• [Radio World] FCC Will Consider Franken FMs in June (1/2)

    From Radio World via rec.radio.info Admi@21:1/5 to All on Wed May 18 11:36:36 2022
    XPost: alt.radio.broadcasting

    Radio World

    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    FCC Will Consider Franken FMs in June

    Posted: 17 May 2022 01:49 PM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/fcc-will-consider-franken-fms-in-june


    Franken FM is on the agenda at the FCC.

    Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has released a list of topics for the commission’s June meeting and FM6 is on it.

    “We’re asking about preserving established local programming for radio audiences,” she wrote.

    “For years, some low-power television stations licensed on Channel 6 have provided listeners local radio programming that was picked up on the FM
    dial, so-called FM6 stations. These stations sought to maintain this
    service to their existing audiences after the LPTV digital transition by seeking commission approval to provide their analog radio service as ‘ancillary or supplementary services.’”

    Rosenworcel said the commission will consider a proposal to allow these broadcasters to continue their existing FM6 radio service, “provided that they meet certain conditions, including interference protection and the provision of a synchronous TV service to consumers.”

    The Educational Media Foundation has been among those pressing the FCC for approval and clarification on policies around FM6 stations.

    Radio World contributor James ONeal has an ongoing series of articles on
    these stations; the first provided an overview, the second focuses on the
    tech behind the stations in the era of ATSC 3.0.

    The post FCC Will Consider Franken FMs in June appeared first on Radio
    World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Letters: Shortwave, NextGen TV and the Value of Encouragement

    Posted: 17 May 2022 10:05 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/readers-forum/letters-shortwave-nextgen-tv-and-the-value-of-encouragement


    Below is a sampling of recent letters to the editor of Radio World. Find
    more on the Reader’s Forum page. Letters are invited by email to radioworld@futurenet.com.

    Failings of Shortwave Today

    Regarding “Shortwave Radios Keep Up With Tech” by James Careless, originally published in late 2021:

    If I were to spend money on a radio receiver — and expected more than just Reverend Send More Money and WWV — I wouldn’t buy any of the receivers suggested by the author, nor would I expect them to receive anything
    reliably without a good antenna.

    The Laws of Physics are written in stone.

    Most commercial Chinese-made products — high-voltage neon transformers, automatic meter readers, plasma televisions, switch mode power supplies — make noise in all parts of the spectrum. This makes it almost impossible to listen to most of the content still available.

    The cheapest entry-level option is to use an online remote receiver such as WebSDR.

    Most new shortwave listeners tire of the lack of content, and the radio
    becomes a novelty. 

    Amateur radio may appeal to anyone in broadcasting, since you can both talk and listen, exchanging your opinions and your knowledge with people all
    over the world. There is no code, the exam is cheap or free (e.g. The
    Laurel VEC), and it gives you free bandwidth to experiment with radio and antenna designs.

    Jerry Bosak, W3DO



    Why Bother With NextGen TV? 

    I think Fred Baumgartner’s article “NextGen TV Is Tapping Us on the Shoulder” misses a very important point: Why bother?

    While he argues that ancient modulation on the MW band and even FM on the
    VHF band cannot compete with ATSC 3.0 on the UHF band for OTA distribution
    for most of the global audience, he forgets that wireless transmission in general is passe except for time spent in motion, commuting, etc. Fiber to
    the home is rapidly replacing copper circuits of all types and is far more reliable than any OTA signal.

    Do we need ATSC 3.0 to reach commuters? Nope. Sure, we could use its data formats with 5G OTA, but that’s really optional. Once you have an IP connection, any data format will work. ATSC 3.0 TV transmission, even synchronous repeaters, pales in comparison with cellular carriers, who will
    be providing thousands of cell sites in any one community.

    If you look at rural areas, especially those with very hilly or mountainous terrain, OTA remains highly challenged. And that includes 5G cellular
    service. But many of these same areas are being rewired with fiber.

