Emmis CTO Paul Brenner Hosts 'NextRadio' Webinar

Paul Brenner

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS held a free informational event for broadcasters to help ready their stations for the launch of the "NEXTRADIO" mobile app in SPRINT smartphones in a webinar YESTERDAY (2/27).

"Step one of this SPRINT partnership was to win the opportunity to prove how radio can be on the leading edge of technology," said EMMIS CTO PAUL BRENNER when making the announcement. "While the partnership is being finalized, these forums are a way to educate all broadcasters on the expectations of SPRINT in making the launch of the FM Radio App a visual and interactive radio listening experience for every radio station in AMERICA. You will be surprised how easy the process is to prepare stations for the SPRINT launch whether the station is large market, medium market, commercial or non-commercial."

As for the event, BRENNER "emphasized this is an industry effort, not just an EMMIS project, mentioning NAB and at least one radio group in particular," reports RADIOWORLD. "He emphasized the 2013 date of a consumer having a smartphone in their hand that can receive FM is a goal and a lot of things need to happen between now and launch."

Much has been made of the cost to broadcasters, and EMMIS has estimated approximately $10,000 per station for three years would be needed to fulfill the $15 million contract with SPRINT.

BRENNER said, "Between now and JULY, EMMIS would like to get a list of stations 'activated' in the FM network for launch," noted RADIOWORLD, adding "In a demo, EMMIS showed how all stations in a market would be listed on the NEXTRADIO app in the phone, even those not using EMMIS TAGSTATION or even the NEXTRADIO app. EMMIS is urging all stations to sign up for at least the free version of the app, so a station logo can be used. EMMIS needs permission to use stations logos, otherwise, just a station’s calls would be visible."

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