the HOT List

Home & Auto insurance brands significantly decreased their TV spend in April and May of this year. Spending recovered by July. But, that's not enough to erase a year-over-year decline for Q2 and Q3 in these related ad categories, new findings from TV data and measurement company Alphonso show.

What is the right path to media ownership and sustainability for a female licensee, or one led by a person of color? That's a question that will be at the heart of an upcoming full-day symposium co-presented by the Access to Capital working group of the FCC's Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment and the Media Bureau. 

Do the sellers of a broadcast media property have an obligation to notify the FCC if they close a sale for a demonstrably lower, or different, price than what was listed in the original APA the FCC granted? It's a question presented to RBR+TVBR by a reader, and we shared it with several esteemed Washington, D.C. communications attorneys. Two responded.

In an internal consolidation move, Nexstar Media Group has confirmed that on November 1, it will combine its two primary operating subsidiaries, creating a new single operating subsidiary. This results in Nexstar Digital President's exit when his contract expires in March 2021.

What have the Chief Financial Officers at some of the nation's top owners of over-the-air stations been doing to help drive a ship that saw smooth sailing through early March and, since then, has been navigating the choppy waters of a COVID-19 pandemic? A NAB Show New York virtual roundtable session offered some insight.

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.