the HOT List

Nearly 25% of media sales managers who participated in a just-released survey expect to see a revenue increase of more than 10% in 2023. That's just for starters, SalesFuel says, in a sign that optimism for the future of the broadcast industry remains high.

The Chairwoman of the FCC on Wednesday introduced a proposal that would implement new customer protections requiring all cable TV service providers and the nation's two direct broadcast satellite companies to specify the "all-in" price "clearly and prominently" in their promotional materials and on every monthly billing statement.

In a formal announcement from the owner of the two biggest Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) radio networks on Earth, Educational Media Foundation’s Board of Directors announced that CEO Bill Reeves will depart the non-profit organization. The EMF Board then elected a new chief executive.

For news creators in the Golden State, a Oakland-based Democrat serving California's 15th State Assembly District may have just introduced a bill that could bring to them what Congress failed to do. If passed, copyright laws would be implemented for the sharing of news stories on social media, given compensation to original local journalism sources.

Teton Merger Corp. on Monday extended the Early Tender Date, the Withdrawal Deadline and the Expiration Date of its previously announced tender offer to purchase any and all of TEGNA Inc.’s outstanding 4.750% Senior Notes due 2026, 4.625% Senior Notes due 2028  and 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 and consent solicitation from the noteholders.

Hispanic-targeted broadcast radio and TV station owner and global ad solutions company Entravision enjoyed a share bump on the NYSE Monday as investors reacted positively to the news that the company has entered into a new multimillion-dollar credit facility.

With its share price down 38.2% since February 28 and continued challenges leading to a downward Q1 2023 revenue forecast, iHeartMedia has moved forward with an initiative that CEO Bob Pittman and CFO Rich Bressler told employees in an internal memo distributed Friday is "forcing us to make tough choices on costs and priorities."

The legal counsel representing the two companies and Cox Media Group have moved forward with another attempt to get the full Commission to vote on the proposed merger and overrule the ALJ's decision. If not, the hearing could ultimately kill Standard General's plan to acquire TEGNA.

The FCC's Administrative Law Judge has affirmed a Media Bureau decision to issue a Hearing Designation Order to consider concerns raised by the proposed acquisition of TEGNA by Standard General, putting the privatization effort led by Soohyung Kim in a precarious situation.

What if you could enjoy a local broadcast radio station's audio stream without all of the commercials? Is there a thirst for such an option, given the array of streaming audio selections available to those with internet connectivity? Auddia says the answer is yes, and it is seeing "better than expected" initial subscription conversion rates for its flagship mobile app.

Deal volume among U.S. and Canadian media and telecom companies "collapsed" by 36% year over year in February, to a mere 89 transactions. That's the sober conclusion of a new data analysis from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Aggregate transaction value in the sector plunged.

“TikTok plays a growing role in culture around the globe," says WARC Media Head of Content Alex Brownsell, who has released a report that takes a deeper look at the TikTok for the advertising community. The report's release couldn't be more timely, as TikTok's CEO has been summoned to Capitol Hill.

While Audacy surpassed analysts' estimates on Earnings Per Share by 2 cents in Q4, revenue came in shy of their forecasts. In short, Field said to begin his earnings call remarks, "2022 was certainly not the year we expected," noting, "The situation is challenging and we are addressing it with eyes wide open."

Diamond Sports Group is finalizing a Restructuring Support Agreement with holders of a majority of the company’s debt, and Sinclair Broadcast Group, to eliminate more than $8 billion of DSG’s outstanding debt. To implement its restructuring, the company filed for Chapter 11 protection.

In a highly one-sided statement released Tuesday afternoon, direct broadcast satellite company DirecTV "took a stand for its customers" by mounting a legal challenge against what it calls "a conspiracy" among three broadcasters to illegally increase content costs for free over-the-air TV.  The matter involves the No. 1 owner of broadcast television stations in the U.S.