US

FCC Report 9/8: Ozarks Licensee Fined For Two Unauthorized

FCC Actions
Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corp. has entered into a Consent Decree with the FCC and agreed to an $8000 civil penalty for a pair of unauthorized transfers of control.

The licensee of Standards 97.9 KTLO-FM Mountain Home AR, Country “99.7 The Boot” KBOD Gainesville MO, “Classic Hits 101.7” KCTT-FM Yellville AR, and Classic Country “Real Country 1240” KTLO Mountain Home AR failed to disclose the death of Vivian Sue Knight in February 2020 and Bob Knight in October 2021. The death of Vivian Knight gave Bob Knight controlling interest in the company with 50% of its common stock. That share was then transferred to Heather Caroline Loftis following his death. A belated transfer of control application was filed in April 2024.

The FCC has also entered a Consent Decree with Panther Communications Classic Hits “100.9 The Cub” KWIA Newell/Storm Lake IA for failing to maintain its Online Public File.

The commission is proposing a $3000 fine against Cobra Broadcasting LLC’s 95.9 KBRA Freer TX for failing to timely file its license renewal application. KBRA was required to file its license renewal application by April 1, 2021 ahead of its August 1 expiration date, but did not do so until July 19, 2021.

An application for the renewal of the Station’s license should have been filed by April 1, 2021, the first day of the fourth full calendar month prior to the Station’s August 1, 2021, license expiration date.5 The Application was not filed until July 19, 2021.

The commission is requesting an amendment to UM Enterprise LLC’s application to change community of license on 1110 WTOF Bay Minette AL to Spanish Fork as paret of its application to diplex at the site of Cumulus Media’s 660 WXQW Fairhope with 10kW day and 2.2kW critical hours.

UM Enterprise had claimed in its original application that the COL change would be considered an intra-urbanized area proposal since both communities are in the Mobile metropolitan area. FCC engineering analysis counters that Bay Minette is not part of any urbanized area and Spanish Fort is located within the Fairhope-Daphne urbanized area making it rural to urban moved. The FCC asks for additional evidence sufficient to establish that the proposed community of license modification constitutes a preferential arrangement of allotments.

Licence Cancellations

Just ahead of the one year mark of silence caused by the loss of its tower site, Great Eastern Radio has turned in the license of 1450 WSNO Barre VT. When WSNO went off-the-air, its translator 105.7 W289CH Barre began rebroadcasting 100.9 WWFY-HD2 Berlin continuing to operate as Hot AC “The Penguin” simulcasting 97.9 WSNO-FM Au Sable NY.

A month after taking 920 WYBY Cortland NY silent for technical reasons, Bible Broadcasting Network has requested cancellation of the station’s license.

With its CP set to expire in early November, Tracy Wood has turned in 93.5 KXRL Earlmart CA as he noted the landowners decided it was not in their best interest to proceed with the needed tower lease and suggested lease rates made the proposed station not economically viable.

Quachita Broadcasting surrendered the license of Gospel 1450 KENA Mena AR.

Cedar Cove Broadcasting requested cancellation of its CP for 88.1 KJAR Laramie WY as it was unable to negotiate acceptable rental terms at the only available tower site.

San Tan Educational Media surrendered its CP for 89.5 KYHI Alma CO.

FM Changes

First Media Services applies to upgrade “Kicks Country” 106.3 WHKX Bluefield VA […]

ASIA

DRM at #IBC2024

The DRM Consortium is preparing a better and more complete presence than ever before at IBC 2024, RAI Amsterdam from September 13 to 16.Just a few days remain to register for the “DRM – Connecting All through Innovation” virtual pre-IBC event on September 10. This will bring the latest on DRM and preview the live Amsterdam events.On September 14 the DRM Consortium has planned two face-face events.Gospell Digital Technology invites all those interested in digital radio to stop over at Hall 1 stand B14 at 1100 (CEST time) to explore the latest end-to-end digital broadcast solutions offered by the company and be there to hear about all the new developments and announcements.In the afternoon, at 1600 (CEST time), Fraunhofer IIS will meet and greet all those interested in Hall 8 at stand B80 to get the latest developments and announcements on DRM, meet DRM experts and network with those involved in promoting the global, all-frequency, efficient DRM standard.On September 15 join DRM members at an event hosted by Nautel Hall 8 at stand D70 for a session on the continued relevance of digital radio.Other DRM member companies and their experts present at IBC are: Ampegon, CML Micro, Encompass, BBC, Desay SV, RFmondial, RF2Digital, Starwaves, Bosch, Dolby, RRI, NXP, Panasonic, Skyworks, Assendive, Cambridge Consultants, DAC System, Inntot, Szomel, Kintronic Labs, Spaceline.The DRM Chairman, Ruxandra Obreja, thinks that: “The theme of this year’s IBC of delivering innovation and connecting communities, fits perfectly the mission of the Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium. Meeting all listeners’ needs, energising the market, enabling content everywhere, DRM is committed to bringing together all stakeholders interested in unlocking new opportunities with this most flexible digital audio broadcasting standard.DRM is complete, robust, and global, delivering so many extra benefits beyond excellent audio and multimedia. It can also offer unique and ready to use services (like emergency warning and distance learning), while saving energy costs, spectrum and ensuring full-country coverage.” […]