    So, for that magnificent 8K TV screen, fiber will likely rule. Do the kids
    in the family van really need 8K for the 24-inch screen built into the backrests of the seats in front of them?

    In the world of Internet of Things, will traditional TV license holders
    matter? Nope. These devices require two-way connectivity. Only the wireless carriers are in a position to expand and prosper. And at home, the bits can
    be uplinked more efficiently with wireless modems connected to the world
    via fiber than 5G.

    Ira Wilner

    The author is chief engineer of Monadnock Broadcasting Group and Saga Communications. Opinions are his own.

     

    Early Encouragement Matters

    Thanks for the article “John Warner Dies, Was Respected AM Engineer.” 

    From the replies I saw, he was well respected in the radio industry.

    I am amazed that as a youngster he received a telephone pole for his
    birthday to receive radio signals, and that he experimented with curtain
    array antennas, stuff that international shortwave broadcasters used to
    target their audiences overseas. 

    I am a little jealous, as my father didn’t encourage my interest of electronics and radio when I was growing up. It shows that the father
    believed in his son and his possible future, hence his success in AM radio engineering. I got along fine in my career in telecom, but wish I’d gotten that extra attention when I was younger and curious. Good for Mr. Warner.
    He made it.

    Dan Ramos

    [Check Out More Letters at Radio World’s Reader’s Forum Section]

    The post Letters: Shortwave, NextGen TV and the Value of Encouragement
    appeared first on Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Stingray Will Deploy MaxxCasting

    Posted: 17 May 2022 08:41 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/global/stingray-will-deploy-maxxcasting


    From our Who’s Buying What page: Canadian broadcaster Stingray plans to use MaxxCasting systems from GeoBroadcast Solutions to reach listeners in
    outlying suburbs of its radio markets.

    These will be the first Canadian deployments for MaxxCasting.

    Stingray operates approximately 100 radio stations in that country. GBS
    quoted Stingray Engineering Director Chris Maclaurin saying, “Our biggest challenge has been broadcasting into areas within the predicted contour
    that the signal wasn’t covering.”
    A few logos of Stingray stations

    He said engineering consultants Octave Communications proposed that the company use the MaxxCasting solution.

    MaxxCasting uses a combination radio and cellular technology to enable FM stations to enhance their signals with the deployment of a cluster of low, directionalized synchronized booster sites. 

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

    The post Stingray Will Deploy MaxxCasting appeared first on Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Tieline, MaxxKonnect Will Partner in U.S.

    Posted: 17 May 2022 08:20 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/tieline-maxxkonnect-will-partner-in-u-s


    Codec manufacturer Tieline has named the MaxxKonnect Group as a new distribution partner in the United States.

    Tieline’s codecs are used for remote broadcast, STL and audio distribution.

    Doug Ferber, VP Sales Americas for Tieline, said, “There are obvious synergies between Tieline codecs and the prioritized, high-speed LTE
    internet service MaxxKonnect provides for broadcast applications.”

    Josh Bohn is president and CEO of MaxxKonnect, which offers broadcast
    equipment integration and turnkey services, prioritized cellular
    connectivity solutions and equipment sales.


    Tieline and MaxxKonnect team members are shown at the recent NAB Show.

    The companies said the announcement means MaxxKonnect can provide
    integrated solutions for engineers requiring Tieline codecs with QoS
    cellular connectivity in a range of remote broadcast and transmitter site applications.

    [Visit Radio World’s News and Business Page]

    The post Tieline, MaxxKonnect Will Partner in U.S. appeared first on Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Saelig Has New Aim-TTi Handheld RF Analyzers

    Posted: 17 May 2022 08:03 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/saelig-has-new-aim-tti-handheld-rf-analyzers


    Saelig Company is offering U.S. customers a fresh line of handheld RF
    spectrum analyzers, the Aim-TTi PSA Series 3.

