the HOT List

In May 2019, Standard Media Group gained the industry's attention for buying TV stations in Providence, R.I., and Lincoln, Neb. Now, it's struck a deal to purchase nine TV stations across six markets. Oh, and it's also buying radio stations, thanks in part to broker of record Kalil & Co.

The Commission late last week issued a Declaratory Ruling allowing for 100% foreign ownership in Terrier Media. That's the entity being created through the acquisition of Cox Media Group and Brian Brady's Northwest Broadcasting by Apollo Global Management — deals the FCC has now approved.

With its de-listing notice already filed with the SEC, it was only a matter of time before Viacom and CBS Corporation revealed just when a reunification of the two companies controlled by National Amusements, Inc., would occur. On Monday morning, the date was announced.

On a busy Thursday in the Nation's Capital, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler each initiated a bipartisan effort "to ensure creators receive fair market value for their music on all platforms." Is it just noise, or does Radio need to worry?

In a decision that came much swifter than a lengthy vote to bar the use of its Universal Service Fund to purchase equipment and services from companies that pose a national security threat, all five Commissioners gave their blessing to a NPRM that would allow AMs to go all-digital with HD Radio.

The News Director at Circle City's affiliate of The CW Network in Indianapolis, Al Carl, has announced that the first TV journalist dedicated exclusively "to covering stories affecting Indiana’s diverse population" has been hired.

What are the current and future trends in the radio industry? Fred Jacobs led a panel session that opened a FCC Media Bureau symposium in Washington that touched on many of the Forecast 2020 topics and discussion hot points with a blue-ribbon panel of industry leaders.

When it comes to exclusive radio industry gatherings, there's perhaps nothing that comes close to Forecast 2020, Radio's Financial Summit. This year's event, held Wednesday at the Harvard Club in Midtown Manhattan, didn't disappoint. Here are some highlights of the no-press event.

Tuesday was set to be a wildly busy day for the House Energy & Commerce Committee. No less than 18 bills were on the docket for markup. The goal was a bit overambitious. The full Committee markup reconvened Wednesday with the "Television Viewer Protection Act" up for review, and a bipartisan agreement was reached ahead of its unanimous Committee OK.

Six months ago, HC2 Station Group became the owner of WJFB-44 in Nashville. The company wanted to make sure it got mandatory coverage across all TV service platforms in the Music City. So, it filed a Must-Carry complaint against DirecTV. Now, it has given up the fight.

In the 1970s, he was GM of "The Big 8". The 1980s saw him in a key role at Greater Media. The first half of the 1990s saw him as the owner of a radio broadcasting company that in 1996 would cash out with its sale to Infinity Broadcasting. Today, the media world is paying its respects to the late Herb McCord.

Head's up, over-the-air television broadcasters: After Dec. 17, you will no longer be able to amend existing or file new quarterly children's television programming reports. Notification from the FCC's Media Bureau came late Friday.

For nearly three years, this woman has served as the key individual responsible for human resources strategy at Nielsen. On Thursday, she tendered her resignation, an SEC filing states. She's heading over to work with Bob Bakish, taking a position at what's to become ViacomCBS.

It's been an interesting week for Entercom. In Miami, four air personalities were let go as part of budget reassessments at the company's South Florida radio stations. Then came the reassignment of the company's Washington, D.C. market manager. Now, Entercom has confirmed that a change in command at its Chicago stations is underway.

Are business owners trapped in a digital and social advertising bubble, "a frenzy of marketing activity with little thought to fundamental marketing principle or ROI?" For the GM of a division of Learfield/IMG College, the answer is yes. Shane Nichols tackles the subject in a new book he calls "a definitive guide" to finding OTA radio and TV value.