Media Info Bureau

Doug Ferber of DEFcom Advisors LLC and Erwin Krasnow of Garvey Schubert Barer have created a special podcast series exclusively for RBR+TVBR members based on a series of articles centered on the topic “Broadcast Deal Myths Debunked.” In this ninth podcast installment, Ferber and Krasnow discuss the myth that one should avoid deal intermediaries.

One company Wednesday reported "spectacular" Q3 2017 earnings results. It's a big company that you compete with. This company enjoyed revenue growth of 47% and ad revenue growth of 43%. But, something's troubling this giant in 2018, says prolific Wall Street investment professional Brian Wieser, Senior Research Analyst – Advertising at Pivotal Research Group. What's the issue? What does it mean for you? We let Wieser share, in his own words, how Facebook will be slightly hampered by issues you should be selling potential clients against.

A new paper is generating headlines because it claims that college students value pizza more than their friends' privacy, but the authors are wrong, says Mark Jamison, a visiting Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute’s Center for Internet, Communication, and Technology. What does their research really show? People might be willing to be helpful if they are paid. This could prove interesting for research-minded media industry C-Suiters.

Nielsen today published its November 2017 cable network Universe Estimates, which indicated an ongoing – and likely worsening – decline in traditional pay TV network penetration rates, led by lower traditional MVPD subscription levels. Brian Wieser, Senior Research Analyst of Advertising at Pivotal Research Group, put on his stethoscope and grabbed a magnifying glass as he perused the latest data and offered his thoughts on the new UEs. His conclusion is right here.

Doug Ferber of DEFcom Advisors LLC and Erwin Krasnow of Garvey Schubert Barer have created a special podcast series exclusively for RBR+TVBR members based on a series of articles centered on the topic “Broadcast Deal Myths Debunked.” In this eighth podcast installment, Ferber and Krasnow discuss the belief among some that they can bank on 100% leveraged purchases.

Here's something that's cool, and definitely establishes Radio as the one media that can truly connect with local listeners in ways Spotify, Pandora, and even TV stations and newspapers can't do. It's all about going live -- and that includes all on-air elements, including commercials. Entercom is the company behind this "more than just a stunt" opportunity — and it's something that could get your stations get noticed, and more listener love, too.

If you thought the war of words between multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDS) and TV broadcasters over retransmission fee agreements gone bad was fierce, wait until you see what the cable companies and their chief lobbying groups have cooked up now, says Radio + Television Business Report Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson, who pens this Media Information Bureau column dedicated to the next-generation TV standard. While it's being heralded as a huge technological advancement and money maker for broadcast TV companies, it's becoming clear to Jacobson that cable TV's vast empire of providers simply don't want to pay for progress

Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner is back with an essay that recalls his inspection of a tiny noncommercial radio station that aired a resounding rendition of The Star Spangled Banner every day at Noon. The reason why raised some questions regarding station funding, and thus the station's Public File. Here's the story, which might apply to your own station or one in your market.

Why did Michael Jordan shoot hundreds of free throws each week? Why do the best actors in Hollywood have acting coaches? Being the best requires practice, mentoring and coaching, says Ryan Dohrn. Here are 10 ways to make practicing your ad sales pitch better.

"Ol' Dad" Ken Benner, a featured RBR+TVBR Media Information Bureau columnist based in Tucson, remains determined to find ways to keep your radio station's balance sheet free of payments to the U.S. Treasury, or to the FCC in response to a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture. In his latest offering, Benner takes his magnifying glass and focuses on the Commission's instructions for license renewal form 303-S. You may wish to do the same, considering what he's uncovered.

Pandora has just published the 2018 edition of its annual Definitive Guide to Audio. Our ever-skeptical Editor-in-Chief took a look at some of the highlights, and eagerly agreed to share them with RBR+TVBR readers. Why? It shows that radio is "far from dead," but is full of salacious "findings" that paint AM and FM as a home for AARP members and few who didn't grow up watching ALF in prime-time.

Pivotal Research Group has analyzed trends associated with the use of television alongside commercial share trends for national media owners in the U.S. through the end of September 2017 and for Q3. This was done by Senior Research Analyst/Advertising Brian Wieser after complete data became available Monday from Nielsen. What's Wieser's conclusion? Viewing on internet-connected device is rising rapidly. But, overall viewing is sliding.

Doug Ferber of DEFcom Advisors LLC and Erwin Krasnow of Garvey Schubert Barer have created a special podcast series exclusively for RBR+TVBR members based on a series of articles centered on the topic “Broadcast Deal Myths Debunked.” In this sixth podcast installment, Ferber and Krasnow discuss what happens behind the mic, and in the offices and hallways of a broadcast station. Is a station's culture "perishable"? It's a hot topic, and Krasnow has some answers you may want to know.

The final results from Borrell Associates' 2017 local advertiser study are in, and some 3,551 local advertisers chimed in regarding their thoughts and plans on advertising ROI, marketing goals, and which medium works best to accomplish those goals. 

The holiday gift-giving season is about to begin, with Christmas decorations nearly ready to go on display at retailers across North America -- even as Halloween is still half a month away. One big item likely to be on many Wish Lists is a smart speaker, and a newly released study shows Q4 sales of smart speakers will likely approach 12 million units globally. Of the two leading brands in this space, one is a clear winner. Learn what this means for your radio station's plans to win back the home.