Industry News

The author is membership program director of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. NFCB commentaries are featured regularly at www.radioworld.com.

The 2020 presidential election cycle is certain to be a fractious one. Even if the candidates and issues of the day were not heated enough, embers of foreign interference allegations during the 2016 race still linger. Recent incidents involving international entities in the noncommercial media space should be a reminder that it is necessary to handle particular issues delicately.

This week, PBS SoCal announced an investigation into a film it helped to fund, after PBS said the documentary did not meet the organization’s editorial standards. “Voices from the Frontline: China’s War on Poverty” was produced partly with the support of the CGTN TV network, a subsidiary of the China Media Group, which is supervised by the Communist Party of China’s publicity division.

Current points out funding relationships and conflicts of interest were raised as potential issues. The probe of the film is ongoing.

[Read: Community Broadcaster: Four Zoom Tips for Community Radio]

Other recent issues highlight programming and content issues that any station might want to carefully observe.

Earlier this year, media reported on Radio Sputnik, widely regarded as a proxy for the Russian government, is now broadcasting on three Kansas City-area radio stations during drive time hours. “In the United States, talk radio on Sputnik covers the political spectrum from right to left, but the constant backbeat is that the United States is damaged goods,” one story notes. “They find much to dislike in the U.S., from the reporting on the coronavirus epidemic to the impeachment of Pres. Donald Trump, and they play on internal divisions as well.”

The Kansas City cluster told the press the stations carry Radio Sputnik because management thought the programming was good, and because a group working with Rossiya Segodnya, the Russian state media organization that operates Sputnik, is paying them to do so.

Last year, it was revealed in lobbying disclosures that Chinese telecommunications hardware manufacturer Huawei had retained program services from Las Vegas Public Radio, a low-power FM best known for suing CPB for not funding the station. Although the White House had previously shut Huawei out of the U.S. market amid trade skirmishes, the firm appears intent on improving its stature in America. The agreement would provide content to tell a different, presumably more favorable, story to audiences.

Over time, I have heard of similar issues at stations. Many times, the need at a particularly bootstrapped station is filling a proverbial hole. Someone offering reliable content on a daily and weekly basis is music to the ears of many. Sprinkle money into the discussion and it is not surprising that stations might be interested.

The problems are manifest. The perception that a station is airing propaganda can damage its reputation for years to come. Both conservatives and liberals today are worried about foreign interference in U.S. elections, with 72% of Americans believing there is a high likelihood of such occurring. These viewpoints could hurt a community radio organization’s fundraising going forward.

Whether you think these relationships are valuable for noncommercial media, because they tell a story our communities rarely hear, or find them to be problematic for the appearance of bias, such partnerships must go through rigorous review. Community radio can at times miss such assessments. However, stations would be smart to exercise caution, should such opportunities arrive.

The post Community Broadcaster: Under the Influence appeared first on Radio World.

What considerations should you weigh before reopening your studios?

Helpful guidance comes in the form of a document from the Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing. While it targets recording and production studios, most of the advice has direct relevance to radio as well.

Just a sampling:

• Evaluate rooms in the studio facility and make necessary adjustments to ensure social distancing.
• Consider requiring individuals to wear cloth face coverings while inside the entire facility; in some parts of the country, face coverings may be required by law in outdoor areas as well.
• Have work that cannot be performed with face coverings take place in an isolation room or an otherwise empty studio.
• Consider limiting studio access to essential personnel or, at minimum, limit the number of visitors.
• You may choose to require staff or others to have their temperature taken with an infrared thermometer upon entry to the facility.
• Limit the number of people allowed to use elevators at once and consider requiring face coverings in elevators.
• Consider disinfecting footwear, or providing booties.
• Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Designate a staff person to be in charge.
• Microphones should be monitored and cleaned before and after all sessions.
• Consider HVAC filter cleaning and replacement.
• Shift staff and/or session schedules where possible to maximize social distancing.

Download the full list.

The post Planning a Studio Reopening? Recording Academy Has Some Tips appeared first on Radio World.

A new Radio World ebook reports on how radio organizations around the world responded and modified on-air and production operations when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted business.

In this special, free double-issue ebook, find out how major commercial and public broadcasters responded operationally to the pandemic.

