Legacy

There's yet another squabble over retransmission fee deals that's unfolded, and this one involves the two television stations owned by Dispatch Broadcast Group — the Columbus, Ohio-based operation run by the Wolfe family since 1929.

Artificial intelligence in the cloud is now available for media companies that wish to extract new value from their video and audio content. That’s thanks to the roll out by Quantum Corp. of aiWARE for Xcellis, described as “an on-premise and cloud version” of the artificial intelligence (AI) platform from Veritone.

U.S. financial markets finished mid-week trading on an up-note, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average improved 27.06, to 21,892.43 and the Nasdaq composite index grew by 66.42 points, to 6,368.31. Among the big movers involved in broadcast media was Veritone, which reached a new post-IPO high with a very healthy gain.

Air checks are a standard yet critical tool in the radio industry. Whether for campaign verification or programming evaluation, the air check process has not changed very much in the last 50 years. Now, thanks to "AI," the radio industry has an advantage at its fingertips. A free webinar on Tuesday afternoon promises to share all of the details.  

The FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has announced the activation of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) in response to Hurricane Harvey, which is bearing down on the Texas Gulf Coast — with the greatest potential impact initially thought to be in the Corpus Christi area. As of Monday morning, untold devastation is being seen across Houston — with an end not expected for another 48-72 hours.

MultiDyne Fiber Optic Solutions has amplified its audio strategy with the integration of Dante Audio over IP networking from Audinate into its range of openGear solutions for modular, high-density fiber transport and signal conversion.

Broadcast industry player and custom fiber solutions firm Joseph Electronics has upped SVP John Cleary to President. He will be responsible for supervising the company's day-to-day operations and takes over the position from company owner Yohay Hahamy, who will continue as CEO.

This ain't your parents automation tools. As broadcasters transition to more IP workflows and virtualized environments, ENCO is introducing new software-defined tools to its TV and radio automation systems that the company says "will amplify production value while reducing operational burdens."

A company known across the broadcast media landscape for its purpose-engineered antennas and RF systems for TV and radio broadcasters is just weeks away from christening a new 33,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Lewiston, Maine, some 25 miles north of company headquarters. 

Have an LG-branded Android-powered smartphone? Your next model will have an enabled FM chip, allowing you to use the data-free version of the TagStation LLC-owned NextRadio app.

A primo FM translator located atop the Aon Tower in downtown Chicago, beaming a highly directional signal to the affluent north and west side of the Windy City, is being snapped up by Educational Media Foundation — and not the originally planned owner for which Chris Devine is a consultant.

The FCC on Thursday adopted a hearing designation order pertaining to an FM radio station in north-central Michigan to determine whether the station's license renewal application should be granted. The station has operated just one day a year since it was initially licensed in 2010, most recently on Oct. 17, 2016. It's owned by Radioactive LLC, led by the flamboyant former CEO of Tribune Co., Clear Channel and Jacor Communications.

In addition to the nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel and Brendan Carr to serve as Commissioners on the FCC, Chairman Ajit Pai awaits a confirmation by the U.S. Senate. That's because President Trump has nominated Pai to serve another term at the Commission, which supersedes his ascension to the chairmanship. While noting that over the past several years "you have come to know me and where I stand," he shared several perspectives from outside the Beltway, and noted that the stories of many "stay with me." In short, " they fuel my passion to help deliver digital opportunity to all Americans and advance the public interest."

A March 8 House Communications and Technology Subcommittee oversight hearing of the FCC was scrubbed, as it was scheduled just hours after a similar hearing conducted by the Senate Commerce Committee. It has yet to be rescheduled, despite assurances it would be held by the end of July. Now, Democratic leaders are pressing hard for a date.

Over the holiday weekend, Bloomberg Radio was broadcasting from Boston Beasley stations 106.1FM, WRCA 1330 AM, and 92.9/WBOS-FM HD2. The company plans to continue to broadcast on WXKS 1200AM/94.5FM-HD2 for the next few months. Beasley Media Boston Vice President and Market Manager Mary Menna said, “We’re excited to partner with a global news and business leader of Bloomberg’s magnitude. This unique programming underscores the company’s commitment to providing our listeners with the very best content and complements our five existing music brands in Boston.”