Nexus Radio News Adds Hourly Local Weather for LPFM and Small-Market Stations

Tyler, Texas — Nexus Radio News, the network newscast service for independent and low-power radio stations from Nexus Broadcast, is adding local weather to its early-access offer. Stations can now take a 15-second current-conditions update and a 30-second forecast, voiced for their own market and refreshed every hour, alongside the hourly 1-, 3- and 5-minute network newscasts.

"Every station I've ever helped put on the air asked the same two questions: where do I get news, and where do I get weather," said Leo Ashcraft, founder of Nexus Broadcast and Nexus Radio News. "The news we've answered. This answers the weather, for a station in a town of 3,000 the same as a station in a city, and it costs less than one spot a day."

How it works

An affiliate enters its city or ZIP code on its affiliate page and chooses how the anchor should name the area. From then on, each hour's cuts are built from the National Weather Service data for that location, with any active watch or warning leading. The files land in the station's own folder on the station computer, fetched by the same one-command setup that delivers the newscasts, and the automation plays them at the top of the hour. There is no receiver, dish or installation.

Rates

Current conditions are $20 a month, the forecast $25, or both cuts for $35, the same price for commercial, LPFM and full-power noncommercial stations. Early-access affiliates lock in founding-station rates for their first year. The network newscasts remain free to commercial stations on barter, with LPFM stations from $20 a month and full-power NCE stations from $40.

Stations can register interest now at nexusradionews.com/apply, ticking the weather cuts they want on the application. Details of the service are at nexusradionews.com/weather.

About Nexus Radio News

Nexus Radio News is a Nexus Broadcast service, owned and operated by Leo Ashcraft, whose first syndicated newscast network grew to more than 400 affiliate stations between 2013 and 2016. The new network delivers hourly newscasts, breaking-news bulletins and local weather to radio stations with nothing to install, and launches to early-access affiliates first. nexusradionews.com/about

LPFM Time-Share Schedule Changes: One-Time Events, Seasonal Shifts and FCC Form 319

If LPFM stations operating under a time-share arrangement wish to temporarily alter their schedules for a specific event, they should follow these steps:

1. Mutual agreement: Both stations must agree on the schedule change and its details: date, time and duration of the event.
2. Notify the FCC: Submit a joint notification about the one-time change, by letter or informal request, explaining the reason and giving the agreed details.
3. Update public files: Communicate the change clearly to the public. Update both stations’ public files, websites and any other platforms where you share programming information.
4. Document the change: Keep a record of the agreement, the communication with the FCC and any other relevant documentation.
5. Resume the regular schedule: After the event, return to the schedule in the original time-share agreement.

One-day changes

For a one-time change on a single day, notifying the FCC is not required. Instead, put a written agreement between the time-share partners in place; each partner keeps a copy in its station records for at least two years, and the station logs of the affected stations must show the altered sign-on and sign-off times for that day.

Recurring changes

For recurring modifications to the time-share arrangement, the new schedule may be implemented first, but all stations involved must then file FCC Form 319 within 10 days, attaching the updated time-share agreement, under §73.875(c)(3) of the rules.

Seasonal changes

Where stations need to adjust their time-share seasonally, such as Friday nights during high school football season, file Form 319 promptly to inform the Commission of the revised schedule, then file a second time to revert to the original schedule when the season ends. Nexus Broadcast prepares and files Form 319 and other FCC paperwork for LPFM stations.

By following these steps you can make a temporary schedule change for a special event within your time-share agreement while staying in compliance with FCC rules.

---

Filling the hours you do have

A time-share station has fewer hours on the air than most, which makes each top of the hour count. Nexus Radio News puts a network newscast there whenever your station is on: 1-, 3- or 5-minute cuts refreshed every hour, breaking bulletins, and local weather for your market, fetched by your station PC and played by your automation. Nothing to install, nothing to coordinate with your time-share partner. LPFM stations from $20 a month. How it works.

LPFM Time-Share with a School: Using Unused Hours During Vacations and Holidays

Can we broadcast in the school's hours during vacations?

