Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has wasted no time in making the Commission her own, until a permanent head to replace Ajit Pai is nominated by the Biden Administration.
On Monday, Rosenworcel unveiled a slew of staff appointments and special designations to her office.
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Here’s a technical reminder for some EAS equipment users. It comes courtesy of the Alabama Broadcasters Association but will be of interest more broadly.
ABA’s technical newsletter, written by veteran engineer Larry Wilkins, notes that several stations that use Sage Endec EAS units had stopped receiving the required weekly test (RWT) from IPAWS late in 2020.
“The problem was discovered to be a missing security patch CR rev5. This patch was not part of the original 95.00 update, since the patch was not issued till after its release,” the newsletter states. “It is now part of the 95.00 firmware.” You can download the patch here or via the original Sage firmware revision announcement.
Wilkins, who chairs the state’s EAS Committee, wrote that ABA also identified a few stations that were still operating with outdated firmware, which is another FCC violation.
“The fact that so many stations were missing the IPAWS RWT for several weeks is disturbing, since the Chief Operator should have noticed this during the weekly station log review,” he wrote.
“Remember the FCC rules require that the CO review the station log weekly and make notes of any missing or incorrect entries. Discrepancies that continue should be reported to engineering or management for correction. It is not enough just to print the log and put it a file; it must be reviewed and signed by the Chief Operator and report any problems to the correct station personnel.”
Not complying with these EAS issues, Wilkins concluded, can open a station up to a Notice of Violation and fine.
The post Reminder About Sage EAS Security Patch appeared first on Radio World.
The DTS Connected Radio hybrid radio platform has a new name, DTS AutoStage.
Parent company Xperi introduced the name at the recent online CES show with the tag line “The global hybrid solution that works directly with broadcasters.”
The company’s George Cernat told Radio World that the change comes in the wake of Xperi’s merger with TiVo in June 2020.
“We integrated TiVo’s world-class music metadata and personalized content discovery engine with the DTS Connected Radio platform. This created a next-gen infotainment platform that is truly global and immersive.” He said the company felt that the name DTS AutoStage better represented the scope and implications of the product.
In a recent guest commentary, Xperi’s SVP, Broadcast Radio Joseph D’Angelo wrote about the platform: “Synergies gained from our merger with TiVo have accelerated deployment, enhanced our offerings and helped ensure unsurpassed security and operational support,” he wrote.
“TiVo’s massive music metadata platform and Xperi’s hybrid radio platform make an entirely new radio experience possible with premium radio content enhanced with visually rich data and deep content descriptors.”
Xperi is also the company that makes HD Radio technology.
Related stories:
“DTS Connected Radio Adds Lyrics,” Nov. 2020
“Hybrid Radio Picks Up Momentum,” Sept. 2020
The post Xperi’s Hybrid Platform Is Now “DTS AutoStage” appeared first on Radio World.
PORTLAND, ORE. — With no immediate impact expected for its radio stations, at least in the short-term, Alpha Media has announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
It’s a move designed, RBR+TVBR has learned, to reduce its massive $267 million debt burden and restructure its agreement with one key lender.
And, it is a decision that the company founded by Larry Wilson and today led by Chairman/CEO Bob Proffitt says will strengthen it once it emerges with a reorganization plan.
Plus, it will allow Alpha to invest in expanded digital capabilities.
In a statement posted to the Alpha Media website, the audio media company that owns such stations as KXL-FM and KINK in its home market of Portland; WDHT “Hot 102.9” in Dayton; and KBAY and KEZR “Mix 106.5” in San Jose says the Chapter 11 filing will also raise incremental capital to allow the company “to successfully navigate current market conditions and pursue growth opportunities.”
There will be no management changes. Everyday station operations remain as-is.
And, with its clusters such as Dayton; Louisville; and Lincoln, Neb.; Alpha has the ingredients for a strong emergence from bankruptcy.
It is San Jose and its home market of Portland, each ravaged by COVID-19 in 2020, that are the toughest for Alpha.
In the statement, Alpha revealed that it filed a pre-arranged plan of re-organization, disclosure statement and voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Without naming the lenders it is working with, Alpha and the lenders agreed to a plan that gives the broadcasting company new capital — in the form of committed debtor-in-possession and exit financing.
Translation: the lenders will bankroll Alpha through its exit from bankruptcy.
And, with the emergence from bankruptcy, Alpha management and “certain” lenders will collectively own 100% of the post-reorganization Alpha Media. This will require the filing and subsequent approval of forms submitted to the FCC.
And, as was the case for Cumulus Media, iHeartMedia, Estrella Media predecessor LBI Media, and Steel City Media, restructuring of the Alpha Media balance sheet will require receipt of bankruptcy court approval in addition to regulatory approval.
If all goes according to plan, Alpha expects to conclude the restructuring process by the end of June.
Commenting on the Chapter 11 decision, Proffitt said, “We have made significant progress in aggressively deleveraging our business in recent years. As we proceed with our financial restructuring to improve our capital structure and manage through the ongoing downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the agreement we reached today will leave Alpha Media well positioned for a market recovery as a stronger and even more competitive company.”
He also offered words that Entercom President/CEO David Field has shared time and again in recent years.
