the HOT List

As expected, Miami ABC affiliate WPLG-10 transitioned to a new facility with ATSC 3.0-powered NEXTGEN TV broadcasts joining those of other stations in the market that unveiled NEXTGEN TV signals 11 months ago. The bigger news, however, involves the FOX affiliate controlled by the Ansin family's Sunbeam Television.

What is being described as “a leadership realignment” in the Markets Group of the nation’s No. 1 radio station owner by number of stations is underway, the company announced on Monday. What does this mean for iHeartMedia, across its 160 Markets and 860+ radio stations?

"After 17 months of frustration and expenditures," low-power TV industry entrepreneur "SuperFrank" Copsidas has pulled the plug on the broadcast TV standard tied to the rollout of NEXTGEN TV at the first station in Boston to embrace the technology.

What's the outlook for all-things audio, as offered in the latest global forecast by media from MAGNA? After escaping a rather dismal 2023, 2024 appears to be looking up — ever-so slightly — on a global level. The domestic data, however, isn't so bright.

When it comes to the role of Letter of Credit holder and Swing Line Lender for Audacy Inc., with respect to its credit facility, JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. has held the role. That changed on Wednesday, when the financial institution resigned, leading the audio content creation and distribution company formerly known as Entercom to appoint a new agent.

A new internal memo leaked to a TV industry blog offers additional insights into the structural evolution underway at Scripps' local broadcast TV stations, with the General Manager role officially eliminated in seven markets. Concurrently, Station Managers are being welcomed in Omaha, and in Lansing, Mich.

A fresh retransmission consent accord between TEGNA and DirecTV could not be reached as the prior one lapsed. And, as is representative of nearly every carriage fee dispute, each side is blaming one another as viewers will be prevented from enjoying a bevy of programming in key markets across the U.S.

Mike Hulvey will work with longtime industry figure Erica Farber to ensure “a smooth and successful transition during the next few months;” her last day with the RAB will be April 30, 2024.

While respected analyst Brian Wieser doesn't have a rosy outlook for audio, including radio, for 2023 or 2024 when it comes to advertising growth, another report — courtesy of Deloitte — presents a potentially more promising forecast for the audio entertainment market. 

For the three months ending September 30, Spanish Broadcasting System saw lower year-over-year operating results. But, as the company explained late Wednesday with the release of its Q3 2023 report, there were two key reasons for the decline.

Influential advertising trends analyst Brian Wieser has just released his assessment of Q3 2023 ad trends. Guess what? "Strong advertising trends" in the third quarter will result in a better-than-expected full year 2023 and 2024, too. But, don't get too excited, broadcast media execs: the growth is nearly entirely thanks to Digital.

The TV station owner and direct broadcast satellite company have until Thursday to iron out a fresh deal. Should there be no new agreement come December 1, the impact on fans of college football and the National Football League this weekend could be enormous.

She holds a seat on the House Energy & Commerce Committee's Communications and Technology Subcommittee, which has direct oversight of the FCC, and served as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee for six years. Come January 2025, there will be no further efforts in Congress from Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). 

Viewers of television stations owned by the company formerly known as Gannett are being warned that, if they are DirecTV subscribers, they could lose access to the channels as soon as late Thursday evening. The direct broadcast satellite company is already speaking out about the potential retransmission consent dispute.

Twenty-two days ago, $17 million was due from Audacy Inc. to cover an interest payment associated with a credit facility that commenced some seven years earlier. On Sunday, the company formerly known as Entercom entered into a fresh Credit Facility Amendment, stretching the due date of that payment and another lesser payment by another week.