Media Info Bureau

Progress in "Advanced TV" and the industry's commitment to new methods that will improve interactivity and the viewer experience will help with the ascent of local video advertising in 2018. That's the key bullet point offered in a new BIA/Kelsey report on the progress and trajectory of linear TV platforms including automated TV, programmatic TV, addressable TV, OTT, Smart TV, Connected TV, and — with the recent FCC approval — of Next-Gen local TV standards, ATSC 3.0.

For their Alternative FCC Compliance Inspection tours, hundreds of Radio and TV Public Inspection Files have been prepped, from scratch, by Ken Benner and his wife, Karen —potentially saving millions of dollars in fines and legal expenses for broadcast licensees. In her honor, Ken shares a published newspaper column he wrote back in June of 1988 that contains great advice for 2020.

Don't mistake this column for a grumble session from our octogenarian Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP) pioneer. Rather, he's come to praise the current Commission leadership, not bury it with a spoonful of grumbling goulash. 

Over recent years, smartphone innovation has slowed. Developments from major vendors have trickled in, with refinement of functionality being brought to handsets, rather than leaps of innovation. Smartphones have no sign of disappearing; they remain one of the most widely used devices. However, there is certainly a lull in terms of market growth and buzz surrounding the products. What does this mean for broadcast media, given the voluntary rollout of the Next Gen broadcast TV standard and the push for FM chips in all smartphones, including those running on iOS systems? 

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, many small market and independently owned radio stations struggled to stay on the air. Now, it's even more of a worry. Yet, columnist Ken Benner says some tiny AMs and FMs are doing "remarkably well." Why? They continue to focus on the one thing radio has always done best.

As traditional cable and satellite providers struggle to retain customers in the highly competitive and increasingly fragmented streaming media ecosystem, Black audiences, largely known as loyal cable and satellite television customers, are increasingly opting to cut the cord.

There is no such thing as a 100% compliant radio or TV station. Sadly, disgruntled just-fired employees are part of the equation

Customer experience expert Joseph Michelli tells managers what to look for before clients walk.

When it comes to making a deal happen, most buyers will use a cash flow multiple as an important element in valuing a station — and will rely on the seller's accounting records to make the calculation. But, what if your financial records are, quite frankly, a haphazard mess?

Back in 2002, Ken Benner stumbled upon "MM Docket No. 98-204." He recalls, "It was the most disturbing item I had ever seen in my life."

If you were to scribe a letter to the head of the Federal Communications Commission, asking Ajit Pai to consider some of the top issues facing your broadcaster TV or radio stations, what would you ask? Look no further than the following letter addressed to Pai, sent by our own Media Information Bureau featured columnist and Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP) guru Ken Benner.

Mike DeLier recalls a friend and broadcaster who survived a Japanese POW camp during WWII.

RBR + TVBR speaks with Christopher Miller on his family company and their "electronic real estate" philosophy