Radio & Television Business Report

The New Jersey Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives that got the ball rolling on the still-stalled AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act has teamed up with a Republican from West Texas in introducing legislation that would "ensure greater transparency and accountability" in the FCC's license review process.

For more than a decade, a Scranton TV station has served as a prime example of what a company can do to operate a station it cannot legally purchase due to the FCC's national TV ownership reach cap. Now, Sinclair is taking the step to make this station an O&O, prompted by expected FCC deregulation.

With likely rule "modernization" thanks to the return of President Trump to the White House and the leadership of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, The E.W. Scripps Co. has disclosed that it wants to reacquire the properties — assuming it can secure Commission waivers ahead of any rule change.

With revenue and adjusted EBITDA exceeding expectations, Gray Media is more than satisfied with its fiscal prowess during the final three months of 2025 as it propels into this year with renewed vigor and a hopeful outlook on "the likelihood of local ownership reform that would help level the playing field for our industry."

How did the company that started 30 years ago with a single station in Wilkes Barre-Scranton perform in the final three months of 2025? It beat Wall Street forecasts on revenue but swung to a net loss, as adjusted EBITDA and adjusted Free Cash Flow fell sharply.

He was the individual behind radio station owner Pembrook Pines, which had in its arboretum such brands as "94 ROCK" in Elmira, N.Y. In August 2025, it became known that Bob Pfuntner had died at the age of 83. Now, with the company under executrix control, it is agreeing to sell a Class A FM serving Hornell, N.Y. 

It is licensed to serve the Central Valley of California's largest population zone, and holds a Construction Permit for a 250-watt signal at 100.1 MHz from a broadcast tower in the heart of the Mural District of Fresno. Pending FCC approval, it will no longer be owned by a noted media industry attorney.

The licensee led by Bill Yuhnke that owns WEBR-AM 1440, a Class D facility with a signal covering Niagara County and Buffalo in addition to Niagara Falls, Ont., enjoys FM band access thanks to a 250-watt FM translator in Lockport, N.Y., to the east of Niagara Falls, N.Y. Now, this Classic Hits station is getting a MHz-band boost.

A Hearing Designation Order issued to two parties involved in the proposed transfer of control of two AM radio stations and an FM in El Paso, Tex., has been terminated.  Why? Those involved in the proposed sale have requested a withdrawal of the sale applications. 

Podcasts have surpassed over-the-air radio in daily spoken-word audio time in the U.S. for the first time, new data from the Edison Research Share of Ear report show. Now comes insight from ad spent provider Guideline that finds digital audio ad spend in the U.S. is projected to grow by 9.3% in 2025.

The world's largest multi-age group Flag Football tournament operator, "dedicated to advancing flag football on a global stage," has named the nation's biggest owner of broadcast radio stations its official media partner.

It's a division of a company with its roots firmly established with the family that formerly owned The Washington Post. And, its parent, Graham Holdings, on Wednesday released its Q4 2025 earnings report. How did Graham Media Group perform? Poor comps cloud the fiscal health assessment.

While Xperi Corp. CEO Jon Kirchner is pleased with the trajectory the parent of DTS AutoStage, TiVo and HD Radio performed across last year, how did Xperi do in Q4? The company surpassed the consensus estimate on revenue.

The NAB has announced that it will expand the "Sports Summit" aligned with its annual conference and expo in Las Vegas to a four-day affair, bringing leaders from across leagues, teams, broadcast networks, streaming platforms and technology companies to the hub of television and radio's present and future growth.

The trade association representing America’s local broadcast television industry with a sales focus has concluded that "TV," when viewed on a television screen, has the highest reach and time spent of all media platforms studied.  This carries for all age groups and categories measured, the TVB study indicates.

“Local media sales is at an inflection point,” said Dave Buonfiglio, Partner at AdApt Media Sales. “This partnership with BIA brings together trusted market intelligence and modern sales execution to help media organizations operate in a more data-driven advertising environment.”