Legacy

Many of the positions at a radio station have now proven to be able to work successfully on a remote basis—definitely those in sales, if the right tools, processes, and procedures are in place. How realistic is it that more people will work from home once the pandemic concludes? Laurie Kahn of Media Staffing Network shares her thoughts in this Media Information Bureau article.

The tit-for-tat between TEGNA and Standard General has reached a fever pitch, with each group attempting to use the trade press to curry favor among shareholders ahead of Thursday's pivotal annual shareholders meeting. Now, Standard General's head is being accused of improper trading of TEGNA stock. It's a new wrinkle in an escalating battle for the TV station owner.

Gray Television, through the use of technology, has allowed its operations to continue through remote operation. To fill us all in on the subject, we welcome the company’s VP of Broadcast Operations, Mike Fass, to the newest episode of the Coronavirus INFOCUS podcast. LISTEN HERE

Here's a newly upgraded product that's designed to help broadcasters understand and correlate factors that contribute to higher audience engagement. It's from Qligent, which is enhancing its second-generation cloud-based service using AI, machine learning and "big data" to mitigate content distribution matters.

Imagine covering the COVID-19 pandemic in a territory where stay-at-home rules were based on the decisions of leaders overseeing 30 different counties -- all within the viewing area of one TV station. That's how TEGNA's WFAA-8 in Dallas has been serving its viewers, as we learn in the latest episode of the RBR+TVBR Coronavirus INFOCUS Podcast. LISTEN HERE

The dividend is payable on June 18 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 4. The announcement comes as Nielsen's shares struggle to overcome a COVID-19 pandemic-fueled dip in value — the latest for a company that is down $39 a share from April 2016.

U.S. financial markets were closed Friday in observance of Good Friday. RBR+TVBR wishes you a happy Easter, and a "Chag Sameach" to our readers observing the Jewish holiday of Passover. For live stock prices during each trading day and what's seen at the Closing Bell, be sure to visit the Wall Street Report on the homepage of RBR.com.

Its transmitter facilities are in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. But, it is not a TV station in the most traditional sense, thanks to a channel-sharing agreement with another television station, a VHF facility. Now, the operator of these stations is formally grabbing its channel-sharing partner, officially creating a duopoly in the nation's biggest DMA.

With many stations short-staffed or unable to physically get into the studio, and for radio stations experiencing difficulties updating their imaging and commercial production, Sun Broadcast Group is touting its slate of services and its ability to offer help through immediate access to any station in need. 

Many small radio and TV station owners have questions as to how to best proceed on getting money in their hands, and as soon as possible. They were directly presented in a special Facebook Live discussion held Tuesday with Womble Bond Dickinson partner Stephanie Few, hosted by RBR+TVBR and Radio Ink Publisher Deborah Parenti and Radio Ink Editor-in-Chief Ed Ryan.

Nova Scotia-based Nautel has decided to conduct a virtual edition of the company’s NUG@NAB Radio Technology Forum. In lieu of a live event at the now-canceled 2020 NAB Show, the online event will take place April 29.

Ajit Pai on Monday thanked radio and television broadcasters for their tireless efforts during the coronavirus outbreak, including running PSAs on social distancing, airing educational programming to help with distance learning, expanding COVID-19 reporting, and holding fundraisers to help those who have faced financial hardship due to the virus.

On March 25, RBR+TVBR reported on Janet and Jeff Winemiller's acquisition of two LPTVs in the Savannah, Ga., market, bringing the total number of low-power stations licensed to their Lowcountry 34 to four. Now, the Winemillers have closed on the sale of a full-power TV station in Savannah. And, there is an asset swap set to commence.

With the exception of Urban One, which enjoyed a nine-cent gain to $1.20, and Emmis Communications, up a penny to $2.01, radio and TV companies were swept up in a general sell-off on Wall Street. The kickoff of the second quarter of 2020 was full of declines, as the Dow Industrials slid 4.4%.

The FCC's April Open Meeting agenda was discussed Wednesday by Chairman Ajit Pai in a blog post. While the docket is full of 5G-related items, one final item is of high interest to any radio broadcasting company with an FM signal in a market where low-power FMs have a presence, such as New Orleans.