The FCC has officially adopted the long-debated FM Geo-Targeting.
FM Geo-Targeting aims to allow stations to, “air geo-targeted content for a portion of their broadcast hour using localized boosters,” according to a report by RadioInk.
Since it was first proposed, the technology had been debated for the benefits and harms it poses to stations, specifically women and minority-owned.
Benefits that the new rule offers is allowing stations to hyper-localize content, which could potentially boost advertising sales. Some concerns of harms the rules could bring include a negative affect to advertising rates and revenue.
Nandu Machiraju has joined the NAB as senior vice president and deputy general counsel, the organization announced in a press release on Thursday, April 4.
According to the press release, “Machiraju will develop and advance NAB’s policy goals across a broad range of issues that concern radio and television broadcasters, leading industry advocacy on NEXTGEN TV and addressing a variety of spectrum matters and other regulatory issues.”
APRIL
- April 10 – Quarterly Issues Programs Lists. All full power and Class A TV stations, and all commercial and noncommercial AM and FM radio stations, must prepare and upload to their online public inspection files a list of important issues facing their communities, and the programs aired in the months of January, February and March dealing with those issues.
- April 10 – All Class A TV stations must upload to their online public files documentation certifying their continued Class A eligibility for First Quarter 2024.
- April 10 – All noncommercial educational radio and television stations that are not affiliated with NPR or CPB, and that suspended regular programming to conduct thirdparty fundraising for the benefit of a non-profit organization, must generate relevant documentation for the period January 1-March 31 and place it in their public inspection file by this date. Such stations can devote no more than 1% of their total airtime to such fundraising efforts. 3
- April 10 – Documentation of any foreign government-provided programming aired between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024 must be uploaded to station’s online public file.
MAY
- May 21 – Federal (House), State, County, and Municipal Georgia primaries.
On April 9, 2024, WRBL-TV Columbus, cut the ribbon on a new Columbus State-based news bureau.
Previously, the station’s news bureau was located at the department’s former Carpenters Hall location, originally opened in 2018. In its new location, Yancey Center at One Arsenal Place on the university’s Riverpark campus, students studying communications will be have better access to witness news professionals working in real-time. This close proximity will allow more students to take advantage of opportunities to receive mentoring and internships through the station.
“This is top-30 market [space], and your students should know that. They’re getting the best we have to offer,” said Joe McGuire, WRBL’s vice president and general manager. “This space allows us to do everything we need to [to provide students with a multimedia news organization experience].”
On April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse took place, spanning from Texas to Maine.
During the eclipse, Georgia stations, like their counterparts across the United States, covered the event. At its peak, Georgians witnessed the moon covering 80-85% of the sun, which took place at 3:04 p.m.
Gray Television has announced a multi-year agreement with Arena Football League, aimed to further its goals of bringing live coverage of local sports to its communities.
According to a press release, “..the Georgia Force (Atlanta) will air on Gray’s Georgia
television stations in Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Albany, Macon, and Columbus via Gray’s Peachtree Sports Network.” Teams that will also be covered include: the Minnesota Myth, Nashville Kats, Louisiana Voodoo, West Texas Hawks, Salina Liberty, Southwest Kansas Storm, Wichita Regulators, and Rapid City Marshals.
“We’re excited to bring Spring football to local audiences,” said Sandy Breland, Gray’s Chief Operating Officer. “This agreement provides another example of how Gray works to strengthen local communities with local and regional sports content.”
This partnership comes in the wake of many of Gray’s recent efforts to strengthen coverage of local sports, especially in Atlanta. Last fall, Gray launched Peachtree Sports Network, providing Gray Television stations across the state with live, local sports coverage.
Jazz WCLK 91.9 has welcomed an old face back to the station for its 50th Anniversary celebration, Quo Vadis Breaux, the station’s first programming director.
April 10, 2024, officially marks the station’s 50th anniversary. The Local Take With Kiplyn Primus is spending the month featuring the people who first started the station. This week, Quo Vadis Breaux joined to share her decision to leave behind her job at historic WYLD in New Orleans to embark on a new journey at Clark College as general manager of WCLK.
Follow the link below to listen to the full interview.
Nueva Network CEO Jose Villafañe spoke with Radio Ink on the significant role that radio continues to play in the 2024 election.
According to Radio Ink, “In March alone, former President Donald Trump’s largest super PAC spent hundreds of thousands in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan on radio ads targeting Hispanic and Black voters.”
In Radio Ink’s conversation with Villafañe, the organization focused on radio’s value in minority communities, specifically Spanish-speaking communities. Radio plays a major role in these communities because it is provides value and trust in the listeners’ native language.
“Whether you are a student in college, a cleaning lady, a mechanic, or an Uber driver; first, second, or third-generation Hispanic – radio is what connects you to the information world,” says Villafañe.
WDUN Gainesville rung in 75 years with former President and current Presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
The station, owned by Jacobs Media, welcomed Trump to its show, “WDUN’s Mornings on Maine Street,” on Tuesday morning. Joining Trump on the air was Jacobs Media Corp. President/CEO Jay Jacobs, Board Member Anna Jacobs, Director of Digital Strategy John Jacobs, and Executive Vice President and General Manager Bill Maine.
Jay Jacobs thanked Trump for legislation passed during his term that allowed for the station to plan and execute its upcoming move to a new location in Downtown Gainesville. Jay references the Opportunity Zones legislation.
In conclusion of the interview, Trump wished the station a happy 75th anniversary.
“WDUN is a really special place and it’s a special voice, and I want to wish them a very happy 75th anniversary,” Trump said.
The GAB wishes WDUN a very happy 75th anniversary, alongside former president, Donald Trump.