    It highlights them as versatile and easy to use, with touchscreen functions
    and long battery life. They come in a rugged case with removable sunscreen/screen protector.

    “Available in 1.3 GHz and 2.7 GHz versions, these new instruments are
    small, portable and have long battery life with improvements over the
    previous Series 2 instruments, even rivalling more expensive handheld RF products,” the company says.

    Prices range from $1,425 to $1,925.

    “Improvements include a lower noise floor for increased sensitivity, a new frequency counter, additional RMS, Sample and Average detector modes, and
    RBW selectable down to 300 Hz,” Saelig says.

    The PSA Series 3 PSA1303 has a frequency range of 1 MHz to 133 GHz, while
    the PSA2703 operates up to 2.7 GHz, both offering a noise floor as low as – 115 dBm and a dynamic range of 84 dB. 

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

    Features include sweep modes (continuous, single, peak hold and sweep
    average), AM/FM audio demodulation with built-in speaker, and data logging
    for traces, data points or screen images. Plus, storage for 10,000 entries
    per file triggered from a key press, internal timer, external trigger or
    the limits comparator. 

    Traces or complete screen images can be saved to file and compensation
    tables for antennae or other external transducers can be created and
    loaded. USB host and device connectors allow the use of USB Flash drives or direct connection to a PC. Control is by touch-screen soft keys in a hierarchical menu system that gives access to menu functions. Additional
    hard keys are provided for marker movement and short cuts to all major functions.

    The manufacturer Aim-TTi is based in Europe; Saelig Company is the U.S. technical distributor.

    The post Saelig Has New Aim-TTi Handheld RF Analyzers appeared first on
    Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    FCC Releases April Call Sign Actions

    Posted: 17 May 2022 07:42 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/fcc-releases-april-call-sign-actions


    In Seattle in April, iHeartMedia moved the call letters KJR-FM to its 93.3
    FM frequency. The station at that dial position formerly had been called KUBE(FM), while the station that had been using the KJR-FM call sign has changed to KJEB(FM). 

    In Oil City, Pa., the EMF station that had been WKQW-FM is now WLOQ(FM). 

    In Newport, Wash., station KZIU-FM, licensed to Growing Christian
    Foundation, is now KJYR(FM).

    These are a few samples from the latest FCC Media Bureau Call Sign Actions report. It is available for your perusal online.

    [See Our Business and Law Page]

    The post FCC Releases April Call Sign Actions appeared first on Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Audacy Trumpets "AudioX Super Listeners"

    Posted: 16 May 2022 02:21 PM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/programming-and-sales/audacy-trumpets-audiox-super-listeners


    What is an AudioX super listener? Someone who consumes audio “ravenously” across broadcast and podcasting platforms. 

    So says Audacy, which believes it is outperforming other audio media
    companies with that group of listeners.

    Audacy released its second “State of Audio” e-book, featuring “insights relevant to the listeners, creators and advertisers revolutionizing audio.”

    Under the header “Move over, P1s,” the report states: “Listeners who jump from radio to podcasts and back throughout the day are blossoming into a valuable super-listener audience: the AudioX Listener. These listeners come
    for the connection and the content (every bit of it, even listening fully through ads). They tune in for more hours per week. Their trust is
    sky-high. And they are ready for brand messages.”

    Audacy says these folks skew younger, are financially comfortable and are
    well educated. And the company says it outperforms Spotify, iHeart and
    Pandora on an index of AudioX listeners to average U.S. adults.

    The Audacy audio ebooks aim to raise awareness about audio in general and soften the ground for Audacy’s sales pitch as an audio platform provider in particular. The content will be of interest to anyone involved in managing
    or selling OTA or online audio.

