the HOT List

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.

The company founded and led by Raúl Alarcón Jr. late Wednesday filed its Q4 and full-year 2023 earnings. How did SBS do in the final quarter with Chief Financial Officer José Molina, who resigned two weeks after accountancy Crowe LLC was replaced by EisnerAmper LLP?

On Tuesday, the NABLF revealed that Robert De Niro has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Service to America Leadership Award and would be honored at a June 4 event in Washington. One day later, the NAB rescinded the honor, citing "recent high-profile activities" it believes will create "a distraction."

Research fielded online in January finds that Radio is still the most popular audio platform. But the continued popularity of AM/FM comes as consumption of streaming audio services remains heavy. As such, the combined strength of linear and digital audio is the story marketers need to acknowledge.

A new ATSC 3.0 "lighthouse" has been lit, and it will allow those capable of accessing NEXTGEN TV signals on their devices to access live and local channels serving Tucson and Nogales, Ariz., with better sound and improved picture quality.

It's an affiliate of a Sunshine State radio station owner that owns three AMs, two FM translators and four FM stations in Gainesville, Fla. Thanks to a deal brokered by Bob Heymann of Media Services Group, it is adding a low-power television station to the mix.

In mid-March, one of Xperi Inc.'s biggest shareholders criticized the company for a “history of underperformance, poor decision making and reckless capital allocation.” It wanted a change on Xperi's board of directors. Shareholders last week said no to the desires of that rebel investor.

Brendan Carr, in a lengthy statement, said he opposes a "new effort to regulate political speech" ahead of a contentious 2024 U.S. presidential election. Why? The plan will only cover one delivery vehicle for political advertisements, as the FCC does not have authority over streaming media.