Shareef Abul-Ela

FCC: TV Stations Can Team Up for Broadcast Internet https://lnkd.in/eB2pHUKt FCC "This decision would help ensure that broadcasters and other innovators have the flexibility to generate the scale and geographic footprint—both locally and nationally—that may be necessary to support certain Broadcast Internet services without being subject to regulations unrelated to the provision of such services," For the last several years I have been working to create a new Innovative Broadcast Services that can Complement the Nations' 5G wireless networks. https://lnkd.in/eNK5Q7xb On December 10, 2020, the Commission released a Report and Order in its proceeding to encourage the provision of new and innovative Broadcast Internet services enabled by ATSC 3.0 — the “Next Generation” broadcast television standard often referred to as Next Gen TV — that can complement the nation’s 5G wireless networks.  The rule revisions clarify and update the regulatory landscape in order to foster the efficient and robust use of broadcast spectrum capacity for the provision of Broadcast Internet services consistent with statutory directives.  #FCC #ATSC #D2X #4F #Complement #Spectrum #Sharing

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Very good insight! I agree, the landscape is shifting. Adapt or die. As a TV and movie production company we can align with the streaming platforms, and with half a dozen companies reach HALF of the entire world's population. By doing so we can also control our own destiny and costs. That is alluring. The media distribution marketplace will dramatically change in the next 36 months. Is there a place for cinema, theatres, streaming, and other alternative delivery methods to co-exist? Time will tell, we all adapt, we all evolve, that is the nature of business. Here is a prelude of things to come...

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I would like to get a look at the complete analysis. I know from my own observations and discussions with broadcasters that are implementing NextGen TV, one of the biggest challenges is bandwidth availability to take full advantage of ATSC 3.0’s potential, meet the FCC mandates for simulcasting their primary ATSC 1.0 service, and maintaining their digi-nets. Without some form of relief, a full implementation is impossible and no one wants to promote the service’s capabilities and then not be able to deliver or have to reduce ATSC 1.0 services which are available to the entire population to provide expanded to services to the early adopters.

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The forecast for the upcoming hurricane season is the highest ever issued and AM radio, which plays a key role in the national Emergency Alert System, is there to help, according to this Inside Radio article. In a recent consumer report, Xperi Inc. found that AM radio, which offers emergency/weather disaster updates, community news, and more, is an indispensable part of their vehicle’s dashboard (60% agreed). AM Radio is a national asset, especially during times of natural disasters, which is why the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would require automakers to keep AM radio in the dashboard, is so important. https://lnkd.in/e2DmvJQF #Xperi #DTS #AMradio #automotive #connectedcars #cars DTS, Inc.

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TDious Experiences volume II: The Remote Broadcast Production Technical Director [Part 1: Mobile Unit Setup] Ask any 5 Technical Directors (TDs) to describe their role leading up to a live broadcast production and you’ll get anywhere from 5 to 50 different answers. That’s because the role has a number of seemingly dissimilar responsibilities that, in any other occupation, might be split among several different people. For example, a concert pianist generally doesn’t have to tune their own piano, assign the notes to the keys, build the conductor’s podium, compose the transitions from movement to movement, then ultimately play a three hour concerto on that piano nonstop, simultaneously monitoring each note on the piano offline to ensure tonal quality while performing LIVE before an audience of millions! Actually, that’s probably not the best analogy; a piano only has 88 keys. The world’s most popular Video Production Switcher, the Grass Valley Kayenne panel & K-Frame, has 1,326 buttons (or “keys”), 6 knobs, 4 fader bars and a joystick. The pianist in this scenario has the luxury of concerning themselves only with their ultimate performance. Everything else is taken care of for them. Not so for a remote TD. If it’s going to be a visual element within the show, it ultimately passes through the TD in one way or another. Video that will be mixed into the production itself must pass through the TD’s video switcher, while other signals, such as video going to monitors in the control room, can pass directly via the router. The router of a television mobile unit is the signal distribution core for any production. Any video or audio source that is going to be part of the production must exist within the mobile unit’s router. The TD is responsible for ensuring the correct video lands in the appropriate place in production monitor wall, its layout determined by the producer & director, as well as video switcher and all router control points in the control room. This is the part of the engineering setup that takes the most time to accomplish. The Engineer in Charge (EIC) is the sole manager of the router grid. It is critical that all inputs to the router and outputs from the router be managed by one individual. From there, especially in the IP world of media transport, every department has the ability to manage their own routing needs. It’s at this point that the TD can finally begin to focus on building out their “piano.” This begins with switcher input & output (I/O) documentation. Traditionally this is generated by the EIC, but with the increased flexibility offered in the IP world, this becomes a joint effort between the EIC, the TD and a dynamic document, such as a shared Google Sheet. In Part II I’ll delve into the mindset of the TD as they begin laying out sources for the production on the video switcher’s panel, as well as some important things to keep in mind when doing so. If you have Qs, thoughts or ideas for future TDious posts, drop a DM!

