FCC Grants NAB's Request forTemporary Public File Waiver

Washington - Last week, the National Association of Broadcasters requested a temporary waiver of public inspection file requirements because of the events involving the spread of Anthrax. The FCC issued the following memorandum opinion and order:

Pursuant to Section 1.3 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.3, the National Association of Broadcasters, on behalf of its member stations and all broadcast licensees nationwide, requests a 60-day temporary waiver of Section 73.3526(e)(9) of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 73.3526(e)(9), which requires that broadcasters retain in their public inspection files all written comments and suggestions received from the public regarding operation of the station. NAB also requests that the obligation of television stations to include in license renewal applications a summary of public written comments concerning violent programming, which is required for application for renewal of license,1 be waived for mail received during the requested period.

NAB reports that since the recent attacks on media outlets and other organizations designed to infect and terrorize Americans with anthrax poisoning, many broadcast licensees are following policies recommended by the Federal Bureau of Investigation or local police regarding the collecting and opening of letters and packages in order to safeguard employees and visitors to station locations. According to NAB, pursuant to the recommendations of the FBI and local police, broadcast stations are screening letters and packages for indicators of a possible threat, such as misspelled words and incorrect or missing return addresses, and returning all such mail, unopened, to the U.S. Postal Service for proper handling and disposal. NAB states that as a result of these precautions, some stations may not be retaining in their public inspection files some comments and suggestions received from the public, as required by Section 73.3526(e)(9) of the Commission's Rules. Similarly, some stations also may not be able to fully comply with the obligation to include in license renewal applications a summary of comments concerning violent programming that reflects all such comments received during this period of caution.

NAB urges the Commission to exercise its discretion to waive its rules requiring the retention of all public comments, as the circumstances described above make strict compliance with these rules inconsistent with the public interest. Stating that it hopes that this period will pass quickly, enabling broadcasters to return to their normal procedures, NAB requests a 60-day waiver of these rule, subject to possible extension. NAB also states that, at their discretion, broadcasters may deem it safe and appropriate to resume their normal procedures sooner than 60 days.

We agree with NAB that, under the circumstances described above, it is in the public interest to grant broadcast licensees a temporary waiver of the Commission's rules with respect to the retention of all public comments. Accordingly, we will grant the requested 60-day waiver. The circumstances now prevailing are extraordinary, involving as they do, a biological attack of as yet uncertain dimensions but certainly directed, in part, against United States media outlets. We are granting the waiver in order to minimize any public health threat to station personnel. This concern outweighs the public interest factors embodied in the rule. We expect that broadcasters will use their best judgment to screen letters pursuant to the policies recommended by the FBI and police. We recognize that these procedures may evolve as the nature and scope of the threat is better understood and we commit to broadcasters' good faith belief the actual criteria used in selecting mail that will not be opened. We expect broadcasters to return to complete compliance with the public inspection file rule as soon as they believe the danger has passed. Any extension of the waiver beyond the sixty-days provided should be sought at a later date and will be dependent upon circumstances existing at such later time.

Accordingly, it is ordered that the request for a 60-day waiver of the Commission's rules filed by the National Association of Broadcasters, is granted, effective upon release of this Order.

Roy J. Stewart
Chief, Mass Media Bureau

Adopted: October 25, 2001           Released: October 25, 2001

RTNDA Asks White House To Lift Banon News Helicopters

Washington - Oct 25, 2001 - The Radio-Television News Directors Association is appealing to White House officials to lift the ban on news and traffic helicopters still in place in 30 cities even though similar types of aircraft are now allowed to fly in 27 of those cities.

"News and traffic helicopters are among the most valuable tools used by television and radio stations to inform their audiences," said Barbara Cochran, RTNDA president, in letters to Gov. Tom Ridge, director of the Office of Homeland Security, and others. "Yet at a time of heightened concern about public safety, these valuable newsgathering tools remain grounded. The public has been deprived of speedily receiving accurate information about their immediate communities.

"The Federal Aviation Administration has said that the restrictions on news and traffic helicopters are still in place because of national security concerns, which have not been further defined," Cochran continued. "I am appealing to you, as the President's Director of Homeland Security, to help get the restrictions on news helicopters lifted. Such a step would bring another level of security to the people living in our 30 largest cities, because they would have access to timely, accurate information about incidents in their communities."

Cochran also wrote letters to National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, and Counselor to the President Karen Hughes. Cochran's letter to Ridge is on the RTNDA website at www.rtnda.org.

