(( transmitterAugust / September 2014 $6.95 ))

A Portable Radio in Every Pocket Over-the-air radio’s future!

ALSO INSIDE:

IBA Visits with Training for Honoring Silver Dome Congress Success…a Success! Broadcasters Winners

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ILLINOIS BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION FROM THE PRESIDENT (( )) DENNIS LYLE, IBA PRESIDENT / CEO transmitter

IBA 2013-2014 OFFICERS EXECUTIVE BOARD Chairman of the Board Sarah Hautala, WJVO/WJIL, Jacksonville Chairman-Elect Coby Cooper, WCIA-TV, Champaign Vice-Chair TV As we do every year with our first industry-wide acceptance of the Frank Whittaker, NBC 5, Chicago issue of Transmitter published NextRadio app which (particularly Vice-Chair Radio following our annual conference, we when combined with TagStation® Doug Levy, Univision Radio, Chicago again provide our readers a great the Emmis-designed cloud-based Treasurer Drew Horowitz, Hubbard Radio, Chicago look back at the just-completed engine that provides data to Immediate Past-Chair IBA2014, plus allow room to NextRadio) allows free, local, over- Earl Jones, Clear Channel Media & look forward to some exciting the-air broadcast radio stations to Entertainment, Chicago advancements for the medium embrace their listeners and, perhaps of radio. It wasn’t that long ago more importantly, allows listeners to BOARD OF DIRECTORS Donna Baker, Cumulus Radio, Chicago (January 8, 2013 to be exact) when embrace radio like never before. Dr. Joe Blaney, ISU, Normal Radio World magazine reported Chris Bullock, Cromwell Radio, Decatur “Sprint (has) announced a preliminary Tom Taylor’s Tom Taylor Now Carlos Fernandez, WGEM, Quincy arrangement with radio broadcasters e-newsletter recently reported that John Idler, ABC 7, Chicago — negotiated principally on the radio NAB-funded research by Coleman John Kennedy, WGEL, Greenville side by Jeff Smulyan — that it says Insights showed FM chips on Roger Lundeen, Galesburg Broadcasting marks the first time a U.S. wireless cellphones can change perceptions John Nolan, Nielsen carrier will offer the ability to access about radio’s portability. Postured Marshall Porter, WHBF, Rock Island local FM radio on a broad array of as a “qualitative prelude” to an Bob Ramsey, WCIU-TV, Chicago Jerry Schnacke, RBC, Chicago devices.”* eventual larger quantitative study Steve Wheeler, WSIL-TV, Carterville about NextRadio, Taylor’s column Marty Wilke, CBS 2, Chicago That news prompted (then) newly quotes Coleman Insights President/ elected IBA Chairman of the COO Warren Kurtzman, as saying “to DIRECTORS EMERITI Board, Sarah Hautala (WJIL/WJVO anyone over 40 who grew up with Emily Barr, Graham Media Group Jacksonville, IL) to encourage IBA’s transistor radios and Walkmans, Marv Dyson, Chicago board of directors to pass an IBA the idea that radio isn’t mobile Resolution in support of FM chips/ is striking.” Taylor’s column went EX-OFFICIO receivers in cellphones. on to report that to the 20-39s in Dana Withers, NAB Representative Emily Barr, NAB Representative this first part of the study from The following day, with that Coleman and knowDigital, radio IBA IBA Resolution in tow, Emmis just isn’t a portable medium and Dennis Lyle, President & CEO Communications’ Paul Brenner that respondents in that age group [email protected] (recipient of Radio World’s 2012 “overwhelmingly cited that they have Debra Gray, Marketing Director Excellence in Engineering Award) and little access to radio outside of when [email protected] Grace Heninger Cromwell Radio Group’s founder they are in their cars, and as a result, NCSA/PEP Administrator & Event Planner and president Bud Walters, (a they turn to other sources of audio Transmitter is published bimonthly by the member of the Illinois Broadcasters entertainment when they are not Illinois Broadcasters Association, 200 Missouri Foundation’s board of directors driving.” Avenue, Carterville, IL 62918, solely for the and current Chairman of the Radio information of its membership and other interested parties. Although every effort is Advertising Bureau) introduced to The study’s follow-up findings made to verify the accuracy of information our IBA2013 attendees the concept indicated that “after being contained in the publication, no guarantee of of NextRadio and TagStation®. introduced to NextRadio and such accuracy can be made, and the IBA, and its officers and staff are not responsible for any having an opportunity to use it errors or omissions of typographical or factual Fast-forward 12+ months and we find during interviews, these consumers nature of contained herein. encouraging progress with the FM expressed the belief that NextRadio Issue copy price $6.95. chip initiative thanks, no doubt, to would make FM a truly mobile the dedication of passionate people medium.” IBA-member Bud Walters’ 618-985-5555, Carterville; 217-793-2636, Springfield [email protected] | www.ilba.org like the above-mentioned persons; Find us on Facebook: but also thanks to the growing continued on page 11 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Illinois- Broadcasters-Association/262888937113153? ref=br_tf 2 transmitter | August / September 2014 OPINION

A Portable Radio in Every Pocket Until Now This has Never Before Been Possible BAYARD H. WALTERS President, Cromwell Radio Group

I believe that local “over the air” radio has a very bright future if broadcasters offer programming that is unique and if NextRadio is a part of smart devices and the dash board. We are now at a tipping point for that to happen with NextRadio. If it doesn’t, our programming efforts as a local medium will be less and less successful.

