A Retrans Impasse Impacts Sinclair
For three weeks, Suddenlink customers in the Greenville-New Bern, N.C., area have been unable to tune to the market's ABC affiliate. The reason? A retransmission consent agreement expired June 30, and there's no new deal in place. The station's owner, Sinclair Broadcast Group, now says there likely won't be one — period.
An Analyst’s Magnified Concerns For Netflix
Conventional wisdom, in the words of MoffettNathanson Senior Analyst Michael Nathanson, calls for "a massive reacceleration in subscriber growth starting in Q4," flowing into 2022 with some 28 million new Netflix subscribers. But, what if that conventional wisdom is wrong, Nathanson asks.
With House OK, Senate Passage Of Media Diversity Bill Needed
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed five communications and technology bills. Among the legislation approved: the MEDIA Diversity Act of 2021. House Members also passed a non-binding resolution reaffirming Congress's commitment to media diversity. It's now up to the Senate, and its Republican members, to say OK to the legislation.
Introducing Gray TV’s New No. 3 Institutional Shareholder
According to a newly made SEC filing, there's a Michigan-based institutional investor that now holds 5.2% of the publicly traded shares associated with Gray Television. What do we know about this holder, MBX Capital LLC? It's controlled by an Indian-American billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist.
The InFOCUS Podcast: Anne Schelle, Pearl TV
In this edition of the InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM, Pearl TV Managing Director Anne Schelle shares new details about the pace of the rollouts, and the increase of ATSC 3.0 signals in the Phoenix Model Market. LISTEN HERE
Nexstar’s Next Option: An RGV Duopoly in Texas
Nexstar is agreeing to proceed with an option to purchase another station in Texas. With the FCC's approval, the nation's largest broadcast TV company would have a duopoly in the Rio Grande Valley, converting a services agreement to outright ownership.
House E&C Committee Reviews ‘Growing Threat of Ransomware’
It greatly impacted the operations and streaming capabilities of Cox Media Group stations. Ransomware attacks have become the latest criminal scourge to impact not just individuals, but broadcast media companies too. Now, Congress has taken the first steps toward stopping "digital thieves."
New C-Suite Roster For Future Televisa-Univision Revealed
The executives selected to drive Univision Holdings Inc.’s next phase of transformation and "execute the vision for the future combined company of Televisa-Univision" once the multinational mega-merger closes have been revealed by Univision CEO Wade Davis.
With C-Suite Adjustment, Univision Tweaks its TV Networks Group
C-Suite executives selected to drive Univision’s next phase of transformation and “execute the vision for the future combined company of Televisa-Univision” aren't the only changes in the works once the multinational mega-merger closes later this autumn. Univision's news department is getting a new President, effective August 1.
NewsNation Further Evolves With Fall Programming Expansion
As autumn readies its arrival, the winds are blowing in two more high-profile telejournalists at NewsNation, which saw the mid-May arrival of Michael Corn as President of News. One of the new faces on NewsNation will take a time slot given two weeks ago to another program, which will shift to a different time slot come late September.
Field Of Funds: Audacy Secures Millions in Financing
Its share value is down 41% since early March. July 15 saw the "restructuring" of its Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) stations, resulting in the importation of two hosts across numerous stations it owns throughout the U.S. Now, Audacy has engaged in what's called a "trade receivables securitization" that will give it a huge influx of cash.
A CBS Stations President Is Chosen. Her Successor Is Known, Too
As of August 2, there will be a new President of CBS Stations. And, she will report to President and Co-Head of CBS News and Stations Wendy McMahon. Who is it? Look no further than the FOX affiliate serving Portland, Ore., and its sibling, which are being sold to Gray Television by Meredith Local Media.
Despite Mixed Enthusiasm, Tokyo Games Could Shatter Ad Records
With the promise of a large, demographically diverse audience, the Games of the XXXII Olympiad — the pandemic-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics — are forecast to bring in record-high advertising revenue. In fact, Kantar believes the ad dollars will be more than 20% higher than the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
ViacomCBS, Charter Ink ‘Comprehensive Distribution Agreements’
The continued carriage of ViacomCBS’ portfolio of broadcast, entertainment, news and sports networks on Charter Communications' Spectrum systems is now assured. The freshly signed deal between Charter and ViacomCBS also includes licensing ViacomCBS’s Paramount+, Pluto TV, BET+ and Noggin for future distribution to Spectrum customers.
Byron Allen Helps Gray Get Its Meredith Deal Done
To facilitate regulatory approvals for its approximately $2.825 billion purchase of Meredith Local Media, announced on May 3, Gray Television agreed to divest an ABC affiliate “to an independent third-party no later than the closing of the Meredith acquisition.” At the time, RBR+TVBR asked if it was Allen Media Group. It is now known that this guess was correct.