“This Is What We Do. We Keep Stations on the Air No Matter What”

We asked consultant Gary Kline how operations are reacting to the coronavirus impact

BY PAUL MCLANE, March 16, 2020

Technical consultant Gary Kline, who also contributes regularly to Radio World, travels a great deal both domestically and abroad; he is in frequent contact with many radio industry organizations. We asked him what he’s been hearing over the past several days about the impact of COVID-19 around the U.S. radio industry.

Additional story at Radio World: https://tinyurl.com/w6otqlk

BBC could scale back output if hit by coronavirus

BBC director general Tony Hall has told MPs there's a chance that part of its services could be "out of action" for a spell if the corporation's newsrooms suffered an outbreak of coronavirus.

Lord Hall said the BBC is "intent on keeping absolutely everything open".

Asked whether there could be a scaling back of services, he replied: "There could be - I hope there won't be."

Executives are "working through how we could cope with" a service being out of action, he added.

He said they are looking at how to ensure "we can keep broadcasting the information that the people need to have", but that the BBC is "gaming out" what would happen if many staff go sick.

"You could imagine a local station or some other part of our news operation being out of action for a period."

Additional story at BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51851414

U.S. Radio Operations Adjust to Coronavirus

Windscreens, audio codecs in demand as industry goes remote

BY PAUL MCLANE

Paper towels and fresh bread are not the only things in demand right now. Add microphone windscreens and remote codecs to the list, at least for U.S. radio stations dealing with the new reality of COVID-19 prevention.

Radio groups are setting up teleworking arrangements, canceling events and turning away prizewinners from their lobbies.

Demand has increased for equipment that supports remote audio operation, according to companies that make codecs including Comrex and Tieline. Similarly, equipment distributor SCMS reports, “We have shipped tons of windscreens but also many portable studio kits to major groups using the Rode Rodecaster,” according to President Bob Cauthen. “I think they are all preparing for the worst but hoping for the best!”


Additional story at Radio World: https://tinyurl.com/vc7svqn