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https://lnkd.in/get5aWv9 Tune in to "Let's Just Talk" with your host, Kathryn Raaker, as we discuss important topics with our insightful guests. Our first guest, the esteemed Dr. Franziska Haydanek, OB-GYN, is here to enlighten us during National Women’s Health Awareness Month. Dr. Fran will share her unique perspective on how women can take charge of their well-being and make informed decisions about their health. Amidst the sea of health information, she'll provide practical advice on self-care, essential medical appointments, and key questions to ask your healthcare provider. #WomensHealth #HealthAwareness #Empowerment #SelfCare Next, we're thrilled to have Erron Stark, ADP's Vice President and General Manager of Small Business Services, joining us. In light of National Small Business Week, we're spotlighting small businesses' resilience and innovation. Stark will delve into how small business owners harness the power of data and embrace cutting-edge technologies like AI to streamline operations, creating more time for strategic initiatives and growth. Discover the pressing concerns of small business owners and their invaluable contributions to the economy. #SmallBusinessWeek #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinesses #EconomicImpact Wrapping up our show, Tom Liberatore, Director of the Office of Enforcement and Compliance with The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), sheds light on "Moving Missteps and Exposing Relocation Scams." With a staggering increase in complaints against moving companies and brokers, Tom will discuss the FMCSA's efforts to crack down on fraudulent practices and protect consumers. Please stay informed and protect your relocation experience. #MovingScams #ConsumerProtection #FraudPrevention #FMCSA

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It would appear that the “new realities” public radio has been discussing for years have arrived, and they have our full attention. Audiences are down in most places, deficits are mounting and staff are being cut, and the editorial heart of our news coverage is in question. As Programming leaders, the question of the moment is, “what now?” We can “admire the problem,” or we can act. On April 24 at 2p CT, Paragon and Listen Again Tomorrow want to start a conversation - ideas for "what now". What meaningful steps can the programming community take individually and together to respond to this new reality? RSVP at listenagaintomorrow at gmail We imagine April 24th as the first of three sessions - earning back the core, new things for new audiences, and scalable/sustainable digital. If you’d like to join this first conversation, send an email to listenagaintomorrow at gmail with the subject line “what’s next,” and a topline response (2-3 sentences) to the question below. We’ll pick 2-3 responses to highlight and discuss on Zoom. Space is limited (because Izzi has a cheap Zoom plan), so RSVP soon. Question for April 24 - How might we (as stations, NPR and other content providers, and as leaders shaping the culture of our organizations) earn back 50% of the audience most stations have lost in the past few years? What this is NOT - a sales thing for Paragon and Listen Again. We’re interested in ideas about action, not pitching work. We will also not be directly discussing the Berliner essay. We look forward to thinking and evolving together. Izzi Smith, Listen Again Tomorrow (listenagaintomorrow at gmail) Mike Henry, Paragon