All of us are using our smart a smart phone that can want to for their most demand more phones devices as an essential download the free APP. successful or youth oriented from AT&T, Verizon, and part of our lives. If local If you have sent in your stations. The whole thing is T-Mobile. There is a web radio is available on our logo to TagStation.COM, really cool. site “FreeRadioOnMyPhone. smart device, “over the air” your logo appears next to Org” that makes it easy. broadcasters will have an your station on the station By year-end there will be Take a look, please. NPR equal shot for the attention guides (lists stations by 10 million phones with is promoting this site as of consumers that internet format and frequency). This NextRadio. By year-end are many of the major programming providers now is all FREE to you and the 2015 my guess is 30 million broadcast companies. enjoy. NextRadio is the key consumer. Then when your phones plus a place on Those of us in smaller to that access that radio station is chosen, your logo the dashboard of new markets should as well. has historically had, but is takes over the screen of the cars. Think how long it no longer assured. smart device. It looks great. took Sirus/XM to reach So…our future is staring The logo comes to the 30 million. They have not us in the face. For those What is NextRadio? It phone via internet, but the yet. I think satellite is now of us who are licensees or is a FREE downloadable audio is “over the air”. The just 26 million after more care about local, it is up to APP that activates the FM listener has no data charges than 10 years. NextRadio us to push things along. receiver that is in practically for audio, battery life is is also outdistancing HD. It “Over the air” radio need every smart phone. Sprint three times that of internet is “over the air” radio with not decline if con-sumers offers the NextRadio in streaming, and there is no all the digital interactivity have an affordable, easy about 20 models of phones. buffering. As you move we want through the to use, NextRadio receiver AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile from place to place, the internet. The system is “in in their pocket and on offer it on the HTC ONE phone geo-positions you place”. Research says that their dashboard. If our (M8) phone. We all have about every six (6) miles consumers love it. Young programming is creditable to work together to get and re-casts the stations people have never known and locally important, consumers to demand that can be heard “over the a port-able radio and they consumers will continue that these carriers turn on air”. If you are in Chicago love that idea. Everyone to choose us and value the NextRadio app in the today and LA tomorrow, seems to understand the what we do. If there are phones they sell. Not only your phone will show you value of having a radio for no radios, we don’t have a does NextRadio offer the the local stations, logos, an “emergency”. By the chance. Oh yes, consumer’s local stations “over the air”, album art, what’s playing way, the radio in the smart will also be able to get us it offers interactivity, album and artist(s), and the other phone works even if the cell and others on the stream, art, “buy music” options, interactivity features…with system does not. That’s the but it’ll cost them more on and ways to communicate more to come. beauty of an “over the air” their data plan, the battery with favorite stations on a radio in your pocket at all life will be shorter, and the variety of topics. If you want your station times. stream won’t be there in an to have the album art and emergency. NextRadio is If you are a station interactivity, there is a $35 The time is now. We need to here. It is our opportunity licensee or employee, your per month cost, which is help get more smart devices for a brighter future. We station(s) is already on mostly a copyright cost for adopted by AT&T, Verizon, just need to have more the NextRadio APP. There the album art. The major and T-Mobile. SPRINT “over the air” radios in the is no investment. Your companies in large markets, is already “all in” and pockets of consumers. station is on the smart as well as NPR, are doing promoting. We need to help That’s up to us.  device of anyone who has this. Smaller markets may inform consumers so they’ll

Illinois Broadcasters Association 3 ... a Success!

Champaign’s iHotel proved to be the perfect location for nearly 500 broadcasters from throughout Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky to “Train for Success.” Sellers and Managers chose from thirteen training sessions led by some of the industry’s experts as well as innovative thinkers.

Jeff Schmidt, Sparque

Tom Ray, Doyle & Associates

IBA Chairman Sarah Hautala with Westwood One Radio Show Host and IBA2014 Keynoter Jim Bohannon.

Chris Lytle, “The Accidental Salesperson” Dennis Green, Sr. VP Affiliate Sales, Westwood One Scott Heath, Tribune

