the HOT List

Here's a deal that's full of American Spirit, fueled by FCC "modernization." Raycom Media has forged an agreement with a longtime shared services agreement partner that would give it an Iowa TV station it could not legally obtain 15 years ago, when it owned another crosstown station. At the same time, Raycom is grabbing The CW affiliate serving the capital of the Old Dominion. Both stations will eventually wind up in the hands of Gray Television.

The license renewal of two of Fox Television Stations' biggest properties — granted in 2007 by the Commission — was challenged by The Voice for New Jersey; and the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and Free Press. Did these groups stand a chance in seeking Applications for Review?

A research firm created "to focus specifically on the intersection of technology and entertainment" has just released the latest findings from an annual study tracking the TV sources consumers consider their "go-to" viewing platform. The results, according to Hub Entertainment Research? Multiplatform use is continuing to rise, and there's a steady move away from live TV as a default source. We've got a "famous" RBR+TVBR OBSERVATION on this to share.

At the end of Emmis Communications' fiscal Q1 2019 conference call for Wall Street financial analysts, company founder and CEO Jeff Smulyan on Thursday morning had a clear, concise answer to a question many have likely had on their minds: "How does the radio industry return to growth?" For Smulyan, there's one thing that can bring big delivery that's top of mind.

Nexstar Media Group shares soared to another new high on Thursday, one day following the release of a Reuters report that suggests buyout firm Apollo Global Management has expressed interest in acquiring the company. Volume was nearly twice its average, as NXST inches closer to its 1-year target estimate.

In a vote that was largely anticipated, the FCC on Thursday voted 3-1 to launch a proceeding to seek comment on proposed revisions to its children's television programming, or "KidVid," rules.

The FCC's July Open Meeting is set for Thursday, but Chairman Pai already has his sights on what's to be debated and discussed at the Commission's August Open Meeting. Among the things on the agenda: Ray Baum's Act (and repack reimbursement dollars), and the FCC's broadcast "incubator" program.

Starting Monday, fans of Arrow, Jane The Virgin and Supergirl will have a channel adjustment to make if they live in northeast Ohio. Effective July 16, The CW Network's programming will air on one of two Raycom Media-owned facilities serving the Cleveland-Akron market.

The American Television Alliance (ATVA) on Monday officially filed comments on the proposed transfer of two South Dakota TV stations from Red River Broadcast Co. to Gray Television. Gray is creating a duopoly in this market by buying a peacock in a deal brokered by Kalil & Co. If approved, the transfer would give Gray a “top four duopoly” in DMA No. 110. The ATVA argues that Gray has failed to make an adequate public interest showing in its desire to own the NBC affiliate. 

What sort of shifts in small to medium-sized businesses' marketing habits are taking place across the U.S.? Early results from Borrell Associates' 2018 survey of local advertisers are in, and Gordon Borrell says he's picked up on a shift since 2017 in how SMBs are buying media. Here's a glimpse of what Borrell's team finds.

The FCC at the end of 2017 gave its blessing to a construction permit for a new 50kw radio station with a transmitter to the northwest of the greater Phoenix area. That was unsettling news to one of the nation's largest operators of radio stations targeting Hispanics, and an objection was filed with the FCC. Now, the Commission has spoken, and Entravision won't be happy with the ruling.

By Noon on Friday, a report in the New York Post that private equity firm Silver Lake Partners "has recently shown interest in buying the bankrupt iHeartMedia" was being widely distributed among radio industry cognoscenti. If it's true, it would put a "Silicon Valley deal pioneer" that The Wall Street Journal labeled a "predator" for its backing of a hostile bid for Qualcomm in the driver's seat at the No. 1 radio broadcasting company in the U.S.

In late June, Newsmax, the American Cable Association and the Parents Television Council each filed petitions to deny the merger of Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media with the FCC. Sinclair and Tribune have now responded with their joint filing of their "second consolidated opposition" to the petitions to deny their marriage.

From 1960 until late May, Dick Biondi lit up the Chicago airwaves like few others. He became famous as a DJ at "89 WLS," and earlier this year was dismissed by Cumulus Media from WLS-FM 94.7, which continues on with many of the Classic Hits the AM boomer turned into hits years ago. Now, a longtime listener in making a film about Biondi.

On July 3, 1968, the FCC first concluded that equal opportunity in employment was essential to the public interest. The regulatory agency over radio and TV broadcasters committed to ensuring that the national policy against discrimination in hiring applied to broadcast licensees. Fifty years later, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai believes equal employment opportunity (EEO) rules should get the same type of enforcement as that given to squelching pirate radio operators.