sales team. He brings significant engineering and applications knowledge to our Sales Team. He will be a valuable contributor to the company and the customers he is charged to serve and support.”

MwareTV, a cloud-based multi-tenant TV platform provider, has formed a partnership with Irdeto, known for digital platform cybersecurity.

The agreement allows Irdeto Control, a DRM platform, to be fully integrated into MwareTV’s IPTV/OTT distribution platform.

The first implementation of Irdeto with MwareTV will be rolled out at shared services provider MultTV in Brazil.

MultTV will offer MwareTV’s IPTV/OTT platform to its Brazilian ISPs as well as other service providers. MwareTV’s new platform will enable ISPs to launch their own TV service with a fully customized interface on Samsung Tizen and LG WebOS SmartTVs, Android and Android TV devices, iOS, AppleTV, FireTV and Roku. ISPs will have the option to use their own content or MultTV’s extensive library of content and channels or a mix of both.

The issues of content security, revenue protection and cyber threats are uppermost in the minds of all content companies. Irdeto Control, the company’s multi-DRM offering servicing some of the world’s largest OTT platforms, issues some 3.7 billion licenses a month.

Data and technology company Spherex has introduced what it calls “the first-ever global newsfeed that aggregates stories from around the world related to the globalization of TV and film content.”

Called World M&E News, the weekly newsletter is being offered free of charge as a service to the entertainment industry.

“As content goes global and culture becomes more critical to content success, World M&E News offers a snapshot of the issues and challenges of global content distribution,” Spherex says. “Media and entertainment companies need to pay attention to the cultural mores in the countries in which they are distributing content in order to avoid censure, loss of revenue and limited audience. Understanding the importance of culture as it relates to content globalization, World M&E News serves as a free, real-time resource for studios, streamers and networks looking to understand the global landscape as they ramp up international distribution efforts.”

To learn more about World M&E News, please visit the Spherex website. 

A company known for its media processing and delivery technology is launching operations to support contribution and distribution in the North American market.

It’s an entity spun out of Tandberg Television in 2004 by 11 former employees that has gotten attention in Europe for its low-latency video delivery.

The company is Appear, and it “provides the backbone” powering its clients in the production, telco and broadcaster realms that wish to make immersive live experiences possible for their viewers.

Appear is headquartered in Oslo. The launch of North American operations is being done to support the company’s desire to tap into the Americas, with business expansion on its mind.

Dedicated headquarters are launching later this year; a team is already stateside in Nevada, California and Minnesota.

To scale up the North Amercian business, Appear recently appointed Ed McGivern as its North America General Manager and Mark Andrews as Vice President of Sales for North America.

McGivern has “extensive knowledge” of the live production and contribution markets, with more than 25 years of sales and business experience at companies including Grass Valley, Nevion and Tektronix.

Mark has an extensive technical and sales background, having previously worked at MediaKind, SeaChange, Ateme and Harmonic.

Since 2008, Appear has had a presence in the U.S. market thanks to its partnership with Sencore, in which it delivered distribution and contribution products under the DMG brand. While Appear is launching its own North American operations and will sell directly to customers, Sencore will continue to be “a strategically important and valued partner” in the region.

Appear’s hardware and software products include:

o X Platform: a high-speed video networking, enhanced IP security and advanced compression solution for the remote production, contribution and distribution markets.

o XC Platform: a modular head-end platform for IPTV and broadcast, supporting content acquisition, compression, stream processing including scrambling and multiplexing, with distribution options for cable, satellite and terrestrial networks.

o X10 DSNG: a dedicated solution for digital satellite news gathering (DSNG) that supports encoding, decoding and satellite uplink and downlink in a single chassis.

o NEO10: a software-based compression solution that comes pre-installed on Appear’s hardware that removes the complexity found in traditional server-based solutions.

Appear will be exhibiting its products and make its North American debut at the 2022 NAB Show in Las Vegas. Appear plans to introduce a new product at NAB — stay tuned for more as RBR+TVBR attends the event, with in-person coverage from April 23-27. 

Ottawa-based Novra Technologies Inc. its subsidiary International Datacasting Corporation have been selected by LinkUp Communications Corp. to provide a migration and modernization path for radio networks still using the legacy ABR satellite receivers originally manufactured by Comstream, Radyne, Comtech and IDC.

While these units enjoyed widespread industry acceptance and ran reliably for over 30 years, they reached end-of-support several years ago.

