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Telos Alliance, the Cleveland-based broadcast audio technology company, has scheduled an Omnia webinar for February 3 that will offer participants the best advice on how to get their best on-air sound … “with confidence!”

The session, “Get Your Best On-Air Sound…with Confidence! Insider Tips (and Secrets) to Your Omnia Audio Processor”, is scheduled for 1pm Eastern on that Wednesday.

“Whether you already own an Omnia processor or are considering purchasing one, there is a world of untapped potential you may not even know about, waiting to be unlocked,” Telos Alliance says.

The session is to be hosted by Kirk Harnack, who will chat with Omnia experts and power users to bring participants “the little-known tips and insider secrets to getting the very best sound from your processor while exposing some of our favorite features.”

Those interested in attending the webinar can sign up here.

If you can’t make this time, register anyway and Telos Alliance will send you a recording of the webinar direct to your inbox.

Over recent years, the audio market has witnessed a progressive shift to more premium products. Take, for example, headphones and models such as the Apple AirPods Pro, along with the Sony WH-1000XM series.

These, Futuresource Consulting notes, have helped democratize higher audio quality to the mass market.

This trend, which can be seen across most audio product categories, including wireless speakers and soundbars, took another turn in 2020.

Consumers homebound due to the COVID-19 pandemic have created a unique opportunity for premium audio product demand to thrive, Futuresource notes. “With movies and music consumption playing a central role in entertaining consumers during lockdown, having good audio quality at home has never been as important,” it says.

In the soundbar segment, consumers trying to replicate a cinema experience at home, with notably premium soundbars fitted with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, has driven demand for models costing $1,000+.

In line with this, shipments have risen significantly, up 32% year-on-year in the period Q1-Q3 2020, according to Futuresource’s Home Audio report.

“People spending less on out-of-home activities such as going on holiday or eating out has freed up discretionary income to spend on high-end audio products,” Futuresource finds, noting that 2020 was a year where consumers who always wanted to invest in products such as a nice pair of speakers, a high-end amplifier or a turntable could justify this purchase, which ultimately drove average selling prices up across many audio product categories.

Record-high demand has also been seen for luxury audio products costing over $5,000 in 2020.

“The surge in vinyl consumption during lockdown has triggered a strong interest for luxury turntables, especially as wealthy individuals had more funds available to spend on ultra high-end turntables that can easily cost over $20,000,” Futuresource says.

The recently published Luxury Audio Report from Futuresource notably highlights that consumer spend on turntables costing over $5,000 was set to witness an impressive growth of 15% in 2020.

Another strong testament to this shift to premium devices is Apple venturing into high-end headphones with the AirPods Max, which retails at $549. “It demonstrates that Apple is confident that consumers are increasingly willing to pay for high-quality sound, but also for products using exquisite materials and integrating more tech features,” Futuresource says.

While 2020 provided exceptional circumstances, the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a long-term impact on consumers’ lifestyles, notably with remote working set to become more common, and with commutes and business travel also expected to reduce. The post-COVID world is likely to be more home focused, creating more opportunities for consumers to listen to music and watch movies at home, which will ultimately place a stronger emphasis on the quality of home audio products.

Futuresource, consequently, anticipates this trend to drive long-term growth for high-end audio products, especially as consumers who have experienced high audio quality are usually more likely to upgrade to perfect their listening experience or access the latest tech features.

LOS ANGELES — Streamland Media, formerly Picture Head Holdings LLC, has entered into an agreement to acquire the Technicolor Post business.

The acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is backed by Trive Capital and Five Crowns Capital and is expected to close in the first half of 2021.

Streamland Media operates through integrated business units around the globe, including industry leaders Picture Shop, Formosa Group, Ghost VFX, Picture Head, The Farm Group, and Finalé Post.

These distinct businesses support feature film, episodic, interactive and emerging forms of entertainment by providing customized products for use in picture and sound finishing, visual effects and marketing.

The Technicolor Post business will be merged into Streamland Media’s existing portfolio of businesses. There will be no interruption to Technicolor Post’s clients during this integration, and all employees dedicated to Technicolor Post will be part of this transaction.

“The strategic sale of Technicolor Post is part of our long-term vision for Technicolor Production Services to focus on VFX and animation for the entertainment industry, and creative services and technologies for the advertising industry, which provide the maximum value to our clients,” said Technicolor CEO Richard Moat. “We will continue to focus on these core areas through our award-winning creative studios The Mill, MPC, Mr. X and Mikros Animation.”

 

Quintech Electronics & Communications Inc., an Evertz company focused on the design and manufacture of RF matrix switches for broadcasters, satellite, and broadband networks, says the XTREME-256 matrix switch is certified for use in METs WGS Terminals.

The XTREME-256 was certified by Aberdeen Proving Grounds to operate in the AN/GSC-52B Modernization of Enterprise Terminal (MET) Ka and X band Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) stations.