EAS Seminar Rescheduled

Verona, NY - Oct 24, 2001 - The Syracuse SBE 2001 regional convention and EAS presentation originally scheduled for September 12-13, 2001 was postponed due to the state of the nation at that time and out of respect for those lost. The convention has been rescheduled for November 28, 2001, and Clay Freinwald has agreed to re-schedule the EAS seminar for Tuesday November 27, 2001. If you would like to attend, RSVP to the contacts below.

The Free seminar, Beyond Part 11, Making EAS Really Work, will be presented from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on November 27, 2001 at the Convention Center at the Turning Stone Casino Resort in Verona, NY.

Presenting the seminar will be Clay Freinwald, senior facilities engineer of Entercom Radio in Seattle, chairman of the Washington State EAS Committee, and chairman of the SBE EAS Committee. Freinwald has been a radio and television engineer in the Seattle area for 40 years and brings with him a wealth of knowledge on the topic of EAS.

Truly effective EAS systems require the participation of many parties to be successful. It is vital that parties representing all of the various aspects of this effort be in attendance. This is not a session just for broadcasters. It is for anyone who deals with, or has the potential to deal with EAS.

On hand will be representatives from the following:

• Radio and Television stations

• Officials from State Broadcasting Associations

• Cable TV Systems

• Members of State and Local EAS committees

• State, County, and Local governments

• 911 dispatch leadership

• Amateur radio operators involved with RACES or ARES

• NWS/NOAA weather radio

• The FCC
  
  RSVP to Vinny Lopez at 315-472-6800 x310 or vlopez@wsyt.sbgnet.com, or to Tom McNicholl at 315-793-3477 x251 or tmcnicholl@wktv.com.
  
  If you had originally registered to attend the September EAS seminar, you will need to call or e-mail Vinny Lopez so your registration can be re-activated. If you had registered via the website, do not register there again. Instead, please call or e-mail Lopez as you will end up with a duplicate registration if you use the Web again.

Rock Radio Revolution Screens atMuseum of Television & Radio

New York - Oct 23, 2001 - Rock Radio Revolution, an award-winning music and memorabilia packed documentary about the explosion of AM radio in the 50's and 60's, received a special screening at the Museum of Television & Radio in New York City on Saturday, October 20, highlighting the Museum's annual Radio Day celebration.

Former Partridge Family star turned DJ/TV talk show host Danny Bonaduce hosts/narrates. Top AM personalities, including New York's own legends Cousin Brucie Morrow, Alan Freed, Dan Ingram, Jocko Henderson and Murray the K Kaufman, as well as Chicago's Dick Biondi, Miami's Rick Shaw, L.A.'s Gary Owens (Laugh-In), and Memphis DJs Rufus Thomas and George Klein are featured. Interviews mix with music of the era from Little Richard to The Beatles, including comments from Pat Boone, Lesley Gore and Fabian.

The show begins in post-War America, when renegade white DJs like Hoss Allen, Gene Nobles, and John R. Richbourg first aired rhythm & blues, creating a cultural revolution among teens. In the 50's, the term rock 'n' roll was coined by Alan Freed, who gave teenage America its own brand of music and created the bigger-than life DJ personality. Bonaduce's narrative follows the careers of pioneering DJs, then shines a light on the payola scandal and station wars created by the Top 40 play list that first cracked the DJ's power tower. The special concludes as FM radio brings an end to the AM disc jockey's reign and The Beatles overtake America.

Rock Radio Revolution is the vision of executive producer Carolyn Travis of Travisty Productions. A 50's-60's aficionado, her own background includes a stint as a morning drive news anchor and news director at Miami's 96X-FM radio station. Documentary credits include In Her Own Image, hosted by Travis and comedian Elayne Boosler, and Baby Boomers, which she produced, wrote, and co-hosted with Davey Jones of The Monkees. Travis took time out from shooting the show's sequel to participate in a panel discussion following the screening, along with Peter Altshuler, son of New York's Murray the K.

Travis and husband/co-executive producer Chris Gilson have teamed up for the sequel, chronicling the rise of FM. Radio legend Rachel Donahue, widow of Tom Donahue, known as the father of underground FM, is producer.

Station Prepararation for DaylightSavings Change

The Traffic Directors Guild of America issued a reminder to stations to properly prepare for the the upcoming change from Daylight Savings Time. The announcement provided a checklist of reminders to ensure that the time change goes smoothly.

1. The affected Sunday's Program Log (Sunday, October 28) must be addressed for the change in Standard/Daylight savings Times. The change occurs at 2:00am local time.

2. "Spring Forward, Fall Back" - this means that at 2:00, you should turn your clocks back one hour, and in essence repeat the 1am to 2am hour.