LinkUp is providing an integrated replacement technology package based on the IDC MAP system—as well as installation and configuration services—to help networks easily transition with improved reliability, reduced downtime, and lower operating expenses.
The upgraded distribution package features the MAP family of professional audio products, designed and manufactured by IDC. These range from audio encoders and satellite receiver/decoders to network control and content management systems. Content management capabilities include everything from station ID insertion and regionalized fundraising campaigns to complete program replacement for remote sites.

For networks looking for a turnkey service to streamline and outsource their uplink operations, LinkUp offers a hosted service—based on the IDC MAP system—from their newly acquired teleport in Denver, CO. This includes satellite, internet, and hybrid delivery options using IDC’s MISTiQ cloud platform to ensure highly reliable, low-latency transmission. MISTiQ provides an ideal option for internet distribution and/or satellite backup.

LinkUp Communications designs, installs, supports and operates satellite and MISTiQ IP/Internet distribution systems for radio and television broadcasters supported by its highly experienced team of professionals with offices in Florida and teleports in Alabama and now Colorado.

LinkUp Communications President Mark Johnson commented, “We chose IDC as a partner and MAP as a platform because they provide the reliability, flexibility, and expandability we need to care for customers small, medium and large. We look forward to making a long-term home for this customer community and welcoming new networks to the service.”

Gary Carter, VP Business Development and Products for Novra Group/IDC, said, “LinkUp has been an excellent partner as we roll out new solutions for broadcasters, providing the alternatives they need in today’s rapidly changing media distribution landscape. We are committed to long term sustainable network infrastructure, that’s why we took over and kept manufacturing ABR receivers as long as possible—to help our customers. Now we are excited to be helping the team at LinkUp provide a convenient reliable transition strategy for those networks and many more.”

Digital advertising platform KERV Interactive has unveiled new features for its KERV TV solution with dynamic CTV QR product.

After testing the product with customers over the last year and generating scans, the KERV TV product is rolling out new features including placement options on screen, linking options to products and a simplified process of inserting QR codes. These features were designed to make it easier to implement QR codes in CTV ad campaigns while also driving measurable ROI for brands.

KERV TV now includes the ability to dynamically move QR codes on screen while streaming based on the context of the video. This includes on-screen products and objects, as well as the time of day and product availability.

Brands also have more choices when it comes to links. CTV QR codes generated through the KERV platform can lead directly to product pages, websites, or even add to calendar events. When paired with other KERV products, brands can also direct QR codes to fully interactive versions of the video as a companion shopper, featuring products that are a part of the programming on the user’s CTV.

Brands have access to reporting metrics that are unique to KERV TV, including object-level engagement, intent, and user scan data, which can then be used to sequentially inform activities with other KERV products.

“The recent notable success of QR code campaigns is proof of how strong the potential is to drive consumer intent around these types of experiences,” says Jay Wolff, SVP Partnerships at KERV Interactive. “KERV’s unique Dynamic CTV QR product revolutionizes the way consumers interact with content while providing brands with never before seen metrics.”

KERV began testing CTV QR campaigns with clients over a year ago and has seen consistent success, globally, increasing time spent and value facing brands inclusive of driving measurable ROI.

Local radio and television broadcasters from across the nation gathered on Monday in Washington, D.C. for the NAB’s annual State Leadership Conference.

The convention featured speeches from several members of Congress about issues affecting the broadcasting industry and preparations for attendees’ meetings with legislators and regulators on March 1.

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For investors seeking some good news from the nation’s dominant provider of audience measurement and data analytics information, perhaps the just-released Q4 2021 financial results will provide that.

Nielsen’s Q4 2021 Earnings Per Share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 27.8%.

Unfortunately, Nielsen’s revenue in the quarter fell short of Wall Street analysts’ forecasts. And, NLSN slipped in Monday’s trading.

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FMR Associates, an international media research firm that specializes in strategic marketing studies and has extensive experience in radio, has signed exclusively with G Accelerate for radio affiliation and ad sales in the U.S. 

The deal makes FMR’s research services available to radio stations for the first time on a barter basis. The announcement was made by Jim Higgins, President and Chief Executive Officer of G Accelerate Networks, and radio veteran Kent Phillips, Managing Partner of FMR Associates.