ASIA

New York Festivals 2025 Radio Awards opens for entries

The New York Festivals® 2025 Radio Awards competition is officially open for submissions.The New York Festivals Radio Awards offer a platform to celebrate creative storytellers from around the world. For 67 years, NYF has recognized both innovation and exceptional quality in broadcast audio content across all genres and platforms since 1957.“This year, we are thrilled to announce the debut of multiple new categories for fiction and nonfiction reflecting the ways today’s audio storytellers are encouraging audiences everywhere to tune in and stay engaged,” said Rose Anderson, EVP and Executive Director, New York Festivals. “They join our existing categories for Sound Art, Audio Books, Podcasts, and Social Justice.”Always at the forefront of the evolving global landscape of audio content creation, the 2025 Radio Awards has kept pace with global industry trends and introduced seven exciting new categories further showcasing the wide range of talent and creativity that drives the industry.The Pop Culture Documentary category highlights and celebrates creative radio documentaries that capture today’s trends.New in Entertainment, the Anthology Program category shines a spotlight on engaging curated audio collections. Digital Anthology will showcase the diverse audio selections encompassing digital media. Anthology Podcasts honor expansive works featuring unique voices united by a common theme or purpose. Audiobooks transports listeners into new worlds, the new Audio Book Technical Production Team category celebrates innovative contributions in the industry.On Air Talent categories set the stage for honoring captivating top-tier audio talent, new categories for 2025 include Program Host and Sports Anchor/Analyst.View the 2025 NYF Radio Awards powerhouse category roster: HERE.NYF’s Radio Awards receives entries from radio stations, networks, and independent producers from over 30 countries around the globe. The mission of the competition is to honor the achievements of the men and women who make up the global audio storytelling community.New York Festivals invites award-winning industry leaders from 6 continents around the world to become members of their world-class Radio Awards Grand Jury. The 2025 Radio Awards Grand jury will be recruited in the coming weeks. Entries are judged on production values, creativity, content presentation, direction, writing, achievement of purpose, and audience suitability.All Entries in NYF’s 2025 Radio Awards will be judged by the Grand Jury comprised of some of the world’s most recognizable voices and captivating audio storytellers from around the globe including producers, directors, writers, and other creative media professionals.Award-winning entries for 2025 will be showcased on the Radio Awards winners gallery. View the 2024 winners’ showcase.The entry deadline for the 2025 Radio Awards competition is January 31, 2025.To enter the 2025 Radio Awards please visit: HERE, for additional information visit: Rules and Regulations and 2025 Radio Awards categories. […]

AU & NZ

The importance of radio prep: Ultimate Aussie music and pop culture book out now

“These are the books I wished were in the studio when I was on air,” says Steve Woods as he thumbs through the latest volume of his For The Record series.And, at more than 475 pages long, it’s his biggest book yet.As The Days Go By compliments the two earlier releases Australian Pop Culture 1964-2017… Read More
The post The importance of radio prep: Ultimate Aussie music and pop culture book out now by Sarah Patterson appeared first on Radio Today. […]

AU & NZ

A week of major movements and sad farewells in radio

Major radio movements across programming, news and other roles at two major networks are front and centre in this latest ep of the Radio Today podcast.Jen also takes a look at the latest bi-annual report into podcast popularity and changes to GfK surveys in 2025.And, straight off the Aircheck National Airplay Chart, we’re going back… Read More
The post A week of major movements and sad farewells in radio by Sarah Patterson appeared first on Radio Today. […]