3. For Program Logs, this involves inserting two pages for the 1am to 2am hour since that hour is repeated. This means a printed log page for Sunday, October 28, 2001 should actually be 25 hours long.

4. Check with your digital audio playback system manufacturer or the system's manual and determine how your automation system needs to be adjusted to match this time change.

5. In most cases for the printed program log, it's as simple as printing two duplicate hours (1am to 2am) and inserting them with a notation. Remember that any announcements scheduled in this hour will also be repeated, so be certain this is what you want. Discuss this with sales and billing to be sure this is what is desired. One alternative is to move all paid or billable spots out of the 1am to 2am hour.

6. For Stations using electronic or automatic log reconciliation, you may need some guidance on how to handle spots occurring during this hour. Because each commercial traffic system is slightly different, you should start that research now to be certain you know how to handle it for your traffic and digital/automation equipment.

FCC Changes Paper FilingProcedures

Washington - Oct 17, 2001 - In light of the events involving the spread of Anthrax bacteria, the Federal Communications Commission has announced several changes in how it will accept hand-delivered documents at the filing counter of the Commission's Secretary, located at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC.

As a precautionary measure, effective immediately and until further notice, the following procedures are in place:

• The staff at the Secretary's filing counter will not accept documents enclosed in envelopes.

• Any filer or messenger carrying such documents into the Commission's building will be asked to leave the building and dispose of the envelope in a receptacle that will be placed outside the building. Once this is done, the filer or messenger will be allowed to proceed to the filing counter.

• Originals and copies of each official filing must continue to be addressed to the Commission's Secretary and held together with rubber bands or fasteners. As usual, "stamp and return" copies will be provided as long as they clearly accompany each individual filing.

• Documents intended to be received by specific staff persons within Bureaus and Offices must be clearly labeled on the first page of the document or with a cover sheet indicating the destination. As appropriate, originals and copies must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners.

• Filings requesting confidential treatment under the Commission's rules must also be filed without envelopes. As long as the request for confidential treatment is clearly indicated on the first page of the filing, the staff at the filing counter will enclose the filing in a Commission envelope labeled "confidential" to signal that the filing contains material that is subject to a request for confidential treatment.

• The Office of the Secretary will work with specific Bureaus and Offices, as appropriate, to handle bulk filings in accordance with the precautionary measures described above. As the Commission continues to balance its efforts to be accessible to its customers with the need for heightened security measures, the Commission encourages its customers to make full use of the Commission's electronic filing systems to facilitate the filing of documents. In addition, on October 18, the FCC announced a change in the location where paper flilngs can be delivered.
  
  Effective October 18, 2001, the Commission will no longer accept hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings at its headquarters location, 445 - 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. The due date for any filings due at the Commission Thursday October 18, 2001, or Friday October 19, 2001, is hereby extended to Monday, October 22, 2001.
  
  On Monday, October 22, 2001, the Commission will resume accepting hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings only at its Capitol Heights facility located at 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. To accommodate this change in location, the time deadline for filing at the Capitol Heights facility is extended hereafter to 9:00 PM Eastern Time. Filings received at the Capitol Heights facility will be date-stamped. Filings made pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 1.13(a) should also be made at the Capitol Heights facility where they will be date and time stamped. Subpoenas directed to the Commission or its employees in their official capacities will be received only at the Capitol Heights facility. The Commission is currently looking for an alternative site in Washington, D.C., to accept delivery of filings on a more permanent basis. The public will be notified of that location as quickly as possible.
  
  The FCC encourages its customers to make full use of the Commission's electronic filings systems to facilitate the filing of documents.
  
  Filings and other documents sent to the Commission by United States Postal Service or overnight delivery services should continue to be addressed to the Commission at 445 - 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. The Commission itself will divert those deliveries to the Capitol Heights facility.
  
  This Public Notice supercedes any Commission rules permitting the hand filing of documents at the Commission's headquarters.
  
  The Commission finds it necessary at this time to make these changes to its procedures to protect the health and safety of its employees and therefore finds good cause to make them effective as expeditiously as possible in accordance with this notice.
  
  Please address any questions concerning this Public Notice to the Commission's Secretary at msalas@fcc.gov or 202-418-0300.

RTNDA President Testifies onFAA Helicopter Ban

Washington - Oct 16, 2001 - The Radio Television News Directors Association president Barbara Cochran will testify before Congress on October 17 in an attempt to get the ban on news helicopters lifted. News helicopters in the 30 largest U.S. cities have been banned since the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Cochran will testify before the House Aviation Subcommittee at 1:30 p.m., October 17, 2001, in room 2167, Rayburn House Office Building.

