the HOT List

Three months ago, history was set to repeat itself for Sinclair Broadcast Group and Dish Network — entities that have had less-than-pleasant negotiations over retransmission fee agreements three times in the last decade. That didn't happen, thanks to short-term contract extensions. This morning, the companies ensured any "blackout" won't happen — at least for a few more years.

Meredith Corporation's Board of Directors last week signed off on a stock distribution that effectively signals the coming closing of its merger with Gray Television and the immediate spin-off of Meredith's National Media arm to the Barry Diller-fronted IAC. The last necessary task: winning regulatory approval of the deal. That has now transpired.

As 2021 comes to a close, the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB) has taken a look back at TV advertising trends for the first half of the year. What stands out from the VAB's research is the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the TV advertising landscape. 

Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Democratic Commissioner nominee Gigi Sohn are set to get separate nomination hearings in the U.S. Senate. With Rosenworcel's nomination set for a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday, it's a safe bet that a 2-2 deadlock at the Commission won't change for a while. One key Senate Republican blasted President Biden for selecting Sohn, a "Net Neutrality" promoter.

RBR+TVBR is presently welcoming the broadcast technology community to communicate directly with key decision makers across the radio and television businesses in our first-ever Winter 2021 Special Report. With this in mind, we chat with Multidyne executive Jesse Foster to learn more about what lies ahead in 2022 for the company in this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM. LISTEN HERE

Linear Networks revenues at The Walt Disney Co. decreased 4% in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2021, moving to $6.698 billion from $7.012 billion. At the same time, operating income decreased 11% to $1.6 billion. With Disney+ subscriptions well below expectations, Disney shares were down by 7% on Thursday.

On Tuesday, November 16, attendees of Forecast 2022 will likely enjoy the last-ever public appearance as NAB President/CEO of former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith. Ahead of that discussion, Smith on Wednesday delivered his final State of the Industry Address. Much of what Smith shared was self-reflective, while endorsing LeGeyt as his successor. We've also got all of the Marconi Award winners here!

Meredith Corporation's Board of Directors on Tuesday signed off on an action that effectively puts the Meredith/Gray Merger Marathon at Mile 26, with the finish line clearly in sight. In fact, Meredith has a date within the next month when it expects the closing to occur.

While more categories have invested more in advertising with Audacy's on-demand audio offerings and its broadcast radio stations, the struggle is real for the radio station owner and parent of podcast entities Cadence13 and Pineapple Street. The company still registered a net loss in Q3, although a smaller one than one year ago. The problem? Analysts expected earnings per share of $0.09.

A new multi-year affiliation agreement is in place that will prevent a "great affiliate switch" from taking shape in some 47 local TV markets across the U.S. It's thanks to a pact signed by the company that will soon complete its merger with Meredith Local Media. 

Should the FCC be required under Federal law to 'modernize" reporting requirements related to political advertising aired by broadcasters by making reports machine-readable? That's the goal of the newly introduced Fair and Clear Campaign (FCC) Transparency Act.

A months-long battle between the financial backer of one of the U.K.'s biggest radio broadcasting companies and the largest radio, audio streaming and podcast entity in the U.S. has suddenly ceased, as Global Media & Entertainment Investments will no longer seek to take as much as a 49.99% non-controlling equity interest in iHeartMedia.

Many things are brewing Inside the Beltway that could impact your bottom line in 2022 and beyond. From Capitol Hill to the Commission's new offices near Union Station, Washington is abuzz with broadcast media bills and proposals. Who better than Fletcher Heald and Hildreth attorney Frank Montero to lead a Forecast 2022 discussion on the myriad regulatory challenges and opportunities ahead for broadcasters?

In a significant move that signals a likely lobbying victory for the NAB, the full FCC on Friday released a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted on November 4 that would allow digital multicast NEXTGEN TV channels to effectively be licensed in the same manner as their host station.

According to analysts polled by Zacks Equity Research, The E.W. Scripps Co. — a much bigger operation today than a year ago thanks to its merger with Ion Media — was expected to post earnings per share of $0.12 in Q3. That would have reflected an 84.2% year-over-year decline, impacted by fewer political ad dollars. How did Scripps perform?