Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who championed with the help of former Commissioner Mike O'Rielly rule "modernization" for local media.

Benner On Washington: ‘From Molehills To Mountains’

The week of Sept. 23 will likely go down as one of the most contentious ones in the history of the U.S. government, says featured columnist Ken Benner. It began with an excellent speech at the National Press Club by the one person in D.C. Benner has the greatest respect for: Ajit Pai.

TV’s Live Love: News/Politics Programming Rivals Sports

TV news coverage of political events is some of the most watched programming in the U.S. In fact, viewership of news events related to political topics rivals even the most popular sporting events. That's one key insight from a new VAB report, which examines the appetite for news and the corresponding rise in ad spending.

Keep Your Data Safe from Hackers

In June 2016, Garvey Schubert Barer's Judy Endejan warned that hackers are targeting stations. Today, Entercom, Max Media, Urban One and Townsquare Media are on the victim's list. Prevent your company from adding its name to this list in an encore Media Information Bureau column.
Mark Jamison

AEI: Media Shouldn’t Be Protected From Antitrust

In this column from AEI Visiting Scholar Mark Jamison, questions the "Journalism Competition and Preservation Act of 2019." The Act would give media companies an antitrust exemption to collectively withhold content and negotiate prices with online distributors with at least 1 billion monthly users.

In-Car Connected Voice Assistants: A Four-Year Rollout

Next generation voice assistants and associated CE technologies are going to be the next battleground for in-car technology leadership. Voice assistants are also developing intelligent interjections, such as Amazon Alexa hunches, which could lead to wider use.

New Study Shows Share of Streaming Eclipses TV Among Adults

After exponential growth in adoption of streaming between 2010 to 2016, the share of adult TV viewers who stream at least some of their TV content has plateaued for the past three years at around 65%. That's according to a just-released report from Horowitz Research.

Benner On Washington: ‘TAC’ Tact and Regulatory Compliance

On March 27, FCC document "DA 19-214" was released by the Commission. Featured columnist Ken Benner took notice, as it included a request for membership in the Technological Advisory Council. "My colleagues, with far more experience and talent than I, expressed interest in this 'wonderful, prestigious' invitation," he notes.

Kantar: A Strong Lack Of Confidence In Marketers’ Media Programs

If the media buyer or planner your company works with lacks access to all the data needed to create actionable insights, they’re not alone. According to a new report from Kantar, only 8% of marketers think they have all the data they need. It's a top takeaway from "Getting Media Right: Marketing in Motion."

Automotive TV Advertising Performance: The Latest Look

A London-based linear and digital TV attribution company with a New York office to service U.S. clients has released its latest analysis on television ad performance insights for automotive brands. It analyzed more than $10 billion in TV ad spend during the first half of 2019. What did TVSquared find?

Broadcast Radio: Under Threat From New Tech

As streaming music services continue their ascendance, attracting increasing levels of consumer spend, and the automotive industry explores the car connectivity road map, traditional broadcast radio is coming under serious threat. That’s according to a new automotive audio report from Futuresource Consulting.

A Tribute To A ‘Legend’ Of An Engineer

Many across America are pausing to remember Charlie Dozier, Director of Engineering for a group of stations owned by one of the nation's top media brokers, Larry Patrick. "He was one of the most professionally dedicated engineers in broadcast history," says featured columnist Ken Benner.

C-Band Suggestion from Phoenix: Private Sale is Most Efficient

In a new analysis released Thursday, Washington, D.C.-based think tank the Phoenix Center offers an evaluation of the competing methods for repurposing the C-Band. It appeals to principal-agent theory where the government is the principal and the consortium of satellite incumbents is the agent.

So, You Want To Be An ‘Alternative’ FCC Inspector?

Of all of the jobs available in the U.S., does "independent alternative broadcast media inspector" pique your interest? If so, this column from Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner and his wife, Karen, who are veteran alternative broadcast inspectors, is just for you.

BMI’s Fiscal Year Is Over. Radio, TV Weren’t The Top Revenue Source

It was a record-breaking revenue year for BMI, which just concluded fiscal 2019. But, don't mistakenly believe the surge in dollars came from radio or from television. BMI's growth is largely thanks to cable and satellite services -- and digital audio services, too.

Ten Great Questions To Ask Your Next Sales Hire

Do you struggle asking good questions when interviewing sales reps? That's a question expert sales trainer Barrett Riddleberger wants you to think about, and answer as best as possible. How so? He presents 10 "powerful questions to transform your hiring process."