Friday, February 20, 2026

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Brian Wieser

Nielsen’s April ’18 Cable UEs Point To ‘Ongoing Decline’

Nielsen on Monday released its April 2018 cable network Universe Estimates, and there's one thing in particular that sticks out for Pivotal Research Group Senior Research Analyst/Advertising Brian Wieser. The "bottom line" on the new UEs: there's an ongoing decline in traditional pay TV network penetration rates, led by lower traditional MVPD subscription levels.

Beware Of Your Strengths!

Do you know your strengths? If so, are you confident in them? Do you utilize your strengths in your business and relationships? These are some of the questions Media Information Bureau columnist Kelly Orchard addresses in her latest exclusive-to-RBR+TVBR column.
Money Tree

A Validation Of Millions In Prevented Forfeitures

The latest installment from featured Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner is all about the money. Specifically, Benner has combed through all of the Alternative FCC Compliance Certification Inspections he and his wife conducted over a 15-year period. The amount of dollars that broadcasters didn't have to pay to the Federal Communications Commission, as a result of a forfeiture, is staggering.

Radio’s The King For Remembering The Queen Of Soul

As the world digested the news of the death of the "Queen of Soul," RBR+TVBR opted to play the music of Aretha Franklin in tribute to her astounding contributions to music over six decades of recording industry prowess. It took an Urban One station based in Detroit and its iHeartRadio competitor to satisfy our needs.

What To Ask Sales Reps Who Aren’t Hitting Their Quota

The sales manager’s goal is to have 100% of their sales team consistently at or above quota. If there is a gap and one or more sales reps are not hitting their quota, then the source of the problem must be identified and fixed. Here are eight questions expert sales trainer Barrett Riddleberger offers to find out why your sales rep is not achieving their sales goal. 

Goodbye, Black Friday? Turkey Day Buys Surge

Pass the turkey ... and the credit card. PwC’s 2018 Holiday Outlook suggests that a steady shift in attitudes about Thanksgiving Day shopping is underway: more than 70% of respondents saying they plan to shop on the actual holiday, rather than on Black Friday.

The OTT Market: ‘Far From Oversaturated’

While there’s a limit to how many SVOD services users are ready to pay for, it is far from being reached. This is one key finding from Ooyala’s just-released State of the Broadcast Industry 2019 report, which maps out the challenges for content creators and distributors as they strive to maintain and grow audiences.
Facebook

In Facebook We Trust?

"Welcome to the world of trade-offs," writes James Pethokoukis. "Facebook is the imperfect creation of one group of imperfect humans used by other imperfect humans -- lots of them." But, the American Enterprise Institute columnist and policy analyst writes, that doesn’t have to be the end of story.
Michael Nathanson

Are TV Dollars Somewhat Impervious To Digital’s Vacuum?

"There appears to be a 'false dichotomy' that online advertising growth will have to come at the expense of TV and other media channels," says financial analyst Michael Nathanson. Why? TV advertising grew in 2018, suggesting dollars are not being sucked away by digital.
Clark Smidt, who found success with Softrock 103 WEEI-FM in Boston some 40+ years ago, owns an AM in New Haven. Why?

Thoughts From Boston On Radio’s 100 Years

Believe it or not, radio will soon be celebrating its Centennial. In November 1920, KDKA-AM became the first station in the U.S. to receive a broadcast license. Many remembrances will likely be seen over the next 12 months. Today, we turn to Clark Smidt, who waxes nostalgic. 

Seven More Marks Of A Great Sales Coach

Expert sales training guru Barrett Riddleberger got such a strong reaction to a recent column offering his thoughts on what makes a great sales coach that he took pen to paper and delivered more great tips and insight for the media industry's C-Suite.
Media system in a vehicle

Preparing Now For The Connected Car’s Data Play

Bob Maccini, founder and CFO of Drive Time Metrics and a Director at brokerage Media Services Group, shares his thoughts on how in-vehicle consumption analytics "will have a game-changing impact on the quality of audio delivered to a vehicle" in this Media Information Bureau installment.

Seeking Alignment: New, Improved Media Company Accounting

Deloitte’s Telecom, Media & Entertainment Industry Sector Leader for Audit & Assurance explores in this exclusive column the important accounting changes taking place in the TV industry, and the implications these changes will have for CFOs of broadcast TV organizations and their finance departments.

Media Trends and Predictions, Courtesy of Kantar

From 5G to shopvertising, e-sports, influencer marketing, brand activism, and media in-housing, which are the major trends that marketers and media owners need to be aware of over the next 12 months?

The Chief Choice For Celebration: Local Radio

From the office of the Chairman of the FCC to the Please Stop! on Route 9 in Parkville, Mo., fans of Kansas City Chiefs pro football team are reveling in their first Super Bowl championship in 50 years. Local radio largely did its part, with stations across the dial offering various choices in locally originated celebratory programming.