Whether it’s a leading public station in New York, a massive radio network in Spain, a college station in Colorado, a commercial music cluster in California, an international radio news network or more, our sources all told us: Everything has changed.

Learn from them and from our sponsors about how stations solved problems, how manufacturers supported them and how these experts think radio operations have changed for good.

Access the ebook here or click on the cover image.

The post New Ebook Explores Broadcasting From Home appeared first on Radio World.

An Ohio broadcaster agreed to pay $8,000 as part of a consent decree after purchasing two licenses without consent from the Federal Communications Commission.

Earlier this year Media Bureau began investigating the assignment of station WTTF(AM) and FM translator W227BJ from Tiffin Broadcasting to BAS Broadcasting. Beginning in April 2014, Tiffin began the process of acquiring the licenses of the two stations, which were based in Tiffin, Ohio. Tiffin also entered into a Local Marketing Agreement for the two stations with BAS. At the time, it was agreed that Tiffin would retain full control of all operations, programming and personnel.

[Read: FCC Proposes Regulatory Fees for 2020 Amid Uncertain Media Marketplace]

In January 2015, Tiffin and BAS entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement in which BAS agreed to formally purchase the licenses and other assets from Tiffin. BAS began making a series of monthly payments in early 2015. The deal was in December 2019 when payments to Tiffin totaled $608,000.

But all this was done without commission consent, the FCC said.

In April 2020, Tiffin and BAS filed an application with the FCC disclosing the reassignment of the two stations. According to BAS and Tiffin, “[We] mistakenly believed that the ownership change would be implemented through the process of filing the renewal applications.”

According to the rules laid out in the Communications Act, “no construction permit or station license, or any rights thereunder, shall be transferred, assigned, or disposed of in any manner … except upon application to the commission… .”

After an investigation, Tiffin and BAS agreed that they violated Section 310 of the Communications Act and Section 73.3540 of the FCC Rules. As a result, BAS agreed to make an $8,000 civil penalty payment to close out the investigation.

The post Ohio Broadcaster Pays $8,000 in Consent Decree appeared first on Radio World.

The National Association of Broadcasters has announced the radio and TV finalists in their 2020 Celebration of Service to America awards. Of corporate owners Townsquare Media, Gray television and Tegna garnered multiple nominations.

The awards, which are for outstanding community service by local broadcasters, were to have been handed out at a June 9 dinner in Washington but will now handed out via a prerecorded tribute that stations can air sometime in August.

The finalists are listed below:

Service to Community Award for Radio — Small Market
Bryan Broadcasting, KNDE(FM), College Station, Texas — 103 Charities
Townsquare Media, WKXW(FM), Trenton, N.J. — New Jersey Judges
Townsquare Media, WKXW(FM), Trenton, N.J. — Feel Better Bears
Milner Media Properties, WYUR(FM), WVLI(FM), WIVR(FM), WFAV(FM), Bourbonnais, Ill. — Serving the Kankakee River Valley

Service to Community Award for Radio — Medium Market
Alpha Media, WSGW(AM/FM), Saginaw, Mich. — Sharing Hope Radiothon
iHeartMedia, WRVE(FM), WGY(AM/FM), Albany, N.Y. — 2019 Cares for Kids Radiothon

Service to Community Award for Radio — Major Market
Bonneville International, KIRO(AM), Seattle — 710 ESPN Seattle and Coaching Boys into Men
Hubbard Broadcasting, KRWM(FM), Seattle/Tacoma — WARM 106.9 Community Activation
Cox Media Group, WSB(AM), Atlanta — 2019 WSB Careathon

Service to Community Award for Television — Small Market
Gray Television, KVLY(TV), Fargo, N.D. — Homeless Kids Need Help
Gray Television, KWQC(TV), Davenport, Iowa — 2019 Flood Relief
Gray Television, WJHG(TV), Panama City, Fla. — Remembering the Forgotten

Service to Community Award for Television — Medium Market
Gray Television, KWTX(TV), Waco, Texas — Food for Families
Tegna, WBIR(TV), Knoxville, Tenn. — The Reality of Suicide
Gray Television, WNDU(TV), South Bend, Ind. — Never Again: Preventing Bus Stop Tragedies
Tegna, WTOL(TV), Toledo, Ohio — 11 Investigates: Guilty Without Proof