MANY OF OUR SPEAKERS HAVE MADE THEIR PRESENTATIONS AVAILABLE FOR SHARING WITH IBA MEMBER STATIONS. TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATIONS, PLEASE VISIT: http://www.ilba.org/events/conferences/item/827-iba2014-presenters-share-their-presentations 4 transmitter | August / September 2014 Jim Turpin, Morning Show Host, WDWS-AM and Judy Fraser, former Weathercaster, WCIA-TV were honored as IBA Broadcast Pioneers during the opening morning HONORING session at the iHotel in Champaign. While Turpin and Fraser were the eleventh and twelfth names added to the list of Broadcast Pioneers, BROADCASTERS Turpin was the first Pioneer to accept the award and then step IBA HONORED TWO BROADCAST PIONEERS, ONE BROADCASTER out into the lobby to finish up his OF THE YEAR, AND RENAMED AN AWARD AFTER A LONG-TIME AND morning radio show. Turpin can still WELL-RESPECTED BROADCASTER, GONE TOO SOON. be heard on mornings at WDWS- AM with his radio show, “Penny for as Chairman of the Board for the IBA and is currently Your Thoughts” and Fraser, while retired from the IBA Director Emeritus, a position granted to her for weather, is still involved in community organizations life as a tribute of her service to the board. in Champaign-Urbana. Joined by their friends and families, Jim and Judy shared with the audience Gone but not forgotten, W. Russell Withers, Jr., what the honor meant to them as well as some funny will be forever remembered as the IBA Board of memories from their years as local broadcasters in Directors voted to rename the “Broadcast Pioneer their community. Award” to the “W. Russell Withers, Jr., Broadcast Pioneer Award” recognizing Russ’ passion for Jeff Schmidt, Sparque Emily L. Barr became the first woman recipient of being a local broadcaster. Representatives from the IBA Vincent T. Wasilewski “Broadcaster of the Withers Broadcasting stations across the country Year” award. Barr, President and CEO of Graham were present along with daughter, Dana Withers, Media (known as Post-Newsweek Stations at the President of Dana Communications to pay one last time of the honor) had previously served two terms tribute. 

Above: Dana Withers, Dana Communications and IBA’s Dennis Lyle. At left (left to right): Jim Turpin, Morning Show Host; Brian Barnhart, WDWS Sports and Voice of the Illini; and Ed Bond, WDWS Engineer.

Left to right: Dennis Lyle, IBA; Coby Cooper, WCIA-TV; Left to right: Dennis Lyle, IBA; Emily Barr, Graham Left to right: Vincent T. Wasilewski honorees past Judy Fraser, Broadcast Pioneer; Jim Turpin, Broadcast Media and the 2015 IBA Broadcaster of the Year, and and present: Jack Everette (1999), Emily Barr (2014), Pioneer; and Mike Haile, WDWS/WHMS. Drew Horowitz, Hubbard Radio. Drew Horowitz (2013) and Marv Dyson (2007).

Illinois Broadcasters Association 5 IBA Honors the

BEST ILLINOIS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD of the STATIONS OF THE YEAR Members of the Illinois Army National Guard were on hand in Champaign to recognize the IBA member stations that exemplified above and beyond efforts in airing the Army National Guard’s NCSA/PEP spots on BEST their station as well as extra efforts in their communities that contributed to the Guard’s 2014 recruiting efforts. Stations were awarded the coveted “Minuteman Statue” in recognition for their performance. Representatives from the Guard included BG Richard Hayes LTC, Daniel Riechen and SFC Clinton Murphy.

Gone but not forgotten, W. Russell Withers, Jr., will be forever remembered as the IBA Board of Directors voted to rename the “Broadcast Pioneer Award” to the “W. Russell Withers, Jr., Broadcast Pioneer Award” recognizing Russ’ passion for being a local broadcaster. Representatives from Withers Broadcasting stations across the country were present along with daughter, Dana Withers, President of Dana Communications Left: WRHL, Rochelle, IL- IANG Small Market Radio NCSA/PEP Station of the Year. Gary Peterson, General Manager with BG Richard Hayes. Right: WUSN, Chicago, IL –IANG and Withers Broadcasting to pay one last Large Market Radio NCSA/PEP Station of the Year. Ron Gleason, Director of News and tribute. Programming, WBBM with BG Richard Hayes.

Above left: WREX-TV, Rockford, IL-”IANG Medium Market TV NCSA/PEP Station of the Year”. John Chadwick, VP/GM, WREX-TV with BG Richard Hayes. Above middle: WMAQ-TV, Chicago, “IL-IANG Large Market TV NCSA/PEP Station of the Year”. Frank Whittaker, Vice President of News, Station Manager at NBC with BG Richard Hayes. Above right: Dana Communications, Benton, “IL-IANG NCSA/PEP Ownership Group of the Year” Dana Withers, President, Dana Communications and Withers Broadcasting with BG Richard Hayes.

6 transmitter | August / September 2014 2014 BEST of the BEST

IBA STATIONS OF THE YEAR

IBA-Member stations compete within their market size to earn the rights to be called “2014’s IBA Station of the Year” for one year. Stations prepare an entry of audio or video with supporting documentation from their communities that demonstrate their importance to their local community in terms of community service, creativity, news, local sports, new media, and more. This year, judges from Michigan reviewed the entries and selected the winners in each market. Congratulations to this year’s IBA Stations of the Year! 

Clockwise from top left: WGEM-TV, Quincy, IL. IBA Medium Market TV Station of the Year. Carlos Fernandez (VP/GM) and Shawn Dickerman.

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL. IBA Chicago Market TV Station of the Year. Frank Whittaker, VP News/Station Manager.

WDNL, Danville, IL. IBA Small Market Radio Station of the Year (l-r) Bill Pickett, Tom Barnes, Michelle Campbell (GM). WDNL is a Neuhoff Media station.

WGN-AM, Chicago, IL. IBA Chicago Market Radio Station of the Year. Todd Manley, VP Creative Content.

WDWS, Champaign, IL IBA Medium Market Radio Station of the Year. Tim Ditman, Brian Barnhart, Carol Vorel, Michael Haile (GM).

