the HOT List

With its stock off a recent year-to-date high and a merger with Sirius XM getting ever-closer thanks to last week's end of a "go-shop" process, Pandora may be poised to get the shot in the arm it's been seeking as it loses ground to Spotify. A new email campaign proves Pandora is ready to pump up its revenues from advertising, with an email campaign that attacks Radio.

In 1986, a family-owned television broadcasting company based in St. Paul, Minn., came to fruition. Over time, this operation would grow to 16 stations in markets as diverse as Tucson; Corpus Christi, Tex.; and San Luis Obispo, Calif. Thirty-two years later, Cordillera Communications is exiting TV station ownership. The buyers: One big publicly traded media company that just sold off its radio stations, and an Illinois-based player with a diverse portfolio of media properties. 

The NAB on Friday filed reply comments with the FCC concerning the reimbursement of LPTV, TV translators and FM radio stations for expenses incurred as a result of the repacking of TV stations following the close of the broadcast spectrum incentive auction. What the NAB urges is highly important for the radio industry, while a "streamlining" of the reimbursement process for TV translators is sought.

In less than two weeks, this country's voters will go to the polls for midterm elections. Some believe this Election Day is the most significant one in years, especially in terms of the economy. How will the composition of the 116th Congress impact investor and other economy-related decision-making? What's the potential impact for your broadcast media company? In-depth expert evaluation will come at Forecast 2019.

A major copyright infringement case involving Nicki Minaj and Tracy Chapman also involves a famed DJ at a tastemaker radio station in the Big Apple. Could this air personality be a guilty party? Not in this case, a noted entertainment attorney notes. But, he easily could have -- and the legal bills could have added up.

Onika Tanya Minaj is in hot water. She sampled a song released 30 years ago this month in a single that landed on one New York radio station. Only, the woman professionally known as Nicki Minaj did so without permission -- and after being told no many times. While her record label deleted the song from her new album, a "Hot 97" air talent played it on his show.

The nation's No. 1 owner of broadcast radio stations is anxiously awaiting a decision by the judge considering its petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to give a thumb's up to a fee examiner in place since October 1.

As expected by MVPD operators and the American Cable Association, among others, the FCC at its October Open Meeting adopted an Order that relieves broadcast stations of the obligation to submit paper copies of certain contracts to the FCC. However, the Order also bolsters broadcaster obligations to disclose these contracts online. The ACA is pleased.

A 24-hour excursion to New York inspired RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson to pen a column about his latest Uber, Lyft and hired driver experience when it came to the audio entertainment of choice each ride provided. In every instance, for the first time, a local radio station was playing. It led Adam to two conclusions: Radio is alive in New York, and marketers need to know this.

One year ago, some were wondering why Veritone shares had fallen to below $37, after a quick rise to $58.65 in late September 2017. Today, some may be asking what the financial health of this AI-powered attribution company may be. It has a new member of its Board of Directors, but that announcement didn't stop the bleeding on Wall Street.

Nielsen, in partnership with the Southern California Broadcasters Association, recently measured the effectiveness of local auto dealer campaigns in Los Angeles and San Diego. You think the published results point to problems regarding effectiveness, ROI and the overall dissatisfaction of radio stations in the two markets? Of course not, and that's why we've got an RBR+TVBR Observation to share.

Are you among the group of individuals who believe the FCC incubator program is destined to fail? You may want to read this. The Southern Journal of Policy and Justice this week published a 61-page law review article with the salacious title, "How The FCC Suppressed Minority Ownership, and How the FCC Can Undo The Damage It Caused?" We've perused the article and offer up its key points.

What's the future for Sinclair Broadcast Group now that it will not be merging with Tribune Media? That question was most likely on everyone's minds at the second and concluding day of sessions at NAB Show New York. In a candid midday conversation Thursday, company President/CEO Chris Ripley shared Sinclair's strategy for long-term success in a media landscape that is drastically expanding. 

With their sights on the future and, without a doubt, the Next Generation broadcast TV standard, some of the industry's leading CEOs on Wednesday morning confirmed their commitment to the technological advancements that — combined with live and local — will propel the medium into the future. The comments were delivered to a packed room of NAB Show New York attendees.

On July 16, Tribune Media shares nosedived after it became known that it would not be proceeding with its planned merger with Sinclair Broadcast Group. One month later, investors reassessed the situation -- and became believers in Tribune once again as it seeks a new suitor. On Wednesday, Tribune officially closed at its highest point since that unfortunate summer's day.