Industry News

In 2019, leaders from major radio groups discussed the state of the industry at the Radio Show. From left: Moderator Stephanie Ruhle of NBC News. Mary Berner, president and CEO, Cumulus Media; David Field, president and CEO, Entercom; Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO, iHeartMedia. Photo: Paul McLane.

There will be no more fall Radio Show conventions.

The National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Advertising Bureau have announced that beginning in April, the fall Radio Show, which has been a staple of the U.S. commercial radio industry for decades, will be integrated into the NAB Show.

“This change provides more opportunities in one location for radio professionals and elevates radio in the larger media ecosystem represented at NAB Show,” NAB stated.

“The integrated event in Las Vegas will feature signature awards, networking events and a comprehensive conference program, including popular sales and marketing sessions presented by the Radio Advertising Bureau.”

The organizations had already planned a temporary integration of sorts for this year’s show, when they planned to collocate the Radio Show with the rescheduled NAB Show. But both ultimately were canceled because of the ongoing health crisis.

It turns out that the final in-person fall Radio Show was in Dallas in 2019. A virtual version was held last year. The pre-pandemic schedule had called for the show to be in Nashville in 2020, New Orleans and 2021 and Nashville again in 2022. Cities that have hosted the event in the recent past also include Philadelphia, Orlando, Indianapolis, Chicago and Washington.

The Radio Show in recent years drew about 2,100 reported attendees. Its agenda traditionally emphasized radio management and sales content, though there was always a technical component and exhibit floor. In recent years the event has been held in hotel conference settings rather than larger convention venues.

Longtimers will also recall that in the 1990s the show was part of an umbrella event called the World Media Expo that also encompassed SBE and SMPTE conferences.

NAB also announced that the presentation of the 2021 NAB Marconi Radio Awards and the State of the Industry Address by NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith will take place virtually on Nov. 10.

This will be Smith’s final State of the Industry address; he steps down at the end of the year, to be succeeded by Curtis LeGeyt.

 

The post The Fall Radio Show Is No More appeared first on Radio World.

Nielsen Holdings plc will report its financial results for the third quarter 2021 two weeks for today.

What can investors expect to hear from CEO David Kenny on Thursday, October 28 at 8am Eastern when he and other company executives will host a call to discuss its Q3 results?

Numbers that reflect the full-year 2021 guidance offered with Nielsen’s Q2 results are expected.

Nielsen is updating full year 2021 guidance as follows:

• Total revenue growth on a constant currency basis: 2.5% to 3.0% (previously 2.0% to 3.0%)
• Organic revenue growth on a constant currency basis: 4.0% to 4.5% (previously 3.5% to 4.5%)
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: 42.3% to 42.6% (previously 42.25% to 42.5%)
• Adjusted EBITDA: $1,475 – $1,490 million (previously $1,470 – $1,490 million)
• Adjusted earnings per share: $1.54 – $1.61 (previously $1.47 – $1.58)
• Free cash flow: $620 – $650 million (previously $595 – $645 million)

These estimates reflect Nielsen as if the sale of Global Connect occurred on January 1, 2020. The estimates exclude $200 – $220 million (previously $220 – 240 million) of separation-related costs related to the sale.

 

The Society of Broadcast Engineers will hold its annual membership meeting and awards program online on Monday (Oct. 18).

The meeting was to have been held at this month’s NAB Show, which ended up being cancelled. So the society will use its monthly SBE WEBxtra presentation for the purpose.

“The SBE Membership Meeting portion provides an update on SBE activities and programs from the past year with reports from the secretary, treasurer and several committee chairs,” SBE stated. “It also includes some final thoughts from SBE President Wayne Pecena, who is completing his second term in that role.”

Newly elected SBE officers and board members will be sworn in to begin their terms, including incoming President Andrea Cummis.

