the HOT List

Is working with Amazon to ensure local digital advertisers get the strongest ROI through a wide distribution effort a more savvy approach than trying to fiercely compete against one of the world's biggest local ad dollar magnets? That's a subject that proved to be a focal point of a key Borrell Miami session.

Standard General believes the FCC's Administrative Law Judge should not be empowered with determining whether or not its proposed acquisition of TEGNA passes regulatory muster. Instead, such an important decision should be left up to the four Commissioners to decide, the Soo Kim-led company implores in a FCC filing.

The advocacy group has responded to the FCC's decision to review its broadcast ownership rules as part of the 2022 Quadrennial Regulatory Review — something the Commission wishes to commence even though its 2018 review remains incomplete. What does the MMTC say? It has a wholly divergent view of deregulatory policy from the NAB and top broadcasters.

The NAB has joined with numerous state and national organizations in sending a brief but succinct letter to Congress on Tuesday (2/28) opposing a proposed rulemaking from the Federal Trade Commission that would outlaw noncompete clauses across the U.S. 

Jordan Wertlieb, the highly respected President of Hearst Television who has held the role for a decade, is earning a promotion. Effective May 1, Wertlieb will rise to the corporate-level post of EVP/Chief Operating Officer of Hearst. Who's succeeding him at Hearst TV?

On its surface, one might wonder why Nexstar saw a Q4 net income dip. The answer: One year ago it did not own The CW Network, which experienced a substantial loss. Subtract out the soon-to-be revamped network, and Nexstar's tale is one of the industry's strongest.

Graham Media Group, the Detroit-headquartered arm of Graham Holdings Company led on a day-to-day basis by Catherine Badalamente, enjoyed both a strong fourth quarter and full-year 2022, with revenue increases largely attributable to a big infusion of political dollars.

TEGNA's proposed $8 billion acquisition by Standard General, with help from Apollo Global Management, is in serious danger of disintegration following the FCC's decision to designate it for a hearing in front of the Commission's judge. With that, the company on Monday released its Q4 2022 results. They fell short of analyst expectations.

The National Religious Broadcasters and National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters on Monday emerged as the latest supporters of the Local Radio Freedom Act. In response, musicFIRST claims "community broadcasters" want the "American Music Fairness Act."

The long-awaited approval of a privatization effort that would bring TEGNA ownership under Standard General control, with a large minority non-voting stake in the television station owner held by Cox Media Group's majority owner, Apollo Global Management, has not come. Instead, the FCC has issued a Hearing Designation Order — an ominous sign for Soo Kim.

Record political advertising in a mid-term cycle helped Gray Television, in particular, across 2022, with some $515 million coming to the company. This exceeded 2018's full-year political dollars by 232% on an as-reported basis.  How did Gray perform in Q4?

With a focus on the future and the potential of live sports, Scripps Networks has much to look forward to, E.W. Scripps Co. executives believe. In Q4 2022, however, earnings slumped, resulting in EPS and revenue misses. Investors responded, with Scripps shares down sharply on Friday.

A field reporter and a photo journalist covering a homicide investigation in an Orlando neighborhood were doing their job. Then, shots were fired. Today, the reporter, aged 24, is dead. The photo journalist is in critical condition.

While the audio content creation and distribution company's revenue surpassed the consensus estimate of the three Wall Street analysts that cover Cumulus, the earnings per share came in at zero, as increased expenses led to a year-over-year decline in adjusted EBITDA.

While the five Wall Street analysts who track Sinclair Broadcast Group were widely divergent in their EPS forecasts, the company easily surpassed the consensus EPS estimate as the company stuck with its $0.25 quarterly dividend. The other big news: Chris Ripley wants the FCC to "sunset" ATSC 1.0 to help push NEXTGEN TV.