‘Legislative Pursuits, Fueled by Localism’: Only In RBR+TVBR

The Radio + Television Business Report's information-filled all-new Spring 2024 Special Report was distributed in print at the 2024 NAB Show and via digital PDF download to subscribers earlier in April. Still haven't seen it? Look at what this 48-page full-color magazine has that you can't find anywhere else.

FCC Puts Cumulus’ Foreign Ownership Ask Up From Public Comment

The Chief of the FCC Media Bureau's Audio Division has confirmed the Commission will soon release a public notice seeking comment on a recently filed remedial petition for declaratory ruling that seeks approval for specific foreign investors to hold ownership interest in Cumulus Media.
Soo Kim, who runs Standard General

Soo Kim Sues FCC Over Failed TEGNA Deal, Blames Racism

Standard General and its head, Soo Kim, have sued the FCC and its Chairwoman and Media Bureau Chief for actions that led to the FCC's decision to designate the now-failed transaction for a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. Kim believes the failure to win Commission approval comes down to one thing: race discrimination.
View of Seattle and radio towers from Space Needle

TEGNA’s Hat Trick: Kraken Get Broadcast TV Home

Starting with the 2024-2025 season, the National Hockey League franchise serving the Pacific Northwest will see more than 70 non-nationally televised games appear on broadcast TV.  It's thanks to an agreement announced Thursday between the Seattle Kraken and TEGNA.
Wade Davis

A Positive Earnings Start To 2024 For TelevisaUnivision

As CEO Wade Davis said with the release Thursday of TelevisaUnivision's Q1 2024 earnings report, “2024 started strong with great revenue growth and continued progress across our most important strategic initiatives." That said, Adjusted OIBDA was down 9% and domestic revenue was flat year-over-year, with improvements in Mexico fueling the growth.

Top FCC Republican Slams Conditional WADL Sale OK

Brendan Carr issued a statement late Tuesday following the release of a Memorandum Opinion and Order allowing the sale of WADL-38 in Detroit to proceed, but with several conditions. In Carr's view, "The FCC’s decision to redline the terms of a deal like this plainly exceeds the agency’s statutory authority."
Kevin Adell

FCC Gives Green Light To WADL Sale, With Many Conditions

For months, the FCC has been weighing how to proceed with the proposed sale of WADL-38 in Detroit by Kevin Adell to Mission Broadcasting. The ATVA and NCTA protested. The Commission raised concerns involving Nexstar's ties to Mission in this deal. Now, a resolution has arrived — with conditions.
FTC / Federal Trade Commission

On 3-2 Vote, FTC Puts An End To Non-Compete Clauses

The "non-compete" clause, which prevented a star talent from crossing the street for a specific period of time, has been banned. As the FTC Chair sees it, this final rule is engineered to "promote competition" and is designed to protect "the fundamental freedom of workers to change jobs, increasing innovation, and fostering new business formation."
Brent Bozell III

Bozell Seeks FCC Stop To Audacy’s Soros Dollars

Political activist Brent Bozell III wants the FCC to put the brakes on Audacy's emergence from debtor-in-possession status. Why? "There is no question that George Soros and his affiliated businesses are looking to control these radio stations to advance their particular brand of activism," he claims.
The FCC Seal

FCC Seeks Input On Communications Marketplace Competition

In the last quarter of every even-numbered year, the FCC is tasked to publish a "Communications Marketplace Report." Your opportunity to tell the Commission exactly how business is, and what it could be like, begins in early June.

Nexstar Slams FCC Over Proposed WPIX-Linked Fines, Divestitures

The nation's No. 1 owner of broadcast TV stations on Monday afternoon filed its response to the FCC’s proposed fine linked to the company’s relationship with WPIX-11 in New York. "We will not be issuing any additional statement regarding the filing, which we will let speak for itself," a company spokesperson says.

Beasley Shares Shifts To New Nasdaq Market

Beasley Media Group's stock has moved from the Nasdaq Global Market to the Nasdaq Select Market. For shareholders, the move was designed to be largely transparent. And, it gives the company more time to meet Nasdaq's $1 minimum valuation and regain rule compliance.
E.W. Scripps Company

Scripps Confirms The CW Will Leave Seven Of Its Stations

Seven DMAs where The E.W. Scripps Co. presently offers The CW network as a local over-the-air offering via one of its broadcast signals will soon be parting ways with the Nexstar Media Group-owned offering, RBR+TVBR has confirmed.
Bill Wilson (l) and Bob Pittman

A Q1 Results Reveal Showdown Coming In May

On April 3, Townsquare Media said it would release its Q1 2024 results on May 9 and hold an 8am Eastern conference call. It's now known that Townsquare will be competing for analysts' attention with iHeartMedia, which has scheduled its own call at the exact same time.

Estrella Media Sells Content, Digital Operations To Hot 97, WBLS Owner

“This leverages the strengths of two great companies to build something new,” said Deb McDermott, known for her role as the head of Standard Media. She will serve as Chair of MediaCo. To be clear, the $120 million transaction does not involve an asset purchase agreement ... yet.