[Read Radio World’s interview with Andrea Cummis]

“Following the swearing in, Andrea will lead the awards presentation portion of the program, which will recognize the efforts of SBE chapters, members and sustaining member companies for their accomplishments and honors from the SBE Awards Program. Presentations include the Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year award to Chris Tobin and the Technology Award to Telos Alliance.”

SBE Certification Director Megan Clappe, who was recently named an SBE Fellow, will also be recognized.

The event takes place on the SBE YouTube channel on Monday at 3 p.m. Eastern/Noon Pacific.

 

The post SBE Holds Online Membership Meeting Monday appeared first on Radio World.

TORONTO — The digital audio advertising exchange “connecting brands with audiences at scale” across music, radio and podcasts has selected its new Chief Growth Officer for North America.

It’s a move that follows Les Hollander’s promotion to CEO of DAX North America earlier this year.

Jon Hales is taking the role. He joins Global-owned digital advertising platform DAX from Spotify, where his seven-year tenure saw him launch the Spotify Canada Team, Spotify’s Global Sales Operations Group and, most recently, lead a re-boot of Spotify’s LATAM advertising business.

Hales previously headed up Video Sales for AOL Canada and was Director of Sales for Discovery Channel Canada, under Bell Media.

Hollander calls Hales “a growth-oriented leader and brings a wealth of expertise in the areas of sales and operations, with an eye for innovation and keen ability to scale the business.”

Hales will split his time between the U.S. and Canadian groups, focusing on tactical revenue growth, team performance, strategy, and alignment across the North America operation, DAX says.

— Carina Newton

In late June RBR+TVBR first told readers about Dartmouth College’s decision to place its 6kw Class A FM, branded as “99Rock,” on the market.

The commercially licensed radio station that is advertiser-driven doesn’t shy from loud, hard rock. Soon, it will be up to a new owner to determine whether or not acts such as Seether, Godsmack and Alice in Chains will remain on the station’s playlist.

With veteran station trader George Kimble of Kozacko Media Services serving as the exclusive broker in this transaction, WFRD-FM in Hanover, N.H., is being sold to Sugar River Media.

A $225,000 price was agreed to, with John Landry signing off on the FM’s purchase for Sugar River, a 50/50 partnership between him and Bob Landry.

A $30,000 escrow payment is being held by Kozacko Media Services.

With WFRD, Sugar River will grow its stable to five, as it also owns WUVR-AM 1490 in Lebanon, N.H.; WNTK-FM 99.7 in New London, N.H.; WCVR-AM in Randolph, Vt.; and WCNL-AM in Newport, N.H.

Dartmouth says the sale proceeds will be used to support “WDCR,” which is not to be confused with Decatur Catholic Radio and its WDCR-FM. Student-run “WDCR” had been an on-air AM from 1958 through 2010.

The sale of WFRD will result in the loss of one staff position, the college said earlier this year.

Why is Dartmouth selling WFRD? “The station has been operating at a financial loss for a number of years,” it says. “In addition, student involvement in the commercial station has waned.”

The Gauge, Nielsen‘s recently created monthly total TV and streaming snapshot, has just released its latest data portrait, reflecting the month of September.

Here’s the good news for broadcast television: the share of total TV viewing saw a 2% increase.

Now, for the not-so-lovely news: The gain puts broadcasters as recipients of 26% of consumers’ total TV time.

“The boost,” as Nielsen calls it, comes on the heels of “a strong ratings start” to the NFL season, as well as the beginning of the traditional TV season on September 20.

Still, the consumer share of TV time for both cable and streaming remained flat at 38% and 28%, respectively.

At the same time, the “Other” category—which includes and is reflective of video game usage—was down from 10% to 8%.

This 2% decline, Nielsen concludes, was driven by a combination of video game users turning off their collective controllers and heading back to the classrooms as well as a shift of attention from gaming to the gridiron.