Illinois Broadcasters Association 7 2014 SILVER DOME

›› CHICAGO MARKET RADIO AwardsBest Radio Station Website Best Radio PSA for Local Charity/

WGN-AM Cause Best Radio Spot News Coverage wgnradi.com WGRB-AM - PSA - Autism Speaks WBBM-AM Best Radio Station Use of New Credit: Keith Erquhart The November First7 tornados Media Best Hard News Story Credit: WBBM Newsradio news and WGN-AM WLS-AM sports staffs Nick Digilio “Graveyard Shift” Cornell Square Park Shooting Credit: Nick Digilio, Dan Sugrue Credit: Nick Gale Best Sportscaster WBBM-AM Best Radio Play-by-Play Best Radio Local Broadcast Team Jeff Joniak WGN-AM WLS-AM/FM Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Morning News Team for November Best Radio News Reporter Credit: John Wiedeman, Troy Murray 17th Storms WBBM-AM Best Radio Non-Humorous Credit: John Dempsey, Susan Carlson, John Cody Commercial Jennifer O’Neil, Nick Gale, Bill Best Local Radio Newscast WGN-AM Cameron, Ryan Burrow WBBM-AM “Des Plaines Golf Center” Best Radio Station 3 p.m. newscast, Nov.1, 2013 Credit: Jason Skaggs Community Service Credit: Keith Johnson, Catherine Best Radio Light Feature WTMX-FM Catalane, Duane Gray, Geoff Dankert, WGN-AM Eric & Kathy Radiothon Susan Glick Halloween Rescheduled Credit: Eric Ferguson, Kathy Hart, Best Radio Humorous Commercial Credit: Bill Leff, Wendy Snyder Steve McKenzie, WTMX Radio Team WDRV Best Radio Series or Documentary Best Radio Station Self-Promotion Dave and Dave Buffalo Wildwings WGN-AM WTMX-FM Credit: Tom Couch, Matt Bisbee Beyond Bartman: The story of the Reese Witherspoon-Do You Know Best Radio Personality Second00Third Chicago Cubs) My Name? WDRV-FM Credit: David Kaplan Credit: Matt Bisbee,Writer, Eric Bob Stroud WDRV Ferguson, Kathy Hart

›› CHICAGO MARKET TV Best TV Station Self-Promotion WBBM-TV Original Reporting

WINNERS Credit: Cornelius Mack, Robert Thompson WGN-AM, Best Chicago Market Radio Best TV Anchor Website, Todd Manley, Vice President WMAY-AM, Best Sportscaster, Mike WGN-TV Creative Content. Wennamacher. Larry Potash Montage Best TV Spot News Coverage WLS-TV Picking a New Pope Credit: John Idler, Jennifer Graves, ABC 7 News Team Best TV Sports Story WLS-TV Blackhawks Victory Rally Credit: John Idler, Jennifer Graves, WQQL-FM, Best Radio Personality, Amy WCSJ-FM, Best Radio News Reporter, ABC 7 News Team Nelson. Justin Ritz. SILVER DOME SILVER

8 transmitter | August / September 2014 Best TV Newscast WLS-TV Tornado Outbreak - ABC 7 News at 4pm Credit: John Idler, Jennifer Graves, ABC 7 News Team Best Community Service Activity WMAQ-TV NBC 5 Chicago Coat Drive WGIL-AM, Roger Lundeen, General Second0First4 Manager. Best TV Website WMAQ-TV NBCChicago.com WSIL-TV, Mike Snuffer, News Director and Emily Finnegan, Anchor. Best TV Single Commercial WMAQ-TV EON Clinics “New Day” Credit: Mark Cassidy Best TV Light Feature WMAQ-TV Keith’s Heart WSOY-AM, Mike Spaulding, News. Credit: Marion Brooks, Frank Whittaker, Pam Oliver, Julio Martinez, Rich Moy Best Local Program- Series- or Documentary ›› MEDIUM MARKET RADIO WMAQ-TV Protect and Served? Best Radio Non-Humorous Credit: Phl Rogers, Patrick Rehkamp, Commercial Katy Smyser, Lisa Capitanini, Rich Moy, WCIL-FM Debra Juarez The Lair WMMB-AM, Ron Gleason, News Director. Credit: Matt Linsin Best TV Use of Graphic Design WMAQ-TV Best Radio Light Feature NBC Investigates, Homework WDWS-AM Popcorn kid delights crowd at UI Best Sportscaster Hotline, and Chicago Ideas Week WMAY-AM Credit: Jason Benjamin basketball games Credit: Tim Ditman Mike Wennemacher - Blackhawks Win - WMAY Best TV Hard News Story Credit: Mike Wennemacher WMAQ-TV Best Radio Series or Documentary Chicago School Investigations WDWS-AM Gifford Tornado Best Radio Personality Credit: Phil Rogers, Katy Smyser, Lisa WQQL-FM Capitanini, Courtney Copenhagen, Credit: Michael Kiser, Tim Ditman, Kimberly Schofield, Carol Vorel Amy in the Morning - “Amy Nelson” Zach Christman, Debra Credit: Amy Nelson Juarez Best Radio Spot News Coverage WDZ-AM Best Radio Station Best TV Investigative Report Community Service WMAQ-TV Localizing the Boston Bombing Credit: Aric Lee, Bryan Hella WSOY-AM Who’s Behind the Wheel? FirstSecondth Annual WSOY Credit: Phil Rogers, Katy Smyser, Best Radio Station Website Community Food Lisa Capitanini, Mark Ringo, Zach WDZ-AM Drive Christman, Debra Juarez ChannelFirst050.com Credit: Brian Byers, Lindsay Romano, Credit: Matt Hall Jeff Daly ›› LARGE MARKET TV Best Radio Station Best Radio Humorous Commercial Best TV Sports Story Use of New Media WSOY-AM KSDK-TV WDZ-AM “WSOY-AM ‘Hicksgas As The Faucet Jordan Harre: Tragedy and Triumph ChannelFirst050.com Drips’” Credit: John Kelly, Frank Cusumano Credit: Matt Hall, Aric Lee Credit: Adam “Hawk Daddy” Hawkins, Kim Knox, Jeff Daly Best TV Light Feature Best Hard News Story KSDK-TV WDZ-AM Best Local Radio Newscast Pakistan Reporter’s Notebook Localizing the Boston Bombing WSOY-AM Credit: Farrah Fazal, Eric Voss Credit: Aric Lee, Bryan Hella Newscast with Michael Spaulding Best Radio Play-by-Play Best Radio News Reporter WFMB-AM WSPY-FM Rochester vs Glenwood Barb Nadeau Credit: Steve Bridge, Chris McCloud

