BREAKING NEWS: Media

Radiodays North America Announces 2025 Speakers, Sessions

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 23:01:24 +0000

Radiodays North America, the conference for radio, podcasting and digital audio professionals has unveiled its first group of speakers and sessions. The conference, taking place May 6–8, will be held at Hotel X Toronto as part of the Departure Festival + Conference. This is Radiodays North America’s third consecutive year in Toronto, Canada.

This year’s speaker lineup includes:

Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams
Pierre Brovard, chief insights officer, Cumulus Media and Westwood One
Alison Broddle, senior managing director, CBC British Columbia
Sarah Cummings, director of radio content, iHeartRadio & Orbyt for Bell Media
Chris Ebbott, vice president of programming and operations, Audacy in Los Angeles
Alex Silverman; program director, KNX Los Angeles
Jeremy Sinon, VP of digital strategy, Hubbard Radio
Ross Winters, director of programming, Pattison Media

This year’s sessions include:

The L.A. Fires: Anatomy of a Natural Disaster
AI for Radio and Podcasts: Top Tools, Tips, and Tricks to Streamline Your Workflow
The World of Podcasting
Morning Show Deep Dive: “The Fred Show”
The Future of Local News and Why It Matters
From Digital Dimes to Digital Dollars. The Story of Townsquare Media.
Breaking Glass, Shaking Boundaries: Women Redefining Media’s Future.
Radio 2040 — What is radio going to look like in the future?
Audience Measurement for Radio — What’s the Fix?
Podcast Pivots: From AM Radio to Digital Content Machine, the Rise of SKOR North.
The Art of Brand Essence

Peter Niegel, Radiodays North America’s general manager and head of programming, said in a press release: “This year’s lineup will explore the most important issues and opportunities facing our industry, from the role of AI to the future of local news, to learn and share knowledge with each other. We hope to encourage conversations that push the audio space forward.”

Worth noting: All Radiodays North America attendees will have access to the Departure Festival + Conference — held May 6–11 — which will include events with restaurateur Matty Matheson, performers Mustafa and Tia Wood and Snapchat Canada GM Matt McGowan, among others.

For more information on the 2025 Radiodays North America, visit radiodaysnorthamerica.com.

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New Noncom FM CP Granted in Southern Indiana

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 22:51:20 +0000

The FCC has granted a construction permit for a new noncom FM station in Seymour, Ind., to the nonprofit New Beginnings Movement.

The permit stems from the 2021 NCE FM application window. New Beginnings, which is based in Muncie, was part of an MX group with three other applicants. Initially, it was the tentative selectee based on a fair distribution analysis by the commission.

Contour analysis provided in the technical documents of New Beginnings’ application.

One of the other MX group members, Lushomo Health Education Center, which sought to build an NCE FM station in Bloomington, successfully petitioned to deny the New Beginnings application in 2022, citing inaccuracies in the population figures it submitted. Radio World reported on the decision.

However, since then, the new tentative selectee, World Federation, withdrew its application. The Media Bureau then conducted a new comparative analysis of the MX group.

In February 2024, Lushomo amended its application, disclosing an attributable interest in WTLG(FM) in Makanda, Ill., which received a license on Feb. 5. Lushomo also stated one of its officers serves on the board of directors of WRLP(FM) in Orange, Va. It attached a contour map to the amendment, which Lushomo said illustrated the “great distances” from its Bloomington application and maintained its claim to diversity of ownership “is not disturbed.”

As a result of this amendment, the commission did not award Lushomo points in the diversity of ownership category in the MX group assessment, making New Beginnings again the tentative selectee.

Lushomo later filed a petition arguing that the commission had wrongly denied it points. It argued that its failure to disclose its attributable interests was a “harmless error.”

New Beginnings opposed Lushomo’s petition, arguing that Lushomo had ample notice of the NCE FM filing window requirements and had waited too long to submit its amendment.

The commission sided with New Beginnings.

(Read the commission’s statement on NCE MX Group 95.)

In its ruling, the commission said Lushomo had incorrectly certified that it had no attributable interests in any other broadcast station, “resulting in a demonstrably false basis for its diversity of ownership claim.”

The commission also noted Lushomo filed the amendment more than two years after the deadline.

Lushomo had attempted to compare the commission’s handling of a NCE FM CP grant to Brazos TV as evidence of “inconsistency” of deciding such matters of diversity credit.

