Industry News

Fifteen hopefuls are an important step closer to securing construction permits for new noncommercial educational FM stations.

The Federal Communications Commission released the results of a “threshold fair distribution analysis” of 15 groups of mutually exclusive applications from the recent filing window for new NCE FMs.

In each case, two applicants applied to serve separate communities. In each case the FCC tentatively has chosen one applicant over another after running them through a series of checks based on service area population data, tribal priority criteria and certain certifications from the applicants.

What emerges is this list of 15 applicants tentatively selected for CPs:

Group 12: Community Broadcasting Inc. proposes to serve West Plains, Mo.
Group 17: Arizona Board of Regents for Benefit of University of Arizona, to serve Safford, Ariz.
Group 21: Cochise Community Radio Corp., to serve Virden, N.M.
Group 52: Ethree Group Inc., to serve Key Colony Beach, Fla.
Group 67: Elijah Radio, to serve Danville, Ga.
Group 103: Torstrick Ministries Inc., to serve Harlan, Ky.
Group 105: Christwood, to serve Covington, La.
Group 108A: Central Pennsylvania Christian Institute Inc., to serve Greensburg, Pa.
Group 119: Smile FM, to serve Litchfield, Mich.
Group 120: Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting Inc., to serve Hutchinson. Minn.
Group 125: The Association for Community Education Inc., to serve Windsor, Mo.
Group 148: Gallup Public Radio, to serve Zuni Pueblo, N.M.
Group 175: Missions Unlimited of Oregon, to serve Clinton, Okla.
Group 208: Remante Broadcasting Network, to serve Moroni, Utah.
Group 217: Spokane Public Radio, to serve Kettle Falls, Wash.

The FCC document spells out how it reached those tentative selections.

Petitions to deny may be filed within 30 days of the FCC’s order.

“It is our intention to grant each application if, after the 30-day petition to deny period has run, there is no substantial and material question concerning the grantability of the tentative selectee’s application,” the FCC wrote.

[Related: “FCC Tentatively Awards CP to Blackfeet Tribe”]

The post FCC Names 15 Tentative Winners of FM CPs appeared first on Radio World.

As noted by the communications law attorneys at Fletcher Heald & Hildreth on its CommLawBlog.com website, FCC License renewal applications and associated EEO Program Reports are due on or before Friday, April 1 for radio licensees located in a pair of East Coast states.

AM and FM licensees in Delaware and Pennsylvania must file renewals regardless of commercial or noncommercial status in the FCC’s licensing Management System (LMS).

These licensees must include Schedule 396, the Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity Program Report, in their renewal application.

The FCC also requires radio licensees to provide local post-filing public notice of their renewal applications. Pre-filing announcements are no longer required.

Listeners and viewers may review the station’s filing and file comments regarding renewal applications.

As Fletcher Heald & Hildreth has noted, “a major focus” of the FCC’s review is a thorough inspection of the station’s on-line public inspection file (OPIF).  ‘For that reason, we urge all stations with upcoming license renewals to begin a thorough review of their OPIFs.  Any incomplete filings or late filings in the station’s OPIF will be disclosed in the renewal application.”

It was expected. Under the leadership of Emily Barr, the Graham Media Group headquarters office was located in Chicago, where Barr resided.

With her retirement, announced in January, and the naming of Catherine Badalamente as her successor, a shift back to Detroit for the broadcast TV station owner’s HQ was all but certain.

On Wednesday (3/9), that move became official.

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Much like their counterparts in Europe did on Mar. 4, public broadcasters across the U.S. are planning to play “Give Peace a Chance” simultaneously. The broadcast is planned for Mar. 11, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. EST.

The coordinated broadcast is backed by the Public Radio Program Directors Association, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters and the VuHaus Group.

“Right up there with food, clothing, and shelter — human connection is something we can’t live without. Radio has always amplified connection, and at this moment in time, we can take action for the people of Ukraine and reinforce the connection we share as human beings,” stated NFCB CEO Sally Kane.

PRPD President/Executive Director Abby Goldstein added, “PRPD stands with our colleagues in public radio, with all those affected by war and with the people of Ukraine at this time. Collectively, we send this message of peace to everyone willing to listen.”

Paragon Media Strategies is making available via its website a 15-second promo, social media playbook, and other visual and audio assets for stations participating in the broadcast.

“This collective transmission serves to unite public radio listeners from coast to coast in a unified demonstration to support those around the world who are affected by war, reminding all of us that we can collectively amplify support for peace across the globe,” stated Paragon CEO Mike Henry.

The anti-war anthem “Give Peace a Chance” was originally released by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band in 1969.

The post U.S. Public Stations Plan Call for Peace appeared first on Radio World.

The Radio Mercury Awards has announced the final round judging panel for its 31st annual honors.