RTNDA is the world's largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTNDA represents local and network news executives in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries.

Arbitron Releases Fall 2001Population Estimates

FCC's Mass Media Bureau GoingOut

By Harry Martin

Washington - Oct 16 - As part of Chairman Powell’s ongoing efforts to reform the FCC, the Mass Media Bureau, which currently handles all radio and television matters, will be merged into the Cable Services Bureau, which currently handles all cable matters, to form a new "Media Bureau." The Media Bureau will handle AM, FM, LPFM, TV, LPTV, cable policy, EEO, political programming, and DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) post-licensing policy. DBS licensing will remain with the International Bureau. MMDS will be moved to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

Within the Media Bureau there will be a separate Office of Broadcast License Policy, responsible for licensing functions. Under the Office of Broadcast License Policy will be an Audio Division (radio) and Video Division (TV and cable). The Media Bureau will also have a Policy Division, Engineering Division, and Industry Analysis Division. It will be at least several months before the merger is implemented.

The newly appointed chief of the Cable Services Bureau, Kenneth Ferree, will be chief of the new Media Bureau. The current chief of the Mass Media Bureau, Roy Stewart, is expected to play a key role in the new bureau. Roy Stewart has emphasized that radio and television issues will receive the same priority in the Media Bureau that they currently receive in the existing Mass Media Bureau.

Austereo and Informatel backAustralian technology in NewsBoss system

Sydney - Oct 22, 2001 – International and national newsroom systems continue to operate under increased pressure since last month's tragic events in New York. Radio services around the world are revising their broadcast strategies and placing increased emphasis on news delivery.

Ongoing demand for up-to-the-minute reportage has placed Australian company Desktop Technologies in the spotlight. Founded in 1994, Desktop Technologies exports NewsBoss, a PC based automated newsroom system. Newsroom professionals in more than 33 countries use the NewsBoss system, with the majority of licenses held in North America.

Australian radio network Austereo, and local news service provider Informatel both use the NewsBoss system and identify this technology as enabling each to deal effectively with the work load created by the escalating crisis overseas.

Melbourne-based Informatel has operated for five years and provides news services for current events, sports, and weather using Interactive Voice Response technology. The service usually operates during 6:30am and 10:00pm every day, however on September 11, demand for information was so high Informatel broke format and began providing 24 hour service on News Line. Such is the continued demand for information, that Informatel has increased its investment in NewsBoss licenses, and plans to expand the level of service available to the market accordingly.

Arthur Stevens, Support Services Manager for Informatel identified the rapid editing capabilities of NewsBoss, combined with the easy integration of audio sources as being two of the primary benefits of working with the technology. The reliability of the system is critical to Informatel; revenue is lost rapidly if the service is unavailable for even short periods of time. Mr. Stevens emphasized the service and support for the NewsBoss system as another reason why Informatel works with Desktop Technologies.

Ken Cavanagh, News Group Consultant reflects this sentiment for the Austero network in Australia. Australia’s largest and most successful commercial radio network, Austereo, chose NewsBoss after an extensive evaluation process, during which an integrated digital system for news production was sought. Austereo has been a NewsBoss client for many years, and now use the system in every station across the country.

Individual newsrooms have real time access to both text and audio items generated in other cities via a sophisticated WAN. Cavanagh identifies the NewsBoss system as a favorite with journalists and newsreaders, suggesting this is due in part to the product being developed by newsroom professionals.

Walters-Storyk Designs Gap Digital RadioComplex

GAP Digital owner Todd Busteed at the Sony DMX R100 digital console in Studio A Control Room. The facility was designed by the Walters-Storyk Design Group. Photo by David DeJong, Chicago.

Wheaton, IL - Oct 21, 2001 - Walters-Storyk Design Group has developed a three-studio complex for GAP Digital, one of the only U.S. recording studios specializing in the production of long-form radio drama. The 3,000 square-foot facility is located in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, adjacent to Wheaton College.

In addition to completely refurbishing Studio A, which measures 420 square-feet, WSDG has converted a small office into a third room, Studio C, to serve as a music composition suite for GAP Digital's in-house composer Steve Wick. The next stage of the project is the redesign and renovation of Studio B (225 square-feet), home of sound designer Glen West. Studio B, scheduled for completion summer of 2002, will feature the expansion of one of the only Foley rooms, complete with pits, found in the Midwest.