Service to Community Award for Television — Large Market
Sinclair Broadcast Group, KABB(TV), WOAI(TV), San Antonio — Show Me Your Bill
Hubbard Broadcasting, KOB(TV), Albuquerque, N.M. — Protecting Our Enchanting Environment
Nexstar Media Group, KXAN(TV), Austin, Texas — Save Our Students: Solutions for Wellness and Safety
Nexstar Media Group, WDAF(TV), Kansas City, Mo. — FOX4 Band of Angels
Graham Media Group, WKMG(TV), Orlando, Fla. — Driving Change: Florida’s Texting and Driving Law

The post NAB Unveils Service to America Finalists appeared first on Radio World.

A music performance fee would not only be “unjustified as a matter of policy,” but is “financially untenable for local radio broadcasters of all sizes.”

That’s the message from National Association of Broadcasters Chief Operating Officer Curtis LeGeyt testifying at a Senate Judiciary IP Subcommittee staff briefing. The topic was music rights within the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA.

LeGeyt reiterated several arguments that broadcasters have cited for years in this debate, and brought them up to date to include ramifications of the pandemic.

“Without reliance on subscription fees like our streaming and satellite competitors, local radio is supported by advertising alone,” LeGeyt said, according to his prepared remarks, released by NAB.

“With local businesses – including restaurants, retailers and car dealers – ravaged by this pandemic, that advertising revenue is currently on life support and further illustrates the policy interest in keeping broadcast radio’s costs down. For these reasons, Congress has repeatedly considered the recording industry’s arguments and chosen not to impose a performance royalty on free, local radio.”

LeGeyt said that radio’s place in American culture is not accidental. “It is the product of policy choices and a resulting legal framework that enable broadcast radio to remain completely free and dedicated to communities.” Among those, he said, is the DMCA. That copyright law, he said, may be in need of review, but “its music licensing reforms are an incredible success story.”

LeGeyt said the DMCA “enabled the growth of lawful music streaming to the benefit of recording artists whose revenues hit record highs in 2019, all while preserving a free and local broadcast radio model that continues to benefit those same performers and serve the public interest.”

He thanked lawmakers who have expressed support for the Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes performance fees for broadcast radio.

“The recording industry is also well aware that NAB stands ready to continue discussions around alternative music licensing frameworks that could increase total royalties to performing artists while allowing broadcasters to expand our own streaming footprint,” LeGeyt also said. “However, any piecemeal terrestrial performance royalty unilaterally imposed on local radio stations is not justified as a matter of copyright policy and will further stress the economics of the current free and local broadcast model.”

The post LeGeyt Reiterates NAB Opposition to Performance Fees appeared first on Radio World.

The heads of two federal agencies are asking the nation’s governors to provide necessary access and resources to communications workers during the pandemic.

Radio and TV broadcasters are among the essential entities listed. Other networks include those related to 911 calls, telehealth, distance learning and telework. (The full list is at the end of this story.)

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Christopher Krebs sent the letter, describing communications networks as “a lifeline during this challenging time.” CISA is a relatively new entity, established in 2018 and responsible for protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats.

The letter asked the states to follow guidance from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency updated earlier this month, specifically: Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce and Guidelines for Executives: 911 Center Pandemic Recommendations.

Among other recommendations it also asked the governors to “consider prioritizing the distribution of personal protective equipment to communications personnel when availability permits’: to understand that communications retail customer service personnel at service centers are critical for helping customers, especially low-income families and veterans; and to facilitate maintenance and repair of communications infrastructure by providing more online access to relevant government functions such as the permit process.

[Read the letter.]

