Radio+Television Business Report

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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The parent company of the group of television stations that includes WDIV-4 in Detroit and WKMG-6 in Chicago has released its fourth quarter 2021 earnings report.

How did this diversified company’s television broadcasting arm, led by soon-to-retire President/CEO Emily Barr, perform in Q4?

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On December 22, 2020, Cumulus Media closed a transaction that saw the sale of five radio brands serving the Albany, Ga., market to First Media Services for $450,000.

Now, 7.11% of the funds Cumulus earned from that deal, consummated in April 2020, could be heading to the FCC as a financial penalty for apparent violations of the Commission’s EEO rules.

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A veteran multiplatform media strategist and executive at Paramount’s CBS Stations division has been appointed Sr. VP of Streaming, reporting to division President Jennifer Mitchell.

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It’s known for six radio brands, a health and fitness directory, and a classifieds website serving Northeastern Nevada from the city of Elko.

Now, Ken Sutherland‘s Ruby Radio Corporation is preparing to part ways with the radio assets, according to the broker of record in this pending transaction.

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Introducing the Radio Masters Sales Summit — presented by Streamline Publishing’s Radio Ink and The Center for Sales Strategy.

The event is scheduled for September 22-23, 2022 at the Intercontinental at Doral, minutes away from Miami International Airport.

“For decades Radio Ink has led this industry and revealed information that is critical to its survival,” said Eric Rhoads, Chairman and Founder of Radio Ink and the Radio + Television Business Report. “At the time when only eight stations in the U.S. had websites, we brought you the Radio Ink Internet Conference, and it resulted in significant industry change. We then launched the Radio Ink Convergence conference to reveal online radio and what radio needs to do to be a part of it.”

Rhoads added, “We know you’re busy. So, the Radio Masters Sales Summit will be a quick in and out. Depending on flights, you can fill your mind with incredible knowledge and powerful tools without more than two days out of the office.”

 

Space is Limited so Register Today for The Radio Masters Sales Summit September 22-23 in Miami.

 

“I’m super excited about the Radio Masters Sales Summit in September. This sort of NEXT-level sales and management conference for the radio industry is needed as the business has clearly changed over the past few years,” Matt Sunshine, of The Center for Sales Strategy, commented. “The summit is about more than selling in today’s environment and with today’s trends. It will help you master sales in a new way, with critical directives every seller, manager, and owner needs.”

Radio Ink has decided to take immediate action and step up for the industry we love, throw it a lifeline, and give it new tools and new hope. Following two years of turmoil and distractions, it’s time to get back on track. It’s time to rethink sales strategy, refresh management skills, and refocus goals and expectations. Don’t Wait! Register Today for The Radio Masters Sales Summit September 22-23 in Miami.

The Ed Stolz Saga continues, as Royce International Broadcasting has assumed control of KREV/San Francisco, KFRH/Las Vegas and KRCK/Palm Springs, Calif.

And, the three stations are now silent, RBR+TVBR has learned, putting an LMA of the stations by VCY America on ice — at least for now.

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