Each studio is equipped with a Fairlight MFX3Plus digital audio workstation on a Medialink network. Studios A and B each house a Sony DMX-R100 digital console. Studio A features a 42-inch retractable plasma flat screen, Genelec surround monitors, and Bag End Elf subs. WSDG integrated their design around a central machine room which networks virtually all resources in the complex. The entire facility is protected electrically by a 6KVA UPS.

Sound isolation was a particular challenge in the restoration. GAP Digital is located less than 100 feet away from a major rail line.

Netia and Hardata in Partnership

Buenos Aires, Argentina and Claret, France - Oct 24, 2001 - Software developers Netia and Hardata recently signed an agreement that enables each company to offer their respective markets an end-to-end solution for digitizing radio stations of any size.

Netia is now marketing its products and services in Latin America via the Hardata distribution network. Netia products are backed up by technical assistance provided on the spot by qualified engineers. Hardata, a developer of reliable low-cost digital solutions, is in turn represented by the Netia international sales network which gives it access to markets such as the USA, Canada, Europe and the Pacific area.

AV Communications Wins ExportAward

AV Communications Directors John Gouteff (left) and Rodney Henderson accept the award.

Malaga, Western Australia - Oct 24, 2001 - Western Australian based AV Communications Pty Ltd (marketing worldwide as TieLine) has won the Emerging Exporter category award in this year's Western Australian Export Awards. The winner of this award is recognized for outstanding achievement in the area of enterprise and global export.

The company has been internationally recognized as a leader in the field of digital audio transmission technology over standard telephone networks. AVC TieLine is one of only two companies in the world, to develop the technology to transfer 15kHz of broadcast quality audio over a standard telephone line in real time, to meet the live transmission requirements of the broadcast radio, television, telecommunications and covert surveillance industries.

The technology can replace traditional transmission methods such as satellites, microwave technology and leased line options by offering high quality transmission links at a fraction of the cost and set-up time.

Users of this technology include the Clear Channel Network, Entercom Radio Network in the US and the government broadcasting arms of China, Korea, Australia, and the UK.

ORF Chooses TC Gold Channel

The ORF studios.

Vienna - Oct 23, 2001 - At the Radio News Operations Center at ORF Vienna a demanding task needed to be accomplished: 150 Journalists on 30 Audio Workstations working 24/7 needed to have their voices shaped to deliver cutting-edge news stories.

After testing all available voice processors on the market, the center decided to buy TC Electronic Gold Channels for every Workstation. "The microphone preamps are extremely smooth, as are the other processing elements. As we have a very noisy production environment, we are using the advanced expander first, then the advanced EQ and the soft compresser as the last element in the chain," explains Karl Petermichl, engineer at ORF Vienna. "The internal routing enables us to bypass the microphone input of the audio console altogether, patching the left input to both Gold Channel outputs."

During the initial setup process, ORF suggested some operational enhacements to TC, which were implemented in a software revision. One important addition was the ability to lock all the front panel controls except recall, so that a journalist could not switch off phantom power or change from mic to line input. Second was the execution of a total recall during this locked state, so initial gain settings for every speaker were preserved; a must for the noise gate. Third was recall of user presets only, as some of the factory presets were inappropriate for the ORF operation.

The Tonight Show Announceswith Neumann TLM 103

Los Angeles - Oct 1, 2001 - Edd Hall, announcer and sidekick for NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, recently replaced his old announce microphone with a Neumann TLM 103 studio condenser. The switch was inspired by and was partially a result of the show's overhauled set late in July, which forced Hall to move from the back of the stage to a dedicated announce booth.

Edd Hall, Announcer for The Tonight Show, with the Neumann TLM 103 Studio Condenser.

Hall used to announce from right behind the set, but the overhaul moved the set right up against the back fire aisle, squeezing him out. After a bit of brainstorming and a little digging around, an old announce booth was rediscovered. It had been used for storage but, save for a little bit of must and dust, was in perfect condition. The staff cleaned out the 5' x 5', acoustically optimized booth and got Hall up and running.

Now in an acoustically superior space and in the spirit of all the other change taking place, Hall asked to reconsider their microphone selection. While the old microphone had never been bad, he felt there might be room for improvement. The show's sound mixer wanted a mic that would capture Hall's voice as naturally as possible while still cutting through the live band and screaming crowd at the beginning of each show.

Thus began a two-week trial of every microphone they could get their hands on. Shedding preconceptions, they tried everything from dynamics to studio condensers to vintage ribbon microphones. Hall brought in his own Neumann TLM 103 from home, and when the dust settled, it was clear that the TLM 103 fit the bill.

