the HOT List

In February 2018, Gray Television submitted a Form 314 application to the FCC signaling its intention to purchase a television station within the Fargo, N.D., DMA. On Friday, Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey formally put an end to the proposed deal. NOTE: This story has been updated with corrected information regarding the party that attempted to sell this station.

The COVID-19 pandemic created a truly unprecedented situation for broadcast media. Impairment charges are being seen for some publicly traded companies. For mom and pop broadcasters, keeping the station on the air could be a day-to-day struggle. In this podcast, NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith shares what's happening in Washington to help local media. LISTEN HERE

Paul Rotella, as always, is actively working hard to bring New Jersey's broadcasters an arsenal of support from Washington. He's got his ear on Capitol Hill and actively engages with the FCC on key issues seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, and others that are bigger than ever due to the crisis. Get the scoop from Rotella in this latest Coronavirus INFOCUS podcast. LISTEN HERE

Marci Daniels literally just departed Nexstar Media Group’s WETM-18 in Corning and Elmira, N.Y. after three years. She's now leading Nexstar's WLNS-6 in Lansing, Mich., while overseeing its JOA for WLAJ-53 and The CW Network affiliate here. Learn more about her transition, and what she experienced in New York in this fresh podcast. LISTEN HERE

An Amicus Brief has been filed with the Supreme Court that sees the broadcast TV company that merged with Raycom Media urging the justices to accept the petitions for writs of ceritiori — and to reverse the Third Circuit Decision that nixed the Commission's "modest" 2017 relaxation of local broadcast ownership rules.

Michael Carr has seen a lot during his time at KFSN-30 in Fresno. He began as an intern and this week was appointed President/GM of the station. What insights can he share about the evolution of TV news during his tenure at the ABC-owned station, in particular in the last eight weeks? This former Fresno State Bulldog tells all in the latest podcast. LISTEN HERE

On April 10, it became known that Beasley Media Group VP/Corporate Sales Bob McCurdy was departing the company. Officially, he announced his retirement. What wasn't publicly known was that McCurdy was battling cancer. Now, McCurdy and his wife have filed a lawsuit alleging the radio industry veteran failed to receive his full dosage of anti-cancer drugs.

The company, which is formally known as Beasley Broadcast Group, notified the SEC last week that it intends to file its 10-Q quarterly report no later than June 29 — precisely 45 days after the original due date, and the latest possible day Beasley may do so without running afoul of SEC regulations.

The FCC's Media Bureau has denied a petition from a Southwestern Colorado county board to bring TEGNA's NBC affiliate in Denver to local Dish customers. Is it a victory for Hubbard Broadcasting? Perhaps, as they filed a Limited Opposition to the petition. Why? The county is officially within the Albuquerque DMA, where Hubbard owns the NBC affiliate.

A ripple effect was seen with respect to year-over-year spending trends, and impressions, for restaurant advertisers. But, some interesting insights can be seen with respect to ad impressions. The SVP of Media Partnerships at iSpot.tv shares his company's latest research in this RBR+TVBR Coronavirus INFOCUS podcast hosted by Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson. LISTEN HERE

The House, fueled by Democratic votes, late Friday approved $3 trillion legislation that includes provisions to expand eligibility for U.S. Small Business Administration loan access to local newspapers and radio and television stations economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It's not predicted to win Senate approval, however, and Greg Walden panned it.

So much for that belief that TV hungry sheltered-at-home Americans would at least, temporarily, stem the cessation of MVPD services. "Cord cutting" in the U.S. was fast and furious in Q1 — so much so that multichannel subscriptions experienced their largest-ever first quarter decline. That's according to fresh data from Kagan.

With professional services fueling ad revenue at Meredith Corp.'s local media division and the automotive category highly impacted, segment ad-related revenue slipped by 1.6%. That said, an 8.9% gain in "consumer related" revenue -- namely, retransmission consent fees -- helped cushion a dip in operating profit for Meredith Local Media in fiscal Q3 2020.

Lotus Communications' properties include Rockers in Las Vegas and Boise, Idaho, and some of the nation's most unique multicultural properties, both serving the Los Angeles market. How did these stations move to cover the COVID-19 pandemic for its listeners in ways no other media outlet could? We find out in a fresh RBR+TVBR Coronavirus INFOCUS podcast. LISTEN HERE

The traditional State of the Industry keynote address from President/CEO Gordon Smith, which officially kicked off a two-day "NAB Show Express" in lieu of the annual Las Vegas convention, was filled with gratitude for broadcast media. "Now, as the world faces an uncertain situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, your work is more important than ever," he said.