the HOT List

The FCC Thursday morning moved forward with plans for its first 5G spectrum auctions. Why is this of importance to broadcast media? The arrival of 5G wireless technology will likely revolutionize how consumers enjoy both audio and video content, paving the way for -- perhaps -- the ultimate end of over-the-air broadcasting in the coming decades.

"Have you ever wondered how radio, television and other media outlets decide what shows to broadcast or to cancel?" That's the opening pitch in a letter randomly received last week at a Florida household from Nielsen. Here's the scoop on how the nation's dominant audience measurement company seeks PPM panelists.

August 1 marked Cumulus Media’s grand return to the NASDAQ Global Market. While there wasn't much activity for "CMLS" shares, there was a lot of volatility. Even so, Cumulus' closing price is better than the value of its short-lived "CMIA," as the company led by CEO Mary Berner begins another new chapter following her company's emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

It's no secret that Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media very much wanted FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to hold back on issuing a Hearing Designation Order and sending their proposed merger to an Administrative Law Judge. But, how Sinclair sought to sway Pai, and its maneuverings, had only been the stuff of hearsay. We now have a clear picture of Sinclair's efforts to postpone the HDO. An unconfirmed call between Pai and Sinclair's EVP/General Counsel, Distribution and Network Relations was part of Sinclair's failed attempt.

Cox Media Group's Kim Guthrie has made it clear in comments made exclusively to RBR+TVBR that its radio stations aren't for sale, and that it wants a merger or partnership for its TV stations, rather than a full-blown divestment. That hasn't stopped the rumormongers from suggesting that Guthrie is not being truthful, and a new hire by Cox Enterprises has only fueled such talk among industry observers.

As the first half of 2018 came to a close, it is clear that the upcoming midterm elections are giving media a needed boost in their advertising dollars. But, was the boost big enough to overcome softness across many of the radio and TV industry's core advertising categories? Matrix Solutions' 2018 Midyear Ad Spend Report provides the not-so-pleasant answer.

Fraudulent Inducement. Breach of Fiduciary Responsibility. Misappropriation of Trade Secrets. Those are the charges brought against one of the nation's biggest radio broadcasting companies by a provider of traffic and weather information to local and syndicated radio stations across the country that's had its fair share of bumps and bruises in the last six months.

The former flagship radio stations of the now-defunct Journal Communications, which ended up in the hands of The E.W. Scripps Co. following its April 2015 merger, are being sold by Scripps to a local owner with a familiar last name to radio industry executives and observers. Kalil & Co. is the broker, and is shopping around Scripps' other available properties.

Could this be Nielsen's "Tragic Thursday"? CEO Mitch Barns' retirement at year's end was announced -- along with confirmation that Nielsen is conducting "an in-depth strategic review" of its Buy segment. This news came alongside lackluster Q2 results showing flat revenue growth and a sharp drop in net income. At the Closing Bell, NLSN shares were down 25.3%

The wordsmith of Wall Street, Brian Wieser, took a magnifying glass and a full moment to fully examine Nielsen's Q2 2018 results. He called them "weak," and then slashed his price target on the company's stock. That said, he believes the market is discounting Nielsen stock -- and it is still worthy of an investment.

A long-awaited FCC Oversight Hearing started with Democrats assailing President Trump for a late-night Tweet on Tuesday that slammed the FCC for having an Administrative Law Judge consider Sinclair Broadcast Group's proposed merger with Tribune Media. Chairman Pai and the Commissioners were asked what they thought of the Tweet.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has delivered a major blow to nonprofit organizations including Free Press, Common Cause, and Prometheus Radio Project by dismissing their May 2017 petition seeking a reversal of the FCC's restoration of its so-called "UHF Discount."

In mid-March, Cox Media Group President Kim Guthrie told RBR+TVBR that talk of the company selling off nearly all of its radio stations was unfounded. It turns out that the chatter focused on the wrong media: Cox has confirmed that it "will explore strategic options" for its 14 TV stations, including partnering or merging the stations into a larger company.

Some 75 miles to the west of Huntsville, Ala., are the cities of Florence and Muscle Shoals. It is here that an affiliate of The CW Network has made headlines throughout 2018 for its inaccessibility to DISH subscribers in the Huntsville DMA for the last six months. Now, it is in the news because of an ownership change. The buyer? Nexstar Media Group.

Rep. Steve Scalise returned to work on Sept. 28 as the survivor of a shooting while at a Congressional baseball team practice three months earlier. Now, he's set to make himself known as the man who wants to do away with one of the thorniest matters facing broadcast TV companies and MVPDs of all shapes and sizes. The NAB isn't pleased. The American Cable Association and ATVA are.