Below is the list of infrastructure and entities that the FCC and CISA asked governors to treat as essential to COVID-19 response efforts:

• Businesses and personnel that provide communications support to medical and healthcare facilities, assisted care and living facilities, and people with disabilities;
• Radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, and Internet Protocol television (IPTV) providers;
• Telecommunications relay services providers and closed captioning providers;
• Public safety communications infrastructure (e.g., land mobile radio, broadband, Wi-Fi, high frequency radio, microwave, wireline, satellite voice, video, Radio over Internet Protocol, paging, data communications systems), including infrastructure that is owned, operated or maintained by commercial service providers in support of public safety and infrastructure in support of Emergency Communications Centers;
• Internet access service providers, telephone carriers, interconnected VoIP providers, mobile wireless providers, undersea cable operators, content delivery network operators, service integrators, and equipment vendors;
• Satellite operators; and
• Companies and individuals involved in the construction of new communications facilities and deployment of new and existing technology to address unprecedented levels of customer usage and close the digital divide for Americans who are sheltering at home.

The post FCC, CISA Ask Governors to Support Communication Networks appeared first on Radio World.

Should the FCC allow “zoned” programming for FM stations in the United States? Read what major broadcast organizations had to say about this in our latest issue. Also: IP studios for managers; making connections during a business crisis; and using privacy slats to deter vandalism at your transmitter site.

Prefer to do your reading offline? No problem! Simply click on the digital edition, go to the left corner and choose the download button to get a PDF version.

The post Inside the May 27 Issue of Radio World appeared first on Radio World.

Bill Fike writes in to say that quite often he will receive, with a new piece of equipment, a power or audio cable or some other special connection cable. More often than not, the cable has been folded and tightly tied with a cable tie. Even after removing the tie, some of these cables will remain kinked indefinitely.

Bill has read that a heat gun can be used to warm up the cable and remove the kinks; but that’s a lot of work to go over the length of a long cable. Bill also worried about the risk of melting the inner conductors; some heat guns can get very hot.

Bill came up with an easy alternative method to relax the cable so it can be coiled or wrapped. His clothes dryer has a rack for drying sweaters, sneakers or other items that can’t be tumbled. He places the cables on the rack in the dryer, sets the dryer to high and runs it for about 10 minutes (Fig. 1). Some cables may need longer dryer time.

When you pull out the cable, it’s warm and relaxed. It can then be coiled or wrapped properly, and it won’t have kinks.

The first time Bill did this, his wife asked why the drying rack was out. When she heard the answer, she just slowly shook her head and walked away. Some people don’t appreciate a good idea when they see one.

By the way, Bill is an Audible Approved Producer. Audible defines this as “a master of the craft, the best of the best; they excel in audiobook production, performance, generate positive customer reviews, and provide the Author and Rights Holder with a professional and smooth production experience. They typically submit audiobooks that do not require a resubmission by QA, and their titles are not terminated for reasons related to the production or their professionalism. Audible Approved Producers are hand-selected by the ACX team for their skill.”

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Engineering consultant Frank Hertel is always solving problems. Recently, he found an interesting link while searching for an older two-lead virtual ground IC.

The link takes you to a 2000 Engineering Application Note by Bruce Carter of Texas Instruments. Titled “A Single-Supply Op Amp Circuit Collection,” it is ideal for those engineers who still fabricate special devices, instead of buying something “off the shelf.”

This in-depth article provides useful information regarding the design and use of op-amps, especially in single voltage supply applications. The author explains that one of the biggest problems for designers arises when the circuit must be operated from a single voltage supply rather than a dual ±15 VDC supply. The application note includes working circuits that should be helpful.

The full article can be accessed at www.add.ece.ufl.edu/4924/docs/TI_SingleSupply.pdf

***

Speaking of op amps:

Dan Slentz writes that though he is far from the best bench tech, he has replaced his share of op amps over the years. At WHIZ in Zanesville, Ohio, the AM/FM studios were in a different building, and Dan had a static or ground issue where he was constantly replacing op amps.

Dan alleviated the problem by adding an odd diode to the input/output of the op amp. This didn’t affect the audio, but did discharge anything over 1V to ground. This greatly reduced the replacement of op amps in his distribution amps.

As Dan was researching the issue, he came across “discrete op amps” that sounded interesting. A video associated with the site describes these devices as being better sonically. The company is Sparkos Labs; they use layered surface-mount devices mated to the familiar eight-pin DIP (Dual In-line Package) to create an op-amp alternative. In addition to a full data sheet, there’s a white paper on why discrete op-amps are superior to ICs.

