RBR+TVBR InFOCUS Podcast

With so much attention of late given to broadcast TV stations acquiring play-by-play rights, the continued importance of broadcast radio for sports teams is a topic definitely worthy of a bigger spotlight. This week, an MLS team, the Columbus Crew, inked a new broadcast rights deal, shifting their radio home from WBNS to WXZX. Discussing the deal is iHeartMedia of Columbus, Ohio SVP of Programming...

He's been a radio station Program Director since the age of 26 and spent a decade earning national recognition for his work at Country KYGO-FM in Denver, including finishing among Radio Ink's Top 15 Country PDs for six consecutive years. He would later enjoy an eight-year run, concluding in February 2021, as PD of Christian Contemporary KCBI-FM in Dallas. Now, Joel Burke is going home to the Texas...

Financial curveballs sent many American families reeling in 2023. Household budgets were squeezed by rising interest rates, surging prices on everyday goods, and a stagnating housing market. Consumers were feeling strapped. That sentiment, however, appears to be waning. The question is, to what extent? ThinkNow, a cross-cultural research firm based in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, sought...

It’s been quite a start to 2024 for the radio industry when it comes to the FCC and Congress. From more calls for AM radio being accessible in every vehicle sold in the U.S. to FM “ZoneCasting,” there’s much to discuss and perhaps debate, too. Jeffrey Warshaw, founder and CEO of Connoisseur Media, joins RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson on the InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.fm, to share...

The rollout of the new ATSC 3.0 digital broadcast television standard is poised to continue in a significant way across 2024, and a 17-year-old company just north of Chicago has been an active participant in the development of various TV standards around the world. Now, Anywave Communications Technologies is bringing what it calls a “complete” ATSC 3.0/1.0 signal chain package to market. What does...

It's a big day in New Hampshire, as the 2024 U.S. presidential race sees its first primary event. How have radio and television stations benefitted, if at all, from political advertising thus far? What are New Hampshire's local broadcast media outlets doing to ensure the state's electorate has relevant and timely information they can't get anywhere else? In this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot....

Looking for research on the media habits of today's highly multicultural world? You've come to the right place, as this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot. FM offers excerpts from a January 16 webinar featuring Nancy Tellet, the Research Chair of the Hispanic Marketing Council and a Spanish-language media veteran remembered for her years at MTV Tr3s. The session, "Media and Representation in the Wo...

“I’ve written a textbook unlike any other, where the focus is on what would prompt the reader to hit that record button, and consider what they have to say when they do,” says Rob Quicke, a one-time radio presenter in the UK who today is Professor and Director of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism & Mass Communications at Marshall University. Quicke's new book, “Finding Your Voice in Radio, Aud...

For decades, the art of dubbing has required the use of humans — professional voice actors who can deliver translated lines in ways designed to best captivate local audiences. But, what if generative artificial intelligence, or GenAI, could accomplish that task? Introducing Dubformer, an Amsterdam, Holland-based tech company led by Anton Dvorkovich. Is Dubformer a threat to the voice actors who ha...

For longtime radio broadcasting industry executives and those in the brokerage community, the name Scott Savage is likely a familiar one. Five years ago, he went on hiatus as a broker and consultant, opting to focus his efforts enjoying live in Sedona, Ariz., where he relocated to in 2017 following many years in Dallas. Now, Savage is relaunching Savage Media Group, and he's sharing the reasons wh...

As 2024 begins, longtime media broker Greg Guy, the founder of recently launched Tideline Partners, is optimistic. With the year starting off with a deal involving the sale of low-power television stations in Los Angeles and Seattle, coming off a transaction that sees two Denver-market FMs being spun, Guy is perhaps in a strong position compared to his peers ... or is he? In this InFOCUS Podcast, ...

To chat a little bit about her experience at CES and what she's looking forward to in January 2024, when other broadcast media leaders attend the gargantuan Las Vegas affair with a laser-focus on things that can help Radio, Caroline Beasley sits in with RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson in this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot. FM. "It shows us what potential opportunities, and what potent...