continued on page 10

Illinois Broadcasters Association 9 2014 SILVER DOMEAwards

Best Radio Station Self-Promotion WXRX-FM WXRX Contest Rules “Siri’s stripper WLS-TV, Jennifer Graves, Vice President WMAQ-TV, Best TV Light Feature, Frank cousin Destiny” News. Whittaker, Station Manager/VP News. Credit: Captain Jack Best Radio Local Broadcast Team WZSR-FM The Star Morning Show With Joe & Tina Credit: Joe Cicero, Tina Bree, Clinton Bresley Best Radio PSA for Local Charity/ Cause WTVP-TV, Best Local Program, Series, WZUS-FM or Documentary, Linda Miller, Kana WXEF-FM, Best Hard News Story, Gregg Adam Carter Memorial 5k Farabaugh, Roger Amm. Sapp, Wayne Moran. Credit: Tara Nickerson

Russell Withers pictured with FCC Chairman Kevin Martin at ›› MEDIUM MARKET TV Best TV Investigative Report Best TV Newscast WICS the FCC Breakfast as part of WSIL Best TV Sports Story Ready Set Shred: Springfield Police Newscast at 6 PM Nov. 18 Tornado NAB2007. KFVS Department Investigation Coverage Racing On Credit: Vince Dementri, Adam Credit: WSIL Staff Credit: Josh Frydman Theilken, Paul Newton, Katie Faye, Rebecca Clark Best Local Program- Series- or Best TV Anchor Documentary KFVS Best Use of Interactive Media WTVP Jeff Cunningham WIFR- SecondThird e-Magazine Something of Love: A Tribute to Credit: Jeff Cunningham Credit: Nella Hoskinson, Monica Roger Amm Alfano, Nick Schneider Credit: Kane Farabaugh, Nathalie Best TV Station Self-Promotion Schmidt, Linda Miller, Sarah KFVS Best TV Reporter Reckmeyer, Stacey Tomczyk, Veronica Hland News Watch 60 WIFR LaPage Skubal Credit: Dan Timpe WWII Veteran Shares War Tales Credit: Whitney Martin Best Community Service Activity ›› SMALL MARKET RADIO WCIA Best TV Hard News Story WCIA Third - Grassroots Fundraising WREX Best Radio PSA for Credit: Coby Cooper, Peter Carlson, Dodging Danger Local Charity/Cause Andy Miller Credit: Kristin Crowley, John Upton, WAAG-FM Elliot Grandia “United Way - Initiative for Girls - Best TV Weathercaster Body Image” WCIA Best TV Photojournalist Credit: Chris Postin Derick Fabert - WCIA Third Chief WSIL Meteorologist Randy Livingston - Shoe Repair No Best Radio Station Self-Promotion Credit: Derick Fabert Average Job WAAG-FM Credit: Randy Livingston FM95 “Cut Out Jason Aldean” Best TV Light Feature Credit: Eric Hanson WCIA Best TV Website WINNERS Angels Among Us - Rheanna’s WSIL Best Radio Humorous Commercial Heroes wsiltv.com WAJK-FM Credit: Jennifer Roscoe, Travis Probst Credit: Mark Kiesling, Amanda WAJK Dr. Ed Monroe “Goop” Robertson Credit: Jeff Stiel, Cowboy , John Best TV PSA Spencer WEEK Best TV Single Commercial Peoria Fine Art Fair WSIL Best Radio Spot News Coverage Second0FirstThird Black Diamond Harley Davidson WCSJ-FM Credit: Jeff Bennett Credit: Jim Sweeney Grundy County Tornado Credit: Justin Ritz Best TV Spot News Coverage WGEM Best TV Use of Graphic Design Best Radio News Reporter Severe Weather Hits the Tri-States WSIL WCSJ-FM Credit: WGEM News Staff Be Someone’s Hero Justin Ritz Credit: Scott Foster, Mark Kiesling Best TV Sportscaster WHBF Jay Kidwell SILVER DOME SILVER