PS: Dan keeps an eye via social media and enjoys seeing what “cotton-headed ninny muggins” are up to. (If you don’t know that phrase, watch the movie “Elf.”)

Today’s award winner is a hobbyist who built an FM transmitter powered by the 12 VDC of a car. With that kind of power, there’s small chance of this individual’s transmitter causing an interference problem. But what caught Dan’s eye was his closing statement, seeking referrals for upgrading to a higher-power transmitter!

***

We’ll wrap up this column with a little history lesson that Dan found.

Prior to the advent of the tape cartridge machine was a device called the MacKenzie Program Repeater. As one of the first designs of continuous loop tape playback devices, the MacKenzie Program Repeater was used by top 40 radio stations starting in the late 1950s.

The MacKenzie Model 500 featured five decks stacked — though other models included up to 10 — all with a common capstan. Two independent tracks per magazine deck gave a total of 10 messages that could last up to 14 minutes. Tape was contained in mounted metal magazines.

Read about it at the ReelRadio website, which includes a drawing of how the tape was wound in the magazine. Visit www.reelradio.com/reports/mackenzi to read more.

Though the repeater found its way into top 40 radio, according to the article it was used initially at Disneyland and in Hollywood filmmaking. Louis G. MacKenzie, inventor of this device, received a technical citation for developing a selective sound effects repeater at the 1962 Academy Awards.

Contribute to Workbench. You’ll help your fellow engineers, and qualify for SBE recertification credit. Send Workbench tips to johnpbisset@gmail.com.

John Bisset has spent over 50 years in the broadcasting industry and is still learning. He handles western U.S. radio sales for the Telos Alliance. He holds CPBE certification with the Society of Broadcast Engineers and is a past recipient of the SBE’s Educator of the Year Award.

The post Let Your Dryer Work Out the Kinks appeared first on Radio World.

Bob Groome, a former radio chief engineer who went on to a 41-year career in broadcast sales, marketing and technical support, died this month at age 77.

According to his Facebook page, he passed away May 17 at his home in Florida after a long battle with cancer. At his death he worked in sales engineering for RF Specialties.

“Although his working career extended an extraordinary 59 years, he was particularly proud of his technical position in 1963, working on NASA’s Apollo project, as a lead (PWB) technician for General Electric, on contract supporting NASA in Daytona, Fla.,” according to an obituary on his Facebook page.

“But his love of music and technology ultimately led him to the broadcast industry, beginning with his very first job at WOOO radio (1310 AM) in Deland, Fla. in 1961, as chief engineer and DJ personality ‘Bob the Bachelor’ and later, chief engineer at WGCL radio, Fort Myers, Fla., from 1969–76.”

Radio World readers will know him best for his work with numerous prominent equipment and service companies including Audio Associates, Harris Broadcast, Allied Broadcast Equipment, Arrakis Systems, Jampro Antennas, Electronic Research Incorporated (ERI) and RF Specialties.

“As a member of Society of Broadcast Engineers, Bob authored and presented papers at local, regional and national conferences. Bob presented to Mexico’s Ametra, Japan’s InterBEE and Canada’s CCBE meetings. He presented papers and was invited to attend engineering roundtables at professional conferences held by Texas Association of Broadcasters, Broadcasters’ Clinic, Iowa Public Symposium, Tampa’s SBE Symposium, among others.”

According to the obituary, Groome was a spiritual man and a devoted Christian. His interests included technical projects such as building an electric car, computers, collecting music, woodworking, and visiting the traces of the “old Florida” of his youth.

“He loved his wife [Philippa Jeffreys], Krispy Kremes, Rod McKuen poetry, the ocean, and Tina Turner. He watched ‘Young Frankenstein’ at least once a year. Everyone loved his crooked smile.”

Groome maintained a website, the Sweet Old Bob Website, www.bobgroome.us that includes FM and AM formula calculators “to help his radio broadcasting comrades with their work. This site is up and helping others at the time of this writing, and we hope to maintain this website to honor Sweet Old Bob, the wonderful husband, dad, brother, grandfather and friend who touched so many lives and will be dearly missed.”

A family service is planned at a future date.

The post Bob Groome Dies at 77 appeared first on Radio World.