All About That ‘Mock’ Inspection Program

More than two decades ago, RBR+TVBR featured columnist Ken Benner was invited to the office of the president of a state broadcasters' association. He was told that a new means of compliance certification was being considered. It sounded like a good idea to Ken. Was it?
FCC

Don’t Blame The Commission

For well over 50 years, featured Media Information Bureau columnist Ken Benner has communicated directly with the FCC on what he calls a "friendly good faith basis, with never a problem" He's asked them for suggestions. They've asked Benner for propositions and recommendations. Such communication has led to what he considers "significant common-sense changes" on more than occasion, he writes. Unfortunately, there's another enabler at play. That would be Congress.

Step One On Becoming A ‘Mock’ FCC Inspector

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.
Brian Wieser

Nielsen’s April ’18 Cable UEs Point To ‘Ongoing Decline’

Nielsen on Monday released its April 2018 cable network Universe Estimates, and there's one thing in particular that sticks out for Pivotal Research Group Senior Research Analyst/Advertising Brian Wieser. The "bottom line" on the new UEs: there's an ongoing decline in traditional pay TV network penetration rates, led by lower traditional MVPD subscription levels.

How To ‘Fix’ The FCC’s ‘Broken Merger Review Process’

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.

Building A PPM Panel: How Nielsen Does It

"Have you ever wondered how radio, television and other media outlets decide what shows to broadcast or to cancel?" That's the opening pitch in a letter randomly received last week at a Florida household from Nielsen. Here's the scoop on how the nation's dominant audience measurement company seeks PPM panelists.
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Ten Essential Media Stats From September

Once every so often, RBR+TVBR's Jefe, Eric Rhoads, will forward an item deemed noteworthy to the newsroom. On Thursday, Mr. Rhoads came across an item that grabbed our attention. The article puts into perspective how consumers are using media, and the biggest eye-opener deals with music streaming revenue -- competitive info that could be of keen interest to radio broadcasters.

The Asian American Tide Toward Streaming Video

Consumers are shifting to streaming both short-form and long-form video. Broadcasters will need to stay ahead of these trends. One solution for a TV station owner may lie in understanding how Asian Americans watch television. Simply put, they are leading the streaming wave.

Antenna Ache: Why MVPDs Still Matter For Broadcast TV

Following a recent change of residence, our editor-in-chief invested in a $21 digital TV antenna and hooked it up to a television set in his home office. What was the result? He says it's best to perhaps stick with a MVPD if you truly want the TV service everyone deserves -- or, at least an vMVPD.

The New Spectrum Frontier: Acting On Potential

The FCC has opened a new frontier in the amount of spectrum available for unlicensed and experimental operations, adopting rules covering frequencies between 95 GHz and 3 THz (3,000 GHz). Find out what this means for you from a Fletcher Heald & Hildreth attorney.
Deal

Closing A Broadcast Transaction: Nightmare, Or Dream Come True?

Erwin Krasnow of Garvey Schubert Barer and Doug Ferber of DEFcom Advisors have written a series of articles exclusively for RBR+TVBR on what can go wrong at closing and how to “click the ruby slippers” to avoid any problems. Here's the first installment.

A Tale Of Tragedy, And A TV Station’s Bigger Loss

Another unspeakable tragedy sparked by a gunman unfolded early Sunday morning in the Oregon District of Dayton, Ohio, home to RBR+TVBR's publisher and key sales staff. While Cox Media Group's WHIO-7 did an outstanding job of covering the mass shooting, the efforts of a Nexstar station were diminished by its parent company's ongoing retransmission dispute with AT&T.
Former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who championed with the help of former Commissioner Mike O'Rielly rule "modernization" for local media.

Benner On Washington: ‘From Molehills To Mountains’

The week of Sept. 23 will likely go down as one of the most contentious ones in the history of the U.S. government, says featured columnist Ken Benner. It began with an excellent speech at the National Press Club by the one person in D.C. Benner has the greatest respect for: Ajit Pai.

Audio Everywhere: The Rise of Consumer Music Hardware

On Tuesday, RBR+TVBR offered commentary from Futuresource Consulting's Luke Pearce on how esports is "edging its way into mainstream consciousness." Today, Pearce offers his analysis on the demand for consumer music hardware -- and the rise of smart speakers.

Can Esports Fill the Gap Left by Sport Fixture Disruption?

The worldwide coronavirus outbreak is forcing sports fans to stay at home, leading consumers to be in more desperate need of entertainment content during quarantines. With broadcasting scheduling being left practically barren, an opportunity arises for fans to view digital allegories of their favorite sports, says Futuresource Consulting. They say it is through esports.