XPost: alt.radio.broadcasting

Radio World

///////////////////////////////////////////
Who Attends a Las Vegas Trade Show During a Pandemic?

Posted: 10 Mar 2022 02:00 AM PST https://www.radioworld.com/show-news/nab-show/who-attends-a-las-vegas-trade-show-during-a-pandemic

The author leads a tour of the ATSC booth at the 2022 International CES
(Image credit: ATSC)

Triple vaxxed, masked, and fully caffeinated, we broke through the clouds
over the Nevada desert in early January not certain what would await us at
what had been the world’s largest trade show. While CES normally brings
more than 170,000 to Las Vegas, no one knew how many would venture to America’s playground in the midst of a pandemic. And while attendance was down 75% over 2020, there were still more than 45,000 people from all over
the world who did what they needed to do to reach Las Vegas for the big
show.

CES was prepared. They’d struck a deal with Abbott Laboratories to be a
show sponsor, and Abbott’s COVID rapid tests were available at badge
pickup. The show also made the decision to require proof of vaccination and
to move registration lines away from the Las Vegas Convention Center. So
that meant badge and COVID test pickup at the airport or at the big hotels.

Same experience as before, but with a mask

I usually need a rental car during large events, and the entire process of waiting for luggage, riding to the rental car facility, and finding my
wheels was easy enough — just a masked experience. Check-in at the hotel
was straightforward, and no one looked happier to see me than the
hospitality community so dependent on tourists and conventioneers.

We always arrive for CES and for the NAB Show a few days before most of the crowd, for exhibit setup. Aside from the requirements about masking and
staying socially distant, there wasn’t much change from previous years. [Since CES, Nevada has lifted its state-wide indoor mask mandate. As of
Feb. 24, the NAB Show still recommends masks for all exhibitors, attendees
and staff at the show. —eds.]
NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt (left) met up with the author during
CES. (Image credit: NAB)

While at CES, I did run into newly-minted NAB President and CEO Curtis
LeGeyt who was at the show to talk with CES exhibitors to find out why they stuck with the show, even during the rise of the omicron variant. LeGeyt
said he was pleasantly surprised at how upbeat people were — from behind a mask — and how engaged attendees were, in turn. The reaction gives him reasons for optimism about April’s NAB Show.

In short, while there were certainly fewer people in attendance, the people
who came to CES this year were very serious about business. One of my
business contacts had to get permission to attend from the Israeli
government. It took four tries, but he finally got the green light to leave (and to come back). And if there was one thing that surprised me most about
CES 2022, it was the number of international visitors who made the trip. I
had wrongly assumed that this would mostly be a show of U.S. attendees and companies.

Even the big government affairs dinner at CES was well attended. The
evening reception was held outdoors at the Wynn. Dinner was inside, and
people were seated in a socially distanced manner and truly happy just to
see each other after so much isolation.

On the show floor, while some big exhibitors put up static displays and
kept staff at home, others took a different tactic. Samsung did things the smart way, choosing to have a fully-manned and complete exhibit but
borrowing a page from Disney theme parks and controlling exhibit attendance
by assigning times for visitation. I never expected to have a “fast pass” for a CES display, but the system worked well.

Any big city has experienced disruptions in commerce because of COVID-19,
and Las Vegas is no different. The Starbucks and restaurant in the Grand
Lobby of the Convention Center had greatly reduced hours and similarly, the complimentary breakfast at our hotel was slim pickings because of the
number of cancellations and probably because of staffing issues.

Big changes in store for NAB Show

Those returning to the LVCC for the 2022 NAB Show will find some big
changes — some really big changes — in store. The biggest one is the billion dollar (with a “B”) expansion of the convention center itself. The new West Hall now stands where the Landmark Hotel was felled for the movie “Mars Attacks.” In place of the parking lots just across Paradise Road from North Hall rises the mammoth West Hall, itself looking like a UFO from
another planet. It’s a beautiful expansion of the already-enormous LVCC, linked by both a pedestrian walkway and a space-age underground
transportation network.
(Image credit: Las Vegas News Bureau)

The NAB Show will use the West Hall for the first time this year, housing pavilions like the “Future of Delivery,” “Connect Experiential Zone,” and
Futures Park. If you need your Dunkin’ fix, rather than Starbucks, you can head to West Hall’s food court.

But the big change is underground. While the rest of the world was locked
down during the pandemic, construction crews were busy finishing both the above-ground and below-grade expansions at the LVCC.

