Intelligence Briefs

As featured Media Information Bureau columnist Ken Benner on February 17 prepared the first draft of this latest column, he was fielding panic calls and e-mails from frustrated broadcast licensees attempting to file their FCC biennial ownership reports after being warned of substantial fines for failing to do so. Benner attempted to access the appropriate FCC database, mimicking what these licenses had experienced. He quickly realized their frustration.

The following column from Media Information Bureau featured writer Ken Benner has been requested by at least three licensees over the past few weeks. Why? "This is apparently due to the recent requirement to place public files online." As a public service to broadcast radio and TV stations across the U.S., Benner is pleased to provide his "Handout Sheet No. 34." It could just save you hundreds of dollars in potential forfeitures, with checks made payable to the FCC.

This Media Information Bureau installment is one that featured columnist Ken Benner promises will be welcomed by all stations with FM translators. It offers two significant items of interest: a source of information to determine compliance, and a means to self-certify and, quite frankly, save a good chunk of money.

The FM translator has provided a big boost to more than one AM radio station. At the same time, the FM translator has given operators an added boost through the rebroadcast of their HD multicast stations. But, are there limitations to the placement of an FM translator? That's what our Editor-in-Chief asks.

Ask anyone in the radio industry what the biggest boost has been in the past year for audience building, and you'll likely get two responses: podcasts and Smart Speakers. It is the latter that is "bringing radio back in the home." Now, there's evidence that suggests radio broadcasters' sales coffers could further grow thanks to the nascent use of Smart Speakers as a shopping tool. For that to happen, it must take eyeballs away from the top consumer shopping aide of today -- also a radio industry must.

Are people who watch YouTube content two times or more per month more committed to TV programming than original content found on the ubiquitous user-generated video platform? A new VAB study released Thursday has some eye-opening stats your C-Suite, and sales pros, will love.

As a follow up to Deloitte’s Prediction 2019 forecast regarding the resilience of AM/FM radio, DMR/Interactive President/COO Andrew Curran engaged in a conversation with the report's author. His insights were put to words in a column penned by Curran.

"In the investing world, as in life, it is hard to change a narrative," says analyst Michael Nathanson. "For much of the past four years, the media industry has been rightly defined by declining Pay TV subscribers, falling linear TV consumption, and slowing ad spend." But, something "really unusual" is afoot.

Nielsen is touting that -- for the first time -- its quarterly Total Audience Report includes insights surrounding content discovery on streaming platforms and "the potential pitfalls these players face." It also showcases new data into the streaming and media-related landscape that are particularly topical. 

It was a record-breaking revenue year for BMI, which just concluded fiscal 2019. But, don't mistakenly believe the surge in dollars came from radio or from television. BMI's growth is largely thanks to cable and satellite services -- and digital audio services, too.

As IP networks gain a foothold within broadcasting, broadcast control systems are becoming more complex by necessity. Futuresource Consulting’s Adam Cox, an imaging and pro video analyst, shares with RBR+TVBR his take on the broadcast landscape and the rise to prominence of broadcast control solutions in IP environments.

The "Streaming Wars" have begun as more Direct-To-Consumer platforms hit the market and vie for consumer attention. But, the industry likely has questions, and a newly released Nielsen report addresses many of them.

While business has changed significantly over the last two months, one thing remains the same: the need to track behavior as customers weave their way through the buying journey. This, says our guest Media Information Bureau contributor, is an opportunity for broadcast radio and television sales leaders and their AEs.

This column was originally intended to offer commentary on what "Classic Hits" are in 2021. But, a funny thing happened along the way: full newscasts, and a lively host, to be precise. It led our editor-in-chief to pen a column about what it means to truly be live and local in an era where local news in the smallest of towns could be lacking or altogether devoid.

Our editor-in-chief's wife over the last several months has made product purchases and tried out paid services simply for learning about them from celebrities and "influencers" she follows on her Instagram feed. "Welcome to the new paradigm of advertising for the 2020s," Adam R Jacobson writes in this column. Is this bad news for radio? Not at all, and here's why.