SPONSORED

query

Project Core: A vision for scale and growth

Over the past three years, CentralCast has been hard at work implementing critical upgrades that lay the foundation for a more resilient and advanced future. And now, the culmination of these efforts is taking shape in our most ambitious initiative yet: Project Core.

Quick Takes

Former NBR co-anchor Hudson lands new spot at Miami’s WLRN

By |

Tom Hudson, former co-anchor for Nightly Business Report, is stepping into a new position of vice president of news at WLRN as part of an executive reorganization at the Miami pubcaster, according to the Miami Herald, an editorial partner with the dual licensee. Hudson joined WLRN earlier this year as a special correspondent, creator and host of  The Sunshine Economy.  He also hosts The Florida Roundup, a weekly public-affairs program, and writes a weekly column in the Miami Herald’s Money section. Hudson lost his NBR job when the weeknightly newsmag was acquired by CNBC in February. The program, which originally was owned by WPBT in Miami, is now produced in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

Terence Shepherd, WLRN’s former assignment editor, and Alicia Zuckerman, senior editor for enterprise reporting, will now run daily news operations of WLRN-Miami Herald News. Shepherd will be news director, overseeing hard-news coverage, and Zuckerman will supervise enterprise reporting and features, John Labonia, WLRN g.m., told the newspaper.

Quick Takes

Patent-trolling bill would assist targets of nuisance lawsuits

By |

A bipartisan bill to fight so-called “patent trolls” was introduced on Capitol Hill Monday, reports Broadcasting & Cable. Patent trolling, as the practice is known in the software industry, occurs when individuals or shell companies file broad, vague requests for software patents or ideas through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The patent holders then devote most or all of their company resources to filing lawsuits against companies whose products fit the description of their patents — such as podcasting. Several pubmedia podcasters have been targeted, including Jesse Thorn and his Bullseye program. The Patent Transparency and Improvement Act of 2013, backed by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), would help consumers targeted in patent suits against companies by staying the case while the manufacturer litigates.

Quick Takes

KPBS editorial employees approve representation by SAG-AFTRA

By |

Staffers at dual licensee KPBS in San Diego voted Monday to join SAG-AFTRA, the union said in a statement. The new bargaining unit will cover 55 employees who produce, report and present content for television, radio and the Web. KPBS is the second pubmedia station in Southern California this year to organize with SAG-AFTRA; employees of KPCC in Pasadena voted to join in January. WBEZ in Chicago is currently petitioning to join the union, which was formed by the 2012 merger of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. SAG-AFTRA also represents pubmedia professionals at NPR, KQED in San Francisco, WNYC in New York and other stations.

People

NPR’s Slocum honored for leadership and service to public radio

By |

The Public Radio Regional Organizations presented the annual PRRO Award Nov. 13 to NPR Chief Administrative Officer Joyce Slocum, whose five years with the network  included serving as NPR’s interim c.e.o. for nine months in 2011. The PRRO award recognizes behind-the-scenes “heroes” who have helped advance the field of public media throughout their careers. Georgette Bronfmann of Eastern Region Public Media presented the award, lauding Slocum for steering NPR during challenging times  and describing the respect she earned among colleagues for her leadership. As chief administrative officer of NPR, Slocum serves as secretary to the NPR Board of Directors and is an adviser to the NPR Foundation Board of Trustees.

People

Samuel English III, Aviation Weather host, dies at 79

By |

Samuel James English III, host of Aviation Weather, a series produced and distributed by Maryland Public Television in the 1970s, died Nov. 3 of respiratory failure at his home in Pikesville, Md. He was 79. Known as “Jim” on the air, English delivered twice-weekly weather reports for private airplane pilots, and flew in his own spare time. The program was produced live, in partnership with the National Weather Service.

People

Raul Ramirez, longtime news director at KQED, dies at 67

By |

Raul Ramirez, executive director of news and public affairs at San Francisco’s KQED, died Nov. 15 in Berkeley. He was 67 and had been fighting esophageal cancer since his July diagnosis. Born in Cuba, Ramirez began his career in the 1960s as a print journalist, working at major dailies such as the Miami Herald, the Washington Post and the San Francisco Examiner. He joined KQED in 1991, signing on as news director.

People

Moyers reverses decision to end show, which goes to 30 minutes in January

By |

BOSTON — Bill Moyers, the journalist and veteran PBS personality who has come out of retirement at least twice to mount new weekly productions, announced Friday that he will be back in January with a 30-minute show. Three weeks ago, Moyers announced his decision to end production of Moyers & Company early next year, citing the end of two-year funding commitments. But the response from viewers and underwriters prompted him to reconsider, according to Executive Producer Judy Doctoroff, who spoke to public TV programmers during American Public Television’s Fall Marketplace. APT, which is showcasing new program offerings for local pubTV stations this week, distributes the series nationally. Moyers’ production team had already floated their proposal to keep the show going with station-based programmers, Doctoroff said in an interview.

Quick Takes

NPR urges FCC to help stations dislocated by spectrum auction

By |

NPR has asked the FCC to consider reimbursing broadcasters for the costs of any antenna relocations that may result from the upcoming auction of television broadcast spectrum. In a Nov. 4 comment filed with the commission, NPR pointed out that spectrum repacking may require broadcasters to upgrade towers, which in turn could temporarily dislocate radio antennas. “To avoid undue hardship to NCE and other radio stations as a result of the television spectrum reassignment, NPR urges the Commission to construe its statutory authority broadly and flexibly to assure cost reimbursement in all compelling cases such as these,” the network wrote. NPR can’t predict the costs or number of dislocations that may occur as a result of the auction, which is slated for next year, said Mike Riksen, v.p. for policy and representation.