the HOT List

As the 11am Eastern hour began, the senior Democratic Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission revealed on social media platform X that he had just informed President Trump and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that he intends to resign "later this spring."

Less free trade. Fewer foreign workers. "An increased reliance on the idiosyncratic preferences of the president rather than the more predictable institutionally-driven policy-making processes businesses have historically relied upon in the United States." This led Brian Wieser to reduce his ad growth expectations.

Audacy Inc. has given Kelli Turner permanent executive leadership stripes as a series of other corporate-level moves has transpired at the company with majority ownership today held by Soros Fund Management. Many high-profile people have exited, while Chris Oliviero and Bob Philips earn promotions.

Digital revenue is up, but so are expenses, as Townsquare Media beat estimates for both Q4 revenue and its earnings per share during the final three months of 2024. The Q1 2025 forecast, however, projects revenue to be slightly lower than the forecasts of the analysts who cover the company.

The owner of conservative and Christian-themed spoken word radio stations and a fledgling FAST channel devoted to news and insight has submitted its FY 2024 financial report with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

It's here! The Radio + Television Business Report's InFOCUS Video Podcast features an interview between Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson and Johnny Green Jr., the President and Regional General Manager for CBS overseeing both Boston and New York. Click here to learn more about how you can view the conversation now.

The E.W. Scripps Co. President/CEO Adam Symson opened his company's Q4 2024 earnings report with a strong call of support for the Chairman of the FCC, pleading the regulatory agency to loosen local ownership restrictions. He also told an analyst that Scripps will consider swaps or sales, should deregulation come.

Atlanta-headquartered Gray Media is celebrating the first new combination of top-four rated television stations this decade, as the Carr Commission has granted a waiver of its local ownership rules and will allow the company to complete its purchase of the FOX affiliate serving the Rochester, Minn., market. 

The E.W. Scripps Co. confirmed that it has entered into a transaction support agreement with lenders representing more than 70% of the aggregate principal amount of its 2026 and 2028 term loans. It also entered into commitment letters with accounts receivable securitization providers for a new securitization facility.

Sinclair has been said to be a seller of non-essential broadcast television assets in recent months. Now, that chatter has turned into an asset sale agreement, as the company is turning to a former Bally Sports sales executive as it agrees to sell five television stations, including its Milwaukee property.

Linear television remains the most important influence — by far — among a variety of different media platforms, through all stages of a consumer's purchase decision process. That's the key conclusion from a just-released TVB study that highlights the importance of media platforms that influence consumers during the purchase decision process.

Saga Communications provided a strategic update ahead of the broadcaster’s Tuesday earnings call over digital growth, cost alignment, and corporate governance improvements. The company also expressed concerns over recent board nominations.

A group of Democrats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate are taking aim at FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and the Trump Administration, on the grounds of FCC "weaponization." It's a claim made in recent weeks by Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gómez.

How are TV news audiences engaging across cable, satellite, and digital platforms? That's a question answered in the just-released "State of TV News 2025" report from Harker Bos Group's Crowd React Media division. What it means for the future of news organizations could impact your budgets as well as ND decisions.

Entravision's Media revenue gained 30% in Q4 while Advertising Technology & Services revenue growth was a robust 49%. That said, Entravision's cost of revenue, direct operating expenses, and "selling, general and administrative expenses" rose. Add in a hefty impairment charge, and Entravision saw a wider net loss.