The Vegas Loop now connects, in figure-8 form, the new West Hall with a
Central Hall Plaza underground transportation station and a similar arrival station at the back of South Hall (near parking lots for cars). The Loop is powered by a network of Tesla electric cars, which are human driven and not autonomous — for now.
The Las Vegas Loop is powered by a network of Tesla electric cars, which
are human driven and not autonomous — for now. (Image credit: CTA)

This is the beginning of an underground network of bored tunnels created by Elon Musk’s Boring Company. Ascending into the subterranean world in the formerly grassy area outside Central Hall, you enter a world that looks
like the Batcave — if the Batmobile was a Tesla.

A friendly driver can whisk you to the far reaches of the convention center
in a couple of minutes — but that’s just the first step in a planned 20-mile, 50-plus station network of underground tunnels that might someday connect the airport to the LVCC and hotels in between. Expansions of the
Loop are already in the works to bring visitors to the Wynn/Encore from the LVCC (finally!) and also over to the sparkling new Resorts World complex.

Las Vegas continues to evolve and change. When the Stardust opened in 1958,
it proclaimed itself the world’s largest hotel — with more than 1,000 rooms. In its place today, the Conrad and Hilton hotels that anchor the
Resorts World complex have three times that many rooms and a ritzy shopping mall, to boot — it’s worth a visit.

The MSG (Madison Square Garden) Sphere is under construction behind the Venetian, which will someday soon seat more than 17,000 people at arena
events. The “Sands” moniker has disappeared from the convention center at the Venetian, quietly removed a few months ago.

We enjoyed some of the new sites, including a nightcap at Resorts World,
tacos at Taco El Gordo (which all of a sudden is at the heart of the revitalization of the area near the West Hall), and a visit to the near
Area 15 Entertainment Complex — an immersive art and bar scene that
includes the latest outpost from artisans at Meow Wolf. If avant garde art isn’t your thing, then maybe axe throwing or a Jules Verne-style distillery will be!

In short, bring your sense of humor along with your mask to Las Vegas. The people of Las Vegas — and the people who bring you the NAB Show — are ready to have you back.

To register for the NAB Show, April 23-27 in Las Vegas, visit http://nabshow.com/2022/.

Dave Arland is president of Arland Communications and executive director of
the Indiana Broadcasters Association.

The post Who Attends a Las Vegas Trade Show During a Pandemic? appeared
first on Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
PILOT Announces Innovation Challenge Winners

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 02:05 PM PST https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/pilot-announces-innovation-challenge-winners


A web-based tool that allows newsrooms to search transcripts of local government meetings is one of the winners of the 2022 PILOT Innovation Challenge.

The National Association of Broadcasters announced the recipients of its contest on Mar. 8, 2022.

“Minutes,” created by Michigan Radio, saves time on research and gives reporters the ability to create deeper, more relevant stories for
audiences, NAB wrote in the announcement.

Also relevant to radio is Blueprint CRM from Townsquare Media, a customer relationship management platform for broadcasters. It is optimized for ease
of use and has tools for prospecting, managing relationships and garnering insights.

“The vision for the Blueprint system is to combine the best technology with the unique insights and strategies developed over the past decade building
the Townsquare Media business,” NAB wrote.

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

The third winner is Spalk’s Virtual Sportscasting Studio, which NAB says allows for remote production of network-quality live sports programming. “Spalk will work with faculty and students at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University to produce high-quality, remote commentary and play-by-play to broadcast live sporting events on their channels.

This allows local broadcasters to produce COVID-19 safe, low-cost,
high-quality content which leads to expanded local sports coverage and new revenue opportunities.”

Winners will receive mentorship, feedback, travel support and exhibit space
at the NAB Show.

[For More News on the NAB Show See Our NAB Show News Page]

The judges gave honorable mentions to Teamium, a smart project resource management system for production teams, and TVadSync, a platform for broadcasters “to collect first-party ATSC 3.0 viewing data, analyze viewing behaviors and attribute advertising to business outcomes.”

The announcement was made by PILOT Executive Director John Clark.

The post PILOT Announces Innovation Challenge Winners appeared first on
Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
FCC Names 15 Tentative Winners of FM CPs

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 01:29 PM PST https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/fcc-names-15-tentative-winners-of-fm-cp


Fifteen hopefuls are an important step closer to securing construction
permits for new noncommercial educational FM stations.