10 transmitter | August / September 2014 Best Radio Play-by-Play Best Radio Non-Humorous WEIU-FM Commercial Eastern Illinois Basketball WLSR-FM Credit: Mike Bradd Calvary Assembly of God “Jeff Intro” Credit: Amanda Balser, Eric Hanson Best Radio Station Website WGIL-AM Best Radio Personality wgil.com WLWF-FM Credit: Chris LaGrow Cowboy in the Morning Credit: Cowboy Best Radio Station Use of New Media Best Radio Station Community WGIL-AM Service WGIL Button Videos WRMJ-FM Dennis Lyle, President & CEO, IBA; IBA Chairman Sarah Hautala, Credit: Eric Hanson Brandon’s 5th Annual Testicular GM, WJIL/WJVO; BMI’s Chris Janson; and Dan Spears, Vice Cancer President Industry Relations, Licensing. Best Local Radio Newscast Awareness Run/Walk WGIL-AM Credit: John Hoscheidt, James Taylor WGIL “December 30, 2013” Newscast Best Sportscaster Best Radio Series or Documentary Credit: Will Stevenson WRMJ-FM WRMJ-FM High School Sports Spotlight with Summer Break Is Not Summer Break Best Radio Local Broadcast Team Jim Taylor For Student-Athletes WJVO-FM Credit: James Taylor Credit: James Taylor Matt and Todd Bob with the Redneck Breakfast Best Radio Light Feature Best Hard News Story Club WRMJ-FM WXEF-FM Credit: Todd Warrick, Matt Lakin What I Learned at the Mercer The Search for Willow Long County Fair Credit: Greg Sapp, Wayne Moran  Credit: James Taylor

FROM THE PRESIDENT continued from page 2

well-written op-ed in this issue of Transmitter reflects his continued passion for NextRadio and TagStation® which, when combined, appear to be the perfect one-two punch for assuring radio’s modern-day dominance in an increasingly crowded media landscape ... Reading Bud’s passion for the medium, and knowing his long- John Gehron Drew Horowitz Emily Barr time commitment to local radio and to the industry in general, makes it easy to understand Morris (Hubbard Radio,) Beth Neuhoff (Neuhoff why NAB plans to honor Bud with its 2014 “National Communications) and Mary Quass (NRG Media;) Radio Award” at the upcoming September “NAB recognized by Radio Ink magazine to be among Radio Show”. Congratulations Bud! Well deserved! 2014’s “Top 25 Most Influential Women in Radio…” Congratulations to all! Congratulations to former IBA Chairman John Gehron, selected by the IBF board of directors So, enjoy this issue’s photographic walk down at their June meeting to fill the Foundation’s IBA2014 memory lane as we thank IBA2014 Chairman’s seat left vacant with the passing co-chairs Bob Ramsey and Jerry Schnacke, their of the late, great, W. Russell Withers, Jr., and entire IBA2014 Committee, and of course IBA’s toTreasurer Drew Horowitz on his recent promotion Debra Gray and Grace Henniger, for what goes to President/COO of Hubbard Broadcasting down in the books as yet another outstanding and of course to IBA Director Emeritus Emily annual conference. Be sure and SAVE THE DATE Barr, President & CEO of Graham Media Group, now for IBA2015, returning to the Marriott Hotel honored as this year’s “IBA/Vincent T. Wasilewski & Conference Center in Normal, IL on Wednesday, Broadcaster of the Year.” June 17, 2015. 

It was great to see IBA Director Donna Baker *See more at: http://www.radioworld.com/article/sprint-says-yes-to-fm- (Cumulus Media-Chicago) and IBA-members Ginny chip-in-smartphones/217137#sthash.xTHJgheR.dpuf

Illinois Broadcasters Association 11 COVER STORY

Real FM Radio in Smartphones is Here! IS YOUR STATION READY?

Video summaries of NextRadio® is a hybrid radio (FM + that not only are people excited to NextRadio, TagStation, and Internet) app that delivers a highly finally have a free FM radio listening the relationship between interactive radio experience to option on the smartphone, but sta- the two can be found here: smartphones. Introduced in August tion listening is truly benefiting from 2013 by an unprecedented deal the rich, interactive features that set between the radio industry and NextRadio apart from a traditional Sprint, it comes preloaded on new radio listening experience. And with “What is NextRadio” video: Android devices hitting the market connected http://tagstation.com/ from Sprint in stores and online. A videos/nextradio-app- recent addition to the list is all demonstration/ HTC One M8s which means that NextRadio is now available on all wireless carriers. See the growing list of devices here: “What is TagStation” video: http://NextRadioApp.com/ http://tagstation.com/ supported-devices/ videos/tagstation-videos/ TagStation® is the engine that powers NextRadio. It enables radio stations to supplement their broadcast with visual content (album art, station schedule, spot & promo enhancements) and points of interaction for display on the NextRadio app. TagStation can also be used to power The Artist Experience for HD Radio™.

Participation in the NextRadio effort through TagStation can be as simple as displaying your station’s logo and tagline, or as rich as using the data service to deliver the type of audio/visual experience today’s listeners expect from radio.

WHY RADIO SHOULD CARE Since NextRadio’s debut on one Sprint smartphone last winter, its adoption numbers have been on a steady incline. Today with 15 NextRadio-enabled de- vices on the market, and 15 more models expected this year, our numbers show

12 transmitter | August / September 2014 Real FM Radio in Smartphones is Here!