However, the commission rejected this argument, stating when Brazos filed its amendment — including an additional contour map — it had already provided sufficient documentation for its diversity claim.

So after several rounds of deliberation, the commission affirmed New Beginnings as the tentative selectee and granted its construction permit, contingent on the organization maintaining the qualifications that allowed it to prevail in the tiebreaker over a four-year period. It must also comply with restrictions on station modifications and acquisitions.

New Beginnings’ CP authorizes a Class A FM signal on 88.5, licensed to Seymour. Its proposed antenna site is on a tower owned by WZZB(AM) and is home to several broadcasters in the southern Indiana community.

The organization also operates 88.1 WNAP(FM), a Class B1 station licensed to Morristown and known as “The Buzzard,” which is also broadcast on several area FM translators.

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MMTC, NABOB Pen Congratulatory Letter to Brendan Carr

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 22:12:43 +0000

Several prominent leaders in broadcasting, advocacy and minority media ownership have formally congratulated Brendan Carr on his appointment as chairman of the FCC.

Penned by leaders from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), U.S. Black Chambers (USBC), Roberts Radio Broadcasting, Multicultural Media, Telecom & Internet Council (MMTC) and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB), a letter was sent to the new chairman on Feb. 5.

The letter addressing Carr reads, in part: “We greatly appreciate the leadership you have shown in championing important changes to the broadcast industry over the past decade. Whether being one of the early voices advocating for ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV, or helping lead the effort on allowing radio stations to participate in the 21st century with geo-targeting technology, you have shown your commitment to encouraging broadcast technology and a clear recognition that the rules governing the industry need to change or else the industry will not be in a position to serve the public in the years and decades ahead.”

The collective of broadcast leaders went on to further emphasize Carr’s role in adopting the final rules for FM geotargeting, which went into effect this past November.

The letter concludes with the statement: “We are excited about the opportunity to work with you as you lead the FCC and address the many important issues that need reform. We stand ready to assist and wish you well in your new role.”

Read the full letter here.

The post MMTC, NABOB Pen Congratulatory Letter to Brendan Carr appeared first on Radio World.

Netflix Scurries to Stem Oscar Fallout From ‘Emilia Pérez’ Scandal

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:55:46 +0000

Netflix had thought the movie could deliver the company its first best picture award. But comments from its star have put it on the defense.

Who’s Watching What on TV? Who’s to Say?

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:46:55 +0000

People now watch so many programs at so many different times in so many different ways that measuring viewership has become a hot debate in the industry.

Fox Acquires Company Behind Conservative and True Crime Podcasts

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:20:29 +0000

Tucker Carlson, Nancy Grace, Megyn Kelly and Piers Morgan are among the clients of Red Seat Ventures, which now joins Rupert Murdoch’s empire.

WJLX Returns to 1240 AM After Tower Theft

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 19:34:54 +0000

WJLX(AM) in Jasper, Ala., which made national headlines last year after the sudden disappearance of its broadcast facilities, has resumed operations on 1240 AM.

Jonathan Timmons has taken over operations of the station as acting general manager. He spoke to Radio World about a whirlwind 22-day effort to restore the AM signal before the one-year deadline of its silent special temporary authority.

The station filed for an STA after Brett Elmore, its general manager, reported to police that the station’s 200-foot AM tower and transmitter had been stolen.

Elmore died in October at the age of 41.

Timmons had known Elmore since their time at Curry High School in Jasper. He later joined the Marine Corps but remained in touch with Elmore. “We’d talk nearly every day,” Timmons recalled.

Jonathan Timmons (L) and Brett Elmore (R), calling local athletics together.

Elmore invited Timmons to cover local sports broadcasts in 2015, which sparked his interest in broadcasting.

Now, Timmons has assumed control of the station Elmore had established in Walker County.

“I just couldn’t sit back and see his reputation take a hit,” Timmons said of Elmore. “He loved the community and everything he did was in an effort to serve it.”

Timmons has been frustrated by people criticizing Elmore on social media, especially since Elmore is no longer able to defend himself.

He doesn’t know what happened to the missing tower or transmitter. He said the transmitter site showed evidence of vandalism and was in a general state of disrepair.

“I just wish he had come to me sooner,” Timmons said regarding Elmore and the site’s problems.

Over 22 days, Timmons and his team cleared the site and set up two power poles in the swamp where WJLX’s transmitter is located.

Timmons picked up WJLX’s 1 kW transmitter in Georgia.

