Industry News

The Federal Communications Commission again weighed in on a tricky and confusing situation — is it within the rules for a commercial translator to be exempt from paying commercial renewal fees if the licensee of the translator is a nonprofit?

The commission has weighed in on this issue several times in the last few weeks. In the current case, the issue was again brought to light by Triangle Access Broadcasting which objected to the renewal application being filed by Educational Media Foundation (EMF). Specifically, Triangle objected the renewal of EMF’s translator W293CM in Graysville, Ala.

[Read: FCC Rejects Call to Let Two Licenses Expire Over Nonprofit Kerfuffle]

Triangle alleged that since the EMF translator is airing commercial advertisements — which are not permitted under the FCC Rules for noncommercial educational stations (NCEs) — it hasn’t duly paid the required application and regulator fees for the translator. Triangle said since the translator is licensed to retransmit the commercial station WERC(FM), owned by IHM LLC, then EMF should not be extended the exemptions that are offered to NCEs. In short, the translator is a commercial translator, Triangle said. As a result, the Media Bureau should press EMF to pay the required commercial broadcasting fees upon its renewal or that its license should be allowed to expire.

EMF responded to say that the Triangle argument was moot. EMF said that not only is it exempt from paying regulatory fees because it is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit but asked where was this argument when it filed previous applications?

The chief of the Audio Division of the Media Bureau responded by reminding both parties that it has the authority to renew applications for those stations that serve the public interest, for those stations which have not committed any serious violations to the Communications Act of 1934 and for those stations that do not exhibit a serious pattern of abuse. The bureau also pointed the licensees to Section 8 of the act and Section 1.11 of the FCC rules that cover the process of assessing and collecting application fees as well as the exemptions that exist for some of those fees.

In this case, as in others of recent weeks, the bureau first looked to whether the primary station is NCE or commercial. In this case, Triangle is correct: the EMF translator is rebroadcasting a commercial station owned by a commercial entity. If the facts ended there, the translator would not be entitled to claim the NCE exemption.

However — and here is the crucial part — Section 1.11 of the rules also provides a separate exemption based on the nonprofit status of the licensee rather than the station. “That exemption is available to those licensees who have established their nonprofit status under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code,” wrote Albert Shuldiner, chief of the Audio Division, in its order. And the bureau confirmed that EMF is recognized as a nonprofit under IRS code. “Because nonprofit entities are exempt from regulatory fees, we conclude that EMF is not required to pay regulatory fees for the translator,” the bureau said.

As a result, the bureau agreed to renew the license for W293CM and denied the objection filed by Triangle.

 

The post Deciphering When a Commercial Station Must Pay Noncommercial Fees appeared first on Radio World.

“His career was filled with accomplishments,” begins a three-minute report that encapsulates as best as possible the life and professional career of Ted Koplar.

Koplar, whose family helped make KPLR-11 in St. Louis one of the nation’s most-viewed independent television stations, died April 4.

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Byron Allen has enjoyed considerable growth with his Entertainment Studios film studio and his recently formed Allen Media Group, which presently owns 14 broadcast TV stations. He also purchased well-regarded African American lifestyle and entertainment brand The Grio, in 2016.

With more growth very much part of Allen’s plans, his Allen Media Group arm is partnering with one of the nation’s biggest wireless services companies in hosting a Black-owned Media Summit for a yet-to-be determined day in May — right in the heart of Upfront time.

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Radio imaging company Benztown has introduced a venture called Radio Merch Shop that it says can help stations promote their brands and make money or fundraise.

The service creates and operates customized “pop-up” stores where listeners can buy station-branded products online. Offerings include face masks, T-shirts, hoodies and coffee mugs.

Benztown says that for each product sold, a station earns $5 or more.

“Radio Merch Shop builds a customized, branded online merch shop and landing page for each participating station and handles order fulfillment and inventory from start to finish,” it states.

Stations provide their logo or artwork and promote their shop on-air, on the station website and via social media.

 

The post Benztown Offers Radio Merch Shop appeared first on Radio World.

A trio of products produced and distributed by Orban Labs have received Portable People Meter (PPM) encoding certification by Nielsen.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW RBR+TVBR ON FACEBOOK!

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How to U.S. consumers currently feel about the COVID-19 recovery where they live?

Nielsen posed that question to a group of respondents, and it has the answer — along with a host of other data tied to one’s activity tied to health, schooling, employment, and transportation across the now 13-month old pandemic.

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The Hispanic television industry’s Upfront parade was once a “thing,” with lavash presentations and plenty of pomp in between five-star entertainment from the top Latin music acts of the day and open bars galore.

