Wednesday, July 15, 2026

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, at the February 2026 Open Meeting

FCC to Vote on Replacing National Broadcast Ownership Cap

On Tuesday, Inside the Beltway insiders spread the word that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr was teeing up an Order for consideration at the Commission's August Open Meeting addressing the nation's media ownership rules. We now know that it will not involve AM/FM radio station ownership rules as the Commission seeks to repeal the 39% national television multiple ownership rule.

Nexstar Fails To Woo Federal Judge In DirecTV Retrans Tussle

A New York federal district court has declined to grant a motion to dismiss the case. This clears the path for DirecTV to continue litigation against Nexstar Media Group on the grounds that it engaged in antitrust activities when it failed to reach a retransmission consent accord with the DBS provider in 2022.

One Day After Injunction Win, Cumulus Inks An Autostage Ratings Deal

It has already inked an agreement with Eastlan to provide the advertising community with ratings currency in such markets as Atlanta, where Cumulus Media relied on Nielsen Audio data until a legal spat put a stop to that. Now, it is the flagship launch partner for Xperi's AutoStage Radio Audience Measurement Service.

California AG Bonta Gets Friday Court Hearing On Paramount Stop

WBD and Paramount Skydance were asked to refrain from closing their game-changing merger until after the judicial process concludes by way of a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court by a group of state Attorneys General. With a hard "no" from the companies, the coalition moved forward with the filing of a temporary restraining order.

D.C. Circuit Asked To Intervene In WTXF License Renewal Fight

The Media and Democracy Project has submitted a mandamus petition with the D.C. Circuit that would compel the FCC to act on the advocacy group's desire to appeal a Media Bureau decision granting the license renewal of a FOX-owned property, ignoring MAD's concerns tied to news reports deemed false and ownership character issues.
Greg Guy

FCC Windows, Market Liquidity Challenges: Reshaping LPTV Values

Since the 2017 incentive auction, LPTV valuations operated in a predictable framework. Values were supported by a steady pace of transaction activity and a defined universe of strategic buyers. Over the past 12 to 18 months, however, that framework has changed dramatically. Here are some of the reasons why that's taken place.

Stu Rosenstein, CFO, Townsquare Media

Townsquare Media Cements Its Q2 2026 Earnings Date

"Local first" digital advertising and radio station ownership group Townsquare Media has announced when it will release its results for the second quarter of 2026.  The answer? The financial health report is due a short time before the biggest broadcast TV station licensee in the U.S. discloses its Q2 2026 report.

Radio In Every Vehicle? Nielsen and iHeart Prove Its A Must

For Nielsen and the nation's biggest radio station licensee, removing AM/FM radio "is a multibillion-dollar gamble for automakers." The declaration in a new report comes as the FCC is expected to introduce rule changes at its August Open Meeting that would loosen media ownership limits for radio and TV licensees.
Phil Becker

Becker Call: Former Alpha Media Content Head Returns To CMG

He's worked at a wide range of radio ownership groups since joining Mid-West Family Broadcasting's WSJM-FM in Benton Harbor, Mich., in 1994 as a Production Director. Most recently, he served as Executive VP of Content for the former Alpha Media. Starting July 20, he'll be taking a key Cox Media Group role.

Cumulus Injunction Against Nielsen Upheld

A federal appeals court has upheld an injunction won by Cumulus Media against ratings giant Nielsen, agreeing with a lower court that the company likely violated antitrust law by leveraging an alleged monopoly over national radio data to pressure broadcasters into buying local data they didn't want.

A Southwest Fla. AM Surrenders Its License

In August 2025, Beasley Media Group agreed to sell all of its Fort Myers-Naples market stations to a pair of local operators. Now, that deal is complete, and the new owners would rather not keep the home of ESPN Southwest Florida in operation.
Heidi Raphael

Heidi Raphael To Succeed Donovan as NYSBA Head

She's been associated with Beasley Media Group since May 2017 and was promoted to her current role in 2019. Now, Heidi Raphael, a highly visible radio industry leader long associated with the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation, the NAB Board, and the Alliance for Women in Media, is taking a key SBA role.

