With CES A Go, Alabama Broadcasters Axes Annual Conference
On Saturday, the organizers of CES 2022 decided that closing the event in Las Vegas one day early would be a prudent plan of action, given the virulent spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. In contrast, a state broadcasters' association is taking no chances in ensuring the safety and health of their members by canceling its annual affair, scheduled for later this month.
A New, Bigger LPTV Grab for Gray Television
Thirteen days ago, RBR+TVBR was first to share the news that Gray Television had agreed to purchase a low-power TV construction permit and five fully built LPTVs from the licensee led by Jeff Winemiller. It is now known that this transaction was just a taste of bigger trading to come between Gray and Winemiller's Lowcountry 34 Media.
Report: Teheran Cyberterrorists Behind CMG Attack
In June, several Cox Media Group radio and television stations fell victim to a vicious cyberattack. Audio streaming was nonfunctioning for weeks. Some TV stations had extreme difficulties in producing a live, local newscast. The company didn't comment on what was wrong. Now, new information has surfaced as to who the culprit is behind the cyberincursion. All arrows point to Iran.
The AM Radio Die-Off: ‘It Makes Sense’ To Sutton
By January 8, 2022, four AM radio stations — each of them at least 65 years old — will disappear forever. A Georgia Association of Broadcasters 2018 Hall of Fame inductee shares that this news shouldn't be that surprising.
A ‘Real Oldies’ Sign-Off Scheduled for Western Michigan
A rather unusual noncommercial Oldies station on the AM dial in Grand Rapids will be ceasing its operations on Jan. 7, 2022, as will its Muskegon-based simulcast partner. It's the latest in a flurry of radio stations on the kHz band calling it quits.
A Lone Star Sign-Off, After 73 Years
Add a Class B 1kw AM facility at 1600 on the dial, serving the Beaumont-Port Arthur, Tex., since 1948, to the list of senior-band radio stations that will be calling it quits instead of carrying on into 2022 and beyond.
Nielsen Comments On MRC BBO Plan Remarks
On December 23, Nielsen said it would move forward in January with its introduction of Broadband-Only (BBO) Homes in its local television market measurements. The Media Rating Council (MRC), which recently completed an audit of the BBO Homes, chimed in with several "perspectives" on the matter. Now, Nielsen has something to say about that.
Gray Grows Its LPTV Stable Once More
On December 21, RBR+TVBR was first to share the news that Gray Television had agreed to purchase a low-power TV construction permit and five fully built LPTVs from the licensee led by Jeff Winemiller. Now, Gray has struck again — this time grabbing a half-dozen LPTV CPs across the South.
For iHeartMedia in NYC, A COVID-19 Policy Arrives
Come Monday, December 27, all employees and contractors working in the New York City offices of the nation's No. 1 audio content creation and distribution company will need to comply with mandates put in place on the local, state and federal level regarding COVID-19 workplace protection plans.
Original MTV ‘VJ’ Gets iHeartMedia Midday Radio Slot
Martha Quinn first entertained a generation of cable TV viewers as one of the original MTV VJs. Chances are she won't be joining her former MTV colleagues at SiriusXM anytime soon. That's because she's just inked a major deal with iHeartMedia that puts her in middays across more than 35 markets where it owns radio stations.
FCC OKs Smaller Pre-Approval Percentage Of Global’s iHeart Stake
An effort by iHeartMedia to cap the FCC's advance approval of any investment in the audio content and distribution giant by Michael Tabor-controlled Global Media & Entertainment at just under 15% has proven successful.
CES Withdrawals Increase as iHeartMedia Cancels Key Event
Nearly two years later, COVID-19 is still a global threat, thanks largely to the Omicron variant. And, with days until CES 2022 commences in Las Vegas, COVID-19 is now placing that mega-conference's attendees on high alert — especially now that several high-profile companies have withdrawn. For iHeartMedia, a performance from a big Top 40 act has been scrubbed.
FCC Cancels Its LPTV, Translator Auction. Here’s Why
The Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) and the FCC's Media Bureau have confirmed the cancellation of bidding in "Auction 111," a closed auction of mutually exclusive
applications for low power television and TV translator station construction permits. Why? It's quite simple.
Gray Grabs Six LPTVs in Four States
Gray Television is closing out 2021 with another deal. While it is hardly the size of its Quincy Media, Inc., or Meredith Local Media transactions, it is certainly worth noting. The company co-led by Pat LaPlatney and Hilton Howell Jr. is scooping up five low-power TV stations and a single Construction Permit, in Maine. The seller: Jeff Winemiller.
BIA Ups Its ’22 Local Ad Forecasts With $11.8 Billion Bump
How big could political advertising be for local advertising in 2022? It could very well make next year a banner one for linear and digital media focused on local consumers, newly revised data from BIA Advisory Services show. In fact, BIA believes its total estimate for 2022 will be $11.8 billion than its previous forecast.