The Federal Communications Commission released the results of a “threshold fair distribution analysis” of 15 groups of mutually exclusive applications from the recent filing window for new NCE FMs.

In each case, two applicants applied to serve separate communities. In each case the FCC tentatively has chosen one applicant over another after
running them through a series of checks based on service area population
data, tribal priority criteria and certain certifications from the
applicants.

What emerges is this list of 15 applicants tentatively selected for CPs:

Group 12: Community Broadcasting Inc. proposes to serve West Plains, Mo.

Group 17: Arizona Board of Regents for Benefit of University of Arizona, to serve Safford, Ariz.

Group 21: Cochise Community Radio Corp., to serve Virden, N.M.

Group 52: Ethree Group Inc., to serve Key Colony Beach, Fla.

Group 67: Elijah Radio, to serve Danville, Ga.

Group 103: Torstrick Ministries Inc., to serve Harlan, Ky.

Group 105: Christwood, to serve Covington, La.

Group 108A: Central Pennsylvania Christian Institute Inc., to serve
Greensburg, Pa.

Group 119: Smile FM, to serve Litchfield, Mich.

Group 120: Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting Inc., to serve Hutchinson. Minn.

Group 125: The Association for Community Education Inc., to serve Windsor,
Mo.

Group 148: Gallup Public Radio, to serve Zuni Pueblo, N.M.

Group 175: Missions Unlimited of Oregon, to serve Clinton, Okla.

Group 208: Remante Broadcasting Network, to serve Moroni, Utah.

Group 217: Spokane Public Radio, to serve Kettle Falls, Wash.

The FCC document spells out how it reached those tentative selections.

Petitions to deny may be filed within 30 days of the FCC’s order.

“It is our intention to grant each application if, after the 30-day
petition to deny period has run, there is no substantial and material
question concerning the grantability of the tentative selectee’s application,” the FCC wrote.

[Related: “FCC Tentatively Awards CP to Blackfeet Tribe”]

The post FCC Names 15 Tentative Winners of FM CPs appeared first on Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
U.S. Public Stations Plan Call for Peace

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 01:06 PM PST https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/programming-and-sales/u-s-public-stations-plan-call-for-peace


Much like their counterparts in Europe did on Mar. 4, public broadcasters across the U.S. are planning to play “Give Peace a Chance” simultaneously. The broadcast is planned for Mar. 11, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. EST.

The coordinated broadcast is backed by the Public Radio Program Directors Association, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters and the
VuHaus Group.

“Right up there with food, clothing, and shelter — human connection is something we can’t live without. Radio has always amplified connection, and at this moment in time, we can take action for the people of Ukraine and reinforce the connection we share as human beings,” stated NFCB CEO Sally Kane.

PRPD President/Executive Director Abby Goldstein added, “PRPD stands with
our colleagues in public radio, with all those affected by war and with the people of Ukraine at this time. Collectively, we send this message of peace
to everyone willing to listen.”

Paragon Media Strategies is making available via its website a 15-second
promo, social media playbook, and other visual and audio assets for
stations participating in the broadcast.

“This collective transmission serves to unite public radio listeners from coast to coast in a unified demonstration to support those around the world
who are affected by war, reminding all of us that we can collectively
amplify support for peace across the globe,” stated Paragon CEO Mike Henry.

The anti-war anthem “Give Peace a Chance” was originally released by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band in 1969.

The post U.S. Public Stations Plan Call for Peace appeared first on Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Broadcasters Foundation Plans Annual Breakfast at 2022 NAB Show

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 10:33 AM PST https://www.radioworld.com/show-news/nab-show/bfoamerica-plans-annual-breakfast-at-2022-nab-show


The Broadcasters Foundation of America will hold its annual Breakfast, Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00 am in the Brahms Room of the Encore Hotel
during the 2022 NAB Show, which takes place April 23-27 in Las Vegas. The Broadcasters Foundation is the only charity devoted exclusively to
providing financial aid to broadcasters in acute need from critical
illness, accident, or serious misfortune.

The Broadcasters Foundation annual breakfast is complimentary to all in broadcasting. During the Breakfast, the Broadcasters Foundation will
present the Leadership Awards to individuals in recognition of their career contributions to the broadcast industry and the community at large. In addition, the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award is bestowed on an individual whose work in broadcasting exemplifies innovation, community service, advocacy, and entrepreneurship.

