Broadcasting Stocks

U.S. financial markets started the first full week of November on a mixed note, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 190.87 to 25,461.70, while Nasdaq declined 28.14 to 7,328.85. How did media stocks fare?

It was a bruising finish to the week on Wall Street for some top tech companies, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 109.91 points, to 25,270.83 points. Nasdaq was off 77.06, to 7,356.99. The big loser was Apple, which slid by 6.6%. Then there were Entravision and Entercom, companies that enjoyed healthy gains.

Tongues were wagging across Radioland on Thursday in response to a report in Financial Times that claims "Apple is turning to traditional broadcasting to boost its streaming service, exploring a tie-up with iHeartMedia, the largest U.S. radio group that is attempting to claw itself out of bankruptcy." The report -- and subsequent coverage in CNBC and across the radio industry's trade publications -- helped iHeart stock rise 32.4% on Thursday, to 49 cents.

If you don't think investors are salivating over SiriusXM's planned merger acquisition of Pandora Media, think again. Pandora shares twice in September surged past $9.50 a share, and in early after-hours trading on Wednesday all signs indicate that the streaming audio company is on its way to match or beat those year-to-date peaks.

Although Tuesday's trading volume was much lower than average, some industry observers have keenly observed Cumulus Media's current stock trajectory. Midway through Wednesday's trading session on Wall Street, shares are at their lowest since emerging from debtor-in-possession status.

Companies ranging from Snap Inc. and Amazon to Netflix and Apple saw another tough trading session on Wall Street, with declines on Monday. For radio and TV companies, the performance was largely OK. That said, Veritone Inc. shares are at a new low.

At least the week is over on Wall Street. Media stocks were pummeled again as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 296.24 to 24,688.31, and Nasdaq dropped 151.12 to 7,167.21. Blame was placed on tech and internet stocks. While Beasley and Viacom's Class B shares scored important gains, there was red nearly everywhere else.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rebounded slightly after Wednesday's steep losses, climbing 401.13 to 24,984.55, while Nasdaq gained 209.94 to end the day at 7,318.34. A great Q3 report from Twitter propelled tech stocks, while most media issues saw modest gains. For iHeartMedia, a 9.3% dip was seen for a stock already worth pennies.

"Tech companies lead another steep sell-off in U.S. stocks," a Associated Press headline read just before Wednesday's Closing Bell on Wall Street. Media companies were hardly immune to the big nosedive of the Dow and Nasdaq, with Viacom's Class B shares sinking 8.5%, Sinclair Broadcast Group falling 8.3%, and Nexstar sliding downward by 6.5%. On the radio side, Townsquare Media was off 5.6% as Beasley shares are now worth more than those of the company that bought CBS Radio.

It's been a pretty lousy year on Wall Street for DISH Network. On January 8, a $49.48 finish was seen for the company's shares. Then, a slide began, bringing DISH as low as $29.08 on May 28 and, after a brief rally, back down to $30.15 on July 23. It looks like DISH is poised to match or dip below that mid-summer slide.

Cumulus Media is no longer in debtor-in-possession status. It's a new day at the company led by CEO Mary Berner. Yet, its stock is at its lowest closing price since it emerged from Chapter 11 protection. Meanwhile, Entercom at the Closing Bell just staved off another recent low, while Beasley shares are sputtering.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gave up 327.23 points, to 25,379.45. Nasdaq was off 157.56, to 7,485.14. How did radio and TV issues do? Click here for more.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 91.74 points to 25,706.68 in Wednesday's trading. Nasdaq was off 2.79, to 7,642.70. Broadcast media issues saw climbs and dips, while Netflix shares enjoyed a sharp rebound and are back to where they were before October 4.

On July 16, Tribune Media shares nosedived after it became known that it would not be proceeding with its planned merger with Sinclair Broadcast Group. One month later, investors reassessed the situation -- and became believers in Tribune once again as it seeks a new suitor. On Wednesday, Tribune officially closed at its highest point since that unfortunate summer's day.

U.S. financial markets rebounded sharply on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing 547.87 points, to 25,798.42, and Nasdaq rising by 214.75 points, to 7,645.49. All media issues but three rode the positive wave. The decliners: Saga, Salem and Cumulus Media