Then came the “total market” mantra, eliminating some unique Upfront events in Midtown Manhattan. This followed the demise of some networks, including Nuvo TV and MTV Tr3s, and COVID-19’s shift of in-person events to virtual affairs.

With early to mid-May still the Upfront window for the TV industry, an upstart Hispanic media company will offer two marketer and advertiser presentations. One is entirely focused on digital opportunities — setting this company apart from its peers.

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In February 1998, Chuck Cotton took on the role of President/GM of what was then AMFM Inc.’ Oahu-based Hawaiian radio stations.

He stayed through the company’s evolution to iHeartMedia, and was the leader of the company’s Honolulu station group in November 2020, when its top-rated Hawaiian Pop station found two of its morning show members in hot water for insensitive remarks made live on the air during a Thanksgiving fundraiser for the needy.

Cotton is now gone from KDDN-FM “Island 98.5” and iHeart’s other Hawaii radio brands. Succeeding him is a new Market President, who takes the role April 9.

Succeeding Cotton is Scott Hogle, who rises from SVP/Sales for the cluster, comprised of the aforementioned “Island 98.5,” heritage Adult Contemporary KSSK-AM & FM, Alternative KUCD-FM, News/Talk KHVH-AM, FOX Sports Radio affiliate KIKI-AM, Rhythmic Top 40 KUCD-FM “93.9 The Beat” and FM Translator “Pop! 99.1,” which is heavy on K-Pop and Asian pop music. He’ll work closely with the programming, business, and sales teams and oversee all of the station’s on‐air and digital programming as well as create new revenue opportunities. Hogle reports to iHeartMedia Markets Group Division President Tony Coles.

“Scott has been an integral part of our success in Honolulu for over 23 years,” Coles said. “His natural gift to connect and lead, his deep roots in the community, and relationships with our clients will enable Scott to build upon the incredible track record of our stations.”

Hogle, like Cotton, has been associated with the stations since 1998, just prior to AMFM Inc.’s sale to Clear Channel for $15.9 billion, consummated in October 1999. The stations entered the iHeart family via an April 1997 purchase of Patterson Broadcasting’s entire group of AM and FMs by Capstar Broadcasting Partners under Steve Hicks.

Hogle began his career in sales at WXRI-FM in Norfolk, which is today WNOH-FM.

Hogle is also the author of “PERSUADE, The 7 Empowering Laws of the SalesMaker,” and is a motivational teacher on the subjects of sales and leadership, both domestically and internationally.

“It’s a great honor to lead the A‐Team for iHeartMedia in Honolulu,” Hogle said. “Nothing is more rewarding than living in paradise and leading for a company like iHeart that embraces our local culture, community, and customers. It’s empowering for us as a team to work for the leader in the media marketplace and love what you do at the same time.”

Hogle is also heavily involved in his community, and is an Executive Board Member for Youth with a Mission. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors for the Salvation Army of Honolulu.

The iHeart statement noting Hogle’s promotion did not address Cotton’s departure after 23 years. Under Hogle’s leadership, KDDN came under fire for comments made during a charity radiothon by morning hosts “Slick Vic” Harris and “KreyZ” Oshiro, in response to a local musician’s tale of homelessness and hunger.

The situation was addressed internally, Cotton said in a statement released at the time; the hosts were fired from the “Island 98.5 Wake Up Crew.” Cotton apologized to the local Hawaiian music artist, Paula Fuga, in person.

— Additional reporting by Amber Hunt, on Maui

Curtis LeGeyt

The person who will take over as the leader of the National Association of Broadcasters in January is an experienced lobbyist with a background on the Democratic side of the political aisle.

Curtis LeGeyt is currently the chief operating officer of the NAB, having succeeded Chris Ornelas in early 2020. In 2011 he was named SVP of government relations at the association and in 2014 became SVP of public policy.

For five years he then worked as executive VP of government relations, a key lobbying post at NAB.

Key issues during that time, according to the association, included reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR), inclusion of $1 billion to reimburse stations affected by the spectrum auction repack, and passage of the Music Modernization Act.

Prior to joining NAB, he was senior counsel to Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont. According to an NAB bio, in that role he advised Leahy and the committee on intellectual property, antitrust and first amendment issues. Earlier he worked on the staff of the 2008 Obama For America presidential campaign.

Famously, current NAB President/CEO was a two-term U.S. senator and is a Republican. He is widely seen as a pragmatist who can work with both parties; but LeGeyt’s Democratic connections certainly can’t hurt with a Democrat in the White House and current slim majorities on the Hill.

The NAB in general has historically avoided partisan rhetoric and focuses its public statements on issues of media deregulation, freedom of speech and the value of free radio and TV in America.

