the HOT List

National Association of Broadcasters EVP/Managing Director of Global Connections and Events Chris Brown has revealed that all attendees and participants must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination should they wish to attend any of the Las Vegas conferences and vendor expos.

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) on Tuesday formally announced in an email communique that CES 2022, the world's biggest technology event and an increasingly important convention for radio industry leaders, will require in-person attendees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

The E.W. Scripps Co. is agreeing to purchase a LPTV construction permit in the Southernmost City in the U.S. At the same time, Scripps is adding a LPTV in a swath of Southern California it presently has no presence in. Could this point to an expansion of Scripps' digital multicast networks?

While the NAB reiterates that it welcomes the opportunity after a year and a half for "Coming Together, Safely," it's also asking its audience to weigh on potential mask and/or vaccination mandates for all participants.

RBR+TVBR has confirmed that Gray Television is moving beyond new hires by requiring all of its employees to get vaccinated. It's a move that comes alongside an internal announcement from Urban One that it is doing the same at its multimedia operation.

In a major development heralding the possibilities for all broadcasters with the new ATSC 3.0 digital television broadcast standard, the first Broadcast Internet remote learning service has been deployed.  It is now up and running in the Nation's Capital, and its over-the-air launch is thanks in part to a partnership with ONE Media 3.0 and Sinclair Broadcast Group.

If the audio media company formerly known as Entercom ever needed a shot in the arm from a Wall Street analyst, it arrived over the weekend. The Insiders Forum, which reviews "attractive small- and mid-cap" stock insiders are buying, says now is the time to purchase Audacy shares. Why?

The Media Rating Council confirms that a decision on Nielsen's request for an accreditation hiatus, which may not last more than one year, has not yet been made by the MRC. More importantly, the MRC notes the National TV measurement service is challenged by "deep-rooted, ongoing performance issues."

The Walt Disney Co.'s stock enjoyed a strong Friday, as the diversified entertainment and communications company that owns ABC and its ESPN arm on Thursday afternoon delivered quarterly earnings that topped analysts' estimates.

How did Meredith Local Media, which is being sold to Gray Television, perform in the three-month period ending June 30? Net revenue rebounded from a COVID-19-influenced dip to break the $100 million mark as adjusted EBITDA and operating profit were each on the rise.

"While we remain confident in the integrity of our data and measurement, and fully support the audit process," Nielsen says, "we believe that moving to a hiatus allows us to concentrate our audit-related efforts on continuing to address panel concerns alongside the transformation of our National TV product and development of Nielsen ONE."

Cumulus Media isn't commenting publicly, but its CEO on Wednesday — in a video message sent to all employees — declared that combating the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus means anyone who works for the audio content and distribution company "must be fully vaccinated" by the official return-to-office date of October 11.

A search committee appointed by the Board of Trustees for American Public Media Group has concluded "a rigorous, national search" for an individual who replaces Jon McTaggart. He lost his role due to high-profile sexual harassment and diversity and inclusion concerns widely reported in fall 2020.

Retrans and subscription revenue matters for TEGNA. With advertising trends downbeat for broadcast TV over the next five years, did NBC's Olympic Games fall short not only on audience but also on ad dollars? This InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM, puts a spotlight on those key questions. LISTEN HERE

One of the nation's largest broadcast TV station ownership groups has asked the FCC to cancel in its entirety a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture handed to the company for its “apparent violation” of the Commission's Top Four rule.