The panel of top-level agency creative leaders represent radio’s top advertising companies — including industries such as automotive, consumer packaged goods (CPG), communications, community service, fitness, nonprofits, quick-serve restaurants, retail, spirits, telecommunications, travel and utilities.

The jury, assembled with the help of Chief Judge Alejandro Ortiz, Executive Creative Director at Campbell Ewald, is comprised of creative leaders from across the country. They represent all size markets with diverse audiences and innovative creative work for some of advertising’s largest brands.

Here is the 2022 Radio Mercury Awards Final Round Judging Panel, along with Ortiz:

• Mitch Bennett, executive creative director, Baldwin&
• Josh Grossberg, executive creative director, McCann Health
• Bianca Guimaraes, partner/executive creative director, Mischief USA
• Donnell Johnson, group creative director, Anomaly
• Nicky Lorenzo, senior vice president/group creative director, Taylor Global
• Wendy Mayes, creative director/copywriter, Plot Twist Creativity
• Sean McBride, chief creative officer, Arnold
• Bowen Mendelson, creative, Tempo Fit
• Joyce King Thomas, creative consultant, King Thomas
• Sherman Winfield, executive creative director, VMLY&R

The RMAs are presented by the RAB and the Radio Creative Fund, both of which are led by Erica Farber.

“We are looking forward to our first in-person judging event in over two years with this incredible group of creative talent who represent a broad spectrum of agencies,” Farber said. “We are excited to have them select this year’s winners and know they will bring their passion and expertise to our final round judging event.”

The Radio Mercury Awards’ Call for Entry is open through April 6. Winners will be announced at the 31st annual Radio Mercury Awards event on June 9 at SONY Hall in New York.

Picture this: 15 groups of mutually exclusive applications for new noncommercial educational FM radio station permits are in need of resolution. To do so, the Audio Division of the FCC’s Media Bureau engaged in comparative consideration of the applications. Specifically, it engaged in a “threshold fair distribution analysis” — a process that gives Al Shuldiner, the division chief, delegated authority on identifying the tentative (and suggested) selectee in each group.

That analysis has now concluded, and anyone that doesn’t like the results has within 30 days of March 9 to file a Petition to Deny with the FCC.

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The Broadcasters Foundation of America will hold its annual Breakfast, Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00 am in the Brahms Room of the Encore Hotel during the 2022 NAB Show, which takes place April 23-27 in Las Vegas. The Broadcasters Foundation is the only charity devoted exclusively to providing financial aid to broadcasters in acute need from critical illness, accident, or serious misfortune.

The Broadcasters Foundation annual breakfast is complimentary to all in broadcasting. During the Breakfast, the Broadcasters Foundation will present the Leadership Awards to individuals in recognition of their career contributions to the broadcast industry and the community at large. In addition, the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award is bestowed on an individual whose work in broadcasting exemplifies innovation, community service, advocacy, and entrepreneurship.

[For More News on the NAB Show See Our NAB Show News Page]

Last year’s Breakfast was postponed due to the pandemic, therefore, the honorees that were previously announced in 2021 will be recognized and presented with their award at this year’s Breakfast.

The Leadership Award honorees include:

• Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Media Group
• Pierre Bouvard, Chief Insights Officer, Cumulus Media
• Ralph Oakley, Retired, President and Chief Executive Officer, Quincy Media
• Christine Travaglini, President, Katz Radio Group
• Dennis Wharton, retired, Executive Vice President, Media Relations, National Association of Broadcasters

Gordon Smith, former U.S. Senator and Special Advisor to the NAB, will receive the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award.

This year’s sponsors are: AccuRadio, National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), National Association of Media Brokers (NAMB), Nielsen, Premiere Networks, Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB), USTrust, and vCreative.

The Breakfast is complimentary to all in broadcasting, although pre-registration is required.

For more information on the 2022 NAB Show, visit nabshow.com/2022/.

The post Broadcasters Foundation Plans Annual Breakfast at 2022 NAB Show appeared first on Radio World.

BOCA RATON, FLA. — The “Big Four” broadcast television network affiliates and the low-power TV station airing Azteca América programming across Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast of Florida have collectively made the leap to deliver “a revolutionary new digital broadcast technology” to local consumers.

Only, who’s watching, and who knew of the rollout announced late Monday via a press release posted to Business Wire?

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Few outside of the region may be familiar with North Central West Virginia, home to such communities as Bridgeport, Clarksburg, Fairmont and Weston. It’s connected loosely to Morgantown, which is a part of the Pittsburgh DMA.

As such, Clarksburg-Weston and Elkins comprise a TV market that’s of importance to Gray Television. It owns a CBS affiliate there. And, it wants better coverage of the mountainous market.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The four Commissioners of the FCC will be congregating at an oversight hearing convened by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by New Jersey Democrat Frank Pallone Jr., on the final day of March.

Don’t expect to hear much on the subject of broadcast media regulation.

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