    Among data points in the report:

    Audio revenue outpaced video in 2021. Audacy cited the IAB Advertising
    Revenue Report showing that audio streaming revenue is up +59% year over
    year, while audio streaming growth is outpacing investments in video,
    social and search.
    Audio usage has eclipsed TV, including CTV, it said.
    “Audio reaches everyone, with 99% of U.S. adults reporting using audio monthly,” Audacy wrote, citing Nielsen data, “and thats more than the total use of TV, including connected devices.”
    Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to stream audio than video, it said, based on MRI Simmons data.
    Time spent listening on AM/FM streaming and podcast content has increased
    +64% from 2015 to Q1 2022, it said, based on Edison Research data.


    The ebook is free to download.

    The post Audacy Trumpets “AudioX Super Listeners” appeared first on Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    LoCurto Named to NPR Programming Role

    Posted: 16 May 2022 02:07 PM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/people-news/locurto-named-to-npr-programming-role


    Sal LoCurto will join NPR in June as its new senior director, broadcast programming strategy.

    LoCurto, who will be based in Los Angeles, will work with NPR divisions on broadcast initiatives and support partnerships with external broadcast and podcast producers; he also will lead a team devoted to supporting NPR
    Network initiatives.

    “He will also help to build clear and systematic communication channels
    with our partners, in collaboration with our Member Partnership team,”
    wrote Senior Vice President for Programming and Audience Development Anya Grundmann.

    He succeeds Steve Nelson, senior director of programming, who left NPR last year.

    [Visit Radio World’s People News Page]

    In a memo to staff, Grundmann said LoCurto was chosen after a national
    search. She described him as “an experienced media professional … [who will] help drive the strategic direction of our broadcast programming
    (beyond the newsmagazines) and to oversee our relationship with external program producers.”

    LoCurto most recently was program director for KPCC in Pasadena, Calif. 

    “Over his career, Sal has demonstrated a keen eye for strategy in broadcast and for developing content for Black and Latino audiences,” Grundmann continued. 

    “As senior vice president for program development and original series at
    fuse TV, Sal created a strategic roadmap for the networks content
    development targeting younger demographics, oversaw the production of
    pilots and series across many genres, and supported noteworthy series such as The Hustle and Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce.”

    He has been a media consultant and vice president of programming for Rave
    HD at the network and held positions at Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and
    MTV Networks.

    The post LoCurto Named to NPR Programming Role appeared first on Radio
    World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    TechSurvey 2022: Pandemic Drives Down Radio Listening

    Posted: 16 May 2022 01:50 PM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/programming-and-sales/techsurvey-2022-pandemic-drives-down-radio-listening


    COVID could have a lasting impact on radio listening habits. The latest TechSurvey from Jacobs Media offers a glimpse at how shifting radio
    listening patterns developed during the pandemic have affected radio broadcasters.

    A key finding from TechSurvey 2022 shows that 12% of core radio users say
    they are listening to broadcast radio less in the last year, mostly because they spend less time in the car. 

    TechSurvey respondents typically list items like “too many commercials” and “repetitive music” as top reasons they listen less to the radio, but things have changed the past several years, according to the latest survey’s results.

    “Since COVID, listening less in the car and lifestyle changes are the top reasons people are listening less to the radio,” said Fred Jacobs,
    president of Jacobs Media.

    Jacobs appeared on the TS 2022 webinar last week and said those lifestyle changes range from working from home − certainly a new option for many − and quitting a job to changing work habits and evolving family obligations.
    All can impact the amount of time spent listening to the radio, he said.

    The highest percent of survey respondents saying they are spending less
    time in the car are women, Millennials and Baby Boomers, Jacobs said.


    The good news is the number of those surveyed who said they listen to less radio because they are in the car less often dipped in the most recent TechSurvey to 50% from a high of 71% in 2021, Jacobs said. 

    Those core 31,000 radio listeners that participated in TS 2022 mostly agree they have a stronger connection to their P1 station since COVID. About 37%
    say they strongly agree with that assertion, while 39% agree and 18%
    remained neutral.

