the HOT List

The FCC’s Democratic majority, voting on party lines, has agreed to reinstate a portion of the radio duplication rule originally repealed in 2020. The reversal turns back the clock for FM radio to 1992, and the pending rule change could impact broadcast radio engineers and programmers alike.

In a lengthy FCC filing made Friday, the NAB's legal team led by Rick Kaplan said the FCC's "asymmetric and overly burdensome broadcast regulatory regime" needs an overhaul to account for "undisputed – and indisputable – marketplace realities." If not, "Big Tech" could only grow exponentially.

On May 28, Urban One said it would make the filings in a timely manner to avoid any Nasdaq delisting concerns due to its tardy FY 2023 fiscal report, which had been delayed due to the 2023 firing of BDO as its outside independent accountancy. Late Friday, SEC filings were made by the company.

In preparation for the 2024 hurricane season, the FCC between Monday and Wednesday will conduct an exercise of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). Here's what you need to know. Don't wish to participate in this exercise? No worries, the FCC says.

How can brands and consumers each "find their way" in the increasingly fragmented television viewing landscape? A new report from MAGNA Media Trials and Roku seeks to shed light on viewers' mood, motivation, pain points and "journey to content" — as well as what this new landscape means for linear television and advertisers. 

It was on the FCC's June Open Meeting docket, but was removed from the agenda as all five Commissioners agreed on the matter. As such, a proposed amendment to the FCC's rules to advance LPTV political programming and online public file requirements for such stations has been adopted. 

The NAB has filed a Petition for Partial Reconsideration with the FCC around the reinstatement of staff diversity data collection, calling into question whether some aspects infringe on broadcasters’ First and Fifth Amendment rights.

Brian Wieser, the esteemed financial analyst focused on broadcast media and domestic ad trends, took a closer look, and he likes what he sees. In fact, Wieser has just raised his U.S. ad growth forecast for 2024. But, broadcast TV and radio leaders should not get too excited.

The refinancing, among other things, provides a new $500 million tranche F term loan with a maturity date of June 4, 2029, increased aggregate commitments under the company’s existing $552.5 million tranche of the revolving credit facility that matures on December 31, 2027 by $127.5 million.

A proceeding “to advance the Commission’s longstanding policy goal of supporting local journalism and broadcasters’ commitment to meet the needs and interests of local communities” is currently under consideration at the FCC. America's Public Television Stations is concerned.

Two draft notices of proposed rulemaking involving LPTV stations will be discussed at the FCC's June Open Meeting, and both the LPTVBA and the ATBA believe additional questions should be presented for comment and to solicit feedback from affected licensees.

WARC's latest analysts shows that retail media ad spend is projected to reach $153.3 billion worldwide in 2024. What's fueling the continued growth? "Advances in off-site targeting as commerce data infuses into non-retail environments," WARC says. Yet, Amazon "continues to tighten its grip" on the dollars.

In an intriguing plot twist, the owner of broadcast TV stations that unsuccessfully planned to merge with TEGNA has announced the rollout of a RSN that will become the new home of three Chicago pro sports franchises. 

PJT Partners became known for its role in the Chapter 11 bankruptcies of iHeartMedia, Cumulus Media and, most recently, Audacy Inc. Now, there are fresh rumblings that PJT, which tussled with iHeartMedia in early 2018 over its post-bankruptcy plan, is engaging once again with the company.

On May 1, Local Daily Media's parent agreed to purchase six FM radio stations and an FM translator in a deal agreed upon by the trustee overseeing JAM Media Solutions’ bankruptcy. That Time Brokerage Agreement was tied to an outright purchase. Now, RBR+TVBR has confirmed the deal is dead.