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Perception versus reality

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Facilitating – so much more than just managing a meeting. With my Community Broadcasting hat on, I recently spent the day being ’facilitated’. Bryce Ives had the challenge of leading a bunch of talkative diverse humans in an important discussion about the future of media, and boy did he do a great job! It got me thinking more about the art and skill of facilitating productive gatherings. Facilitation is a dry word to describe a process that is really quite magical. You have heard of 'cat herding'. Wrangling humans - particularly large numbers of humans - is even trickier! You might be thinking, how do I do that? You might even be terrified to try that for the first time. Learning at the feet of some inspiring facilitators (hello Heidi Martin, Kevin Nuttall, Randall Pearce, Paul Taylor, Nancy Hromin, Kate Chaffer and many more), here are a few tips if you find yourself in the facilitation hot seat for the first time: Be crystal clear about the outcome.🎯 What are you here to do? State it up front, test it with everyone, revisit it as the session goes on. There is nothing more dispiriting than a gab fest with no outcome. Bite sized chunks are your friend. 🧩 Plan the session ahead of time and don’t try to squeeze in too much. Imagine the session like you are giving directions – first you go here, then you go there. After a series of steps you get to the outcome. Try walking and talking. 👨🏼‍🦽 If ever I need ideas, I walk. Taking a stroll with a partner is a relaxed way to have a chat. Send your participants in pairs for a trot around the block and be surprised at what they come back with. Keep it pacey and upbeat. 🙂 Dwelling too long on anything is the enemy of good facilitation. ‘Hit it with pace’ as my favourite Bachelor used to say. Respect the group's time and energy. ⏱️ Keep an eye on the clock and check in on energy levels as you go. And beware the dreaded ‘afternoon slump’ - not even the mints will get you through that! Bonus tip – if you are wanting to upgrade your facilitation skills, enrol in Waterfield’s 'Rapid Consensus' course and thank me afterwards. 🙏🏾 I'd love to hear more of your best facilitation tips in the comments.

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How does a TV News Network look and feel during the elections? The energy, enthusiasm, and enterprise are palpable everwhere — from the newsroom, the Production Control Room, Outdoor Broadcast, Field Reporting, and the backroom. You can feel it here in this behind-the-scenes CNN-News18 video. After all, Elections=CNN-News18.

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Use the right tools for the right reasons. 🧰 I put together this illustration as a way to oversimplify the current digital toolbox available to broadcast media companies today. While the real world is way more complex than what I can fit into a single illustration, I believe this can help guide intentions when thinking about all of the tools we have. If you are building a plan to better utilize a tool in the toolbox I think it's important to start with a plan of "why". What does this tool/platform truly do for you? Does it fall into an area of control, monetization and direct relationships with your true customers? Or does it fit in an area of little control and little monetization, but is good for reaching potential new customers? Again, I know this is an oversimplification. Would love to get all of your thoughts and continue to modify this. #media #broadcasting #radio #news #digital

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Just finished Adam Bryant’s *The Leap to Leader* and I’m blown away. This book is a breath of fresh air in the leadership genre. From the first page, it grabs your attention and never lets go. Bryant draws from his rich experience and distills leadership lessons in a way that’s engaging and practical. One standout point: good leaders keep their teams informed. Transparency is key. Bryant also emphasizes the importance of being a great manager before aiming for leadership roles. For those eyeing promotions, his advice is gold. Dive into challenges, solve problems, and build trust. The book ends with a powerful message: aim for collective success, not just personal glory. If you’re serious about leadership, this book is a must-read. Keep a notebook handy—you’ll want to jot down all the valuable insights. #Leadership #CareerGrowth #MustRead

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The next evolution in the streaming wars? It’s a new spin on the old cable TV model: cross-company bundles of streaming services. Consumers like bundles, especially if they’re getting a price break. Media companies like bundles because they help reduce churn (i.e., cancellation rates) and lower customer-acquisition costs, even it means working with would-be rivals. #Streaming #Media #Entertainment

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Radio ad demand is shrinking • How the major radio groups are privately dealing with declining advertising. • What market managers are doing to save the day (and their jobs). • The non-radio solutions being teed up by radio groups. • What some radio groups have turned to quarter by quarter to offset ad revenue declines with artificial cash infusions. • Typical market manager response to shrinking ad demand. https://lnkd.in/eXGHPhTM

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The Academy Vote is now open for the 11th Annual American Reality Television Awards! If you’re a working member of the reality tv industry, register for your complimentary Academy Membership at Academy.TheARTAS.com to cast your vote! The Academy vote will determine the final nominees that will head to the worldwide public vote!

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Broadcast codecs in dog years: *MP2: 217, MP4: 161, HEVC: 77, VVC: 28

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