[For More News on the NAB Show See Our NAB Show News Page]

Last year’s Breakfast was postponed due to the pandemic, therefore, the honorees that were previously announced in 2021 will be recognized and presented with their award at this year’s Breakfast.

The Leadership Award honorees include:

Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Media
Group
Pierre Bouvard, Chief Insights Officer, Cumulus Media
Ralph Oakley, Retired, President and Chief Executive Officer, Quincy Media Christine Travaglini, President, Katz Radio Group
Dennis Wharton, retired, Executive Vice President, Media Relations,
National Association of Broadcasters


Gordon Smith, former U.S. Senator and Special Advisor to the NAB, will
receive the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award.

This year’s sponsors are: AccuRadio, National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), National Association of Media Brokers (NAMB), Nielsen, Premiere Networks, Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB), USTrust, and vCreative.

The Breakfast is complimentary to all in broadcasting, although pre-registration is required.

For more information on the 2022 NAB Show, visit nabshow.com/2022/.

The post Broadcasters Foundation Plans Annual Breakfast at 2022 NAB Show appeared first on Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Android Automotive Project Completes First Phase

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 02:00 AM PST https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/news-makers/android-automotive-project-completes-first-phase


This story is adapted from the ebook “Radio’s Call to Action.: DTS AutoStage.”
John Clark

NAB PILOT, Xperi and several major radio companies are part of a group that
has been working to ensure that radio is integrated into Google’s
open-source Android Automotive operating system for connected cars. John
Clark, executive director of PILOT, says they are ready to pitch Google executives to make the case for broadcast radio to be supported properly in that system.

The Android Automotive OS will be a standalone system with user apps
installed directly to the car’s system — no smartphone required. (“Android
Automotive” is distinct from “Android Auto,” where the system runs on the user’s phone.)

Android Automotive OS is expected to be available in about 50% of new cars
in the next seven years. General Motors, Ford, Audi and Stellantis are
among those with plans to integrate the platform.

Clark says the goal of PILOT’s initiative is to help define what radio will look like in these dashboards and ensure that radio can benefit from the rollout.

He said Xperi is doing much of the development work. Also involved are
Beasley Media Group, iHeartMedia, Audacy, Salem Media Group, NPR and BBC.
The group also took input from Ford and Audi.

Google itself is a member of NAB PILOT, and Clark said the group has had conversations with the company throughout the process.

[Check Out More of Radio World’s Ebooks Here]

“An extensive amount of work has been done. This round of work is finished, so now it’s time to reach back out to Google,” Clark said in late 2021. He didn’t specify a timeframe but hoped the presentation could be done early this year.

The group’s work includes a recommendations document. Though specifics have not been made public, Clark says it outlines vendor extensions and other parameters that the group would want Google to incorporate into Android Automotive.

Clark says it has defined standards in broadcast radio that should be supported, like RDS, dynamic text, station logos, slide show images and multicast channels.

“I would describe this process as making sure all the services radio broadcasters have put in place are fully functional in the (Android) system itself.”

Clark says it is vital that the broadcast be a part of Android Automotive
with full functionality, which in turn will help leverage a truly hybrid experience, as envisioned by a platform like Xperi’s DTS AutoStage.

“Then folks like Xperi can begin layering in things coming over the IP connection. But to get to hybrid we have to make sure the radio broadcast
piece is there.”

How long might it take for this work to bear fruit?

“Google is probably working on a two-year implementation cycle for release
in an open source software environment — I’d say more than one year but less than three, to get things vetted, tested and hardened. You have to remember we are talking about the entire operating system for the
dashboard. So they are working through a lot of things not related to
radio. Think about voice control and the impact of that alone.”

But Clark emphasizes that time is short for radio to “bend the ear” of the big tech company. For instance, Ford says it will turn over its operating vehicle systems to Google beginning in 2023. The automaker’s deep
integration of the Android system will include voice-activated Assistant, Google Maps and other automotive approved Android apps, according to an announcement from Ford.

Clark said it is possible that NAB will be able to demonstrate what
broadcast radio in an Android Automotive OS environment could look like at
the NAB Show in April.

“We hope to showcase a radio interface on Android Automotive that takes advantage of all features of broadcast radio.”

Randy J. Stine has spent the past 40 years working in audio production and broadcast radio news. He joined Radio World in 1997 and covers new
technology and regulatory issues. He has a B.A. in journalism from Michigan State University.

