TV/Cable News

At 3:18am Saturday a war of words commenced between one of the nation's fiercest combatants of retransmission fee increases and the owner of 47 television stations erupted. A big retrans dispute was ready to be waged. By lunchtime, it was all over.

It's no secret that traditional MVPD providers are challenged. But, are "skinny bundles" contributing to "cord-cutting," leading consumers to favor IP-delivered TV service? It appears so, new research from Parks Associates indicates.

While traditional linear TV continues to expand with new channels and features, emerging streaming technology and connected devices are also making their mark. In fact, Americans collectively spend nearly 8 billion hours per month consuming content on connected TV devices.

The Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) pilot launched in the U.S. by Nielsen is getting a little smarter. As of today, it is adding a Smart TV platform, along with a MVPD-distributed network. They join CBS, which is already engaged in ad replacement activities.

DISH and Sling TV have been working hard to fill the Spanish-language void created by the absence of all Univision Communications-owned stations. Discovery Communications is now helping out, thanks to a wider pact reached with Sling TV that brings several Discovery nets to the OTT service.

The American Cable Association on Monday filed a petition with the FCC requesting that the agency require Sinclair Broadcast Group to file early renewal applications for four of its stations. There's a big reason for why the ACA wants this accomplished.

For those who no longer believe that broadcast television is an effective medium for targeting holiday shoppers, take note. Four of the five top brands using spots at national television to reach consumers are brick-and-mortar retailers.

Earlier this year, noted financial analyst Brian Wieser predicted 4.8% U.S. advertising growth. It turns out that was a bit too conservative. Wieser's 2019 predictions were also revised, but will radio and TV benefit in any way?

On November 25, 1948, the first broadcast of what today is the centerpiece of the largest media company in the Pacific Northwest was made. It involved a high school football game. Today, staff and community leaders are preparing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of this media group's first asset -- the "KING" of Seattle.

Just how bad was October for the broadcast television industry? Pivotal Research Group Senior Research Analyst for Advertising Brian Wieser analyzed TV use trends alongside commercial share for national media owners. Who saw a significant drop in consumption among adults 18-49 during the month? Over the air TV stations can collectively answer, "This is Us."

There's a successor to Mitch Barns at Nielsen, and it certainly begs the question of what the company's Board of Directors was thinking in selecting the former leader of IBM's Cognitive Solutions business for the job. We looked at his salary, and it's in the millions.

The "overwhelming majority" of adults aged 18-49 consider local television to be the most trusted source of news and information. That's according to a national survey of consumers conducted by market research firm SmithGeiger ... for a major owner of broadcast TV stations.

There's a slew of exciting new activity in the latest Spot Ten TV report from Media Monitors. But, there's also one big takeaway for the report for the week ending November 18: GEICO isn't budging off the top spot.

Just how predominant is programmatic in the digital media world? New data indicate that some 65% of all money spent on advertising in digital media in 2019 will be traded programmatically.

Viacom reported earnings for fiscal Q4 2018 Pivotal Research Group analyst Brian Wieser calls "relatively positive, if thematically consistent with our view on the company." In his view, "favorable updates were provided on a wide range of growth initiatives which are intended to offset declines or long-term challenges in traditional businesses." This result in an adjustment by Wieser of Pivotal's price target for Viacom's Class B shares.