After A Decade, Nashville-Area WHIN Is Sold by Kensington

With a logo that pays homage to Nashville's1980s-era Top 40 "Y107," WHIN-AM and its FM simulcast pay tribute to that time with a broad Classic Hits presentation, targeting audiences to the northeast of Music City USA. Soon, that may change, as the facilities have been sold by Kensington Digital Media after a decade of ownership.

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Usher Completes Its NRG Omaha Deal

NRG Media has exited Omaha, ending some 21 years of operations following the merger of Norman Waitt Jr.’s Waitt Radio with Mary Quass’ NewRadio Group. The $2.15 million sale of three AMs and two FMs is complete, putting the properties in the hands of Usher Media.

Adam Symson

Scripps Goes With Delayed Call After Q2 Earnings Release

The E.W. Scripps Co. will report its Q2 2026 results on the first Thursday in August but not discuss the results until Friday morning. Here's a look at what investors may see from the company that's parent to ION Network, Scripps Sports and a group of stations that returned to DirecTV last week after a five-week "blackout."

ATSC ‘Modernizes’ Its Industry Audio Loudness Guidance

The Broadcast Standards Association known as ATSC, the body responsible for the new digital broadcast signal enabling NEXTGEN, says it has completed "a major revision" of its A/85 Recommended Practice: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television.

Scripps Feels The FIVB For Women’s Volleyball World Cup

If the FIFA World Cup hasn't captured your attention, then perhaps the Women's Volleyball World Cup is ripe for your consideration. And if that's the case, stations owned by The E.W. Scripps Co. and its ION broadcast TV network are your forthcoming destinations to catch all of the action.

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A ‘Strategic Roadmap’ For Growth Through U.S. Hispanic Consumers

The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) has released its 2025 LDC U.S. Latinos in Media Report™: Full Year Update and the 2026 LDC Strategic Roadmap for the Entertainment Industry. The data highlights "a widening chasm" between where Latinos consume English-language content and how they are represented on and off screen in the industry.

NAB Show NY Gives First Look at Sessions

Radio has a fresh lineup of sessions on AI, streaming, and broadcast innovation to look forward to in Manhattan this fall. Registration is now open for NAB Show New York, returning to the Javits Center on October 21 and 22 with roughly 80 hours of programming.

MRC Adopts Interim AI Media Measurement Guidance Plan

The Media Rating Council has begun an effort to evaluate existing standards and guidelines and develop supplementary guidance in certain focus areas, as it relates to the rapidly evolving use of artificial intelligence and Machine Learning models in areas that intersect with media measurement processes and products.
Anna M. Gómez

Gomez Slams FCC’s ‘Unlawful Plan’ to ‘Raise’ TV Cap

While Commissioner Anna M. Gómez had much to say about a proposal released early Wednesday from Chairman Brendan Carr that would erase the 39% national television ownership cap, creating a case-by-case look at proposed deals. Her words will likely hold little sway, with a August 6 passage coming over Gómez's objections.

Scott Marchand

Marchand Earns An Expanded Leadership Role at Nautel

Nautel has named a Head of Quality Assurance and Support & Sustain, and it is a 29-year company veteran who previously directed Support & Sustain activities through his role as Production Engineering Manager.

The InFOCUS Video Podcast: Frank Jachetta, MultiDyne

The CEO of MultiDyne joins RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson to share more about a recent acquisition that marks a significant advancement for a company that for 50 years has offered broadcasters and video production professionals products focused on signal conversion and fiber-optic-based transport systems.

GatesAir Offers A Primer On Liquid-Cooled Transmitters

Liquid-cooled transmission systems are designed to help broadcasters support high-power RF operations with improved thermal management, efficient facility planning, and long-term system reliability. A July 15 webinar presented by GatesAir will offer a close-up look at the "practical advantages" of these offerings.