With an improved signal from the start, the sound engineer is able to pull back on processing as well. Hall receives only a hint of compression and equalization from The Tonight Show's Euphonix 3000 console. The improvement in Hall's delivery complements the set change wonderfully.

Clear Channel San Diego InstallsSAS 64000

Burbank, CA - Oct 17, 2001 - Sierra Automated Systems, has announced the installation of its SAS 64000 audio routing switcher in Clear Channel Communication's, new San Diego facility. Stations began moving into the new Clear Channel building in February, 2001. The facility currently houses six FM and four AM stations with 38 studios and control rooms. One additional FM station has yet to make the move to the new location.

The 64000 is a digital-ready, high performance micro-processor controlled audio switching system built upon the design philosophies and technologies developed in its predecessor, the SAS 32000. The same system architecture, exemplary design, and rugged construction techniques have been proven in installations for over ten years. The configuration selected by Clear Channel has a high packaging density: 256 x 192 mixed mono and stereo channels in only two frames. It supports analog and digital I/O and can be reconfigured to a full stereo system if the need arises. The control software allows adjacent inputs or outputs to be linked as stereo pairs and treated as one source or destination.

The SAS 64000 will primarily be used to facilitate remote location and satellite feeds, both incoming and outgoing; and the routing of various studio feeds within the facility. The increased freedom from cumbersome patchbays or less sophisticated cross bar switchers allows operators to quickly and easily connect with their source or destination at the push of a button.

XM Satellite Radio ExpandsNationwide Rollout

Washington - Oct 18, 2001 - XM Satellite Radio officially expanded the launch of the first U.S. digital satellite radio service across the entire southern half of the United States, including such cities as Los Angeles, Denver, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta and Miami, covering a combined 136 million people.

XM radios are available in the Southwest and are arriving in the Southeast over the next two weeks at major electronics retailers including Best Buy, Circuit City, Tweeter, participating RadioShack dealers and franchisees, Sears, Crutchfield, Good Guys, CarToys, Audio Express, Ultimate and Sound Advice.

XM's programming lineup features 100 coast-to-coast digital channels: 71 music channels, more than 30 of them commercial-free; and 29 channels of sports, talk, children's and entertainment including 13 premiere news channels covering the latest national, world and financial developments like CNBC, CNN Headline News, CNNfn, FOX News, ABC News & Talk, USA Today, Bloomberg, BBC World Service, C-SPAN and its own XM News.

For the first time, people can receive on the radio the diverse selection of 24-hour news sources that they're used to getting at home on cable and DirecTV.

XM extends the reach of America's most trusted and popular news and information channels to motorists everywhere across the United States, ensuring they are never out of touch with the latest news.

XM Satellite Radio has also reached agreement on the basic terms of a $66 million funding package, including $35 million in new debt financing with Boeing Capital Services Corporation and $31 million in restructured obligations with Boeing Satellite Systems International. The company expects to close these transactions later this month.

In light of current financial market conditions and the aftershock of recent national events, XM has refocused its marketing strategy on key early adopter consumer segments, while maintaining adequate financial resources to sustain its business momentum until a stable financing climate is reestablished. The company is carefully managing all operating expenses, and, due to the outstanding coverage being provided by its satellites, has been able to eliminate many of its planned terrestrial repeater sites.

Completion of the Boeing financing package is subject to final documentation, including customary terms and conditions for transactions of this type.

Big City Radio ReceivesBridge Loan

New York - Oct 12, 2001 - Big City Radio announced that it has received a $15 million bridge loan from UBS Warburg LLC. As previously announced, the Company did not make the interest payment on its 11-1/4% Senior Discount Notes due 2005 that was due on September 15, 2001. Under the Indenture governing the Notes, the Company has a grace period until October 15, 2001 to make the interest payment.

The Company will use a portion of the proceeds from the bridge loan to make the interest payment on the Senior Notes. The bridge loan will bear an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.0% or the Base Rate plus 2.0%. The Company expects to repay the bridge loan in its entirety upon the consummation of the sale of the Company's four Phoenix radio stations pursuant to an agreement that was previously announced.

Big City Radio currently owns and operates radio stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Phoenix, four of the largest radio markets in the United States, an in-house radio rep firm, and a Hispanic publishing business and internet portal website in Miami.

Dataworld Purchased byOwners of Skywaves

Bethesda, MD - Oct 1, 2001 - Dave Doherty and Patty Doherty, the owners of Skywaves Inc. of Allendale, NJ, have completed the purchase of Dataworld Inc. of Bethesda from Jack Neff and Mabel Neff.

