the HOT List

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."

When will the fiscal ills end for the owner of the Global TV network and a host of cable TV channels; the Canadian version of the Pluto TV platform; and a group of radio stations including CILQ "Q107," CFNY "The Edge," and CFIQ-AM 640 in Canada's biggest market? Not in fiscal 2025, the company revealed on Thursday.

WPLG-10 will drop its decades-long ABC affiliation on August 4. This will see Sunbeam Television launch "ABC Miami" on the DT2 signal associated with FOX affiliate WSVN-7. Thanks to a new LMA agreement, "ABC Miami" will now be seen in the market on a DT1 signal associated with a low-power TV facility.

The FCC's newly minted third Commissioner and all-important quorum maker, Olivia Trusty, participated on Thursday in her first monthly Open Meeting. Among the agenda items is a Report and Order designed to remove "obsolete and unworkable" cable television rate rules.

It was a partnership that started in 2023 with a Local Marketing Agreement on a single station in Oregon. Now, Hope Media Group and Worship 24/7 are set to formally unite in a merger of the two Christian radio networks, in a significant global expansion for HMG.

A proposed federal freeze on state artificial intelligence regulations has survived the "Byrd Bath" as the Senate reconciliation bill advances. The United States Senate Parliamentarian ruled that the provision, now described as a “temporary pause” rather than a full moratorium, can remain in the legislation.

Urban One may be the next broadcast group to conduct a reverse stock split as pressure mounts to keep one of its publicly traded share classes in compliance with Nasdaq rules. Following a shareholder vote, the company’s board now holds the authority to consolidate shares as regulatory deadlines approach.

A Supreme Court decision with major implications for broadcasters has once again chipped away at federal agency power - this time limiting how the Federal Communications Commission’s legal interpretations apply in private legal disputes, further cementing 2024's end of the "Chevron deference."

What does a loss of CBS affiliation at WANF-TV in Atlanta mean for Gray Media, for its staff and for viewers in the market? We learn more in this conversation between RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson and Gray Media/Atlanta GM Erik Schrader, who oversees WANF and WPCH-TV "Peachtree TV" in the market.