the HOT List

One week ago, the MVPD controlled by Altice USA dropped the MSG Network. At 5pm Eastern on Friday, it blocked access to 63 Nexstar Media Group-owned broadcast TV stations across 42 markets, as well as NewsNation.

The data may reflect what the FCC observed as of October 1, 2023, but the results are hardly shrug-worthy. The Seventh Report on Ownership of Broadcast Stations, released late Thursday by the Commission, finds that majority ownership interest in commercial full-power radio and TV stations by Blacks and Hispanics remains paltry.

"This brings to a close a year’s worth of strategy decisions that at nearly every turn left us with many more questions than answers," says MoffettNathanson investment analyst Rob Fishman. Yet, he does present a conclusion that could have many tongues wagging: FOX may be the "unintended winner" with the sudden fizzle of Venu.

A station that is presently operated by Gray Media via a shared services agreement with its owner has submitted paperwork with the FCC seeking its approval to purchase the station, which serves Rochester, Minn., outright. It is a property Gray gained control of following its acquisition of Quincy Media, Inc.

The collective decision by the three companies not to move forward with the contemplated joint venture is effective immediately, the companies said early Friday. In response, a DIRECTV spokesperson issued a statement of their own.

A host of conservatives have been critical of the FCC's approval of a restructuring structure that supposedly fast-tracked an increase in Audacy's foreign ownership concentration. Now, Audacy has told the Commission that non-U.S. ownership matter is moot, and as such any un-doing of its post-bankruptcy regulatory OK is unwarranted.

When it comes to media and technology, CNBC reporter Julia Boorstin has emerged as a key voice. On Wednesday, she moderated a conversation that saw its participants gush over a new Comcast ad tech collaboration that positions Universal Ads as a breakthrough tool providing "front-door access to the premium video category."

A broadcast television station serving the Alamo City that was an affiliate of The CW Network until the start of the 2010 season and since then has been the MyNetwork TV affiliate for the market is facing a hefty fine for failing to participate in three nationwide tests of the Emergency Alert System.

For KTLA-5 in Los Angeles, which was offering Breaking News devoted to the devastating wildfires in Pacific Palisades while starting coverage of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., a January 7 deadline for a fresh retransmission consent deal between Nexstar and Optimum owner Altice USA loomed.  Talks are ongoing.

From XR glasses, stretchable TVs, smart microwaves, and even a robot sloth bag charm, there's much to digest across the 2025 CES event in Las Vegas. For the VAB, cutting through the clutter can start with the latest usage data on the 16 most-common connected devices today. 

“Lyn is a seasoned local media leader, committed to operational excellence, strong financial performance and leading teams to deliver quality, objective journalism,” EVP of Media Broadcast Operations Dean Littleton said. “This new role will allow her to work closely with all of Scripps’ local stations, our employees and the communities Scripps serves.”

A coalition of local television broadcasting companies have come together to form a joint venture dedicated to providing high-speed data transmission services — a key benefit of the new ATSC 3.0 digital TV broadcast technology — to clients across the U.S.

Gigi Sohn, who withdrew from consideration to become a FCC Commissioner after two failed attempts by the Biden Administration, has published commentary in a broadband-focused blog suggesting the lame-duck Commission move ahead with an effort to challenge the license renewal of a Fox Television Stations property in Philadelphia.

Thanks to Gray Media, select games featuring the 2019 Stanley Cup Champions are heading to over-the-air television in a host of markets where the National Hockey League team's fan base is the biggest.

FCC watchers and D.C. pundits are buzzing with the possibility that more, not less, Washington regulation over virtual MVPDs such as Hulu + Live TV — which will soon merge with Fubo in a multi-million deal announced early Monday — is on the way. It all stems from the adoption of a Report and Order by the Commission on December 31.