Dataworld, now in its 30th year of operation, is a provider of custom marketing and coverage maps, technical services, directories, map books, and facility change notification services to the broadcasting industry. Skywaves is a developer of interactive Web applications including real estate listing sites, e-commerce, and totally custom Web-based solutions for education and business.

Dave Doherty will serve as Dataworld's new president. Skywaves' plans for Dataworld include moving the company into the area of interactive Web delivery of products. One example is the DataXpert product, which allows users to create custom maps interactively, online, showing coverage areas of radio, television stations and ITFS/MDS/MMDS facilities as well as accessing directory listings that show technical information, key personnel, coverage area and population, and other information about each station. Until now, DataXpert was delivered as a monthly CD-ROM publication. Now, the data displayed is real-time, and the maps are made using real-time data. This is just one example of what can happen when you marry the database and programming capability of Dataworld with the online capabilities of Skywaves.

The Dohertys are broadcasting veterans. Dave began his broadcasting career in 1967, and, along with Patty, has held ownership interests in a number of stations. For many years, Dave was the Sony Broadcast sales rep and sales manager for the middle-Atlantic region, including Washington, DC. Patty and Dave have owned and operated Skywaves Inc. since 1995.

The Neffs are also industry veterans. Jack was the founder of Spotmaster and Broadcast Electronics, and ran Wilkinson Electronics for a time. The Neffs bought Dataworld from the engineering firm AD Ring in 1981.

Klotz Expands AmericanOperations

Atlanta - Oct 2001 - Thomas Klotz, CEO of Klotz Digital AG, Munich, Germany has announced the expansion and subsequent restructure of its American operations. Klotz Digital America, the US subsidiary of Klotz Digital AG, located in Atlanta, and Graham Patten, a division added to Klotz Digital America in March 2001 and located in Grass Valley, CA, will be unified under a new management team.

John A. Carey, formerly vice president of business development for Klotz Digital AG has been named president of Klotz Digital America. Michael J. Hession, formerly vice president and general manager for Orban has been named vice president of finance for Klotz Digital America and will work with Carey to manage American operations.

A newly created Headquarters, located at 300 Orchard City Drive, Suite #134, Campbell, CA, 95008, will oversee operations on both coasts. Klotz Digital America's sales and engineering support facility in Atlanta will continue to offer a full range of services for the broadcast industry. Graham Patten's manufacturing facility will begin production of VADIS and DC II products for U.S. operations.

Logitek Expands Sales/SupportStaff

Houston - Oct 25, 2001 - Logitek Electronic Systems has expanded its sales and support capabilities with the addition of John Davis, effective October 1. Davis works in multiple functions at the company, including international sales and customer support.

Prior to joining Logitek, Davis was marketing manager for Mediatouch (Winnipeg, MB, Canada), where he handled US sales, PR, advertising and other functions for the company. As with other Logitek personnel, Davis has a background in broadcasting, having served as operations director, assistant PD and air personality at several radio stations in the Phoenix market.

Davis is based at the company’s Houston headquarters.

Streaming21 Announces Appointmentof David Silver

Los Gatos, CA - October 25, 2001 - Streaming21 announced the appointment of David Silver to the position of president and chief executive officer. David Silver brings a strong management track record, and a proven expertise in growing small companies into fast growing market leaders.

Silver brings more than 20 years of high-tech management and industry experience to the CEO position, including 15 years as president and chief executive officer of Kofax, a worldwide leader in the document imaging hardware and application software market. As co-founder and CEO, he is credited for guiding the company through a successful public offering. The company was acquired by the Swiss headquartered DICOM Group in 2000.

Before co-founding Kofax, Silver was a member of the founding development team of FileNet Corporation, a leader in the workflow and document management market. Silver is currently on the board of Directors of DICOM Group plc., a London Stock Exchange company, and MicroVault Corporation, a private software company. In addition, he serves on advisory boards for the UC Irvine's school of engineering and department of information and computer science.

CEA Elects 2002 Executive Boardand Board of Directors

Arlington, VA - Oct 24, 2001 - The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced the newly elected members of the association's Executive Board and Board of Directors. The volunteer leaders were elected during CEA's annual product division and Board of Directors meetings held in Palm Springs, California the week of October 15, 2001. The new board members will assume their leadership positions on January 1, 2002. Ronald Stone, president, Pioneer Electronics Service, was re-elected chairman of the board. Katherine Gornik, president of Thiel Audio Products, and Mitek chairman and CEO Loyd Ivey were re-elected as co-vice chairs of the board. Longtime consumer electronics industry executive Jerry Kalov of Kay Associates will continue as industry executive advisor, serving in part as a formal liaison between the board and CEA staff. Stone, Gornik, Ivey, Kalov, past CEA chairman and Recoton president, chairman and CEO Robert Borchardt, two at-large members and the chairs of each of CEA's six product divisions form CEA's Executive Board. Gary Shapiro was re-elected as president and CEO.

