Category Archives: Local News

SBE 36 Online July 14: Introducing Hybrid Internet/Broadcast Radio

In a few months’ time, there will be cars driving the streets of Southern California that have hybrid radio receivers. Connected to the Internet and receiving broadcast radio, this is an opportunity to evolve the experience of radio to match other media services. Hybrid challenges radio technologists to work together across the industry and within organizations to make the most of its capabilities. Nick Piggot, Director of the RadioDNS Project, will look at some technical details and what needs to be done right now to make it work for everyone.

Join us Tuesday, July 14 at 11:30 AM PT. This online meeting will be held in cooperation with SBE Chapter 47 Los Angeles. Members and interested parties are invited.

About Nick Piggot

Nick has spent the majority of his career working in the radio industry. He created a team that launched the world’s first commercial DAB digital radio stations, and then went on to deliver technology-driven online innovation for over a decade. Nick continues to play an active role in the development of DAB digital radio, most recently in the trials of open source DAB transmissions in the UK.

Nick is the Project Director (and one of the founders) of RadioDNS Hybrid Radio, which combines broadcast radio and IP together. RadioDNS works closely with the WorldDAB on the development of open technology standards and the promotion of Hybrid DAB/DAB+ to the automotive industry.

FCC Tells XEWW to Shutdown Chinese Programming from Irwindale

The FCC’s International Bureau today dismissed an application to deliver Mandarin Chinese programming from a studio located in Irwindale, California to XEWW-AM in Rosarito, BCN for rebroadcast back into the United States. The application was dismissed because the parties failed to include in their application a key participant, Phoenix Radio, which produces the Mandarin programming in its studio. Phoenix Radio is partially owned by two entities with Chinese government ownership, Extra Steps Investment Limited and China Wise International Limited. The parties have 48 hours to cease broadcast operations related to this application.

Continue reading FCC Tells XEWW to Shutdown Chinese Programming from Irwindale

FCC Grants KFMB-AM Sale to iHeartMedia

On May 29, 2020, the FCC granted the application to transfer control of KFMB-AM from Local Media San Diego to iHeartMedia. Local Media San Diego had purchased both KFMB-AM and -FM from TEGNA, but held onto only the FM station, now with the call letters KFBG (FM). KFMB-AM will have to change call letters as a condition of the TEGNA sale. KFMB 760 joins KOGO 600 and KLSD 1360 as San Diego market AM properties of iHeartMedia.

KFMB-AM has been operating under an LMA by iHeart since Local Media acquired it in March. The station runs a talk format with local hosts Mark Larson and Mike Slater as well as nationally syndicated hosts Armstrong & Getty and Mark Levin.

KFSD (AM) 1450 Back on the Air

KFSD Escondido returned to the air May 20, 2020 with its adult standards music format, just under a year after going silent in June 2019. The station, owned by the Astor Group, has been looking for a buyer to take over the station since Art Astor passed away in 2016.