    “In a strange sort of way, some radio stations have actually benefitted
    from COVID in terms of making that closer connection to their audience when they needed it most,” Jacobs said. 

    The Jacobs’ survey data shows the number those who strongly agree remained
    at 37% for a second year and more women than men have that opinion.


    Perhaps even more intriguing is radio’s hold on those core listeners who connect to radio’s “local orientation” during the pandemic. Except for Gen
    Z, radio’s local edge grew or maintained its edge when it comes to the question of local.    

    “Overall, the local piece turns out to be a very important factor here,” Jacobs says. 

    The “agree or disagree question” ranked a high of 49% of those who “strongly agree” the past two surveys. The male/female breakdown is about a wash, Jacobs says, but the strong numbers for Millennials, Gen X and
    Boomers are noteworthy.  


    Jacobs goes on to explain the TS 2022’s Net Promoter scores, which measure whether a person would be likely to recommend a particular station to a
    friend or family member. A snapshot of the data since the very first
    TechSurvey in 2005 seems to reflect a slowly growing positive trend. In
    fact, the two best Net Promoter scores for commercial radio have come the
    past two years, he said.  

    “Radio’s word-of-mouth numbers are holding strong,” Jacobs said, “led by
    Christian radio and Public radio formatted stations.” 



    This is the third in a series of stories examining the results from TechSurvey 2022. Click here to read part two.


    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 TechSurvey 2022: Pandemic Drives Down Radio Listening appeared
    first on Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Inside the May 11, 2022 Issue of Radio World

    Posted: 16 May 2022 01:17 PM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/resource-center/digital-editions/inside-the-may-11-2022-issue-of-radio-world


    For 45 years, Radio World has been a companion and career resource for
    radio engineers and managers who deploy technology to advance their organizational goals. Here’s your latest issue.

    What one attendee smilingly called “NAB Lite” marked a return to in-person spring shows. The mood was upbeat, as seen in our photo coverage.

    Also, Buyers Guide looks at tools for visual radio, with offerings from Broadcast Pix, WinMedia, MultiCAM Systems, Sprite Media, Comrex, Broadcast Bionics, OmniPlayer, NewTek and AEQ.

    Read it here.

    The post Inside the May 11, 2022 Issue of Radio World appeared first on
    Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Philadelphia Public Safety Department Turns Off Its 5 LPFMs

    Posted: 16 May 2022 11:53 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/philadelphia-public-safety-department-cancels-its-5-lpfms


    The Montgomery County Department of Public Safety has permanently turned
    off its five low-power FM radio stations in Philadelphia. According to
    reports from WHYY, these LPFMs were turned off March 7 after the county submitted a request to the Federal Communications Commission relinquishing
    its licenses.

    Included are the county’s licenses for WRDY, WEMA, WEMZ, WEMK and WEMQ.

    WHYY reported that, while the county applied for these licenses in 2013
    with the intent of using the stations for in-time emergency preparedness alerts, instead, those stations ended up running 12-minute loops of 24/7
    public service announcements.

    County officials told WHYY that the five stations only reached about 80% of
    the community, and that it proved difficult to update each station every
    time they needed to send an emergency alert. Advertising five different stations to Montgomery County’s residents also proved difficult, which is
    why the county opted for generic PSAs, according to WHYY.

    These PSAs included everything from messages on fire and severe weather
    safety to COVID-19 information. All this in addition to the county’s other in-time emergency messaging systems.

    [Related: A Look at the Strange, Unique and Compelling World of LPFMs]

    WHYY said it’s not clear what the cancellation means for other community members waiting to apply for a LPFM radio station license. You can read its full report here.

    If those LPFMs do become available for other groups or organizations to
    claim, applicants will need to abide by stringent FCC requirements.