Timmons traveled to Donalsonville, Ga., to pick up a Harris Gates One 1,000-watt transmitter.

He then took it to Michael Patton & Associates in Baton Rouge to have it tuned to 1240 AM.

On Thursday, Jan. 30, Timmons picked up the transmitter and installed the 500-pound unit at the site the next day.

A crew sets up a power pole at WJLX(AM)’s transmitter site in Jasper, Ala.

Using a longwire antenna, he and a few colleagues connected it to the transmitter. Patton assisted in setting up an ATU. By 6 p.m. on Feb. 1, WJLX was back on the air.

Timmons said the station is operating at approximately 100 watts under a temporary setup. WJLX has a 195-foot tower on its property that he plans to erect as part of a more permanent AM setup.

He also credited David Snavely, owner of WIXI(AM) in Jasper, for his guidance and assistance.

Timmons owns an industrial maintenance business in the region. “My day-to-day is usually problem solving,” he explained, “but that’s a lot of what broadcasting is, too.”

After Elmore’s death, Timmons was in touch with his family, including Elmore’s mother, and discussed plans for the station going forward. As a result, since November, he’s assumed operations of the station after purchasing a share from its owner, James “Don” Early. Early, 83, is more of a “silent partner,” according to Timmons.

He said that every dime of advertising dollars since then has been used to acquire the transmitter and have it programmed.

Only $14,000 of the approximately $23,000, Timmons said, has been released from the GoFundMe set up by Elmore to help rebuild the station.

Timmons says his investment of time is, in part, a way to give back for the generosity Elmore showed him over the years, including his support for Timmons’ nephew after a swimming pool accident.

The station’s saga caused speculation of just how an antenna tower could disappear. In Radio World’s reporting, Elmore said he had been working with the Jasper Police Department in investigating the disappearance.

Elmore had wanted to keep the station’s 101.5 FM translator on the air after the disappearance but the commission denied its request.

The FM signal ultimately returned to the air as an iHeartMedia WDXB(HD3) translator, which Timmons says has continued.

Timmons is also taking over operations of 90.1 WERH(FM) in Hamilton, which Elmore began broadcasting in July.

Now, Timmons expects to be in broadcasting for the long haul.

“It’s my way of continuing to serve the community, schools and athletics that WJLX has offered,” Timmons said.

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We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Power Plant

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 19:31:58 +0000

Several recent events across the country again highlighted the nexus between broadcasting and the power grid.

Power in the United States comprises two camps, generation and delivery. Both areas have been under assault — the former from excessive demand on limited facilities, the latter by an insufficient and deteriorating distribution network that is particularly susceptible to severe weather.

On the generation side, there’s a large and broad discussion about the nearly exponential increase in demand for electric power as a function of the use of electric vehicles and, more dramatically, of AI and the mining of Bitcoin.

The October 2024 issue of the monthly IEEE Spectrum journal featured an article about nuclear power plants and their relevance to the cloud, AI and big data.

It showed an interesting graphic comparing the “watt hours” consumed by a Google search vs. an AI-powered web search — respectively, 0.3 and 6.9 watt-hours. An increase of 23 times! We’re seeing the common present to the projected new.

I think this suggests the power shortages to come. We’re going to need a lot more power if this one AI example is valid.

As far as Bitcoin mining, I expect to see a practical arrangement that has already started to take hold. As in the making of aluminum, which also requires a massive amount of power, hydro dams and nuclear plants will be able to forecast when demand is low, and high-consumption activities will run off-hours using power that otherwise would be forfeit.

Why all this matters to radio is that we’re fast approaching a point where our standby generators will become “bridging power” to carry us through the periods of brownouts and blackouts that I believe are coming.

The mother’s milk of broadcasting is power. No power, no radio.

So what should we do, what is the decision chain?

I and my Radio World contributor colleagues like Mark Persons and Cris Alexander have written extensively about alternate power sources over the years. The important universal thread is power quality — especially in waveform, as so much of our system requires clean sinewave power.

Beyond such considerations, stations will have to face some big-money decisions and decide how much they’re willing to invest to keep their signals and businesses running. Do they want just to stay on the air when power fails, adopting a minimalist approach that protects only basic functionality?

Or do they want to assure seamless programming? Or do they still want to conduct full business even if power fails, e.g. production, news, sales, all business systems, total creature comforts such as HVAC, vehicle chargers for the station autos?

Executives need to start thinking about the reliability of their power sources and how to protect them better.

