RBR+TVBR InFOCUS Podcast

It’s a busy day for TVB, the national trade association representing local broadcast television across the United States. The organization is hosting its Executive Summit live at Studio 8H inside the famed 30 Rock complex in Midtown Manhattan. Our correspondent Renee Cassis is attending, and you can look for our exclusive coverage at RadioTVBiz.com from 4pm Eastern on September 12.

To learn a little bit more about what’s being discussed at this intimate affair at a venue we really, really love, and to get a sneak peek at the Virtual Forward Sales Conference designed for account executives and sales managers being held on September 21, RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson took a moment to speak with longtime President/CEO Steve Lanzano in this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

"I'm super excited to be continuing to show women across the country that you can reach whatever goal you want."

That's what Carrie Hofmann tells RBR+TVBR about her appointment, starting on October 2, as President and General Manager of WLTX-TV, the TEGNA-owned CBS affiliate serving Columbia, S.C.

Hofmann presently serves as News Director of TEGNA's NBC affiliate in Charlotte, WCNC-36. As she prepares for her new role, RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson spoke with Hoffman about local TV leadership today, and what words of encouragement she has for others that seek to follow her path up the ladder in over-the-air TV today.

The conversation can be heard in the latest InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

On September 7, the U.S. Senate was scheduled to vote at long last on the confirmation of an individual nominated by the Biden White House to fill the vacant fifth seat on the Federal Communications Commission.

Once she takes the chair, what will Anna Gomez's arrival at the FCC mean, with respect to potential regulatory policy shifts for broadcast radio and TV? Veteran Washington, D.C., communications attorney Gregg Skall shares his thoughts with Radio + Television Business Report Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson in this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

Accurate audience measurement continues to be a hot topic among marketers and broadcast media executives, especially now that digital consumption of radio and television programming is eclipsing that of linear channels. As radio and TV companies seek to get the most trustworthy data in front of their advertising clients, where that data comes from remains a big consideration point.

Where is Comscore in the mix? We find out in this RBR+TVBR InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM, as CEO Jon Carpenter joins Editor-in-Chief for an exclusive conversation that even touches on the company's beleaguered stock price, and if the industry should be concerned about its fiscal health.

IBC2023 has emerged as a major global marketplace for broadcast technology companies, both those based in the U.S. and companies that seek to expand their business in North America.

To learn more about the importance of this event to broadcast media companies in the United States, RBR+TVBR's Editor-in-Chief chats with public relations professional and Weekly Tech Roundup correspondent Brian Galante to get an inside scoop on why IBC2023 "remains the most important global event" for people in the broadcast technology industry.

Listen to Brian's conversation with Adam R Jacobson now!

Content. Community. Culture. Those "three C's" are integral to the leadership of both CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures President/CEO Wendy McMahon, who began her career in brand marketing at storied Gray Television-owned CBS affiliate WTOC-11 in Savannah, Ga.

With a bigger role at CBS given to McMahon just days ago, McMahon says she's always craved opportunities in which she can continue to learn and grow. Yet, she said Wednesday in a TVB NEXT Women: Coffee online interview conducted by TVB Chief Communications Officer Abby Auerbach, "I'm not sure how I ultimately landed in this position. I was not one of those young professionals who had a vision board or a belief necessarily in where I wanted to be. I just knew that I had such a passion and such a belief in the power and the privilege of what at the time our local news stations did. But I just kept chasing that passion to be able to practice and hone my craft in bigger markets, in markets that were just incredibly complex and fascinating."

McMahon had much to say about the "reality of discomfort," and how she leads today, in a "Coffee Talk" with Auerbach, Executive Director of its NEXT Women initiative.

The discussion, underwritten by WideOrbit, offered insights on mentorship and leadership insights for women from McMahon, whose resume includes a stint as President of ABC Owned TV Stations and SVP of ABC Digital. In this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM, we are pleased to offer excerpts from McMahon's chat with Auerbach.

Social issues of the day? "Those holes are being filled and are being served by other competitors in the market," says Darrell Calton, CEO of Iliad Media Group, who made sure that his company's radio stations in Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho, were a "safe space."

He also made it clear that he wanted a group of stations that served a populace "from birth to death," as he is in a business to matchmake — connecting clients with consumers.

That's helped make Iliad the No. 1 radio station group in Boise for the 15th consecutive ratings period.

Is there a secret recipe for Iliad's ratings and revenue success in a crowded marketplace where two publicly traded companies and a big privately held West Coast operator are competitors? Find out in this new InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

How is a four-station radio group serving Southwestern Colorado, technically within the Albuquerque TV market, hooking listeners and advertisers now that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic has largely subsided? Four Corners Broadcasting Regional Manager Ward Holmes shares his story in this fresh InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

One year ago, it was believed that TEGNA would be owned by Standard General, the hedge fund led by Soo Kim. That transaction dissolved thanks to a FCC Media Bureau decision for a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge to answer lingering questions bureau chief Holly Sauer had regarding the deal. 

Today, TEGNA is proving to its investors that it can go at it alone just fine. In the second quarter, ex-political, revenue was down "just slightly," while "subscription revenue" was a record high in Q2, CEO Dave Lougee shared in his company's earnings call held on August 3.

Chief Financial Officer Victoria Harker and SVP of Financial Planning & Business Operations Julie Heskett were also on the call, and there was much to share. In this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.fm, we offer highlights from the conversation, including how Premion is "uniquely positioned to win" as local cable's "declining reach" was seen as a plus for TEGNA — even as retransmission consent fees outweigh core advertising revenue.

It is an indisputable fact that ad-dollar allocation to media superserving African American consumers has increased over the last three years, as the community is finally being recognized for its economic power and influence.

That said, has Black-owned media has benefited to the same extend as total market broadcast television and radio companies that may not be Black-owned, but actually capture the most significant portion of the multicultural advertising pie?

That's a question RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson asked Andy Anderson, the Chief Revenue Officer for American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), on the latest InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

The conversation between Jacobson and Anderson was a lively one, with the RBR+TVBR Editor asking why, and how, Black-owned media should get a greater piece of the ad dollar pie even in situations where, in a particular market, radio stations targeting African Americans owned by big, publicly traded radio broadcasting companies are the clear ratings winner.

The discussion also touched on measurement, campaign effectiveness, and how companies are turning to corporate social responsibility, goodwill and trust when making buys with Black-owned media.