the HOT List

With operating momentum and "strong financial performance" fueling Fox, CEO Lachlan Murdoch has much to cheer about. "We are firing on all cylinders," he noted during the Fox Corporation fiscal Q2 2025 earnings call on Wednesday. There could be more significant revenue growth coming soon.

Fox Corporation shares were on the rise across Tuesday morning, as investors responded positively to a fiscal Q2 2025 report card that saw the owner of FOX Television Stations enjoy earnings per share that surpassed Street expectations by a whopping 50.2%.

In May 1976, an Ashland University graduate took at job at WUAB-TV in Cleveland, focusing his efforts on television production, promotions and programming. In 1994, he would join Sinclair Inc. to lead its TV programming needs. Now, after nearly 50 years in the industry and 30-plus years with Sinclair Inc., he's retiring.

The junior Democrat serving as a FCC Commissioner has criticized the newly installed Republican leadership under the Trump Administration for its decision to fully pursue a complaint brought against one of the "Big Four" networks for apparent manipulation of a pre-election interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Add PQ Media to the group of global advertising data analysis firms that has crunched the numbers, reviewed key trends, and has concluded that 2025 will be softer than 2024. As PQ Media sees it, recessionary fears persist. Then, there is the uncertainty tied to a second Trump Administration as it pertains to potential tariffs and other international trade matters.

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. He's called on the Enforcement Bureau, aided by the Media Bureau, to investigate.

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.