The new administration in Washington promises a comprehensive energy approach; if it delivers, we may get some respite. Yet our power problem will grow significantly, regardless, as demand mushrooms. The hour of decisions will soon be upon us.

[Check Out More of Radio World’s Tech Tips]

The post We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Power Plant appeared first on Radio World.

U.S. Radio Industry Hits $2.1 Billion in Digital Revenue

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 19:12:26 +0000

The U.S. commercial radio industry surpassed $2 billion in digital revenue for the first time last year, according to a report from RAB and Borrell Associates, sponsored by Marketron.

They did not provide an estimate for total industry revenue but said digital now accounts for almost a quarter of the average station’s total income.

The announcement was made by RAB President/CEO Mike Hulvey, Marketron CEO Jimshade Chaudhari and Borrell Associates CEO Gordon Borrell.

They said digital growth continues to accelerate, with an additional $206 million in digital sales projected for 2025. “This represents a 9.7% increase, solidifying radio’s pivot toward strategies in which digital operations are becoming more of a focus,” according to an RAB press release.

“Streaming video has emerged as a dominant source of new growth, now surpassing streaming audio as radio’s top digital product. … Social media, search engine marketing (SEM) and streaming video continue to be top investments, with three out of five radio buyers planning to increase their digital ad spending in 2025.”

They said 82% of radio stations actively try to convert digital-only buyers into radio clients, but that lack of sales expertise is an ongoing challenge.

“As competition from TV, newspaper and streaming platforms intensifies, the report urges radio stations to rethink their digital roadmaps. With two-thirds of local advertisers not yet purchasing digital products from radio stations, opportunities for growth remain substantial.”

The post U.S. Radio Industry Hits $2.1 Billion in Digital Revenue appeared first on Radio World.

David Reaves Audio and Aqua Broadcast to Team Up

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:38:43 +0000

David Reaves Audio and Aqua Broadcast have announced a partnership.

Industry veterans David Reaves and Rich Redmond are co-founders of the new David Reaves Audio venture. In a release, the two companies said the collaboration enables manufacturing and distribution of high-performance audio products for radio broadcasters.

David Reaves (L) and Rich Redmond (R), from LinkedIn

UK-based Aqua will produce the products designed by Reaves. An Aqua spokesperson said the company expects to release several such products this year, including one to be announced at the NAB Show in April.

“I’m excited to bring fresh ideas and innovations to the industry with the help of Rich Redmond and Aqua Broadcast,” Reaves said in the release.

Reaves, who lives in Germany, was chief engineer at WHTZ(FM) “Z100” in New York from 1988—1996. He has also worked with NBC-TV. In addition to recent independent consulting, Reaves co-founded TransLanTech sound where he spent several years in the 2000s designing analog and digital audio level control algorithms. In that time, Reaves developed the Ariane processor line, named after his wife.

Redmond retains his full-time role at Broadcast Electronics. He told Radio World that he and Reaves have known one another since Redmond worked at Northeast Broadcast Lab and Reaves was at Z100.

[Visit Radio World’s News and Business Page]

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The Best and Worst Super Bowl Commercials, Ranked

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:13:02 +0000

Here is our critic’s survey of this year’s Super Bowl commercials, from best to worst.

Fears grow for health of social media influencer arrested on live TV in Sierra Leone

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 12:06:36 +0000

Hawa Hunt’s detention a month ago was politically motivated, say daughter and rights groups, who also raise concerns about her treatment in jail

Fears are mounting over the mental and physical health of a social media influencer who has been in prison in Sierra Leone for more than a month after she was arrested on live television.

Hawa Hunt, a dual Canadian and Sierra Leonean citizen, was arrested on 22 December while starring in House of Stars, a reality TV show, for comments she made on social media about the president of Sierra Leone and the first lady in May 2023.

A look at the debate about how much authors should get paid to license books for AI; Microsoft offered HarperCollins $5,000 per title, of which authors get 50% (Alice Robb/Bloomberg)

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:05:00 +0000

Alice Robb / Bloomberg:
A look at the debate about how much authors should get paid to license books for AI; Microsoft offered HarperCollins $5,000 per title, of which authors get 50% — Most experts agree that tech companies should pay creators whose work is used to train artificial intelligence.

This App Connects Public Transit Riders to Live ASL Interpreters

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:00:04 +0000

The pilot program kicks off with New York's MTA, through a partnership with an on-demand service called Convo.