IMPORTANT LINKS TagStation Website: IS YOUR STATION READY? http://tagstation.com Sign up for TagStation (free logo or full license): automobile dashboards in the works, RADIO STATION CALL http://tagstation.com/ there has never been a better time TO ACTION signup/ for radio to think about its place in The success of the NextRadio app Demo and the future. depends upon ensuring a great user Informational videos: experience for consumers. Seeing http://tagstation.com/ Current NextRadio Adoption Stats: your station’s brand represented videos/TagStation/ } Over 445,000 app downloads is KEY to that user experience. We NextRadio } Over 9,100 FM stations tuned to encourage all radio stations to Insights Blog: through NextRadio upload their logos for use in the http://tagstation.com/ } Over 450,000 hours of listening NextRadio app by signing up for the news/insights/ through the app Free Logo Service for NextRadio at } A 4/5 Google Play Store user rating https://tagstation.zendesk.com. NextRadio App Website: http://www.NextRadioApp. com/ “Radio can truly own something We would also like you to strongly unique with NextRadio. Consumers consider licensing TagStation’s Full Full list of supported will benefit from interactive FM- Data service, which will enable you to devices: enabled smartphones, and in an deliver album art, station schedule http://NextRadioApp.com/ emergency when people need a data, spot & promotion visuals along supported-devices/ lifeline for information, the FM radio with various points of interaction The Insights Blog (linked will be the distribution platform – all synchronized with your FM above) serves to keep the most likely to be there for them. broadcast. Sign up for Free Logo radio industry informed Make your radio stations interactive Service or request more information about the status, progress, for NextRadio, promote the value to about Full Data service here: and next steps in the efforts to present real FM radio in your listeners, and in the words of http://tagstation.com/signup/ smartphones to the world. David Pogue at the 2014 NAB Show, We have been updating bi- stand on the mountain top and PROMOTING NEXTRADIO weekly with the most current tell everyone about NextRadio.” as Consumer education is critical to the news and metrics. Please stated by Paul Brenner, NextRadio success of NextRadio. To that end bookmark to keep track of our progress and present the President in his NAB Policy Blog post we have created copy points and most up-to-date numbers last week. pre-produced promos for stations available! to use if they’d like to promote “Looking at the current forecasts for NextRadio to their audience. Our FM-enabled smartphone sales of 3-5 licensing customers as well as many million units in Q2 2014, we expect stations using the Free Logo services by mid-year 2014 to have at least are using these on-air, online, and in 5 million FM-enabled smartphones social media messaging. Available in the hands of consumers and at: https://tagstation.zendesk. continuing to grow. Broadcasters com/entries/25331453-Produced- need to care a lot about this Promos-and-Talking-Points-for- evolution because the first time that NextRadio-Promotion consumer launches NextRadio and hears local FM radio, they will make MORE INFORMATION a choice instantly to either continue If you have any additional questions using FM radio on their smartphone or requests, please contact us here: or switch to an internet-friendly, Support: [email protected] visual alternative,” said Brenner. Media: [email protected] 

Illinois Broadcasters Association 13 BEACH PARTY-THEMED RECEPTION IBA Visit with Congress IBA members gathered in DC for a “Beach Party” in the Cannon House Office Building in July for a chance to meet with staff members from the Congressional offices. Representatives from 15 of the 18 House offices and both Senate offices joined in the fun complete with sunglass, beach party food, and a tiki hut. This is the third consecutive year IBA has hosted this gathering a day in advance of the office visits.

On the following day, IBA members divided into groups to meet individually with Members of Congress and their key staffers. Issue of focus included STELA, Spectrum, Performance Tax and Restrictions on Marketing and Advertising. STELA was the most talked Earl Jones-Clear Channel Media, John Kennedy-WGEL, Carlos Fernande-WGEM- TV/AM/FM, Doug Levy-Univision Radio, Marty Wilke-CBS 2, US Senator Dick about issue as the bill was being revised during our Durbin, Sarah Hautala-WJIL/WJVO, Marv Dyson-Urban Radio, Dennis Lyle-IBA, time on the Hill.  and Frank Whittaker-NBC 5.

Staff from US Senator Mark Kirk’s office attend the IBA Beach Party.

Chris Bullock and US Representative Rodney Davis.

Dennis Lyle-IBA, Carlos Fernandez-WGEM-TV/AM/FM, US Representative Rodney Davis, Staff from US Representative Adam Kinzger’s office with members Chris Bullock-Cromwell Radio, and John Kennedy-WGEL. of the NAB Government Relations team in the background.

14 transmitter | August / September 2014 STELA UPDATE BROADCASTERS: SENATE TV PLAN NOT THE ANSWER (Editor’s Note: Broadcasters are warning that a Senate plan to change the way people pay for TV channels could have a crippling effect on viewers, channel availability, and rates. The 50 state broadcast associations prepared the letter shown below to the Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Rockefeller and Senator Thune. The letter warns that their Local Choice plan will destroy the idea of giving consumers local content, destroy the Emergency Alert System, limit the local news and weathercasts and likely have a broader impact on broadcast localism.)

