Intelligence Briefs

Who knew in 2008 that wireless internet technology would be an essential way of life for millions of Americans? WiFi is now two decades old, and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai remarked on WiFi's past, present and future on Tuesday at the Wi-Fi World Congress 2019 in Northern Virginia.

Digital platforms and TV networks often appear to be “must-buy” solutions for marketers.  But, as Group M Global President of Business Intelligence Brian Wieser notes, "In the face of a difficult negotiation or displeasure with the actions taken by a commercial partner, one party may feel they have no alternative but to proceed with a transaction." Wieser says he sees this play out in the TV business.

The size of local businesses determines their ad buying power. That's the conclusion from the newly released U.S. SAM Survey of Advertising and Marketing from BIA Advisory Services.

"I never thought we’d see the day the pleadings of [my group] would ever be addressed by the NAB, despite my many years of pleading for its assistance," featured columnist Ken Benner writes."You have got to see this to believe it!" he exclaims. What's he so excited about?

MoffettNathanson's senior analysts describe the planned suite of direct-to-consumer services from The Walt Disney Co. a “lifeboat.” With Q1 cord-cutting results now in the books, it may still be too early to abandon ship … but it’s not too early to put on the lifejackets, they say.

Noted financial analyst Brian Wieser wants to know why Google parent Alphabet’s revenue growth decelerated. It recorded its lowest rate of annual advertising revenue growth in several years during Q1. This could be of keen interest to broadcast media C-Suite leaders.

A new 10-page report from the research company Claritas offers fresh details on the Hispanic market opportunity -- including why Hispanic Households will spend $538,636 more than White American Households in their lifetime.

Who knew that out-of-home viewing of TV news was a thing? Indeed it is, and Nielsen on Wednesday released some very interesting new insights that zeros in on news viewing around the pivotal 2018 Midterm Elections. Simply put, every broadcast TV station should see this.

That's the title of another research study suggesting that cord-cutting is putting renewed vigor into over-the-air television ahead of ATSC 3.0's voluntary roll-out.

How much time do we really spend staring at our screens? Digital Third Coast just surveyed 1,000 millennial and 1,000 baby boomer iPhone users about their average daily screen time to learn more about generational smartphone use. The findings are very intriguing.

"In the investing world, as in life, it is hard to change a narrative," says analyst Michael Nathanson. "For much of the past four years, the media industry has been rightly defined by declining Pay TV subscribers, falling linear TV consumption, and slowing ad spend." But, something "really unusual" is afoot.

Ensuring 5G's rollout is done smartly and efficiently will see the private sector take the lead. That's according to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who said so in an editorial appearing in the April 26 edition of The Kansas City Star.

Kagan analyst Adam Gajo has completed The 2019 Sports Report, and we've got details on his findings. They shed light on "the highly valuable commodity of live sports content in the television industry."

We've all seen the studies that point to continued cord-cutting thanks to the rise of over-the-top (OTT) choices for video news and entertainment. But, is broadcast TV at risk from OTT growth? This study says yes, making it required reading for all TV station owners.

On April 11, the FCC released a Public Notice outlining the procedures for submitting the required certifications and related information by May 28.  Operators of FSS earth stations that were licensed or in use prior to April 19, 2018, must therefore submit information detailed here.