DTS added Japanese simulcast streaming radio service radiko to its AutoStage platform, it said Wednesday. Radio stations and broadcaster metadata on the radiko platform -- station logos, program name, performer information and a live station guide -- will be integrated into the AutoStage ecosystem, it said. DTS parent Xperi rebranded Connected Radio as DTS AutoStage last month (see 2102090017). DTS also has partnerships with BBC, Bauer, Cox, Beasley, Commercial Radio Australia and Entercom.

The Preserve Community Programming Coalition spoke Thursday with FCC Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey on the impact of the July 13 deadline for low-power TV stations to convert to digital on those who listen to audio signals from channel 6 LPTV stations, said a filing in docket 03-185 posted Monday. “The PCPC representatives offered to work with the Commission to minimize the disruption to both viewers and listeners during the transition period.” The agency hasn’t issued a decision on "whether to permit digital LPTV stations to operate analog FM radio type services on an ancillary or supplementary basis," the group said.

The FTC ordered Wellco to pay $650,000 in a settlement over allegations it deceived consumers about TV antenna products, the agency announced Monday. Wellco and its CEO, George Moscone, violated the FTC Act by “making deceptive performance claims” for “over-the-air television antennas and related signal amplifiers,” commissioners alleged 4-0. The complaint was filed with U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan. The company used “deceptive consumer endorsements” and misrepresented some of its own webpages as "objective news reports about the antennas,” the agency said. An FTC order imposed a $32 million judgment against the company, which will be suspended if the defendants pay $650,000 to the commission, “based on their inability to pay the full judgment,” the FTC said. An attorney for the defendant didn’t comment.

Commercial broadcasters are obligated keep sharing agreements in their online public inspection file, said the FCC Media Bureau in a reminder public notice Friday pegged to the license renewal cycle. “These requirements apply based on the substance of an agreement, rather than the agreement’s title,” the PN said. “Regardless of how an agreement is styled or labeled, if it covers the provision of programming time, sale of advertising, or provision of services among commercial broadcast stations, it must be retained.” Licensees uncertain about whether to retain an agreement “should err on the side of inclusion.”

Petitions to deny Gray’s planned $925 million buy of Quincy Media (see 2102010072) are due April 12, said an FCC Media Bureau public notice Friday. Oppositions are due April 27, replies May 7, in docket 21-87.

FM broadcasters offering geotargeted content have every incentive to reduce self-interference and are required by the FCC to do so, said GeoBroadcast Solutions in replies posted Friday in docket 20-401. REC Networks replied earlier (see 2103100057). GBS, the primary proponent of such proposed changes to booster rules, resisted arguments this would lead to radio advertising “redlining.” All other media can geotarget ads, and those were an ATSC 3.0 selling point, GBS said. “Yet there was no mention of redlining in the hundreds and hundreds of pages of comments filed in that proceeding by the broadcast industry and its trade association.” The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters called for a pilot program to test the technology in three markets. They "recommend that the pilot be designed to address all of the questions raised in the comment round of this proceeding, including the impact of the technology on local advertising markets." The FCC simply can't "ignore the concerns of the radio industry,” said the New York State Broadcasters Association, opposing the rule change. “Objectionable interference is certain under the Geo proposal,” said broadcast engineer Alan Kirschner of Nashville. Ad agency Media Negotiator, Urban One DJ and restaurant owner Sam Sylks and Roberts Broadcasting supported the option to geotarget as helpful to radio and local businesses. GBS said it has “no plans” for such targeting of emergency alert system messages, though the company and proponents of the tech have touted targeted alerts (see 2006040024).

Semiannual reports from U.S.-based foreign media outlets are due April 12, said an FCC Media Bureau reminder public notice Thursday. The agency will transmit a report to Congress that summarizes the submissions by May 6, the PN said.

FCC rule changes to allow for geotargeted radio broadcasts using synchronized FM boosters could cause a “booster boom” and advertising “redlining” and could “obliterate the overall FM listening experience," said low-power FM entity REC Networks in early filed replies posted in docket 20-401 Wednesday. “Self-interference” from radio stations using boosters to broadcast different content within sections of their contours “would create a damaging experience to some radio listeners to the point where they might just give up on FM radio similar to how they gave up on AM.” The primary proponent of the technology -- GeoBroadcast Solutions -- says demand for boosters won't sharply increase. REC said the company’s filings that there could be vendor financing to fund stations installing the tech indicate otherwise. “The FCC is bound by statute in this unique situation to assure that FM Boosters do not have any kind of a status over an FM Translator or LPFM station that would render the incumbent station useless,” REC said. Geotargeting specific areas could allow advertisers to target only affluent sections of a broadcaster’s coverage area, REC said. "REC’s filing includes speculations and errors that will be addressed and clarified thoroughly in our filing this Friday," emailed a GBS spokesperson.

Comments are due April 8, replies April 23 in docket 21 -50 on Gray Television’s petition to switch KFVS-TV Cape Girardeau, Missouri, from channel 11 to 32, said Tuesday's Federal Register. Comments are due April 9, replies April 26 in docket 21-9, for KTUL Licensee’s request to swap KTUL Tulsa from channel 10 to 14.

FCC dismissal of four petitions for reconsideration of its FM translator rule update takes effect April 9, says Wednesday's Federal Register. The petitions were from Charles Anderson, the LPFM Coalition, Fellowship of the Earth and Skywaves Communications (see 2010060068). A correction to a cross-reference in the FM translator order also takes effect that day, the FR says.