Dear Chairman Rockefeller and Ranking Member Thune,

The 50 State Broadcasters Associations, whose member broadcast television stations serve local communities across the country, write to oppose the “Local Choice” proposal which you recently circulated for discussion purposes. If adopted, the proposal will unjustifiably eliminate television broadcasting’s longstanding statutory right of retransmission consent and unfairly single out the free, over-the-air, local television broadcast industry for mandatory “a la carte” treatment. For the reasons that follow, the proposal will very negatively impact television broadcasters and all of the nation’s viewers. Accordingly, we strongly oppose inclusion of the proposal as part of the Senate Commerce Committee’s reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act.

All broadcasters appreciate your recognition of (i) the unique and critical value of broadcast localism, (ii) the economic necessity that broadcasters be fairly compensated for their investment in programming particularly when retransmitted by pay-television providers to their paying subscribers, and (iii) the importance of meaningful consumer choice. However, the proposal will destroy localism, including the backbone of our nation’s Emergency Alert System, by denying fair compensation to broadcasters without providing consumers, who continue to complain loudly about the monthly cost of pay-television service, with any meaningful choice or relief. Furthermore, as reflected in over a decade’s worth of economic literature and policy debate, mandated a la carte pricing proposals have been proven to increase prices, decrease programming diversity, and result in fewer – not more – choices for consumers. Indeed, these are precisely the exact opposite results that your proposal appears to seek.

The prescription of a broadcast-only a la carte regime exacerbates these economic effects because broadcasters are much more reliant upon advertising as a percentage of revenue (almost 80 percent) than other programming channels (HBO: 0 percent; TWC SportsNet LA: 16 percent) and because consumers wishing to decrease the cost of their bills will only be able to do so (by no means a “given”) by opting out of their local broadcast channels, even if they prefer broadcast channels over non-broadcaster programming for which the proposal denies them full per-channel “choice.” Make no mistake, the net effects of a broadcast-only a la carte requirement will diminish broadcast localism and harm consumers without actually providing consumers meaningful choice or meaningful cost savings.

Such an outcome is inconsistent with the long-held values of the universal accessibility of broadcasting’s local news, weather, and emergency information, as well as broadcasting diversity. As local broadcasters struggle under a la carte economics, there will be less resources to invest in newsrooms, journalists, and local programming and perhaps even fewer broadcaster outlets to cover local affairs and emergencies in the future. Additionally, broadcasters that serve diverse audiences with religious, ethnic, and foreign language programming will find it harder to sustain such niche programming investments with the decline in access to subscriber viewership. An a la carte model will also chill the willingness of broadcasters to cover controversial issues of public importance due to this fact alone – today viewers who are unhappy with a particular program, subject or viewpoint that was aired can, as a form of protest, change the channel and not return to a station’s programming for some period of time. Under a broadcast a la carte model, those same viewers, will be able to extend their “protests” by withholding payment of at least that station’s portion of their monthly subscriptions, thereby chilling the journalistic and editorial decisions of every station, and throwing the economics of the nation’s local television broadcast system, into chaos. All of this will harm not only consumers receiving broadcast programming through pay-television providers, but also those consumers who receive broadcasting for free via over-the- air reception.

Beyond these pitfalls, significant questions remain about how such a system would be implemented: } Absent a statutory requirement or contractual relationship between broadcasters and pay-television distributors, what incentive would these distributors – who are competitors to broadcasting – have to cooperate with the television broadcast industry in making a la carte work as this proposal intends? Who and how would that cooperation be policed? } Given that the proposal apparently intends to save those consumers, who opt out of paying for the broadcast stations, money on their monthly subscriptions, who and how will pay-television providers be held accountable? } How would pay-television providers acquire ancillary programming rights, such as video-on-demand and over-the-top rights that are currently contemplated as part of the retransmission consent negotiations? } An a la carte business model would upend the network-affiliate relationship with potentially devastating consequences for the networks, for their affiliates and for the financial markets. } Would existing retransmission consent contracts, many of which are long-term in nature, remain valid until expiration or would they be voided? continued on back page

Illinois Broadcasters Association 15 STELA UPDATE continued from page 15 } All of the television network agreements provide that their affiliated stations pay their networks “reverse compensation” that is tied to retransmission consent fees paid by pay-TV providers. How would those agreements – which are multiyear and expire at different times – be treated under the proposal?

Once the proposal becomes a matter of public knowledge outside the Beltway, there will be enormous pressure on Congress to expand the a la carte model beyond broadcast, and well it should, in response to the millions of constituents who will complain that the proposal does not provide them with the right to pick and choose which non-broadcast programming (which represent the vast majority of their monthly pay-TV bills) they wish to pay for. In short, the proposal will likely become the slippery “a la carte” slope that broadly upsets a vibrant and functioning video marketplace.

In conclusion, we oppose this proposal because of its likely devastating impacts on broadcast localism and the nation’s viewers. In the coming days and weeks, we look forward to visiting with you and your colleagues in Washington, D.C. as well as in your home offices to further demonstrate our strong concerns.

Signed by each of the 50 State Broadcast Associations IBA2015 B Gets Back to Normal 2 JUNE 16, 2015 Marriott Hotel & Conference Center Bloomington / Normal

RESERVE YOUR ROOM NOW AT: SAVE THE DATE SAVE N https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=11785239

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