the HOT List

News that the Chairman of the FCC is ready to examine the fine line between underwriting support and paid advertisement, and if either PBS or NPR have stepped over that line improperly, has been met with derision by the two Democrats who sit on the Commission.

Rogers Communications experienced a 10% revenue jump for its media division in Q4 2024, thanks to higher sports- and entertainment-related revenue within the segment. But that was lower than what was originally anticipated. Worse yet, the 2025 is somewhat glum. Investors weren't fazed as Thursday's trading on the TSX neared its conclusion.

Audacy Board of Directors member Kelli Turner will serve as interim President/CEO, effective immediately. The company, which is now privately held and has majority ownership held by Soros Fund Management, made the announcement shortly after 9am Eastern. Field will take a new position as Special Advisor to the CEO and the Board.

Add the 2023 World Champions of Major League Baseball to the list of sports teams taking their game-day play-by-play in-house. On Monday, the club announced the formation of the Rangers Sports Media & Entertainment Company, and the Rangers Sports Network to produce and distribute games and other content.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on Monday ended the Commission's consideration of 2024 "Biden-Harris Administration" proposal that sought to regulate "bulk billing" arrangements — directly impacting MVPD and broadband bills in multi-unit dwellings.

S&P Global Ratings has assigned a series of issue-level ratings and recovery ratings in response to a "liquidity enhancing" deal Sinclair Inc. announced earlier this month. And, the credit watchdog largely believes the publicly traded company is doing the right thing.

Nielsen, the audience measurement, data and analytics Goliath, has reached a new multi-year renewal agreement with the radio and television licensee under majority control of Apollo Global Management.

As the week began, the Byron Allen-controlled AMG heralded a "groundbreaking" initiative and "innovative partnership" that would have yielded production of all local newscasts' weather segments to The Weather Channel. It now appears that widespread criticism of the plan has led to a rescission in at least two DMAs.

On Wednesday, the newly elected Governor of Indiana signed Executive Orders focused on investing in a "healthier Indiana." That's caused alarm among broadcasters across Indiana, as important advertising revenue has all been put to a stop for radio and TV stations from Gary to Clarksville and everywhere in between.

FCC Chairman Carr has reversed a late-hour decision by now-departed Jessica Rosenworcel to have an Acting Media Bureau Chief dismiss on delegated authority a complaint against NBC and an Acting Enforcement Bureau Chief toss on similar authority complaints against CBS and ABC on the grounds that the actions were premature.

For nine days, Rosemary Harold assumed the role of Acting Media Bureau Chief. She replaced Holly Saurer while the FCC's head was still Jessica Rosenworcel. Now that Brendan Carr is in control, Harold's script has been pulled and the role has been recast.

One Wall Street analyst, who has been hot on Netflix for years, raised his target price on the digital streaming Goliath's stock to a price that some may think is preposterous. In contrast, some may think Jeffrey Wlodarczak is right on the money after all, given Netflix's current-day dominance.

Just hours after being sworn in, President Trump signed an executive order that ceases "Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing." In response, newly appointed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr ended the Commission’s DEI promotion. Anna M. Gómez had something to say about that.

Within hours of being sworn in as the 47th President, Donald Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” On Tuesday, pursuant to the policies stated in the Executive Order, the new FCC Chairman announced that he is ending the Commission’s DEI promotion.

Westchester County-headquartered Townsquare Media believes it is right on-target when it comes to its 2024 revenue expectations and where the company will likely end up for the year. Preliminary FY '24 results were shared by the company ahead of Tuesday's return to trading on Wall Street.