the HOT List

What is the FCC's ability to amend rules codified by Congress in the early 2000s? Sen. Ted Cruz understands this is a concern for some parties. That's why he's scheduled a Senate Commerce Committee hearing that will focus on broadcast television's 39% national TV household reach. Who's testifying could raise eyebrows.

As Townsquare Media CEO Bill Wilson, CFO Stu Rosenstein, and Investor Relations and Corporate Communications head Claire Yenicay see it, broadcast radio is "an incredibly powerful media." Add in the publicly traded company's Townsquare Interactive unit, and they believe the company is poised for a good year.

Josh D'Amaro is the individual who will succeed Bob Iger ... Disney shareholders and board members hope, as the naming of Bob Chapek as Iger's heir didn't work out so well. D'Amaro on Tuesday received a congratulatory letter — and open thoughts on the company — from MoffettNathanson Senior Analyst Robert Fishman.

Eight months after Sinclair Inc. informed an LMA partner that it has decided to execute a purchase option forged in November 2012, the FCC has given its stamp of approval. The Commission also said yes to the sale of stations to Sinclair from a cozy shared services partner, thwarting a DirecTV block attempt.

Some 16 1/2 years after gaining ownership of the properties, Mary Quass-led NRG Media is selling its remaining stations serving Omaha. News regarding the bigger buyer of five stations was revealed Monday in an announcement from broker of record Kalil & Co. A sixth is poised to gain NPR membership.

The NAB has released the results of a "new nationwide survey" that it hopes will fuel the association's lobbying efforts inside the Beltway to not only thaw the nation's broadcast ownership cap, but altogether melt it away.

Jim Schwartzel is one step closer to owning the FOX affiliate serving Southwest Florida. Concurrently. the Commission has granted a waiver that pushes the sale of Beasley Media Group's Fort Myers-Naples stations to his Sun Broadcasting to closing.

Kelli Turner has joined Radio Ink and RBR+TVBR's Forecast 2027 as Radio Co-Chair for its November 12 return to the Harvard Club of New York, bringing heavyweight broadcast and finance leadership to broadcasting's most prestigious conference. Register now before prices go up on Monday, February 2!

What Will Drive Media Stocks in 2026? That's a question MoffettNathanson Senior Analyst Robert Fishman answers in a fresh investor note. He focuses on five themes his team expects to drive 2026. But, where are the broadcast media companies?

The parent company of Rocky Mountain PBS, Jazz-focused KUVO-FM in Denver and HD2 "Urban Alternative" offering "The Drop" is the latest noncommercial educational entity that has chosen to downsize after a Republican-led Congress effort crippled federal funds distributed through the CPB.

All three vote-making Commissioners on the FCC have said yes to revised foreign ownership review requirements the Republican majority believes "maintain strong national security review processes while providing greater clarity for foreign investment."

Dollars derived from Rogers' purchase of the stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment held by the parent of Bell Media played a key role in the year-over-year performance. So did the American League pennant won by the company's Toronto Blue Jays MLB baseball club.

“The Evolving Ear: How New Listeners are Shaping Podcasting's Next Chapter" probes "first-year" podcast listeners—those who started listening within the last year and represent 20% of U.S. weekly podcast consumers—comparing their behaviors to "long-timers" who have been listening for five years or more.

In an opinion piece, American Enterprise Institute nonresident Senior Fellow Daniel Lyons "unpacks" the FCC's "Equal Time Rule," which he says has been resurrected by the Commissioner under the leadership of Brendan Carr. He also explores "its ongoing validity in a diverse media environment."

With a blockbuster, game-changing — and potential rule-changing — merger agreement with Nexstar Media Group awaiting regulatory scrutiny and hopeful approval, TEGNA has moved ahead with the launch of new local TV station-aligned mobile apps across 50 markets.