Podcasts Driving Station Revenue, Engagement

- TAB Show Tech Sessions Eye Bottom Line

Teams leading Radio and TV station podcasting enterprises are sharing the stage with tech partners at the 2026 TAB Show Aug. 5-6 in Austin/Round Rock to demonstrate how their ventures are growing station revenue and audience engagement and to shine a light on scalable solutions for various budgets.

Engineers, producers, and executives from Hope Media, Gray Media, Texas Public Radio, and Key Code Media are participating in the 90-minute "Building A Podcast Studio: Scalable Solutions, Digital Revenue Driver" - just one of multiple tech sessions for engineers, tech teams and managers on the agenda that focus on how technology investments benefit the bottom line.

The near dozen sessions for engineers and tech teams over both days of the convention complement the 110-booth trade show on Aug. 6 showcasing the latest tech and services from 100 vendors powering on-air and online operations for local broadcasters.

Registration remains open for the conference and trade show; free trade show-only passes are available from exhibitors through Friday, July 24.

Tech Agenda

• SNMP: How-To, From Set-Up to MIB to Sending Alarms and More! (Panel)
• Small Problems, Big Savings: Proactive Broadcast Tower Maintenance (Panel)
• Next Generation STL Options: Improving Resilience While Reducing Cost (Panel)
• Building a Podcast Studio: Scalable Solutions, Digital Revenue Driver (Panel)
• RF Sweeping of Transmission Lines and Antennas (Panel)
• AI Real-World Applications for Broadcast Operations (Panel)
• Preparing for the Future: C-Band Transition and Hybrid Distribution Strategies (Panel)
• Drones & Digital Tools for Stronger Audience Engagement (Julian Rodriguez)
• NextGen TV - What's Next On the Horizon (Panel)
• FCC Regulatory Update (Panel)
• Texas and Broadcast History: Part 6 (David Ostmo)
• Station teams are encouraged to plan their agenda as there's too much content for any one person to consume, despite efforts to minimize counterprogramming.

It's all part of a powerhouse Radio and TV agenda of more than two dozen programs led by Gordon Borrell, Jimmy Steal, UT Austin's Chris Del Conte, Seth Resler, Phil Becker, Anne Schelle, Harvey Arnold, Beth Mann, Tom McAuliffe II, leading ad agency executives, and teams of the industry's top engineers to help Texas broadcasters build the revenue, programming and engineering footprint needed to succeed in today's media landscape.

Attendees can attend the entire program for $165 or just the Aug. 6 trade show for $70. The opening day golf tournament and closing night Awards Gala are separately ticketed for $175 and $150, respectively.

Awards Gala-The Biggest Night in Texas Broadcasting

The closing night Awards Gala celebrates Texas broadcasting's very best, with the presentation of eight leadership awards, the Radio and TV Stations of the Year awards. Honorees include:

• Lifetime Achievement Award - Ben Downs, Bryan Broadcasting
• Pioneer of the Year - Jan Fritz, Hill Country Broadcasting Fredericksburg
• Radio Broadcaster of the Year - Paul Gleiser, ATW Media Tyler-Longview
• TV Broadcaster of the Year - Ward Huey, KETK-TV Tyler
• George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence - Steve Hasskamp, Rock Tex Technologies
• Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence - Rusty Surrette, KBTX-TV Bryan
• Associate of the Year - Harry Friedman, Ross Video
• Educator of the Year - Phyllis Slocum, University of North Texas
• Radio Station of the Year - Cox Media Group San Antonio
• TV Station of the Year - KXAN-TV Austin

In addition, six Radio and TV stations will be honored with Bonner McLane Public Service Awards for exceptional contributions and service to their local communities. McLane was TAB's first Executive Director; he passed away in 1987.

Questions? Contact Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.