the HOT List

The future of CBS Inc. and kissing cousin Viacom has become a sizzling Manhattan soap opera that's as hot as Friday's weather. In the latest turn of events in a matter that sees CBS trying to stave off a merger with Viacom, it is moving forward with its annual shareholder meeting. The event was originally set for May 18.

Tuesday's top topic of discussion at the 2018 Culture Marketing Council annual conference was the possible acquisition of nearly all of Univision Radio's AMs and FMs by Cumulus Media. Is there a shred of truth to these rumors? RBR+TVBR chatted with a bevy of brokers, several D.C. attorneys and an individual very close to the matter to get the answer.

Of all of the discussions at the 2018 Culture Marketing Council (CMC) annual conference, which concludes tomorrow in Los Angeles, the most intriguing involves one of the nation's biggest Hispanic media companies and the No. 2 radio company by number of stations — an entity that just emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

With an assortment of vintage shows like "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Doctor Who," Luken Communications' Retro TV seeks to connect with a nostalgia-seeking audience. In Chicago, the network returned to local airwaves in January. Now, the station airing Retro TV and a host of multicast channels has been sold to the company that now owns a major Hispanic TV network.

Just after 5pm Eastern on Monday, Cumulus Media announced that it has officially emerged from Chapter 11 protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and has completed its financial restructuring. We've got the details, along with a new logo and branding that Cumulus is rolling out.

The last four trading sessions have been less than stellar for Nielsen. In fact, they've been downright dreadful, with the company's shares at a five-year low. Are they undervalued? Does this suggest that Nielsen is a great company to add to your stock portfolio?

In March, the rumors first surfaced. On Friday evening, June 1, the name of the next FCC Commissioner — if all goes according to plan — had been announced by the White House. Accolades continue to roll out on Monday for Geoffrey Starks, an alumnus of one of D.C.'s most prolific law firms.

The first full week of June is a big one for at least three media companies which seek increased institutional investment opportunities. Beasley's CEO and CFO, as well as Meredith Corp. representatives, will be at 51st Street and Madison Avenue in New York on Thursday, while a Townsquare co-CEO will be holding meetings Tuesday at 55th and Madison.

Cumulus Media has stated on numerous occasions that it intends to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by the end of the quarter — June 30. Media Bureau Audio Division Chief Albert Shuldiner ​​just did his part to ensure that such an anticipated action stays on that schedule: The Commission has given the OK to the broadcast media company's plan — despite one objection filed with the FCC.

Can a “material adverse change” derail the purchase of a radio or TV station? Erwin Krasnow, a partner at Washington law firm Garvey Schubert Barer, takes the mic in this penultimate Deal Killers podcast moderated by RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson. Also sharing their thoughts are media broker Doug Ferber of DEFcom Advisors and Bruce Mittman and Jim Leven — the leaders of radio broadcasting company Community Broadcasters.

The end of diary-based methodology will be coming just a little bit later than anticipated for local TV markets that are set to begin receiving electronic viewer data as their exclusive ratings currency. Why? Nielsen issued a statement on the matter, which we are pleased to share with you.

The presence of "pre-roll" on an audio stream is kids' stuff in the grand scheme of online radio's ad enrichment activities. But, what if a consumer's audio command could instantly provide more information on an offer, or a brand? That's exactly what is now available to broadcast media that wish to monetize their digital platform in a bold new way, thanks to one company that believes it has a big new ROI tool. We take a peek for you.

La Copa Mundial is much bigger than the Olympics for Latinos across the U.S., and around the world. But, oftentimes, we think of the World Cup as a television property. This isn't necessarily true, as Entravision Communications Chief Revenue Officer Mario Carrera notes in this Hispanic Radio Podcast.

What are the best next steps to get a media deal done and to operate a group of radio or TV stations as quickly and successfully as possible? Being fully prepared to take on the transaction, in particular as a buyer, is key, say Community Broadcasters’ two top leaders. Get the info you need from these pros in the latest in our exclusive Deal Killers podcasts.

December 2012 is the last time the Lumineers had a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Ho Hey -- it's also the last time Entercom Communications' stock price was at the level it was as of Friday's Closing Bell, ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.