Yes. It is possible to use the broadcasting hours the school leaves idle during vacation and holiday periods. Because you are in a time-share agreement with the school, you can arrange to broadcast while the school is closed, maximizing your station’s airtime and keeping both stations in compliance with the minimum operating requirements in the rules. Coordinate with the school and follow the procedures below to make use of the available hours.

How to do it

Work with the school to update the existing time-share agreement. Set out the new terms: the vacation period during which your station operates at full capacity, the date school activities resume, and the broadcasting hours for each station. Once both parties have agreed, the updated agreement can take effect immediately. Then notify the FCC by filing a Form 319 from each station involved, with the revised agreement attached. Nexus Broadcast can draft the amended agreement and handle the filings.

---

Something to air in those extra hours

Picking up a summer's worth of extra hours means a summer's worth of extra programming. Nexus Radio News covers the top of every one of them: 1-, 3- or 5-minute network newscasts refreshed hourly, breaking bulletins and local weather for your market, fetched automatically by your station PC and played by your automation, whatever hours you happen to be on. LPFM stations from $20 a month. Apply for early access.

School LPFM Stations and the 36-Hour Rule: Broadcasting Through Summer Vacation

How can a school station meet the 36-hour-a-week requirement when it closes for summer?

As a school closing for summer vacation, you may be concerned about meeting the requirement to broadcast at least 36 hours a week. Under §73.850 of the FCC rules, schools are not required to broadcast on weekends or during periods designated as vacation or recess on the school calendar, so the summer break itself does not put you in violation.

If you would like to stay on the air while the school is closed, there are several ways to do it:

1. Pre-recorded programming: Record educational shows, interviews and other content before the school closes, and schedule them to play when the station would normally be live.
2. Automated playlists: Build playlists of pre-recorded content: educational material, music, public service announcements and more, scheduled across the regular broadcast hours.
3. Community submissions: Invite students, teachers and community members to submit content for the summer: student projects, guest presentations, recordings of school events.
4. Repeat popular shows: Re-air popular shows or segments from earlier in the year.
5. Collaborate with local organizations: Partner with local groups that can provide relevant programming for the vacation period.
6. Informative loops: Run loops of educational content, announcements and updates during the hours live broadcasts would normally occur.

Let your audience know about the adjusted schedule and why. You may not be live during the break, but you can still give listeners valuable, engaging content. Questions about §73.850 or your station's operating requirements? Nexus Broadcast can help.

---

Automated content that is new every hour

The weakness of every option above is that it goes stale by July. Nexus Radio News doesn't: a fresh 1-, 3- or 5-minute network newscast lands on the station computer every hour all summer, with breaking bulletins and local weather for your town, and your automation plays it at the top of the hour with nobody in the building. One pasted command to set up before the last day of school. School and LPFM stations from $20 a month. How it works.

LPFM Third-Adjacent Channel Announcements: The First-Year Interference Notice Rule (§73.810)

Why some LPFM stations must air interference announcements in their first year

The requirement you’ve heard about comes from §73.810 of the FCC rules, and it applies to LPFM stations that were licensed without meeting the normal third-adjacent-channel spacing to a full-power FM station. The Local Community Radio Act of 2010 allowed these “short-spaced” LPFM grants, and in return the FCC requires the new station to warn listeners and help catch any interference it causes.

If your station was granted on that basis, then for the first year of operation you must:

1. Broadcast periodic announcements alerting listeners to the potential for interference to the third-adjacent station. The rule calls for the announcements at least twice daily, once in the morning (7–9 a.m.) and once in the afternoon (4–6 p.m.), telling listeners that interference may occur and giving your station’s address, phone number and e-mail so affected listeners can report it.
2. Notify the third-adjacent station(s) in writing when you begin operation, with your contact information and the text of the announcements, so they can forward any complaints they receive.
3. Keep a log of every interference complaint and what you did about it, and work with the full-power station to resolve any complaints that prove to be caused by your signal.