New Executive Board members include Uniden President Al Silverberg who was elected to serve as an at-large member. Mitsubishi vice president, marketing Bob Perry, Terk Technologies president Neil Terk and Yamaha Electronics vice president, sales Steven Caldero join the board as the newly elected chairs of CEA's video, accessories and audio divisions, respectively. Audiovox chairman and CEO John Shalam will serve on the CEA Board as the chair of CEA's new wireless communications division. Shalam previously served as the interim chair of the division, founded earlier this year, and had served as an at-large member of the executive board.

CEA membership is split into six main product divisions: accessories, audio, home networks and information technology, mobile electronics, video and wireless. Attached is a list of the 2002 Board of Directors. A complete list of CEA members can be accessed at CEA's website, www.CE.org.

Langston named President ofDielectric

Raymond, ME - Oct 17, 2001 - Lewis M. Kling, president of Dielectric Communications, announced the selection of Gregory Langston as his successor in the role of company president. Kling will now focus his efforts entirely on SPX’s technology businesses. In comments regarding the change Kling noted that the time was right for this move, which will enable the continued growth of both Dielectric and SPX. With the change, Kling will be able to focus on the demands created by the recent growth of SPX’s technology businesses.

Langston earned his BS in Management from Purdue University. He joins Dielectric after serving as international group president for Thomas and Betts Corporation and as president, Mexico and Central American operations for Groupe Schneider/Square D Company.

Dielectric Communications, based in Raymond, ME, is a manufacturer of high-power TV and FM broadcast antennas, transmission line and RF systems, and a world leader in broadcast transmission system design. Dielectric is a unit of SPX Corporation. SPX Corporation is a global provider of technical products and systems, industrial products and services, flow technology and service solutions.

Margolese Steps Down asSirius CEO

New York - Oct 16, 2001 - Sirius Satellite Radio, the satellite radio broadcaster, announced that David Margolese has stepped down as chief executive officer. The duties of chief executive officer will be assumed, on an interim basis, by an office of the chief executive consisting of John J. Scelfo, senior vice president and chief financial officer, and Patrick L. Donnelly, senior vice president and general counsel. Margolese will remain as non-executive chairman of the board of directors of Sirius.

Sirius also announced today that at the end of this month it will expand in-vehicle testing of its service to six additional markets. This vehicle testing is designed to complete the evaluation of all aspects of the company's product and transmission, distribution and system capabilities, including retail sales support, installation, subscriber management and billing, customer service and communications. This phase is the final element of Sirius' comprehensive test program, after which the company expects to determine its commercial launch date, which had previously been scheduled for year-end. Sirius will update investors on the status of its commercial launch on a public conference call on Wednesday, November 14th. Conference call details will be announced separately.

Harris Promotes Lane toNat'l Accounts Manager

Cincinnati - Oct 15, 2001 - Harris Corporation announced the promotion of Ron Lane to national accounts manger, radio and systems, for the company's radio corporate clients.

A California native, Lane joined Harris/Pacific Research and Engineering in 1996 as an account executive after spending 12 years in radio in on-air operations and programming roles in the San Diego area. He will be based in San Diego and will report to Virginia Lee Williams, director of radio and system sales.

Klotz Opens Suomi SalesOffice

Munich and Helsinki - Oct 15, 2001 - Klotz Digital Europe has announced the opening of a new sales office based near Helsinki. This new operation heads the company's sales, marketing and customer support for Scandinavia and the three Baltic republics of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Klotz Digital has appointed Andreas Wirth as the sales manager for this new operation. The company's growth strategy beyond France, Great Britain and Germany lead it to Scandinavia. One of Klotz Digital's most famous Scandinavian clients is the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE). Klotz Digital's strategic Finnish partner, Noretron, will continue its sales activities.

Selected to head the new sales office is Andreas Wirth. One of his activities will be to insure a high level of after sales support. Prior to joining Klotz Digital, Wirth worked at NORES (Suomi) as a product manager. He studied television techniques and electronic media in Wiesbaden, Germany. He started his career at the German public broadcast channel ZDF and later served as Project Engineer at BFE Mainz.