the HOT List

The local commercial broadcast television and radio industry generates $1.23 trillion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 2.52 million jobs through direct and stimulative effect on the American economy. That's the key takeaway from a new study from Woods & Poole Economics produced with support from BIA Advisory Services.

A newly released report from the University of North Carolina offers some rosy predictions for 2024. Specifically, it suggests that news executives and entrepreneurs who understand the opportunity that can come from investment in local media by the state's ad buyers will make more money. 

In a major advancement for Sinclair Inc., its four nationally distributed digital multicast networks are being brought to viewers in some of the nation's biggest DMAs for the first time. It's thanks to agreements just announced by the Baltimore-based media company and its new partner, Paramount Global.

The plaintiff, a former WCVB-5 in Boston videographer, charges he suffered religious discrimination for losing his job by not adhering to Hearst's COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all employees. Last week, Hearst presented a Federal District Court information that he takes other medications — thus nullifying his entire case, Hearst argues.

A "comprehensive, multi-year deal" is now in place that keeps NBC network affiliation agreements for TEGNA stations in some 20 markets including Phoenix; Buffalo-Niagara Falls; and Portland, Ore.

It's hardly a secret that the broadcast television industry's reliance on retransmission consent revenue growth is an essential part of pleasing investors by bringing a stronger path to profits. MoffettNathanson examined closely the last six years, with respect to affiliate fee and retrans growth. The trends are concerning for cable TV.

A reporter who has covered "financial distress, volatility and restructuring" for The Wall Street Journal is sharing the news that, according to sources, Audacy has reached an agreement with senior lenders that will give it the funds necessary to commence a voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring process. Will the Field family lose control?

The "sports first" vMVPD that sees John Janedis serve as its Chief Financial Officer has just reached a new comprehensive multi-year distribution deal with the nation's No. 1 owner of broadcast television stations.

With a deal with the NBA's Phoenix Suns already locked in, December 2023 began with chatter over a similar deal in New Orleans. This followed a late September revelation that Gray was launching a Georgia-wide "Peachtree Sports Network." Now, it is official: Gray has two more NBA teams in its on-air stable.

Salem Media Group has given formal notice to the Nasdaq Stock Market of its intention to voluntarily delist its Class A Common Stock from the Nasdaq Global Market and to deregister its Class A Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

A Maru April 2023 theatrical study asked respondents if they heard of some upcoming movie titles focused on those who said "yes." The key finding? Heavy podcast and broadcast radio listeners are more aware than heavy television viewers. That grabbed the attention of the author of "the essential guide to selling films in a multi-platformed world."

FCC Commissioner Nate Simington swore he would pick up the baton of Mike O'Rielly following the latter's departure from the FCC. That was beyond a doubt true on Tuesday, as Simington issued a scathing statement slamming the Commission for an act that he believes is even illegal.

The just-passed 2018 Quadrennial Review leaves nearly every radio rule intact while tightening up a TV rule involving "top four" stations in a market. Sharing her thoughts on why no rule "modernization," as predecessor Ajit Pai put it during his term, is transpiring is Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. 

On October 2, The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ordered the Federal Communications Commission to end the delays, and complete the long-overdue 2018 quadrennial review in 90 days. Just before the Christmas holiday, that reportedly occurred, with the official release of the 2018 quadrennial order coming from the Commission just days before the end of 2023. 

The FCC has moved ahead with the issuance of a NPRM that would require notification to the Commission when a "blackout" of a broadcast television station occurs on a MVPD for 24 hours or more due to a breakdown in retransmission consent negotiations between broadcasters and MVPDs. The NPRM got a "yes" vote from one Republican Commissioner. But, his vote comes with reservations.