Politicians in the U.S. are pouring dollars into social media, betting on likes and shares to capture the attention of younger voters. But, before broadcast radio sales executives should frown upon hearing that news, new data show that’s not where the most influential voters are consuming content. Where, prey tell, would that be? Why, linear television, says TV advertising specialist Ampersand. To...

Local advertisers are already planning where they'll invest their marketing dollars next year. What will influence them most when making a buying decision next year? Which forms of media are seen as most effective? Are they interested in incorporating A.I. in their marketing? Borrell Associates Executive VP of Local Market Intelligence Corey Elliott and Chief Executive Officer Gordon Borrell offer...

In just a matter of weeks, CES 2024 will be underway in Las Vegas. It's a bigger draw than ever for radio industry executives, and that's why RBR+TVBR is pleased to announce its January 8, 2024 distribution of its Winter 2024 magazine. Digital distribution to all RBR+TVBR Members means VIP access to a bevy of CES-focused content. And, in a preview of what's in the Winter 2024 magazine — with a lim...

In conjunction with Giving Tuesday, a celebration of giving around the world, the Broadcasters Foundation of America is asking radio and television professionals to consider a tax-deductible donation that will help their colleagues in need. The Broadcasters Foundation, a 501c3 charity, provides financial assistance to people in radio or television who are in need due to a debilitating disease, acc...

As the year draws to a close, the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) is reaching out to rally behind the mission of advancing women in media through educational programs and scholarships. With Giving Tuesday coming on November 28, AWM President Becky Brooks shares more about the group's mission, and how you can donate.

Forecast, presented by Streamline Publishing's Radio + Television Business Report and Radio Ink, is now a wrap. The capacity crowd enjoyed a full day's worth of informative and engaging panel discussions and keynote speakers, and among the participants is Vince Bodiford. Bodiford, who is based in Cheyenne, Wyo., is Chief Executive Officer and Head of Media for Bridge Media Network, the parent of N...

For more than three decades, Phil Williams has set the standard in Nashville for serious investigative journalism on the state and local level, earning him honors and praise from his peers and, now, the local community. At WTVF-5, the CBS affiliate owned by The E.W. Scripps Co., Williams attracted outsized attention for his coverage of a mayoral race in Franklin, Tenn., that drew national attentio...

At 330 Market Street in Philadelphia, Fox Television Stations-owned WTXF “FOX 29” is a prominent fixture in the Old City, with a home just steps away from Independence Mall. It remains a highly popular over-the-air station in a market where it competes against owned-and-operated stations from CBS, ABC and NBC. But, if it were up to the Media and Democracy Project, FOX Television Stations would los...

She knew she wanted to get into advertising. What type of advertising? At first, Karolyne Sprague thought it would be in the creative realm. Instead, she went into media. "It was a great place to start my career," says Sprague, today the SVP of Investment at Havas Media. Sprague on October 27 shared her thoughts on career development, mentorship, and leadership in a conversation with TVB Chief Com...

Gray Television has certainly made a statement over the last year and a half with its commitment to Telemundo affiliates. How did that come to pass, and did the C-Suite need any education on the growth opportunities that exist in the markets where it seeks to capture Spanish-speaking TV viewers? That's a question Jason Hall,  who on October 11 was promoted to Vice President of Spanish Media Sales...

Scripps News has promoted veteran journalist Brian Donlon to Senior Director of Live News Programming. Donlon, formerly the 24/7 digital television network's Executive Producer of weekday morning live news, will oversee all programming, show production, program development and scheduling for the offering once known as Newsy. Donlon brings a wealth of experience that includes time at A+E, CNBC and...

On October 16, Audacy Inc. made a very intriguing move by switching an AM serving Hazleton, Pa., and a FM serving the Scranton-Wilkes Barre area to a Spanish-language format heavy on bachata music popular with Dominicans and Puerto Ricans. Some may wonder why Audacy made the move, as Northeast Pennsylvania isn’t known as a Latino hotbed among Hispanic marketing and advertising pros. Perhaps Ryan F...

On October 6, Metro Video Productions of Lima, Ohio, officially became the owner of a low-powered television station in the small Northwest Ohio city of Defiance. Today, Phipps is committed to serving the local community with programming focused on this community between Toledo and Fort Wayne, Ind. To learn more about how Phipps is accomplishing this, RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson welco...