Radio & Television Business Report

Don't let the glum spending habits of today cloud what's to come. For Brian Wieser and Luke Stillman of Madison & Wall, it's "so far so good, with meaningful risks" for the economy. That's why they are raising their U.S. advertising forecast again. But is the upward momentum absent of broadcast media?

He spent 11 years as an "Eyewitness News" anchor, and later helmed local newscasts for the CBS and FOX-owned stations serving the New York market. He was also heard on the radio, at WABC-AM. Now, many across the region are pausing to remember Ernie Anastos, who has died at the age of 82.

Saga maintains "the most pristine balance sheet" in the business, CEO Chris Forgy said to open the company's Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings call. That's not to say challenges do not persist, as the fourth quarter was one in which a wider net loss was seen.

Gray Media-owned television stations whose viewers rely on Dish for their local channels are now prevented from accessing any Gray-owned property. Blame it on the latest retransmission consent impasse to impact consumers.

The Smullin family's South West Oregon TV Broadcasting Corp. has struck a deal that will see Sinclair Inc. fully acquire a full-power property and four associated TV translators serving Douglas County, Ore., for nearly 70 years. The deal comes four years after a transaction in Eugene, Ore., involving Cox Media Group.

In July 2023, RBR+TVBR first reported on the sale of a Class C3 FM licensed to High Springs, Fla., that today airs a "Hot Talk" format targeting men between Gainesville and western portions of Jacksonville. It is now known that the announced sale has not transpired.

On March 1, SBS reached an important deadline — one it didn't expect to make. That's when the company founded and led by Raúl Alarcón Jr. was to repay its 9.75% Senior Secured Notes. It did not. The company now has a little more time to figure out what to do, with lenders saying OK to the extra time. a

A trio of radio brands formerly owned by Fisher Broadcasting and sold to Lotus Seattle Corporation by Sinclair Inc. has a new General Manager. At the same time, the Lotus Communications arm has selected a new Director of Operations & Brand Management.

The HeartMedia-owned Spanish-language radio station serving Boston has reached a play-by-play agreement with the region's Major League Soccer team. Coverage begins Sunday (3/15) and will continue across the 2026 season for the New England Revolution.

Lenders taking control of Cumulus will ultimately decide whether and how aggressively to pursue the case once the stay lifts, a decision that will fall to an entirely new board. Every current Cumulus director is deemed to have resigned upon the plan’s effective date, as the broadcaster goes private.

On Wednesday, RBR+TVBR first reported on the sale of two Southern New England radio brands by Hall Communications to a new subsidiary of Connecticut-based radio station owner Red Wolf Broadcasting Corp. Today, details regarding the transaction, including the price, became known.

Nearly three years after the U.S. Department of Justice sued the founder of Adell Broadcasting over a multimillion claim linked to alleged unpaid gift tax liabilities, a settlement is on the way, court documents confirm.

The digital cable TV station for Temple University has a new way to bring student-produced programming to viewers not only across the Delaware Valley, but anywhere they may have access to a local TV station's Connected TV streaming app. It's thanks to a partnership between the school and Nexstar Media Group.

Federal income tax returns are due in less than a month, and one brand has taken to cable television to help bring in new customers and repeat business, based on the latest Spot Ten report courtesy of Media Monitors.

"The talent, perspective, and dedication of this year’s Board will help advance the Foundation’s mission to recognize excellence in media and support the next generation of women shaping the industry," said Becky Brooks, President of AWM/F.

Sigma Audio Networks' InterWave is being marketed as a new digital audio network designed to connect advertisers with multicultural audiences across "premium digital audio environments" at scale. The platform provides marketers and media buyers with access to more than 210 million monthly unique listeners.