“Broadcast radio is the leading reach medium in the United States, with attractive ROIs for advertisers, and radio continues to be an indispensable communications platform nationwide,” Proffitt said. “We believe the balance sheet restructuring will provide greater financial resources and flexibility to Alpha Media, enabling the company to strengthen its position as a leading mid-market broadcaster in the United States, and invest in new digital capabilities to better serve our advertisers and communities.”
And, in a nod to the performance of Alpha’s stations in Nebraska’s second-largest market, the Miami Valley of Ohio, and Louisville, Proffitt said, “Our core business continues to perform well despite current market challenges. We will continue to invest in our talented teams to foster the unique culture that has been key to Alpha Media’s success in delivering dynamic, diverse and exciting content to our communities.”
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is serving as Alpha Media’s lead restructuring counsel in connection with this process; Kutak Rock LLP is serving as Virginia counsel.
Wiley Rein LLP is serving as Alpha Media’s FCC counsel.
EY Turnaround Management Services LLC and Moelis & Co. are serving as the company’s financial advisors.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, McGuireWoods and Fletcher Heald & Hildreth are serving as legal co-counsel to an ad hoc group of certain lenders; GLC Advisors & Co. is serving as financial advisor.
— Reporting by Meagan Cauthen and Ed Ryan, with editing by Adam Jacobson and editorial research from the RBR+TVBR West Coast Bureau.
Stretto is serving as Alpha Media’s claims agent. Additional information concerning the Chapter 11 Court process is available on Alpha Media’s restructuring website: https://cases.stretto.com/AlphaMedia. The corresponding information hotline can be accessed at the following toll-free number: (855) 395-0761.
RBR+TVBR InFOCUS Podcast: Bob Proffitt, Alpha Media What role have Alpha Media’s flagship stations played in informing and entertaining listeners across Oregon’s biggest market, and how have the stations worked with clients in “the rebound” from COVID-19 shutdowns? RBR+TVBR got the exclusive answer from President/CEO Bob Proffitt, who also shared positive stories from two Ohio markets where Alpha Media has stations, in this recent RBR+TVBR InFOCUS Podcast, sponsored by Dot.FM.Just after Midnight on Monday (1/25), Alpha Media filed Official Form 201, a Voluntary Petition for Non-Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy with a Virginia Eastern Bankruptcy Court.
The case has been assigned to Kevin Huennekens, and the deadline for filing claims has been set for July 26, 2021.
Who are the biggest creditors Alpha Media, headed by Bob Proffitt, needs to pay?
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EUREKA, CALIF. — At 6:30pm Pacific on Friday, Jan. 8, subscribers to the dominant cable TV services provider in Humboldt County, Calif., lost access to the NBC and CBS affiliates serving this pocket of the Golden State known for its greener pastures, behind the “Redwood Curtain.”
The “blackout” of the stations came as Altice USA’s Suddenlink, by law, was prevented from offering two Cox Media Group stations in the absence of a new retransmission services agreement.
Today, the stations remain absent from Suddenlink’s local systems, as do other CMG stations once owned by Brian Brady’s Northwest Broadcasting. Now, the Member of Congress serving Northwest California is ready to take action on Capitol Hill that could help thwart such disputes — and the consumer harm they create.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The General Counsel of the FCC is stepping down. While he has agreed to continue to serve in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has appointed his acting successor.
Rosenworcel also made some moves in the wireless arm of the Commission.
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Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel named Michele Ellison as acting general counsel at the Federal Communications Commission.
Tom Johnson steps down as general counsel and but continues to serve in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
Ellison, most recently deputy general counsel, is a commission veteran. “Ms. Ellison managed the multi-billion dollar transactions, bankruptcy and fraud portfolio,” Rosenworcel’s announcement stated. “She also has the distinction of being the first woman of color to serve as the agency’s chief of staff, chief of the Enforcement Bureau, and acting general counsel.”
Among her current roles she chairs the FCC’s Connect2Health Task Force, and has been involved in commission efforts on localism and on expanding communications opportunities for small, minority and women-owned businesses as well as developing countries.
“Ms. Ellison also played a pivotal role on national broadband planning under Acting Chairman Michael Copps, served as transition counsel to Commissioner (then Chief of Staff to Acting Chairwoman) Mignon Clyburn, and advised Chairman William Kennard as his deputy chief of staff.”
Rosenworcel also named Joel Taubenblatt as acting chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. He was deputy bureau chief.
And Don Stockdale moves to the Office of Economics and Analytics.
The post Ellison Is Acting General Counsel at FCC appeared first on Radio World.
In 2015, TEGNA established an internal initiative designed to combat the growing instances of “fake news” reaching its consumers.
Now, it is fortifying that fight by expanding its efforts against the spread of “disinformation” by hiring a managing editor responsible for leading VERIFY’s editorial growth across all platforms.
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In a major move that ignited its stock price immediately after Monday’s Opening Bell on the NYSE, Townsquare Media has announced that it is repurchasing at least 10 million of the 12.5 million shares of Class A and Class B common stock — and warrants — held by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P.
The strike price price reflects a 19% discount from Friday’s closing price. Given early trading today, that discount will likely be even greater come Tuesday.
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