The announcements end after the first year unless the FCC requires otherwise. If your station was not granted under a third-adjacent short spacing, none of this applies to you. Not sure which category your grant falls in? Your construction permit says so, and Nexus Broadcast can check it and write the announcement for you.

Following these requirements keeps your LPFM station within the FCC rules and on good terms with the full-power station next door on the dial.

---

An hourly newscast that meets the rulebook too

The announcement is one more thing to schedule in your first year; the newscast doesn't have to be. Nexus Radio News drops a fresh 1-, 3- or 5-minute network newscast into your automation every hour, with breaking bulletins and local weather for your market, and nothing to install or maintain. LPFM stations from $20 a month at founding rates. Apply for early access.

I've come across information suggesting that installing HD Radio at my station would enable me to operate a commercial HD-2 station. Can this be confirmed?

This statement contains a misconception. It’s important to differentiate between broadcasting and subsidiary services. Broadcasting encompasses services that can be received using a standard radio, without any special arrangements or subscriptions. On the other hand, subsidiary services are not accessible to the general public and necessitate a subscription for reception. In digital television, multicast streams are considered broadcasting. This same argument could apply to multicast digital radio. Since these streams can be received with a standard HD radio without any subscription or access control, they are classified as broadcasting. Consequently, they would remain subject to the non-commercial requirements outlined in section 399B of the Communications Act.

---

News that stays inside the noncommercial rules

Underwriting rules make programming choices tricky for LPFM and NCE stations; a newscast is one that isn't. Nexus Radio News supplies hourly 1-, 3- and 5-minute network newscasts, breaking bulletins and local weather on a plain subscription for noncommercial stations (from $20 a month for LPFM, $40 for full-power NCE), with no spots to air, and free on barter for commercial stations that can. See the rates.

Is it possible for one LPFM station to broadcast the same content as another LPFM station simultaneously?

Yes, it is possible for two LPFM stations to simulcast programming, but there are certain restrictions to consider. The two LPFM stations cannot be engaged in a time brokerage agreement or a management agreement. This means that they can share and broadcast the same programs simultaneously, but one station cannot provide compensation (cash or other considerations) to the other station, as that would constitute a time brokerage agreement. Additionally, both stations must maintain separate and independent management teams; one station cannot manage the operations of the other.

It’s advisable for stations that plan to simulcast to also have periods where they broadcast different programming. This helps to maintain diversity in content and engagement with their respective communities.

Importantly, each station should handle its own fundraising messages independently, as an LPFM station is not allowed to raise funds for another organization, including another LPFM station. This ensures compliance with FCC regulations and maintains transparency in fundraising efforts.

1. Licensing and Technical Details: Each LPFM station requires its own individual FCC license, even if they are simulcasting the same content. Additionally, the technical parameters and coverage area of both stations should be compatible for successful simulcasting.
2. Local Programming and Underwriting: LPFM stations have their own requirements for local programming and underwriting acknowledgments. Make sure that any local content and underwriting messages are specific to each station and their respective communities.
3. Signal Interference: If the two stations’ signals overlap significantly, there could be issues with signal interference. Stations should ensure that their signals are properly coordinated to avoid interference.
4. Content Ownership and Licensing: Ensure that you have the necessary rights and licenses to simulcast the content from another LPFM station. Unauthorized use of copyrighted content could lead to legal issues.
5. Emergency Alert System (EAS): Both stations should be able to independently receive and transmit emergency alerts through the EAS to serve their communities effectively.
6. Community Engagement: Even though stations are simulcasting, it’s important to maintain engagement with their respective communities to address local needs and interests.

Before implementing simulcasting, it’s advisable to consult with a legal expert familiar with FCC regulations and broadcasting practices to ensure compliance and smooth operation.

---

News that stays inside the noncommercial rules

Underwriting rules make programming choices tricky for LPFM and NCE stations; a newscast is one that isn't. Nexus Radio News supplies hourly 1-, 3- and 5-minute network newscasts, breaking bulletins and local weather on a plain subscription for noncommercial stations (from $20 a month for LPFM, $40 for full-power NCE), with no spots to air, and free on barter for commercial stations that can. See the rates.