the HOT List

For three generations of radio listeners, WRQX in Washington, D.C., and WPLJ in New York served listeners with rock, then Top 40 and, until 7pm today, Hot Adult Contemporary music. As many bid farewell to the stations, the industry could forever be changed by the stations' sales.

vCreative -- the company known for its software-based workflow systems founded by Jinny Laderer -- has something somewhat surprising to reveal: It's been acquired by a software company that operates under the mantra to "acquire, build and grow great enterprise software businesses."

If it were up to the NAB, one company could theoretically own every AM station in a market of any size. It's also the chief architect behind a plan to allow one entity to own every FM in a market ranked No. 75 and under. The NAB is doubling down on this argument.

While the NAB argues that consumers that subscribe to either DISH or DirecTV should get their closest "local" channel, as technology has rendered The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act obsolete, the ATVA very much feels otherwise.

On May 22, Meruelo Media acquired a radio station serving Southern California that many media brokers and observers long expected. What was unknown until now was just how much -- or how little -- Meruelo is paying for the station. This update reflects new information tied to the purchase price and PP metric of KXOS-FM's purchase by Meruelo Media.

These are challenging times for radio and competition for ad dollars in the digital age is fiercer than ever. And while Entercom may not yet be enjoying gravy days, their last quarterly report is evidence that the company is sticking to a plan and it’s paying off.

It was mid-July 2018 when Nielsen shares were last above $30 a share. Its 1-year target estimate is just under $28, but attempts at reaching this price have consistently fallen short since fall 2018. Now, NLSN opens Tuesday with share prices at a fresh year-to-date low.

Put Tuesday, June 11, on your calendar if the future of the FCC's media ownership rules is of importance to you. That's when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit will conduct a hearing that pits a familiar foe of media consolidation against the Pai Commission.

David Oxenford has become a top voice in D.C. on what broadcast media can -- and cannot do -- following a Supreme Court decision that left the legalization of sports wagering up to state legislatures. He had much to share at the Media Finance Focus conference on the subject.

With its emergence from debtor-in-possession status, Cumulus Media began trading once again on Nasdaq under its "CMLS" symbol, and its stock is just below $19 a share. Now, the company is petitioning the FCC to allow non-citizens to own up to all of its stock.

On May 17, Entercom marked the 18-month anniversary of what President/CEO David Field calls the "transformational merger" that created "a company with the scale, capabilities and powerful lineup of leading stations" poised for future riches. Where is Entercom headed now?

Eight weeks ago, RBR+TVBR told you about the transfer of a 117-watt low-power TV station serving a South Carolina market. George Kimble of Kozacko Media Services was the exclusive broker. Now, that buyer is selling a sister property — and making millions of dollars in profit.

From musings and observations on the state of the American electorate from James Carville to the local TV industry's efforts to automate the workflow on both the buy and sell sides, the first day of the Media Finance Focus 2019 conference proved to be insightful and entertaining.

In June 2018, Gray Television announced that it intended to merge with Raycom Media. The deal, completed at the start of 2019, included two radio stations. Now, Gray is saying goodbye to one of these properties in a deal brokered by Kalil & Co.

DISH Network Corp. and EchoStar Corp. have reached an agreement that transfers the bulk of the company's Broadcast Satellite Service (BSS) business to DISH in an all-stock transaction. The deal will see DISH take on nine direct broadcast satellites and "certain key employees."