Don't Sleep on CD Rates as High as 4.65% APY. Today's CD Rates, Feb. 10, 2025

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

A fixed APY lets you keep earning even if rates drop further.

A look at WikiTok, a site that lets users vertically swipe through an endless stream of random Wikipedia article stubs without algorithmically tracking the user (Benj Edwards/Ars Technica)

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:55:01 +0000

Benj Edwards / Ars Technica:
A look at WikiTok, a site that lets users vertically swipe through an endless stream of random Wikipedia article stubs without algorithmically tracking the user — On Wednesday, a New York-based app developer named Isaac Gemal debuted a new site called WikiTok, where users can vertically swipe through …

Check Out All Classical Radio’s Shiny New Headquarters

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:00:31 +0000

This is an excerpt from our recent ebook on outstanding new studio installations.

After a whirlwind year of construction, All Classical Radio, KQAC(FM), has at last settled into its new home in Portland, Ore.

All Classical’s new headquarters — also dubbed the media arts center — is located on the third floor of the historic KOIN Tower in downtown Portland. It includes five production studios, modernized audio/video technology and a performance hall to foster community.

The noncommercial educational FM radio station and multimedia network boasts 98% locally-produced programming, including daily playlists, interviews, live performances, syndicated radio shows, podcasts and arts and culture specials.

The KOIN Tower is a 509-foot, 35-story skyscraper next to the Willamette River in Portland, Ore. The building, the third-tallest in the city, opened in 1984. (Credit: KOIN Tower)

Demolition and construction of the media arts center began in August 2023, and was completed just one year later in August 2024. KQAC flipped the switch and began broadcasting from the KOIN Tower on July 26, 2024, and has been operating fully from the new HQ ever since.

The media arts center is 15,643 square feet, which is roughly 3,000 square feet larger than All Classical’s former headquarters at the Hampton Opera Center in Portland’s Central Eastside district. The new space also used to be a movie theater, and the high ceilings in particular offer a lot of opportunity sonically, according to All Classical’s engineering team.

The network broadcasts on FM and HD-1 on five full-service stations including KQAC Portland (its main signal), in addition to two translators. All seven signals simulcast KQAC’s programming. All Classical also reaches international audiences via its online stream and is host to the International Children’s Arts Network (ICAN), which broadcasts 24/7 on HD-2 in addition to all seven signals.

The grand opening on All Classical’s new HQ (Credit: Frankie Tresser)

After a few months of preparation, finishing touches and test runs, All Classical invited community members to the public grand opening of its media arts center and broadcasting headquarters in December.

GBD Architects Inc. was charged with the art center’s design, including all of its studio spaces and the performance hall; Howard S. Wright provided all construction services and construction management; and ZTransform worked closely with GBD, Howard S. Wright, Listen Acoustics and Christensen Electric to integrate studios and design the layout and technical aspects of the center.

Cafe seating at the new HQ (Credit: Pete Eckert)

As is so often the case with construction, All Classical said the timeline of the technical build was extended to account for unexpected surprises. For example: raising the floors in certain areas was required for acoustical integrity and greater soundproofing. This meant additional accompanying ramps had to be built to ensure accessibility … which, of course, took more time.

“One big surprise was that the wood floor originally selected for our state-of-the-art performance hall floor was too heavy,” said Suzanne Nance, president and CEO of All Classical Radio. “Fairly late in the construction timeline, we went back to the drawing board — literally — to choose a different wood floor. This was an incredible collaborative effort between GBD Architects, Oregon Lumber Company, who donated the wood, and Ian Eikanas, the KPFF structural engineer who evaluated the integrity of the floor.”

Suzanne Nance, president and CEO of All Classic Radio. (Photo credit: Jaime Valdez)

One positive development, however, in All Classical’s relocation process was the opportunity to negotiate and secure a favorable, long-term lease in the heart of downtown Portland.

“Not only does this benefit the station’s sustainability, but it also positions us well geographically to strengthen and expand the role that we play in uplifting the city and its creative communities,” said Nance.

With the technical buildout now complete, All Classical is highlighting several more-aesthetic features of the space — one of which is a wall of music displaying many of the CDs used to create All Classical’s daily playlists (now digitized), with a rolling ladder to access the albums.

All Classical’s impressive CD wall (Credit: Christine Dong)

Also, right outside of ICAN’s “Studio Bee,” All Classical designed a lime-green reading nook, featuring a whimsical wooden tree, dangling fairy lights, an equally-colorful bookshelf and a comfy cocoon chair.

