the HOT List

Introducing a live 24/7 streaming network for gaming and entertainment, billed as the eSports community's answer to MTV. How successful could Venn possibly be? Just ask Perry Sook. Venn on Tuesday announced the close of a $26 million Series A financing, and the round was co-led by new investor Nexstar Media Group.

Arguably the best in-person affair for Chief Marketing Officers, brand stewards and media buying and planning leaders, the ANA's Masters of Marketing Conference -- like other major affairs across 2020 -- has shifted to three days of continuous virtual events. The affair kicked off Wednesday morning and included a notable presentation from GM's Global CMO.

In-depth and accurate farm news remains vitally important to a large segment of the nation. Why did Cherry Creek Radio embark on an effort to offer this programming to radio listeners, one that now involves sales representation by Gen Media Partners and J.L. Farmakis? The latest RBR+TVBR InFOCUS Podcast, presented by Dot.FM, has the answers. LISTEN HERE

A man considered by many to be “a pioneer broadcaster” died on February 11, 2018. Ray Moran, founder of Lubbock-based radio and TV station owner Ramar Communications, was 82.  Now, four Lubbock TV stations associated with Ramar have been sold -- and two are going to Gray Television in a transaction brokered by Kalil & Co.

In early July, The Wall Street Journal hinted that The E.W. Scripps Co. was nearing a deal to spin its Stitcher podcasting unit. On July 13, the rumors became reality, as Scripps entered into an agreement with SiriusXM to sell its podcast business for $325 million. On October 19, the multi-million deal was completed.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai revealed that he intends to move forward with a FCC rulemaking to clarify the meaning of Section 230 -- something Republicans on Capitol Hill are screaming for in the wake of actions taken by Facebook and Twitter to block a controversial New York Post story involving Joe Biden's son from being shared. He'll likely have the help of Nathan Simington.

In an eye-opening Hispanic Radio Conference LIVE keynote address and subsequent Q&A with RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks made it exceptionally clear on where he stands with respect to the nation's airwaves. In short, more needs to be done to ensure ownership diversity, and a variety of broadcast voices.

With Scripps set to grow with its $2.65 billion merger with ION Media, Lisa Knutson and Laura Tomlin are getting new, expanded roles at The E.W. Scripps Co.

While questions will persist for months on whether or not civil charges will be filed against TEGNA and KUSA-9 in response to the death of a Denver protester at the hands of an unlicensed contract security officer arranged by the station through Pinkerton, one thing regarding TEGNA seems to be certain: its third-quarter 2020 results are downright peachy.

The E.W. Scripps Co. is agreeing to buy ION Media — the broadcast media network with roots in the Paxson Communications operation — for $2.65 billion. The deal will not run afoul of FCC Top Four rule regulations, as Scripps said in late September it will divest of 23 ION stations. Details regarding those station spins are now known, thanks to an FCC filing made by Ion.

Who are the individuals behind INYO? INYO is a new company, however its personnel include individuals "with decades of experience in the media sector." According to an FCC filing, INYO is formed by Methuselah Advisors, an investment firm with experience in broadcast and other media interests. Among INYO's leaders are two Methuselah managing partners.

In the South, there is a veteran owner of radio stations and print publications that, until COVID-19's arrival, also organized and hosted various street fairs and events targeting Latinos. The media entity is part of a larger organization that includes a meat packing plant, and restaurants. Learn more about how income diversity helped in tough times in this fresh InFOCUS Podcast presented by Dot.FM. LISTEN HERE

Across the state of Ohio, Gray Television has until now operated the ABC affiliate in Toledo, the CBS and CW affiliates in Cleveland, the FOX affiliate in Cincinnati, and the CBS, FOX and NBC affiliates in the Parkersburg, W. Va.-Marietta, Ohio market. Now, Gray is growing with the purchase of a Class A in North Central Ohio. What is Gray's plan?

An individual contracted by a private security company was hired by a TEGNA TV station in Denver to protect its field reporter at a protest. Things went horribly wrong, with the security guard fatally shooting one protester. Now, some in the media industry are wondering if TEGNA faces a legal challenge -- or if it is an innocent party tied to a terrible tragedy.

With OTT and Connected TV spots hot commodities, more dollars aren't coming to visual media. Rather, current expenditures are being shifted around, new data from Borrell Associates show. As such, broadcast media is being hurt by yet another tech innovation designed to suck audiences -- and dollars -- away from "traditional" vehicles.