Looking at the streaming platforms themselves, data from Nielsen’s Streaming Platform Ratings show both Netflix and Disney+ each ticking down a percentage point from August. Netflix now commands 6% share of total TV time, while Disney+ holds 1% of share of overall TV time. Hulu and Amazon Prime Video remained steady at 3% and 2%, respectively.

The first worldwide 24-7 live linear video channel dedicated to the growing E-Sports arena has partnered with an independent provider of personalized sports data and gaming visualization to help bring greater value for both fans and, importantly, sponsors.

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It’s been way too long since broadcasters have been able to gather, meet, network, and discuss. Don’t wait until April. Secure your seat in New York for Forecast 2022, an exclusive gathering where broadcast TV and radio’s top leaders will be — live and in-person. The issues. The challenges. The opportunities. All the things that matter to broadcasters. FORECAST IS BACK – AND BIGGER THAN EVER! From broadcast leaders and media investment pros to Wall Street analysts, communications attorneys and other key industry influencers, all will be present at Forecast 2022 — the only event of its kind this year!

Debra OConnell — President, Networks, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, The Walt Disney Company Bill Wilson — CEO, Townsquare Media FEATURING …

INFORMATIVE SESSIONS INCLUDING:

• Broadcast Revenue Trends and Expectations for 2022
• Prospects for Broadcast Media as an Investment in 2022
• Cross-Ownership and the FCC
• Main Street Media: Where Local Broadcast Survives & Thrives— What Now?
• Passing the Torch: A Conversation with Gordon Smith
and Curtis LeGeyt
• Executive Leadership Session – Sharing Visions for Tomorrow

There’s nothing like Forecast — especially this year. Register today!! The venue is small – demand is higher than usual – don’t be left out due to a sellout!

 

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The presentation of the 2021 NAB Marconi Radio Awards and the annual “State of the Industry” Address by NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith will take place virtually on the second Wednesday in November — just days before his appearance at Forecast 2022 in New York, perhaps his last industry event before Smith’s year-end retirement.

The Marconis, and Smith’s speech, are scheduled for Wednesday, November 10 at 2pm Eastern. To view the event, access is available at NAB.org/watch and will be available on-demand on NAB Amplify.

The NAB Marconi Radio Awards honor radio stations and on-air personalities for excellence in broadcasting. NAB will name the winners in each of the 23 categories during the November event, which will be hosted by Angela Yee, co-host of the nationally syndicated morning show, “The Breakfast Club.”

Prior to the awards presentation, Smith will deliver his final State of the Industry address, in which he will reflect on his tenure leading the association and how the broadcast industry can continue to thrive into the future.

“It has been my great honor to represent America’s broadcasters in Washington D.C. and around the world for the past 12 years,” said Smith, who will assume an advisory and advocacy role beginning next year. “While I am disappointed we are not able to gather in person in Las Vegas, I look forward to connecting virtually and seeing everyone in-person at the 2022 NAB Show.”

Passing the Torch: A Conversation With Gordon Smith And Curtis LeGeyt
As Gordon Smith exits his role at year’s end as CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters and Curtis LeGeyt prepares to take the helm, what is the state of the broadcast industry from the Beltway view? Steve Newberry, who worked closely with both executives during his own tenure at the NAB, sits down with them in an exclusive Forecast 2022 chat covering legal, regulatory, and legislative initiatives under the leadership of the NAB that have impacted the broadcast industry over the past 12 years, how they will shape and define its future, and what challenges and opportunities lie on the horizon.
Moderator: Steve Newberry, CEO, Quu
Curtis LeGeyt, COO, National Association of Broadcasters
Gordon Smith, President and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters

 

REGISTER NOW!

Veteran public relations pro Rosemary Ravinal is often asked, “How do I stand out during a virtual meeting and make a strong impression?” 

“My answer draws from techniques honed during my corporate career, combined with what I teach my clients about public speaking and executive presence online,” she says in this latest Media Information Bureau column focused on Zoom excellence in today’s workplace.

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