The finished ICAN reading nook (Credit: Frankie Tresser)

All Classical’s new Moonflower Studio is also designed for youth programming and mentorship — from the accessibility of the production desk (a lower height than others in the space), to the design choices in making a creative and playful environment, according to Nance.

Kid-friendly production space in the Moonflower Studio (Credit: Frankie Tresser)

“We finalized our office furniture choices with Environments NW in late 2023, and collaborated with Anthropologie for ancillary furniture and decor,” said Nance. “In addition to our core interior design, we are commissioning and working with local artists. One of our earliest and most exciting installations is by Mary Chomenko Hinckley, in one of our main gathering spaces which we call the Artists Lounge.”

A Mary Chomenko Hinckley art installation, left wall (Credit: Frankie Tresser)

[Related: “All Classical Radio Gains a Historic Headquarters“]

The overall vision for All Classical Radio’s new headquarters was led by the station’s management team: Nance, COO Matt Kovich, the station’s board of directors and Chief Engineer Mike Alston.

Taking the lead, Alston oversaw the technical planning and engineering buildout, which included production studio layout and equipment; operations center equipment; and the performance hall and adjoining a/v control rooms.

“We selected Axia’s AoIP system for broadcast and [an] ENCO automation system,” said Alston. “In the performance hall we have Grace Design preamplifiers, Dante audio routing, Telos Infinity IP Intercom Systems and an Allen & Heath mixing console. Our microphones in the hall are a collection of Schoeps, AKG and Sennheiser. We went with Electro-Voice RE27s for the production studio microphones.”

All Classical’s main studio (Credit: Pete Eckert)

Alston also said the completed center includes more than 30 miles of cabling running throughout the building.

“The cable runs are quite long from room to room due to our high ceilings, which are around 22.5 feet,” said Alston. “In order to enhance the workplace environment, emphasizing natural light and open spaces, we chose to route all electrical and data conduits high up in the ceiling,” he said. “Our primary cable route is hidden quite nicely behind an open soffit at around 14 feet, easy to reach with a 10-foot ladder.”

All Classical’s technical operations center under construction, May 2024 (photo credit: Howard S. Wright)

Alston said the 100-person performance hall cable routing was the most difficult to coordinate and implement due to the lighting grid, HVAC, sound paneling, fire safety systems and audio distribution system; however, “successfully finishing this part of the cabling and buildout was particularly gratifying.”

Super Bowl: Kendrick Lamar, the ads, Taylor Swift and everything but the football – as it happened

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 03:38:52 +0000

While the game goes ahead, it’s a big night for culture with a much-anticipated half-time show, a string of big name ads and a returning role for Taylor Swift

Follow the game here

Brad Pitt is making sure you know that football is culture. The actor just showed up in a PSA for … the Super Bowl? That was essentially a rambling collage of American propaganda. Appearing in New Orleans – an interesting choice, given the many issues with homes his foundation built there post-Katrina – Pitt waxes poetic on the football huddle as “a metaphor for our history” along with many platitudes on American unity, for a game Donald Trump is attending.

Official Super Bowl 2025 Ads Hitting Your TV Screen Today

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 02:40:00 +0000

A roundup of big-game spots for OpenAI, Mission: Impossible, Dodge Ram, Tubi and more.

Best Senior Phone Plans of 2025

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:43:00 +0000

If you're over 55 years old, you can save money on having a phone plan with T-Mobile, Verizon or even small carriers like Mint.

Edison: despite Spotify's video push, only two of the top 10 US podcasts post videos on Spotify; 37 of the top 50 US podcasts regularly post videos on YouTube (Ashley Carman/Bloomberg)

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:35:00 +0000

Ashley Carman / Bloomberg:
Edison: despite Spotify's video push, only two of the top 10 US podcasts post videos on Spotify; 37 of the top 50 US podcasts regularly post videos on YouTube — Popular programs like New Heights and Club Shay Shay have yet to put their videos on the streaming service

Best Cellphone Plans of 2025: Our Top Picks

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:23:00 +0000

If you’re switching phone plans, you’ve got options. Here are our top picks from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

T-Mobile Opens Its Starlink Beta, Including to People With AT&T and Verizon

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 23:55:03 +0000

T-Mobile is heading to the Super Bowl to show off its space ambitions, with a widespread launch slated for July.

