Quick Takes
Lack of funds ends ‘Free Speech Radio News’ after 17 years
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The weekly show airs on 40 stations.
Tech
Prompted by auction sales, moves to low VHF bring both challenges and advantages
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Stations can save money on equipment and power bills, but some over-the-air viewers may need to change their antennas.
System/Policy
Channel-share agreements bring Connecticut station $32.6M in spectrum auction
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Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network is holding on to its stations in Bridgeport and Hartford-New Haven.
System/Policy
For Los Angeles’ KLCS, spectrum auction proceeds will relieve licensee of financial burden
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The school board–owned station may not see much of a bump to its annual budget.
Programs/Content
Producers find Localore events help bridge divides
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An AIR report argues that live events are important to public media to raise awareness and support and find crucial voices that may be missing from reporting.
Quick Takes
APM, NPR among winners for radio, podcast and web Peabody Awards
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Other winners include “This American Life” and ProPublica.
Spectrum Auction
Former NJ governor asks state to support public TV after spectrum auction win
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It’s unclear how state policymakers intend to use $332M in proceeds, and whether funds will be reinvested in NJTV.
People
Tamara Keith: “Public radio was my destiny”
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NPR correspondent Tamara Keith writes that in public radio she does work that could make a difference in the lives of listeners.
People
Robert Siegel to leave ‘All Things Considered’ host chair
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Siegel will step down in January.
Programs/Content
Survey by kids’ podcasts group sheds light on listening habits
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Kids not only listen frequently — sometimes re-listening to episodes multiple times — but engage deeply with the content.
Quick Takes
Nevada Public Radio programs new Reno signal with contemporary music
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The broadcaster purchased the station last year.
People
AIR grows its staff, Nashville’s Curley sets retirement and other comings and goings in public media
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AIR’s new program director comes from “American Experience.”
Quick Takes
One executive to leave CPB while two get new duties
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“We need strong leadership to ensure we are as effective as possible,” CPB President Pat Harrison said.
KMTP
San Francisco’s KMTP angles for channel-share after winning $87M in spectrum auction
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KMTP will create an endowment and use the proceeds to acquire access to wireless spectrum.
Tech
Grant will fund study of driverless cars’ possible impact on public media
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As the technology comes closer to adoption, a team of public media colleagues wants to ensure the system is getting ready.
System/Policy
Survey of station equipment finds public TV lacks capital for upgrades
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Costs of equipment replacement are projected to reach $256 million by 2019, as aging transmitters reach their end of life.
System/Policy
Pubcasters praise two FCC votes affecting noncommercial stations
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Pubcasters were spared from providing certain details about board members and excluded from new rules governing on-air fundraising for other nonprofits.
"The Pub" Podcast
‘The Pub’ #93: Where will all the spectrum auction money go?
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The billions that noncommercial stations won isn’t enough to transform the entire public media system, but it will absolutely transform the handful of stations lucky enough to have held valuable spectrum in crowded markets.
System/Policy
KCSM licensee and spectrum speculator trade lawsuits over failed FCC auction bid
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An error disqualified the California station from the auction.
Tech
Attendees at PBS TechCon hear details of ATSC standard’s promise
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The interactive components of ATSC 3.0 allow for better audience measurement and interactivity, which could include delivering customized programming exclusively to members.