The MET station with the XTREME-256 matrix was tested and certified by the U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command (ARSTRAT) as compliant with MIL-STD-188-164BCN1 standard for operation with wideband satellites for both uplinks and downlinks.

“These product lines have built-in local control that runs concurrently with the standard Web browser, SNMP, and API over TCP remote controls,” says Keith Blystone, Quintech Electronics’ Government Account Director. “The XTREME input and output gain controls made aligning the terminal for varying cable lengths much faster, resulting in quicker installation times and time to operation.”

The WorldDAB Automotive Working Group has a new chairman, Martin Koch, who succeeds Laurence Harrison.

Koch is head of development entertainment and car functions at Volkswagen Car SW.Org Wolfsburg AG.

The Automotive Working Group “brings together radio broadcasters and auto makers to collaborate on improving the DAB+ digital radio experience for drivers.”

Among its projects are to create guidelines on implementing DAB+ features; encourage enhancements to the in-car user experience for DAB+ and hybrid radio; and expand the group’s focus to cover the DAB+ user experience via voice control.

[Related: “Metadata, Keeping Radio Strong in the Car”]

In a statement released by WorldDAB, Koch was quoted: “As cars become increasingly connected, we need to ensure that drivers have access to a complete multimedia experience that combines a great user interface, rich content, and more importantly, a truly hybrid experience that offers seamless transition between broadcast, IP and on-demand.”

Harrison, director of automotive partnerships at UK Radioplayer, has chaired the WorldDAB’s automotive group since 2015. During his tenure, the AWG produced industry guidelines on the best user interface for in-car digital radios, made advances in enhanced antenna and network performance and increased broadcaster awareness of the importance of metadata for radio in the car.

[Related: “Assembly Highlights Advances in WorldDAB”]

Also announced: Gregor Pötzsch, product owner DAB at Volkswagen Car SW.Org Wolfsburg AG, will chair a sub-group of the Automotive Working Group that is focused on enhancing the in-car digital radio user experience.

 

The post Koch Will Head WorldDAB Auto Working Group appeared first on Radio World.

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Many radio pros know the Ross Video name mostly from the large hard-to-miss NAB Show booth, often posted near the entrance of the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention center. No radio thingies to see there.

No longer! Ross Video has teamed up with audio processing technology and equipment maker Orban to launch the Radio and Streaming Audio Processor for IP and AES67 digital audio networks. It includes HD Radio applications.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

Built around Orban’s OptiCloud along with Nielsen Watermarking, Dolby AC-3 Dolby Loudness Levelling technologies, the rackmounted hardware-based processor features two-band AGC, five-band compressor/limiter, a three-band parametric EQ, phase corrector, phase enhancer, bass EQ and limiter, downward expander, stereo synthesizer, Orban OPTIMOD loudness control, loudness control and 50 custom presets along with unlimited user presets.

Orban’s Mike Pappas said, “The broadcast community, including radio, is moving steadily toward software-based solutions for the broadcast air chain. The new softGear platform from Ross, which incorporates next-generation Orban processing along with Nielsen audio watermark encoding and Dolby audio, brings powerful tools to radio broadcasters. It’s available now – we have a launch customer who has ordered hundreds of channels — and the platform is backed by Ross’ 24/7/365 worldwide support.”

There will be a webinar discussing this Jan. 26, 11 a.m. EST. Info can be found at www.rossvideo.com/live.

 

The post Ross Video Teams With Orban for Radio Venture appeared first on Radio World.

WRHU at Hofstra University on Long Island has been chosen by the Academy of Radio Arts and Sciences of America to receive the 2021 World Radio Day Award.

“The honor commemorates World Radio Day, established by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) and celebrated annually on Feb. 13,” the organization said in a press release.

“For this year’s award, the jury has highlighted the work done during the coronavirus pandemic, in light of UNESCO’s theme for the World Radio Day 2021 celebration, which is ‘New World, New Radio,’ in the sense that radio is a medium for resilience of our society.”

The award honors a U.S. station that exemplifies the best attributes of the radio industry. Recipients may be large or small, commercial or noncommercial, located in any market, and broadcasting in any language. The jury looks for stations that demonstrate ideals of localism, audience reach, community service, effective use of new digital platforms, diversity in program content and staffing, and financial and ratings success.

Jurors included representatives of Fletcher Heald & Hildreth, Radio Ink, The Weiss Agency, Talkers magazine, the New Jersey Broadcasters Association, McVay Media Consulting, Entercom and Radio World, which was represented by Editor in Chief Paul McLane.

WRHU is the first student-run station to receive this honor. The award was conceived by the Spanish Radio Academy to spread awareness of World Radio Day globally. The first U.S. recipient, named last year, was WTOP in Washington.

Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, saluted WRHU and its managers and staff “for carrying on their work throughout the pandemic and providing vital information to the community.” The station’s past honors have included three Marconi Awards from the National Association of Broadcasters.

The post WRHU Receives World Radio Day Award 2021 appeared first on Radio World.

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.

An image from the Xperi website.

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.

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