the HOT List

"Another day, another reflexive, innovation-blocking FCC filing from the usual suspects – cable lobbyists, legacy advocacy groups and industry players who oppose anything that might strengthen free, over-the-air broadcasting." Those fierce words open a thought piece distributed Wednesday by the NAB's legal head.

On Tuesday, broadcast TV company Gray Media announced a private offering of $900 million aggregate principal amount of 9.625% senior secured second lien notes due 2032. One day later, the NYSE-traded company unveiled the pricing of the offering, and it is an upsizing — a mark of success for Gray.

In a move directly linked to a private offering of senior secured second lien notes, announced prior to the start of trading on the NYSE Tuesday, Atlanta-based Gray Media has offered a "pre-issue" of its yet-to-be-completed second quarter 2025 results.

It's a topic that's been talked about amongst media observers, brokers, D.C.-focused attorneys and NAB Show conference attendees for months — will pending FCC deregulation lead to a flood of transactions? And, will some of them be asset swaps, rather than cash-generating sales? We now know the answer.

The broadcast television ownership group that's also the parent of Dielectric and is shepherding the transaction of digital over-the-air signals to ATSC 3.0 has selected a new EVP/Chief Financial Officer. He's already in the role at the Baltimore-headquartered company, as Lucy Rutishauser takes an important step toward retirement.

Some have labeled it a "shell company." Others simply believe it is an independently owned broadcast licensee who has decided to enter into shared services agreements with larger, more established players. However you label it, Deerfield Media and its owner, Stephen P. Mumblow, are about to shrink the asset stable.

The legal representatives of the President of the United States, as a private citizen, and the owner of CBS News & Stations have come to an agreement that ends a legal tussle between the company seeking to complete its merger with Skydance Media and the person who is again Commander-in-Chief.

The lone Democratic vote maker on the FCC has lashed out at Paramount Global for settling a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump before his re-election over alleged defamation and "news distortion" conducted by 60 Minutes, calling the legal challenge "meritless."

In early March, a former Bally Sports sales executive who between 2009 and 2013 served as CEO of television broadcast station owner PBC Broadcasting, agreed to a deal returning him to the ownership ranks. However, that transaction was challenged — not because of him, but because of Sinclair Inc.

Civic Media has struck an agreement with J&J Broadcasting, headquartered in Iron River, Wisc. Interestingly, the purchase will be completed by the newly formed Michigan Civic Media Alliance — led by Civic Media with additional support and investment from the Michigan Independent Media Group (MIMG).

Erin Boone has moved forward with the license renewals for a trio of full-power television stations serving the Baltimore market, dismissing a Petition to Deny filed by an individual who died after submitting it. A longtime attorney attempted to keep the petition active by swapping the deceased party for another person.

The Carr Commission has entered into a Consent Decree with Sinclair and the shared services partners that absolves them of any rule violations tied to an August 2024 forfeiture that sought $3.34 million in fines. Instead of dealing with that big penalty, Sinclair will make a sizable but less-hefty payment to the U.S. Treasury.

"After 43 years, it is truly a privilege and a blessing to finally be in Tampa," said EMF CEO Tom Stultz. "Our mission is to be a trusted source of compelling media linking people everywhere to the hope of Christ." How much is EMF paying Beasley for WPBB? We have the answer first.

The nation's largest owner of broadcast TV stations — as well as NewsNation and WGN Radio — has completed refinancings of revolving credit facilities and a pair of term loans. It is something that not only impacts Nexstar Media Group but also the independently owned variable interest entity it enjoys a cozy relationship with.

Bringing content everywhere is a key focal point of Jack Abernethy's efforts as CEO of FOX Television Stations. He told Florida Association of Broadcasters members his team is "meeting customers where they are, be it on linear, social or streaming, and doing it with an obsessive focus on innovation, costs and efficiency."