GFQ Network audio podcasts

The guys analyze the recent comments from Tony Khan regarding the AEW and WBD rights negotiations, following reports earlier in the week that the deal could be worth $170 million. They also break down Friday Night SmackDown, including the cinematic presentation of the confrontation between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns at Georgia Tech's football stadium. Additionally, they review this week's Dynamite episode, discussing the direction of the new Jon Moxley-led BBC and previewing next week's Grand Slam, which they will be attending. Plus, they cover Miro requesting his AEW release, Saturday Night Main Event, CM Punk on NXT, listener questions, and more!

Sometimes we originate a TWiRT episode from a newly-built radio studio. Today, however, we’re visiting beautiful studios that are under construction. Bill Jackson works with K-Love, a nationwide Christian radio group. He’s in charge of the design and build-out of a couple dozen radio studios, podcast rooms, edit, and news booths. Bill is absolutely maximizing Audio over IP technology throughout. Let’s take a “cook’s tour” of a couple large studios, plus look at a data closet and the broadcast portion of the restricted-access data center.

The Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP) was created around 1989 to aid the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in making sure all broadcast operations are in compliance and to help stations understand the rules in a one-on-one setting. In the beginning, the ABIP inspectors were retired FCC engineers. As the program began to expand around the country, other engineers were recruited and trained by regional FCC inspectors. ABIP inspectors have long used a basic Self Inspection Checklist that became woefully out of date. Tom Ray, working with other committee members at the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) has rewritten and greatly expanded these checklists for AM, FM, and TV stations. ABIP inspections are an excellent tool for broadcasters to assure compliance with FCC Rules, and do so in a friendly, non-adversarial encounter.

The episode begins with the guys talking about the Vince McMahon documentary on Netflix, now that the trailer has been released. They speculate on whether it will be a puff piece or an intriguing and truthful piece with new information. They also discuss Tony Khan's comments on the WBD deal during his All Out Media call and continue to speculate on when the deal might finally be announced. The guys also preview All Out, which is taking place on Saturday, and the shocking angle that ended this week's Dynamite with Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page committing arson. Plus, they discuss Guilia's arrival in NXT, preview Raw and Smackdown, answer your questions, and more!

The rise of AI-generated lyrics and music is giving engineers something to chuckle about. But could this “easy creativity” inspire other engineering solutions? Kirk drew a comparison with photographer Jeremy Cowart and his use of an LED wall to produce 60 different portraits in 60 seconds. Anthony Kuzub, an engineer at CBC in Canada, pointed out the AI that’s involved with lighting a new studio, matching accent lights to the video monitor feeds. Matt Aaron is programming a fully-AI streaming station that’s playing “Broadcast Engineers Gangster Rap”. Are these just passing curiosities? Or are they signals of technologies and techniques to come for broadcasting and content creation?

Most every piece of equipment we use, or software we depend on began with an idea and a dream - a dream to help ourselves and others do their jobs better, faster, easier. Or perhaps to provide a service, or improve an existing one. Paul Stewart started Summit Technology Group with this motivation in mind as well. Paul and his company provide software and services with new features, conveniences, and efficiencies. Exactly what many broadcast engineers are looking for. Chris Tarr and I are talking with Paul about the software and services he’s bringing to broadcasters.

The CCBE conference encompasses two days of professional broadcast engineering career development. This includes carefully-chosen paper presentations, an expo hall, and an awards dinner and ceremony honoring leaders in the broadcast engineering profession. We got to meet with and converse with leaders in the Central Canadian Broadcast Engineers group, plus Canadian engineers and leading equipment manufacturers.

Have you wondered what goes on at the Network Operations Center of a satellite distribution network? We sure have, and our good friend, Marcos O’Rourke, joins us to talk about it. Marcos is now the Engineering Manager at Linkup Communications. We’ve followed Linkup’s rising star in the satellite communications business and watched as this company has grown to serve a lot of the broadcast industry. Marcos gives a brief history of the NOC in Denver, Colorado, and shares pictures of their operations and IT center.

The guys start by discussing Kevin Sullivan's passing and his contributions to professional wrestling. They also discuss NXT going on the road when they move over to the CW Network and how they will do on the CW. Also, notes from the TKO earnings call, including expectations for Raw on Netflix. With Roman Reigns returning this week on SmackDown, the guys speculate what the next story beat will be between Cody Rhodes, himself, and the Bloodline Civil War. They also review this week's AEW Dynamite as they get closer to All In. Plus, thoughts on Dave Meltzer's SummerSlam star ratings, the potential return of Kenny Omega, a special call from our French correspondent, your questions, and more!

It’s Radio Convention season and we’re bringing some of the Alabama Broadcasters Convention to you. Live from the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort, we’re meeting with engineers and radio equipment reps as this ABA Convention draws to a close. One of our highlights is visiting with Steven Westbrook from the Alabama Historical Radio Society. We also get cameo appearances from Bob Mayben, Jeff Welton, and Jim Armstrong. Join us for some fun conversation while we learn a few things about both new and old technologies and some personalities that shaped - and are now shaping - radio tech.