Media Info Bureau

Many tech companies are focusing so strongly on cloud deployments that it almost seems that the answer is "cloud" ... with no one sure of the question. In this Media Information Bureau column, Telestream CMO Chris Osika tackles "the $64 million question for the broadcast industry: How should cloud figure in to the future?"

"GDPR," or the General Data Protection Regulation, is now law within the European Union. You may have received an email or two about receiving emails from various companies, as part of a sweeping rule that some U.S. businesses -- including yours -- may be concerned about. Why? Some wonder if it could happen here. AEI visiting scholar Roslyn Layton has some ideas that are definitely worth your time.

"Ol' Dad" Ken Benner's mailbox is filling up with queries from RBR+TVBR Members. "Why do you write?" "Where do you get your funding?" Benner has some fun with those questions while sharing some "serious business" pertaining to "major projects involved with regulatory transparency pertaining to American broadcasting." Sounds like a great read to us!

What are the best next steps to get a media deal done and to operate a group of radio or TV stations as quickly and successfully as possible? Being fully prepared to take on the transaction, in particular as a buyer, is key, say Community Broadcasters’ two top leaders. Get the info you need from these pros in the latest in our exclusive Deal Killers podcasts.

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?

Ahead of a busy Memorial Day holiday, our Editor-in-Chief went to his local mall -- the biggest tourist destination in Florida. The specialty stores had practically no foot traffic. But, there were shoppers in the mall. They were patronizing some active users of broadcast media advertising. This reinforces a report this week from eMarketer sharing data worthy of your time.

Younger consumers are cutting the cord, and finding new ways to watch video entertainment. The common belief is that these viewers are switching to SVOD services or viewing content on their phone, with no interest in linear TV. New data from Nielsen suggest that this assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.

Customer satisfaction with video streaming services far eclipses that of subscription TV service. That's a top finding from the just-released American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) 2018 Telecommunications Report. We have all of the details right here.

Does the Commission have a big problem with how it looks at a big, complex merger? Daniel Lyons, an associate professor at Boston College Law School who is also a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, very much thinks so. Here's what he has to say on the subject.

Pivotal Research Group Senior Research Analyst of Advertising Brian Wieser has analyzed trends associated with the use of television alongside commercial share trends for national media owners in the U.S. for the calendar month of April 2018. What did he find? Viewing on internet-connected devices surged.

Mike Rudd is a sports marketing specialist, speaker, and an author of the book "Hot Dogs, A Little Marketing, and A Lot of Fun!" In this Media Information Bureau encore column, Rudd discusses the sports radio fan. Given the success of the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the NBA and NHL playoffs, Rudd's column could again be very timely for sports radio stations looking for extra dollars.

Many sellers underestimate how much they will need post-exit and overestimate the company’s value. In this third Deal Killers Podcast, Community Broadcasters COO Bruce Mittman, President/CEO Jim Leven and Controller Peter Henderson share their thoughts on the important topic of "unclear post-closing goals." It's another RBR+TVBR member exclusive!

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on Thursday attended a hearing on the FY2019 funding request and budget justification for the FCC convened by the Senate Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Committee on Appropriations. As a benefit to all interested parties, RBR+TVBR is pleased to provide Pai's statement delivered to the subcommittee, in full.

Last week RBR+TVBR featured columnist Ken Benner traveled to Washington, D.C. and met with several members of Congress. The purpose of the trip: to lobby for retention of an agency the current administration may wish to do away with. It's important — one Think Tank Wonk who has an ear with another agency, the FCC, has already asked why the Commission should exist.

Do you know your strengths? If so, are you confident in them? Do you utilize your strengths in your business and relationships? These are some of the questions Media Information Bureau columnist Kelly Orchard addresses in her latest exclusive-to-RBR+TVBR column.