LeGeyt also worked on antitrust litigation and merger reviews as an associate with the Howrey LLP law firm, as a management consulting associate with Putnam Associates.

He received his J.D. from Cornell University Law School and his B.A. from Providence College in quantitative economics.

The post LeGeyt Is Experienced D.C. Lobbyist appeared first on Radio World.

Gordon Smith

The Gordon Smith era at the National Association of Broadcasters will end soon, and the Curtis LeGeyt era will begin.

Smith, the president/CEO of NAB, announced he’ll “transition to an advisory and advocacy role” effective Dec. 31. That role will last until at least the end of 2024.

Chief Operating Officer Curtis LeGeyt has been named the next president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Curtis LeGeyt

In 2017, the NAB announced a contract extension for Smith’s contract through 2023, so the timing of the change is something of a surprise.

“It has been my great honor to give the lion’s roar for broadcasters – those who run into the storm, those who stand firm in chaos to hear the voice of the people, those who hold to account the powerful — and to stand with those of the fourth estate who have the hearts of public servants,” Smith stated in a press release. He also posted a video message.

Smith joined NAB as president and CEO in November 2009, succeeding David Rehr. A Republican with a business background, he was a two-term U.S. senator from Oregon who had a reputation as a political moderate and pragmatist, a reputation that he retained in his time at NAB.

LeGeyt has moved up the NAB’s lobbying and policy structure since 2011. Prior to assuming his current role as COO about a year ago, he served for five years as NAB’s executive vice president, Government Relations.

With a new Democratic administration in Washington, it probably doesn’t hurt that LeGeyt’s roots are on that side of the aisle.

Before joining NAB, LeGeyt was senior counsel to then-Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and he has donated to various Democratic candidates, according to online sites that cover campaign finance. Some in broadcasting had speculated that former broadcaster and member of Congress Greg Walden, another Republican from Oregon, might succeed Smith.

NAB Joint Board of Directors Chairman Jordan Wertlieb, president of Hearst Television, called Gordon Smith “the ultimate statesman, bringing people together from both sides of the aisle to discuss ideas, find common ground and lead NAB to success on countless fronts.”

Wertlieb said Smith will hold a special advisory role through 2024, including lobbying.

When he was in the Senate, Smith served on the Senate Commerce Committee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Finance Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee. Smith has credited his work on Commerce and as chairman of a Senate High Tech Task Force as fostering his interest in new media and new technology issues.

He also worked as an entrepreneur and attorney, directing his family company, Weston, Ore.-based Smith Frozen Foods.

Smith has written publicly about mental health and his family’s experience with suicide.

Smith had a health scare in August of 2020 from which he quickly recovered.

Issues with which the NAB has dealt during Smith’s tenure include the regulatory burdens on broadcasters when compared to “new tech” platforms; navigating the nation’s digital TV migration; lobbying against proposals to place new performance royalties on radio stations; and efforts to advocate for radio’s place in the dashboard.

The new incoming leader LeGeyt has led NAB’s legislative advocacy efforts.

NAB said his work included the permanent reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR), inclusion of $1 billion in RAY BAUM’s Act to reimburse stations impacted by the spectrum auction repack, and successful passage of the Music Modernization Act.

A list of all past NAB presidents is at bottom.

SMITH SAMPLER

Here is a sample of Radio World coverage of Gordon Smith’s tenure:

Thumbs Up for Gordon Smith (2011)

Q&A: NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith (2016)

NAB Re-ups Gordon Smith as President/CEO (2017)

Smith Salutes Broadcasters: “Right Now You Are in the Darkest Valley” (May 2020)

Gordon Smith Says Biden Won (Nov. 2020)

PAST NAB LEADERS

Here is a list of NAB’s leaders over the years:

Eugene F. McDonald 1923–1925 (founding president)

Frank W. Elliot 1925–1926

Earle C. Anthony 1926–1928

William S Hedges 1928–1930

Walter J. Damm 1930–1931

Harry Shaw 1931–1932

J. T. Ward 1932–1933

Alfred J. McCosker 1933–1935

Leo J. Fitzpatrick 1935–1936

Charles W. Myers 1936–1937

Neville Miller 1938–1944

J. Harold Ryan 1944–1945

Justin Miller 1945–1951

Harold Fellows 1951–1960

Leroy Collins 1961–1964

Vincent T. Wasilewski 1965–1982

Eddie Fritts 1982–2006

David Rehr 2006–2009

Gordon Smith 2009–2021

Curtis LeGeyt, to start Jan. 2022

The post Gordon Smith Will Step Down From NAB in December appeared first on Radio World.