How GoFundMe Became a $250 Million Lifeline After the L.A. Fires

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 23:46:16 +0000

Donations on the crowdfunding site to people and fire relief efforts have exceeded those for all natural disasters worldwide last year.

Best Small Phone to Buy in 2025

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 23:24:00 +0000

Small phones basically don't exist, but these are the smallest ones that are worth your time.

Best Travel Phone of 2025

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 23:03:00 +0000

Whether you're on a daytrip or traveling abroad, having the right phone by your side can make trips a smooth affair. Here are the best travel phones of 2025.

Best Travel Coffee Mugs of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 22:52:00 +0000

Our experts have tested and reviewed the top travel coffee mugs, ensuring you get the best options for convenience, durability and temperature retention.

Best Smoke Detectors for 2025

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 22:45:00 +0000

Stay prepared with the most reliable smoke detectors for fire and carbon monoxide detection -- tested and recommended by our experts.

Best Gas Grills of 2025

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 22:30:00 +0000

Gear up for your next cookout by upgrading your grill. These are the top gas grills, tested and approved by our CNET experts.

Best iPhone in 2025: Here's Which Apple Phone You Should Buy

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:45:00 +0000

Whether you're looking at the iPhone 16, 16 Pro or a discounted iPhone 15, we tested and reviewed them all. Here are the best iPhone models that we recommend.

Best Cheaper Rivals to Apple AirPods Max for 2025: Sony, Bose, AirPods Pro 2 and More

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:44:00 +0000

Apple AirPods Max headphones are excellent but expensive. These affordable alternatives deliver great sound for less.

Best Beer Clubs for 2025

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:40:00 +0000

We've tested a bushel of beer clubs to find the best of the bunch on a budget.

Like Everyone Else, Sigourney Weaver Fell For Baby Yoda

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:30:00 +0000

And that’s why she’s in the new movie The Mandalorian and Grogu. Baby Yoda isn’t so young anymore: “He’s grown up a little bit and is capable of much more than maybe we think just watching the series,” she says. – Variety

Best Samsung Phone of 2025

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:04:00 +0000

The Galaxy S25 series joins our list for the best Samsung phones we've tested and that you should consider buying.

Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Feb. 10, #344

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:00:07 +0000

Fashionistas, you should do well on today's Feb. 10 Strands puzzle, No. 344.

Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Feb. 10, #140

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:00:06 +0000

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections: Sports Edition No. 140 for Feb. 10

Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Feb. 10, #610

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:00:04 +0000

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections No. 610 for Feb. 10.

Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for Feb. 10, #1332

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:00:03 +0000

Here are some hints and the answer for Wordle No. 1,332 for Feb. 10.

Xperi Asks FCC to Reject Challenge to Asymmetric Sideband Order

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 20:56:03 +0000

Xperi and several U.S. broadcast groups are pushing back against an effort to modify the FCC’s order allowing asymmetric digital sidebands.

In September the commission allowed most FM stations to operate their upper and lower HD Radio sidebands at different power levels without special permission. The change was intended to give broadcasters greater flexibility to maximize their coverage. (For now, stations on 107.1 to 107.9 have to operate under the previous rules due to aviation industry concerns.)

In November, Press Communications petitioned the FCC to reconsider parts of that decision.

Press is a New Jersey-based owner of a half-dozen radio stations and a self-described skeptic about HD Radio’s commercial viability. The company has said that it supports asymmetric operation “only if the change fully protects Class A broadcasters.”

“The contention that this service will not introduce additional interference to adjacent channels is largely based on assumptions that the HD system universe is stable and reliable. The evidence we submit herein strongly suggests otherwise,” the company told the FCC. It said its engineering research suggests that “most HD operators fail to accurately monitor their HD authorized power levels, much less adhere to their authorizations.”

Concerned about interference, it wants the FCC to require that authorizations for HD operation be published in the commission’s Daily Digest. Also, HD Radio-enabled stations should be required to “file an analyzer plot showing compliance with their authorizations at least once a year,” and the plots would be accessible via the LMS database.

Press also asked the FCC to develop a plan for arguing interference that would be similar to its 45 dBu translator rules, “recognizing the need for stations, and their listeners, to educate, identify and report digital interference.” It said the FCC also should allow affected stations to demonstrate interference through out-of-compliance analyzer plots.

And it called on the commission to “address the obvious inequalities inherent in the current application of the HD rules for Class A broadcasters.” (Read the Press petition.)

Now Xperi, parent of the HD Radio technology, has asked the FCC to dismiss the petition.

