Intelligence Briefs

The first wave of a post-pandemic survey has been commissioned, and its goal is to explore the impact that COVID-19 has had on entertainment, leisure, and lifestyle habits. It includes a special focus on changes in television services used and viewing behaviors.

At least one LPTV company is ready to go with “Broadcast Internet” service, whatever that may ultimately turn out to be. Here's what Spectrum Evolution has to say on the data side benefits of ATSC 3.0, which is powering NEXTGEN TV, courtesy of a longtime D.C. communications attorney who has formally announced his retirement.

ATSC 3.0 datacasting brings the one-to-many delivery of broadcasting to the one-to-one world of wireless connectivity, just as the Internet of Things gathers steam. This means steady, low-maintenance dividend-like revenue streams for broadcasters, and capital expenditure relief for wireless carriers.

Now that the presidential election season is heating up and California Sen. Kamala Harris is the 2020 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, it is a great time to review what lies ahead for those committed to campaigning in earnest until Election Day. To do so, RBR+TVBR is offering readers a new look at a June 2008 column from a Womble Bond Dickinson partner. 

Our Editor-in-Chief's lightbulb over the head went flashing this morning over a nice healthy breakfast. In pre-COVID times, this was a time-consuming task that led to a steep decrease in breakfast cereal sales, and the "Starbucks to go" routine. Today, a return to table dining before work is a reality -- if only advertising promoted it. Hello, Radio!

In mid-April, with the COVID-19 pandemic at full tilt, RBR+TVBR's Editor-in-Chief penned a column focused on potential news burnout. "Thankfully, there is local radio, which, at one station in Detroit, has done an exemplary job of demonstrating just how valuable it is in a time of emotional need and national emergency." Today, we revisit Cumulus Media's WDVD-FM.

"Don't allow your sales reps to engage in superficial sales conversations," says expert sales training coach Barrett Riddleberger in this Media Information Bureau installment. "Help them go deeper and expand the conversation with their prospects by giving them these powerful questions."

According to just-released data from Nielsen’s Streaming Meter, as of Q2 2020 streaming now comprises 25% of all television minutes viewed. To little surprise, Netflix is the biggest to streaming, followed by YouTube. And, TV broadcast station leaders, it's not a GenZ thing: Consumers ages 55+ now comprise 26% of all streaming minutes viewed.

The Aug. 12 edition of the MAZ video roundup contains a lead article that every broadcast TV station owner should read. With the rollout of NEXTGEN TV and its forthcoming profit-generating capabilities making headlines, this publication asserts that "82% of broadcasters believe 5G will replace traditional distribution." Gulp ...?

Interested in how not to let compliance be your media properties' greatest liability? Here's a Media Information Bureau column that's timely and insightful, from Kelly Orchard.

Changing how you think can be difficult. It's easier when you have examples of successful people to draw from. Check out these attributes of super achievers in this fresh Media Information Bureau column from expert sales training coach Barrett Riddleberger.

Disney has been "rightly rewarded" for what noted financial analyst Michael Nathanson calls its "full commitment and now stellar execution of their pivot to Direct-to-Consumer services." In contrast, despite Fox’s "solid" first year featuring 7% affiliate growth, "the company has no such narrative," Nathanson declared. Investors listened.

Two esteemed Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth attorneys on July 30 chatted with three FCC political programming experts on the specific requirements and latest developments in the FCC’s political broadcasting rules. This includes such subjects as equal time, lowest unit rates, PAC ads, BCRA, and record keeping. Here's a review of what they discussed.

Local TV news is poised to become a real-time emergency information portal thanks to ATSC 3.0, allowing TV stations to target the impact zone of an incident with pre-formatted alerts. This means less revenue lost to service disruptions, a group of NEXTGEN TV experts recently shared in a webinar hosted by Sinclair and its ONE Media 3.0 arm.

Got stuff to do that you hate doing? You’re not alone, notes expert sales training consultant Barrett Riddleberger. Procrastination kills productivity for millions of people. His suggestion? "Follow these surprisingly enjoyable steps and you’ll actually look forward to getting tasks done that were painfully avoided just last week."