The InFOCUS Podcast: Mike Meara
Joining Adam R Jacobson on this latest Podcast, presented by dot.FM, is Mike Meara of NPG Broadcasting. He discusses the continued rollout of NextGen TV and the big advantages that come with ATSC 3.0. LISTEN HERE
Beasley Media Group Founder George Beasley Dies
George G. Beasley, who purchased WPYB-AM in Benson, N.C., in December 1961 and would go on to build what is today Beasley Media Group, died Wednesday morning at the age of 89. A memorial service will take place for family and friends in Naples, Fla. Details will be forthcoming.
Controversial Locast Service Lands In RDU
The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill market is the latest to gain access to new technology that the NAB and the nation's Big Four networks have tried to exterminate. In the face of their opposition, Locast is now in its 33rd DMA — with little signs of a slowdown.
Gray Board OKs Dividend As Stock Hits 5-Year High
The Board of Directors for broadcast television company Gray Television has signed off on a quarterly cash dividend. The announcement could only further fuel Gray's stock price, which hit a five-year high on Tuesday.
Spectrum’s Retrans Squeeze Plucks Customer Pockets
For years, MVPDs have lamented that they have no choice but to pass any increased cost in carrying local TV stations on to customers. That's exactly what is now happening for those who rely on Charter Communications' Spectrum services. Higher bills are on the way, and it's all about retransmission consent fees to broadcast TV station owners.
Baltimore’s NPR Station Gains A Progressive Sibling
It's "listener-supported radio from Towson University" that's not so dissimilar to widely known WXPN, just up the road in Philadelphia. That will soon change, however. But the new owners of this Baltimore noncomm promise there will be no other differences, once this deal closes. And, we've got the price tag to share.
SBS Releases Its Q1 Results. Here’s How It Performed
With the Memorial Day holiday weekend coming in hours, Miami-based Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) early Friday released its first quarter 2021 results, ahead of an earnings call for analysts and investors in six days. How did the multimedia company targeting U.S. Hispanics perform in the first three months of the year?
Who’s Succeeding Rush? Premiere Has Its Decision
As first reported by The Wall Street Journal early Thursday ahead of a 3pm Eastern announcement from iHeartMedia-owned Premiere Networks, a successor offering to the deceased Rush Limbaugh's syndicated Talk radio program has been finalized. It involves the pairing of a seasoned conservative Talk host and a Fox Sports Radio talent.
Using Cash On Hand, Cumulus Acts To Pay Down Debt
The audio media company led by President/CEO Mary Berner on Wednesday (5/26) initiated actions designed to pay down $175 million of debt. And, it is doing so by using cash on hand.
After Nearly Five Months, This Retrans ‘Blackout’ Ends
A new retransmission consent agreement has finally come to fruition for a trio of broadcast TV stations that went dark on GCI systems in Alaska on Jan. 1, 2021.
Audacy Elevates In NoCal With a New Bay Area Leader Named
Effective June 7, the Audacy radio stations serving the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose region will have a new Regional VP and Market Manager. It's the result of Audacy's current RVP/Manager in Northern California getting a bump up to a national sales role at the company formerly known as Entercom.
Nielsen Prices Its $1 Billion Refi Plan
A plan has come to fruition that would see the issuance of senior notes due in eight years, and a series of senior notes due in 10 years, as a way the nation's dominant audience measurement and data analytics company can prepay a series of term loans agreed to in June 2020. Following Monday's market close, pricing was affirmed by Nielsen Holdings plc.
Silent Mourning: Five AM Radio Licenses Surrendered
No less than five AM radio stations in the last week have surrendered their respective licenses to the FCC. In one case, the move avoids a license revocation hearing. But, for the other AMs, it is simply a realization that FM and audio streaming are more viable options for local consumers.
Report: ‘Formal Creditor Debt Talks’ For Bally Sports RSNs
It seems the creditors to the regional sports networks owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group that recently took on the Bally Sports brand through a wide-ranging integrated partnership with the gaming company are in the process of signing non-disclosure agreements to start talks on lowering the RSN's $8 billion debt load.
Byron Allen Sues McDonald’s for Racial Discrimination
With McDonald's getting much attention for moving forward with "bold new investments to further reflect its diverse customers" and putting 2%-5% more dollars into Black-owned properties over the next five years, Allen Media Group has filed a whopping $10 billion lawsuit against the quick-service restaurant giant for racial discrimination.