“The Press Petition does not provide any basis for the commission to depart from that finding and is based on an interference study that is deeply flawed,” Xperi wrote.

“Press has not provided any valid justification for adding additional red tape to the process for commencing asymmetric sideband operations.” It said Press had not identified a single instance of real-world interference from the use of asymmetric sidebands. (Read the Xperi filing.)

Xperi is getting support from several big broadcast organizations.

iHeartMedia told the FCC that the objection from Press should have been filed sooner. It also took exception to the methodology used by the Press study. It said its own research taken at transmitter sites confirms — “within reasonable parameters” — that iHeart’s HD Radio operations in the Philadelphia area are compliant. It also said field measurement of local signals generally shows “side band symmetry within a reasonable range,” and that other factors in the environment are likely responsible for inconsistent field measurement data.

“Lastly, Press is asking the commission to make fundamental changes in the system of FM allotments by seeking to extend protections to Class A FM stations outside their protected service contours. Such a request is outside the parameters of this rulemaking,” iHeart wrote. (Read the iHeart filing.)

Oppositions to the Press petition also were filed by Educational Media Foundation and CMG Media Corp.

The latter told the FCC: “As the record in this docket shows, radio broadcasters have successfully operated in HD for more than two decades and those operations have proven stable. Accordingly, contrary to the claims Press makes in its petition, imposing additional regulatory requirements on HD Radio operators would be unnecessarily burdensome on broadcasters and would not serve the public interest.”

The post Xperi Asks FCC to Reject Challenge to Asymmetric Sideband Order appeared first on Radio World.

Lee Enterprises says a "cybersecurity event" has disrupted operations at its newspapers since at least February 3, forcing some to not print at all (Amanda Holpuch/New York Times)

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 19:35:01 +0000

Amanda Holpuch / New York Times:
Lee Enterprises says a “cybersecurity event” has disrupted operations at its newspapers since at least February 3, forcing some to not print at all — The media company Lee Enterprises said a “cybersecurity event” had created havoc at dozens of its newspapers, prompting some to publish shorter editions or not print at all.

Tubi Is Showing the Super Bowl for Free Today. Here's How to Watch

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 18:36:15 +0000

The free streaming service Tubi is gearing up for its first-ever Super Bowl with an all-new programming lineup.

Cyberattack Disrupts Publication of Lee Newspapers Across the U.S.

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 18:28:43 +0000

The media company Lee Enterprises said a “cybersecurity event” had created havoc at dozens of its newspapers, prompting some to publish shorter editions or not print at all.

How to Watch Super Bowl 2025: Free Livestream Options, Channel for Eagles vs. Chiefs

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 17:43:09 +0000

Find out the best ways to watch or stream the Super Bowl, the commercials and Kendrick Lamar's halftime show on Fox or for free on Tubi.

Class politics still plays a role in entrenching inequality | Letters

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 17:32:35 +0000

Readers respond to an editorial on the politics of class and culture wars

In your editorial (The Guardian view on class politics: it has faded as culture wars have risen, 5 February), you wrote about politicians who “treat class as a matter of culture rather than economics, about tastes and traditions rather than where you sit in relation to power”. I suspect the reality is the other way round, that it is not your culture which defines your class, but your class (however imperfect and shifting the definition may be) that defines your culture, or at least some aspects of it.

When we encounter institutional racism, misogyny, Islamophobia and so on in the police or the armed forces, we should ask whether those views were created in people by the organisation’s culture, or was the culture created by people who already had those views when they joined. If there is a problem with such prejudices being common in the class from which rank-and-file members of those organisations are predominantly drawn, we must recognise that and address it there, or we will never mend the organisations. If someone joining the police at 18 is a racist, it’s already too late.
Mike Perry
Ickenham, London

When Is Puppy Bowl 2025? How to Watch the Super Cute Showdown

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 17:10:41 +0000

Fuzzy pooches will clash during the annual adoption awareness match.

La Liga Soccer Livestream: How to Watch Sevilla vs. Barcelona From Anywhere

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 17:00:06 +0000

Can Barça close the gap on league leaders Real Madrid?

At A Fire-Postponed Critics Choice, Demi Moore, Then Anora, Are Surprise Winners

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 16:30:00 +0000

Because of the fires, “Voting had already concluded on Jan. 10, meaning the weeks that followed — marked by major events including the announcement of the Oscar nominations … — had no impact on the results.” – The New York Times