the HOT List

A self-revelation by a Gray Television station that's home to "Wyoming News Now" has generated a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture of significant size for the facility's failure to upload its "KidVid" children's programming records to the FCC's online public inspection file in a timely manner.

He's been with FOX properties serving the Orlando and Gainesville-Ocala markets since July 2019 and ranks at No. 2 among RBR+TVBR's Top Local TV Leaders for both 2022 and 2023. Now, Mike McClain is preparing for his retirement, and his successor has been named.

Come June 27, Matthew Davidge will debut a novel new over-the-air television brand that seeks to bridge the divide between Republicans and Democrats with "bite-sized videos and informational text" to what his new endeavor calls the "purple majority."

The FCC on Monday released a report and order that adopts "a new verification requirement" with respect to its foreign sponsorship identification requirements, while also clarifying its existing requirements as it pertains to broadcast programming offered by such organizations as Sputnik.

It describes itself as "the only end-to-end platform for media companies and agencies to grow and automate their advertising sales and operations while integrating owned and operated media." Frequence will soon have a new owner, and it's a well-known media technology company focused on local Connected TV advertising.

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Democratic majority, voting on party lines, has agreed to reinstate a portion of the radio duplication rule originally repealed in 2020.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.