ACA Connects Head: TVPA Stopped More Retrans Harm
Once again, retransmission consent negotiations gone bad generated many news headlines over the last six weeks. Yet, ACA Connects President/CEO Matthew M. Polka notes, those talks have mostly concluded. Polka says results "were consistent with what was expected as broadcasters continued to impose unconscionable rate hikes on consumers for what they call 'free TV.'”
Sinclair Gives an Early Yes To Some CBS Affiliate Renewals
Its broadcast properties include such CBS affiliates as WPEC-12 in West Palm Beach. And, that affiliation -- along with those for 12 other stations -- won't be changing anytime soon. However, nine CBS stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group aren't included in this group, and we've listed those stations.
Frontier Gives FCC ‘Good Faith Complaint’ Response To Gray Claim
Gray Television in late December 2020 moved forward with the submission to the FCC of a formal Good Faith Complaint against Frontier Communications in response to the MVPD’s failure to reach a new retransmission consent agreement tied to one of its legacy systems for three TV stations. On Monday, Frontier filed its response with the Commission.
As Rumored, Univision Launches An Ad-supported App
Less than 24 hours after a major shakeup in its corporate ranks, Univision Communications has moved forward with its widely discussed plans to launch an advertising-supported streaming service serving Spanish-speaking U.S. Hispanics.
Wade Davis Shakes Up Univision’s C-Suite In A Major Way
On Dec. 29, Searchlight III UTD and ForgeLight‘s acquisition of a majority stake of Univision Holdings from Madison Dearborn Partners, Providence Equity Partners, TPG, Thomas H. Lee Partners, and Saban Capital Group formally closed. With that, Wade Davis succeeded Vince Sadusky as Univision's CEO. Now, major changes are coming to the C-Suite.
Suddenlink, CMG In War of Words As Retrans Talks Reach Impasse
On Wednesday, Cox Media Group lit the PR cannons and lobbed a cannonball in the direction of Suddenlink, warning its subscribers that all CMG-owned broadcast TV channels were in danger of being "blocked" in lieu of a fresh retransmission consent agreement. Suddenlink responded. But, a deal couldn't be reached in time to prevent a "blackout."
Ajit Pai’s FCC ‘Theory for Good Governance’
In just days, Ajit Pai will become a former Chairman of the FCC, as Joe Biden is sworn in as the next President of the United States. On Friday, he addressed the Free State Foundation -- a group he last addressed one month before ascending to the top spot at the Commission. His focus was on how reforms made since 2017 bettered the FCC for good.
It’s Official: Ralph Oakley Considering Quincy Media Sale
On a busy news day, there was a hot rumor catching fire among media brokers and analysts early Thursday: a major TV industry deal was about to transpire. By mid-afternoon, the news was confirmed. Quincy Media Inc., owner of 24 broadcast TV stations, is "considering" a sale of all of its assets.
Broadcast Media Acts On A Historic, Horrific Day In D.C.
Wednesday, January 6, 2021, was supposed to be the day when the Electoral College votes for U.S. President were counted in a largely ceremonial affair, sealing the victory of Joe Biden seen in the November election. That was hardly the case, as the U.S. Capitol was put on lockdown as Trump supporters disrupted the proceedings. Broadcast media sprang into action.
An Alaskan ‘Blackout’ Hurts ABC, FOX and The CW
Liberty Broadband-owned GCI on Jan. 1 discontinued carriage of "FOX Alaska," "ABC Alaska," and "The CW Alaska" on a newly launched "skinny bundle" offering. It is pointing fingers at the broadcast TV station owner providing the three signals. Naturally, the broadcaster feels otherwise.
TEGNA Offers A 2021 Outlook Ahead of ’20 Results Release
What can TEGNA shareholders expect in the way of Q4 and full-year 2020 results? While the official numbers won't come until March 1, TEGNA on Wednesday shared its preliminary results — along with a preview of what could very much be on the books for 2021.
Deb McDermott Sells Her Standard Media Shares
As 2021 begins, RBR+TVBR has learned that Deb McDermott is shedding her ownership interest in the two stations Standard Media acquired from Citadel in May 2019. This gives her interest in stations serving Providence, R.I., and Lincoln, Neb., to Soo Kim. There's a likely explanation as to why this is being done.
TEGNA Stations Tossed By Mediacom As Retrans Talks Crumble
Mediacom cable TV service subscribers in 12 DMAs across the U.S. presently lack access to at least one of their home market's Big Four affiliates. Why? Of course it's another retransmission consent impasse, which has led Mediacom -- by law -- to drop some 15 broadcast signals from its respective market lineups. The MVPD puts the blame on TEGNA.
A ‘New’ HC2 Recharges Into ’21, With A New CEO
A company that heavily invested in broadcast television spectrum across the end of the 2010s on Monday completed the sale of three full-power TV stations and a low-power TV translator. It marks the company's downsizing in a trio of major markets. It also heralds a turning point for a company that quietly installed a new CEO in late November.
Verizon Fios Avoids A Threatened ‘Blackout’ It Warned Customers Of
Nearly one week ago, Verizon Fios started to warn its customers that "some channels" could be unavailable in the coming days. Why? It seems a retransmission consent pact with one broadcast TV station owner wasn't likely to get signed before the old one expired. Or was it? It turns out Verizon's howls about a potential "blackout" were premature.