Radio & Television Business Report

For quarter after quarter in recent years, the "local first" media company that derives the majority of its revenue from its digital advertising and marketing assets has prided itself on its non-broadcast revenue prowess. Now, it is linking up with the company founded by veteran radio industry executive Carl Parmer to help that radio station ownership group with its digital solutions dollar opportunities.

Nexstar Media Group has told the SEC in a filing made Friday that it has eliminated the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. As such, Michael Strober will leave the company founded and led by Perry Sook at the end of October.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird on Thursday co-led a letter with Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to Congress in support of "life-saving AM radios" as car manufacturers remove them from new models.

To gain a firsthand account of communications recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which cut a swath through the Florida "Big Bend" area before barreling through eastern Georgia and Western North Carolina, the Chairwoman of the FCC was scheduled to visit both Charlotte and Asheville on Friday.

Back in March, Educational Media Foundation announced its purchase of four Salem Media signals spread between Nashville and Honolulu for $7 million. The Christian radio giant is now recouping some of that purchase price in the new sale of one of the three licenses formerly simulcasting "94 FM The Fish" to Music City, U.S.A.

Denise Potter lives 30 minutes south of Asheville, in Hendersonville, N.C. After nearly a week without reliable cell service, Denise spoke with Streamline Publishing's Radio Ink to share her experience during and after Hurricane Helene — and the difference radio is making in the region. We are pleased to share her story in its entirety.

The company behind a quartet of broadsheet newspapers serving a rural portion of Tennessee to the north of the city of Jackson has agreed to purchase an AM/FM combo west of that city known to local listeners as "Brownsville Radio."

On October 2, Forum Communications Company closed on its $5.9 million purchase of the Rapid City, S.D., NBC affiliate and its translator TV stations in a transaction brokered by Kalil & Co. Now, the company is parting ways with the 10kw Class B AM and its accompanying FM translator it owns in the Fargo market. 

It airs a contemporary music format targeting Polish-speaking audiences in greater Chicago during daylight hours, and at night airs dance and electronic music under the "Dance Factory" brand.  Pending FCC approval, this Class A 1.8kw facility licensed to Arlington Heights, Ill., will be under new ownership.

Out in West Texas towns of Odessa-Midland, the incoming Chairman of the Texas Association of Broadcasters and his partner have acquired an ownership interest in Brazos Communications West, operating three FM signals in the Permian Basin.

Urban One, Inc. held its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on October 1, setting the direction in the coming year for leadership, financial matters, and executive compensation of the local and network radio and cable TV operator.

NATPE Global is returning to South Florida in February 2025, and the Brunico Communications-owned gathering is crowing about the confirmed participation of some of the biggest TV content producers in the world — a sign that the event, which collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic, shows signs of life once again.

The network may be known for selling cookware, commemorative plates, and various tchotchkes, but it will now grow fame for live sports, er, sport. QVC has announced a multi-year partnership with USA Pickleball, making the network the exclusive retail and broadcast partner for the sport’s national events.

In the last month, Rosemary Ravinal has spoken at public hearings and civic action rallies before hundreds of people. In preparation, the public speaking coach realized that there are significant differences in the structure of remarks delivered in these settings. She offers lessons learned and what experienced speakers and novices alike need to consider.

There's a "historic" addition to the agenda of the 2024 NABOB Fall Conference and Power of Urban Radio Forum, which begins October 9 at the historic Mayflower Hotel on Connecticut Avenue. And, it sees a gathering of CMOs from some of the nation's biggest advertisers coming together to discuss critical advertising issues and media concerns.

Some 64% of respondents of voting age are concerned about the media’s ability to shape perceptions and opinions, while 73% agree that it is “important to hear different voices and perspectives… so they can form their own opinions about things.” Those findings come from a just-released Hispanic consumer study on social, cultural and political shifts.