The post Android Automotive Project Completes First Phase appeared first on Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Westwood One Notifies Affiliates of Move to New Satellite Receiver

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 02:04 PM PST https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/westwood-one-notifies-affiliates-of-move-to-new-satellite-receiver


According to a tech note sent to its affiliates, a swap of satellite
receivers will be necessary to continue to receive Westwood One programming. The Wegener iPump 8640

The radio network told affiliates on Monday it has selected the Wegener
iPump 8640 receiver as the new satellite delivery platform for Westwood One formats and shows, including all talk and music programming.

Radio World confirmed the letter is in the hands of at least several
Westwood One affiliates even though the radio network did not immediately
reply to questions about how many affiliates might be affected by the
change.

Westwood One stated the new Wegener i8640 receivers will be shipped to affiliates, but did not indicate in the notice when the transition will
take place.

“[The] Wegener receiver includes many improvements with the primary
advantage of standardized relays,” Westwood One stated in the notice to affiliates. “This is a big advantage as you no longer have to map different relays for the same function such as local breaks or liners. For example,
relay 1 will always be the local break for all Westwood One programming.”

The new Wegener receiver also has an isolated relay bank associated with
each audio output, Westwood One said, so no errant relays from another
audio source when programming is active at the same time on multiple
outputs.

“There are 4 audio/relay ports which can provide 24/7 programming for up to four separate stations at your location or simulcast two or more stations
from one audio/relay output. The audio quality is also dramatically improved,” the radio network stated.

For the transition, the audio connection on current XDS receivers can be
moved directly to the audio output of the Wegener receiver provided a radio station will not have non-Westwood One programming remaining on XDS.

The change also affects all affiliates currently using a Wegener i6420 receiver. “That receiver model will be upgraded to the i8640,” Westwood One told affiliates.

The radio network noted: “Your engineer will need to wire new relays to
your switcher and/or automation as there is not a way to convert your XDS mappings to the Wegener standardized relay output.”

Affiliates are asked to refer to the Westwood One technical site at technology.westwoodone.com. At the site, affiliates will find show clocks
for the Wegener (and XDS for comparison), audio/relay pinouts, ShowDirector instructions (for scheduling the Westwood One shows currently contracted)
and other critical information.

For additional technical questions, affiliates also can contact Westwood
One at 888-435-7450.

Westwood One, which is owned by Cumulus Media, says it has nearly 7,300 affiliated radio stations and media partners. It describes itself as the largest audio network in the United States.

Randy J. Stine has spent the past 40 years working in audio production and broadcast radio news. He joined Radio World in 1997 and covers new
technology and regulatory issues. He has a B.A. in journalism from Michigan State University.

The post Westwood One Notifies Affiliates of Move to New Satellite Receiver appeared first on Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Voice of Equality Launches in Iraqi Kurdistan

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 11:40 AM PST https://www.radioworld.com/global/voice-of-equality-launches-in-iraqi-kurdistan

The Voice of Equality studio (UNICEF Iraq via Twitter)

To mark International Women’s Day, Voice of Equality launched in Erbil,
Iraq, on Mar. 8, 2022, with the goal of advocating for women and adolescent girls’ well-being and empowerment.

The FM station, which broadcasts on 101.9 MHz, is run by the Kurdistan
Region of Iraq’s General Directorate for Combatting Violence Against Women (GDCVAW) and UNICEF with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

According to a UNICEF press release, Voice for Equality “will promote participatory approaches that aim to stimulate critical reflection on power
and strengthen voice and agency and also facilitate partnerships across organizations and sectors.”

The goal is to advocate for girls and women’s empowerment, as well as to address issues of gender-based violence and violence against children.

The post Voice of Equality Launches in Iraqi Kurdistan appeared first on
Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Arrakis Systems Heads to the Cloud

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 09:35 AM PST https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/arrakis-systems-heads-to-the-cloud


Arrakis Systems is introducing APEX Cloud this spring.

This optional service brings cloud functionality and enhances the company’s flagship automation, APEX.

“The key benefits of a cloud-based automation system are remote access, failsafes and backup of critical files, along with being able to share
audio between locations,” the company wrote.

“APEX Cloud does this all while utilizing the latest in security technology.”

[Related: “Exhibitor Preview: Arrakis Systems at NAB Show”]

The system allows the user to mix and match the needs of small individual operations up to large station groups.