“In today’s data-driven marketplace, it’s imperative that radio stations fully understand their audience’s evolving tastes,” Higgins said. “Speculating on what listeners want doesn’t cut it anymore.  Kent is well-known and respected across the radio industry. At FMR, Kent is leading a team of experts in both research and radio to deliver the listener facts and insights that stations need to compete, stay ahead of new trends, and win ratings.”

FMR’s research services include:

• Perceptual Research Services
  • Perceptual/Tracking Studies
  • Vulnerability Analysis
  • Local Radio Analysis (LRA)
  • Format Opportunity Analysis
  • Advertiser Perception Studies
• Music Library Testing
• MusicTrac Call-Out Research

“When Jim launched G Accelerate, I knew he was the right partner to lead FMR into barter deals with radio stations,” Phillips said. “While cash arrangements are always an option for new and existing affiliates, with G Accelerate we are now able to extend our research services to stations that find a barter deal works better for them. There just isn’t anyone else I would trust to do this with.”

Higgins added, “We’re delighted to partner with FMR and offer their exceptional research services on a barter basis to radio stations across the country. The robust data from FMR’s research goes deep to gauge listener satisfaction and identify market opportunities with rigorously tested, comprehensive surveys that are customized to fit a radio station’s specific research objectives.”

FMR’s Perceptual Research Studies assess media usage patterns, preferences, awareness and/or imaging, and include tracking studies to measure over time. All FMR Reports include an analysis of key demographic and ‘behavographic’ variables.

It’s the winning bidder for a FM construction permit in Clayton, Okla., a town of less than 1,000 inhabitants in the heart of Choctaw Nation.

As a winning bidder, the new licensee-to-be was required to file a post-auction FCC Form 2100, Schedule 301 long-form application by September 13, 2021.

Oops. This future Oklahoma operator missed the deadline.

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Starting today, clients of NBCUniversal will be able to run “non-intrusive, in-game” advertising across cross-platform gaming inventory from a company operating across mobile, PC and console platforms.

It comes with “high standards of privacy and brand safety,” courtesy of NBCUniversal’s One Platform. More importantly, it sends the message that going beyond the spot matters for advertisers and consumers alike.

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The ability for a radio to toggle between an audio stream and over-the-air broadcast is coming to vehicles manufactured by a big German automaker.

And, the rollout includes the North American marketplace.

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In April 2021, RBR+TVBR first reported on the sale of WNUE-FM 98.1 by Entravision Communications — a move that would begin a wind-down of Orlando DMA operations for the multimedia company superserving Hispanic consumers in the U.S.

Now, the individual who most recently served as SVP/GM for Entravision/Orlando — a 2021 Medallas de Cortez finalist — has joined the broadcast television company that will soon be led by Soohyung Kim.

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She’s served as the Senior Affiliate Sales Director for the Networks Division since September 2019.

Now, this individual, who played a key role in the launch of digital multicast networks Antenna TV and Rewind TV for Nexstar Media Group, is being promoted to VP/GM under Networks Division President Sean Compton.

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The 9am Eastern earnings call scheduled for today was cancelled. That’s because TEGNA is going private, with Soohyung Kim’s Standard General and Apollo Global Management teaming up to acquire the television broadcasting company.

That didn’t stop the owner of such stations as WUSA-9 in Washington, D.C., and KGW-8 in Portland, Ore., from issuing what will likely be its final fourth quarter results under CEO Dave Lougee.

How did TEGNA do in the last three months of 2021? Total company revenue came in as expected, and beat the Zacks Consensus Revenue forecast.

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VIZIO Ads is expanding its omnichannel offering via a partnership with TransUnion.

This, VIZIO says, will enable its advertising partners to leverage its data from 19 million Smart TV households off-platform, to reach consumers on millions of mobile devices with a “cohesive” experience.

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Public speaking is so much about the words we say and how we say them that we seldom think about the pauses. For “Zoom expert” and longtime public relations professional Rosemary Ravinal, “The periodic mini moments of silence or breathing are just as important as speaking. They vary in length and can be powerful allies to build trust and make your verbal communication more human.”

A pause holds many benefits. She explains what they are in this column.

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For African Americans, content is the common language.

According to Nielsen, the U.S. Black population spends more time with media than any other group, with content engagement that consistently drives breakout hits and trending topics alike. Increasingly, Black consumers are taking control of both the economic and media influence they wield and using it to invest in Black experiences, Black communities and Black content.

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