Intelligence Briefs

Here's a column on a topic that could rattle some bones, warns Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner. He's been an independent Alternative FCC Compliance Certification Inspector for more than five decades. Who will follow in this octogenarian's footsteps? It could be you, or someone you think is perfect for a role that could save your broadcast media company thousands of dollars in preventable forfeitures sent to the FCC.

Consumers experienced greater employment and steady, or slightly increased, income in 2017. However, they're less optimistic about the economy in 2018. That's the big takeaway from the fifth annual ThinkNow Pulse Total Market Consumer Sentiment Report, just released from ThinkNow Research. There's more: ThinkNow found striking contrasts on consumer expectations across a representative sample of multicultural consumers and non-Hispanic whites in the U.S.

... and How Do Radio and TV React? A murder-hostage situation that led to a death that wasn't true. A missile warning in Hawaii. Is "fake news" to blame? Or, is this the result of something else? Bret Swanson, president of Entropy Economics LLC and a scholar at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, does his best to answer these questions -- and how radio and TV might help in preventing errors that lead to death and/or panic in this Media Information Bureau column.

Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner is very nervous about his latest column's content. He notes, "If I were to write what should be written about this subject, I would be jailed for inciting a riot." What is it that has Benner in freak-out mode? Something that, once again, touches on what he considers governmental abuse. It's also something that impacts every radio and TV station, making this a must-read for all media executives.

Does keeping things complicated keep things profitable with the "special interest, hidden agenda" benefactors of groups who have crafted and directed efforts that are largely incomprehensible for the average broadcast industry professional? Featured Media Information Bureau columnist Ken Benner thinks so. That's why he wants you, and your support in his quest to simplify something very important for your stations.

"There is only one problem with radio today. One. So, let’s solve it." What exactly is that problem? Media Information Bureau contributor Kelly Orchard, M.A. LMFT thinks she has the answer. It's all about people, as she writes in this exclusive column, "Trouble, Turmoil and Transition: Radio Needs An Attitude Adjustment NOW!" It's written by a second-generation broadcaster who nearly died of heart failure. It's a tale of how you, and others, can be prevented from succumbing to fear.

Facebook is at it again, and The Wall Street Journal says there's "reckoning for media organizations" ahead. Why? The curtain is about to be raised on audiences, versus traffic. That's awesome news for radio broadcasters, argues RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson. Why? Radio should be the king of meaningful content, and interactivity.

A man who has emerged as the media industry's wordsmith of Wall Street has just completed an analysis of six major television industry companies, ahead of their Q4 2017 earnings releases. What did Brian Wieser, Senior Research Analyst for Advertising at Pivotal Research Group, conclude? Two companies making big headlines this week are being downgraded, as recent gains have resulted in "relatively fully-valued stocks."

As first reported by RBR+TVBR on Dec. 20, a major provider​ ​of​ ​FM​ ​and​ ​AM​ ​transmitters​ ​in business since 1959 — and a 40-year player in the transmitter sales arena — has been acquired by a global manufacturer of FM transmitters based in Ferrara, Italy. ​​Elenos is now the owner of Broadcast​ ​Electronics​ ​(BE)​. In an attempt to try to answer some of the many questions about the deal, BE Director of U.S. Sales and Marketing Jeff Wilson spoke with Elenos Group President Leonardo Busi and BE President/CEO Tom Beck.

Don't think for a minute that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai won't respond to your letters or comments, no matter the venue in which they are delivered. He's liked many of our Tweets in which he's been tagged. Now, Pai has responded to Media Information Bureau columnist Ken Benner, who recently wrote a letter to Pai seeking his input on some of the top issues facing your broadcast TV or radio stations. How so? The IAC is about to grow.

Among the many e-mails forwarded to the RBR+TVBR Editorial Tiki Hut over the Christmas and New Year's holidays was an easy-to-digest 49-slide presentation from Business Insider CEO Henry Blodget. The topic of this popular PowerPoint? "14 Things You'll Want to Know About the Future of Media." Radio and TV C-Suiters who haven't seen the details should take five minutes to read our report, and then take an aspirin, advises RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson.

Here's something we really hope your radio and TV stations can use in 2018. It's one of the more popular handout sheets Media Information Bureau columnist Ken Benner uses while conducting ABIP inspections. "Most stations are not even aware such an item is required to be completed quarterly and filed with the Engineers other non-public required filings, such as 854-R tower registration forms, EAS tests, proof of performances, etc.," Benner says. That's why we're pleased to open your eyes to this most-important document. Merry Christmas! Ken & Karen

Greater knowledge of linear TV data. Personalization. These are just two of the things Walt Horstman, ‎SVP/GM of Advanced Media & Advertising at TiVo, believes will be big on the minds of everyone in broadcast TV's C-Suites throughout 2018. Horstman shares with RBR+TVBR readers why he's big on these two topics, along with four other key things TV executives will be talking about across the next 12 months.

In the last few months, allegations of sexual misconduct have spread rapidly from industry to industry, with fresh stories surfacing on almost a daily basis. We haven’t yet seen the magnitude to which these stories will impact the standards to which our society will hold brands. Could the radio industry be impacted in the coming weeks? Is there more fallout in local TV? It is likely that those standards are only going to get higher, says Media Information Bureau guest columnist Deb Gabor.