APEX Failsafe software runs remotely in parallel with APEX automation; it
will go live if the studio goes down so the broadcaster can continue to
serve its community in emergencies.

Cloud and local automatic backup uses the Synology NAS with a 1 TB HDD
and/or a current or new cloud backup service. This assures that the station
can get back on air quickly regardless of hardware failures.

The system offers remote access setup and support for remote control of all APEX Plus/Harddisk and APEX Tools management features, with current
security protocols.

APEX Connect automated file downloading software downloads and updated
audio to your automation and moves files automatically across the user’s
LAN or VPN, such as Traffic, Music logs and reports.

The post Arrakis Systems Heads to the Cloud appeared first on Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
RTL Today Radio Deploys StudioTalk

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 09:22 AM PST https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/rtl-today-radio-deploys-studiotalk


From the Who’s Buying What page: RTL Today Radio in Luxembourg has deployed a BCE StudioTalk visual radio system.

The automated system integrates the station’s branding, synchronizes with RTL’s automation and broadcasts on its website.

“In less than three months, Broadcasting Center Europe installed the
solution in RTL Today Radio studio, including the cabling, infrastructure
and platform configuration,” the supplier wrote in the announcement.

The system includes four PTZ cameras and multiple screens. It is
synchronized with the radio automation to broadcast the music and news with
the content on the visual radio screens, in the studio and on the website. StudioTalk also triggers live shows, manages camera production with
intelligent identification of the speakers, and automatically adds the
graphic titles.

RTL Today Radio, an English-language station operated by the RTL Group,
started broadcasting on Mar. 1, 2022, four years after the affiliated English-language news website RTL Today launched.

Send news for Who’s Buying What to radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post RTL Today Radio Deploys StudioTalk appeared first on Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Pahigian Moves on From Baltimore

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 08:47 AM PST https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/people-news/pahigian-moves-on-from-baltimore

Cary Pahigian (left) and Dan Joerres

Cary Pahigian plans to step down as president and general manager of Hearst Television’s two Baltimore radio stations.

Dan Joerres will add those duties. He is president and general manager of WBAL(TV) and has worked as Pahigian’s collaborator on joint radio-TV initiatives, including Baltimore Ravens football.

“Joerres will oversee all of Hearst’s Baltimore operations: WBAL(TV), WBAL NewsRadio 1090/FM 101.5 and WIYY(FM) ‘98 ROCK’ and their associated digital properties,” the company said in its announcement.

It noted that Joerres and Pahigian have secured broadcast rights to Baltimore’s major pro sports teams including the radio rights for the Baltimore Orioles. WBAL NewsRadio 1090/FM 101.5 and 98 ROCK are the
official radio home of the Orioles, while WBAL(TV), WBAL NewsRadio 1090/FM 101.5 and 98 ROCK are the official broadcast partners to the Ravens.

Pahigian joined Hearst Television from Saga Communications, where he was president and GM of a nine-station radio group in Portland, Maine. He also
is former corporate vice president/operations at Sconnix Broadcasting,
station manager at WBZ/Boston and operations manager at WIP/Philadelphia.

He is pursuing other professional opportunities. He was quoted by the
company: “I leave Hearst with my gratitude for their support and providing
me the opportunity of a lifetime.”

The post Pahigian Moves on From Baltimore appeared first on Radio World.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Radio 555 Unites 10 Dutch Stations to Aid Ukraine

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 06:49 AM PST https://www.radioworld.com/global/dutch-radio-555-unites-10-stations-to-aid-ukraine


In response to the plight of people displaced due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 10 radio stations across the Netherlands joined their programs yesterday, Mar. 7, 2022. Presenters and reporters from competing stations teamed up for 15 hours of programming under the name Radio 555.

The goal of Radio 555 was to raise as much money as possible to support organizations providing aid to the people of Ukraine and neighboring
countries where refugees are arriving. Organizations benefiting from the fundraiser include Caritas/Cordaid, Oxfam, Red Cross, Save the Children, Stichting Vluchteling, and Unicef. Together, the stations raised some €32 million ($36 million)

Radio 555 was part of the broader Giro555 “Together in Action for Ukraine” effort, which raised more than €106.200 million (nearly $115.7 million) on Mar. 7.

Listeners were directed to the www.radio555.nl website where they could
make a donation along with a song request, and proceeds from all commercial breaks during the joint broadcast were donated to the effort.

[continued in next message]

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)