    The post Philadelphia Public Safety Department Turns Off Its 5 LPFMs
    appeared first on Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Red Apple Media Hires Frank MacKay

    Posted: 16 May 2022 08:54 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/people-news/red-apple-media-hires-frank-mackay


    To help grow its business in Long Island, broadcaster Red Apple Media has
    hired Frank MacKay.

    John Catsimatidis, chairman/CEO of Red Apple Media and 77 WABC Radio, said MacKay began his role as president of its Long Island Division last week.

    Catsimatidis purchased WLIR(FM) in 2020 to expand the reach of WABC(AM) to
    the east. WLIR is heard on 107.1.

    MacKay is known as a radio and TV interviewer and former longtime chairman
    of the Independence Party in the state of New York, a role that grew out of
    his involvement in the presidential candidacy of Ross Perot in 1992. He has written eight books and holds a master’s degree from SUNY Stony Brook.

    “Frank MacKay has longstanding knowledge of Long Island media, government, and politics, which will be an asset to this station,” Catsimatidis said in the announcement.

    [Visit Radio World’s People News Page]

    The post Red Apple Media Hires Frank MacKay appeared first on Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Germanys ARD Joins DTS AutoStage

    Posted: 16 May 2022 08:39 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/global/germanys-ard-joins-dts-autostage


    Xperi has landed another big-name broadcast partner for its DTS AutoStage platform.

    ARD, the association of regional public service broadcasters in Germany,
    will participate in DTS AutoStage, the company’s in-vehicle hybrid radio platform.

    “ARD’s public broadcasting stations, which reach more than 52 million people and represent more than 74% of all radio listening in Germany, will
    be integrated, free of charge, in the DTS AutoStage ecosystem,” the organizations announced.

    The announcement means DTS AutoStage will provide delivery of ARD
    broadcaster metadata to vehicle dashboards. Vehicles supporting the
    platform in Germany include Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS.

    Other DTS AutoStage content partnerships include the BBC, Bauer, Cumulus, Global Radio, NPO, Audacy, Beasley, Cox Media, radiko, Radio Maria and FM World.

    The announcement was made by Alexander Sasse, head of ARD Partner
    Management Audio and Voice, and Gereon Joachim, vice president, automotive sales and strategy for EMEA at Xperi, along with Joe D’Angelo, senior vice president, broadcast at Xperi. 

    Sasse was quoted saying, “Editorial control and user-simplification are important for us and we are happy that DTS AutoStage offers broadcasters
    those features while enabling a broad and consistent content delivery.”

    Xperi is promoting DTS AutoStage as a global solution for broadcasters who
    want to stay “front and center” in the dashboard. 

    [Related: “Radio’s Call to Action: DTS AutoStage”]

    The post Germany’s ARD Joins DTS AutoStage appeared first on Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Violations Lead to Limited License Renewal for Texas FM Station and
    Translator

    Posted: 16 May 2022 08:19 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/violations-lead-to-limited-license-renewal-for-texas-fm-station-and-translator


    The Federal Communications Commission moved to renew the application for a Texas FM station and translator — but only for one year, instead of the typical eight-year-term — after the station went silent for 248 days and failed to meet its online public inspection file requirements.

    When Elohim Group Corp., which is licensee of station KPYM(FM) in Matagorda
    and FM translator K286BW in Midland, applied to renew its broadcast
    license, it admitted that it had been silent since Aug. 10, 2020. It was
    also revealed that the licensee failed to comply with the FCC’s online
    public inspection file requirements as laid out by FCC Rules. 

    An informal objection was filed soon after by an individual named Albert
    Adam David, arguing that the station’s license automatically should have expired on Aug. 11, 2021, because the license never filed a request for extension of the station’s silent STA, nor did it file a notice of
    resumption of operations. 

    Elohim responded that operations did resume — on April 25, 2021 — and that it filed a notice to say that it has resumed broadcasting. According to
    Elohim, the failure to file a resumption notice earlier was an oversight
    and, technically, the station was not required to file for an extension of
    the silent STA because it resumed operations within 180 days of the STA
    letter it received from the Audio Division at the FCC. Elohim said that
    David offered no evidence to show that the station is not operating and so there is no basis for finding that its license would have automatically
    expired per the FCC Rules. 

