Radio & Television Business Report

Do the Supreme Court’s recent decisions in Loper Bright and Jarkesy deliver the message that a federal agency’s financial penalty decision could not be the final one, leaving it to the judicial system to assess? Verizon and AT&T each think so, and sought input from the Supreme Court. Its now agreed to review the matter.

On August 14, 2025, Nexstar Media Group shares surged to an all-time high of $211.31, and then began a three-month downturn. Since then, however, Nasdaq-traded "NXST" has experienced a sharp rebound, with a strong upward trajectory that began in early December. It hasn't ceased.

It was reintroduced at the start of 2025, and again attracted overwhelming bipartisan support from Members of Congress. Yet, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act has stalled in both the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. The Commander-in-Chief has made it clear he wants forward movement on the proposal.

It's a company that describes itself as a "systems integrator for safe, scalable beyond-visual line of sight operations for unmanned and autonomous aircraft." It is also an increasingly important technology entity to the broadcast TV industry, which explains why The E.W. Scripps Co. is teaming for a pilot project.

Fresh off a Senate Commerce Committee gathering that saw Democrats gang up on Chairman Brendan Carr by vociferously condemning his leadership, the House E&C Committee will be holding its own FCC Oversight Hearing next week.

From the Arkansas cities of Darnandelle and Russellville to Danville and Ora, Bobby Caldwell has become known by local businesses for his ownership of a group of radio stations serving the region. Now, Caldwell's EAB Media is selling the stations to a broadcasting operation led by Greg Horne.

It's a radio station that officially no longer exists. However, the last licensee for this home of a blend of music best-described as “Mellow Gold,” Hometown Communications, has struck a deal to bring the unique Class C AM radio station back from the dead.

The Syracuse-based company that owns radio stations in Central New York founded by President/CEO Ed Levine has moved ahead with a series of internal leadership promotions. Among the moves is the elevation of its Chief Revenue Officer to the position of Chief Operating Officer.

Many former listeners and radio industry brethren are remembering the accomplishments of Jerry Cesak, who unexpectedly passed away on January 4. As one-half of the "Jeff & Jer Showgram," the man also known as "Jerry St. James" was heard in San Diego for many years, following stints in Chicago and Detroit.

An independent omni-channel advertising measurement platform used to "verify, attribute and optimize" audio, streaming and video campaigns is now being used by the radio broadcasting company with majority control held by Soros Fund Management.

Just one month after his brother, Tom Hicks, passed away, Steve Hicks has died, Streamline Publishing has confirmed. Hicks served as CEO of Capstar Broadcasting, one of the foundational units of what is today iHeartMedia. He also led a pioneering interactive digital radio service.

It's a win for both NBC and ABC when it comes to customer rankings based on engagement and loyalty, as determined for the 28th consecutive year by Brand Keys. At the same time, FOX News Channel dominates among those who consume MVPD-distributed offerings.

Brian Sather, President/GM of the Hearst Television property serving Central Iowa, is excited about the launch of a new 9pm newscast one can view in the Des Moines DMA. Yet, this new offering can't be seen on a Hearst-owned station. Rather, it will air on a crosstown station owned by Sinclair Inc.

"Closing the digital divide" was a mantra of ex-FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. It was a focal point for multicultural media leaders through the start of the decade. As 2026 begins, is there still a partition when it comes to smartphone ownership and internet use? Pew Research Center has an answer.

U.S.-based employers announced 35,553 job cuts in December — down 50% from the 71,321 job cuts announced in November and down by 8% from the 38,792 job cuts announced in the same month of 2024. That's according to data released Thursday from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

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