    David replied to say that the STA letter sent by the FCC required Elohim to notify the commission when the station resumed operations. But no such resumption notice was filed until 43 days after the one-year anniversary of
    the station’s silence. David also argued that the licensee’s oversight was a willful violation and that Elohim’s defense is not valid because the station’s license should have been cancelled and the renewal application dismissed.

    But upon review of the facts, the commission found that David did not meet
    a proper burden of proof — by providing properly supported allegations of fact — that would give the commission cause to approve his opposition. 

    The FCC Rules do state that a broadcast station license will automatically expire if it is silent for a consecutive 12-month period. And David does
    not dispute that the station did resume operations prior to the expiration deadline. But he argued that the failure to file a resumption notice should
    be efficient to trigger the expiration of the license nonetheless. 

    But no such authority exists, the commission said. As a result, the
    commission denied his objection. 

    [See Our Business and Law Page]

    The commission did point out that failing to operate for long stretches of
    time is a fundamental failure to serve a station’s community of license. Renewal applications will be granted if the station has properly served the public interest and if there are no serious violations that would
    constitute a pattern of abuse. But if the licensee fails to meet that
    standard, the commission may deny the application or grant it with certain terms and conditions. 

    That is what happened to Elohim. In this case, the “licensee’s conduct falls short of that which would warrant routine license renewal,” the commission said. The station was silent for 248 days during the license
    term, a lapse that fails to meet the public service commitment that
    licensees are expected to provide. This is in addition to the failure to
    comply with online public file requirements.

    As a result, the commission found that a short-term license renewal for the station was the appropriate sanction. “We cannot find that the station
    served the public interest, convenience and necessity during the license
    term due to the extended period of non-operation,” the commission said. The commission decided to grant the station a short-term license renewal of one year, which will give the commission the opportunity to review the
    station’s public service performance as well as its compliance with FCC
    Rules and the Communications Act. 

    As part of the consent decree, the station must also put together a comprehensive compliance plan to ensure compliance with online public file rules and, after one year, submit a compliance report to the Audio Division.


    Susan Ashworth is the former editor of TV Technology and a long-time contributor to Radio World. She has served as editor-in-chief of two
    housing finance magazines and written about topics as varied as
    broadcasting, education, chess, music, sports and the connected home environment.

    The post Violations Lead to Limited License Renewal for Texas FM Station
    and Translator appeared first on Radio World.


    ///////////////////////////////////////////
    Ennals Ready for Australian Radio

    Posted: 16 May 2022 07:21 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/global/ennals-ready-for-australian-radio


    At the beginning of April 2022, Ford Ennals took up the leadership of Commercial Radio Australia, the trade group representing Australia’s commercial radio broadcasters. He previously oversaw digital television and radio rollouts in the United Kingdom.

    As CEO of CRA, Ford is responsible for managing industry codes and
    standards, regulatory matters, radio audience measurement surveys, consumer research, revenue reporting and industry innovation, including RadioApp,
    the Australian Podcast Ranker, smart speaker integration, the strategy for
    the regional rollout of DAB and the automated buying platform RadioMatrix.
    He also oversees industry brand marketing campaigns, events, and trainings.

    Radio World recently interviewed Ennals via email to learn about his
    priorities for Australian radio, as well as his thoughts on broadcasting in
    the country.

    Radio World: What are the first priorities you are focusing on as CEO of
    the CRA?

    Ford Ennals: The Australian radio sector is one of the most dynamic and advanced markets in the world. I am looking forward to building on the excellent work CRA has done supporting the commercial radio sector. Our
    primary focus is supporting our members grow commercial revenue from

    [continued in next message]

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