TV/Cable News

After nearly two months of darkness for DISH Network subscribers and a slatemate in its negotiations with the independent broadcast TV company based in Erie, Pa., for a new retransmission fee agreement, Lilly Broadcasting's stations will soon be returning to the DBS provider's lineups in five impacted regions.

Gray Television has priced its previously announced underwritten public offering of 15 million shares of its common stock, at a price to the public of $14.50 per share. Gray has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2.25 million shares of common stock. The offering is expected to close on Monday, Dec. 4, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

There's an entity that describes itself as “a publicly traded diversified holding company which seeks opportunities to acquire and grow businesses that can generate long-term sustainable free cash flow and attractive returns in order to maximize value for all stakeholders” which has been actively acquiring TV properties following the FCC's spectrum auction. This entity, HC2 Holdings Inc., earlier this week agreed to purchase two Mega TV affiliates in Florida. Now, its subsidiary -- HC2 Network Inc. -- is acquiring an entire TV network.

Grants from The Broadcasters Foundation of America will hit a milestone this year, as more than $1 million in aid is disbursed to broadcasters in acute need across the country. The record-setting figure is the most ever awarded in a single year by the charity, which this week launches its year-end appeal for personal donations to the Guardian Fund and corporate contributions to the Angel Initiative.

The "coercion" of American Cable Association members of carrying ATSC 3.0 signals, along with ATSC 1.0 signals, as part of a new beefier-to-broadcasters retrans consent deal will not be tolerated by the Pittsburgh-based advocacy association. In fact, it has sent a letter to the FCC telling it is keeping a close eye on the "thousands of agreements" members will be negotiating over the next five weeks.

There's a full-power TV station broadcasting from Howard Mountain in Idaho that serves the cities of Pocatello and Idaho Falls. It's a "failing station," says the company that just filed an Asset Purchase Agreement with the FCC, which must give its approval in order for this transaction to happen. A broker with Kozacko Media Services says there should be no question that this deal be consummated.

Gray Television has commenced an underwritten public offering, subject to market and other conditions, of 15 million shares of its common stock pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement. In addition, Gray expects to grant the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional 2.25 million shares of common stock.

How, exactly, does Sinclair Broadcast Group plan to fund its intended purchase of Tribune Media, assuming the FCC gives its blessings to a transaction made possible only by the restoration of the so-called "UHF Discount?" Loans, loans, loans -- billions of dollars in loans -- are on the way.

The owner of a TV station in Montgomery, Ala., for more than three decades has thrown out a life preserver to another television facility licensed to nearby Troy, Ala., by agreeing to acquire it. However, this owner needs the FCC's OK to make the deal happen, and is using the "failing" station test to state its case. If the Commission gives its blessing, two full-power stations -- and one low-power facility -- will be held by this company in the Alabama city.

You know you're in Washington when a non-elected agency Commissioner thanks its Chairman for a whole lot of assigned reading between now and Dec. 13. Republican Michael O'Rielly took a moment before the Thanksgiving holiday to thank FCC Chairman Ajit Pai for circulating to all Commissioners the items for the Dec. 14 Open Meeting. And, he said, "I look forward to reading each one," before commenting on his views on some of the key agenda items.

Democrats across Washington are crowing about another turkey gobbing around the Portals. Republicans are eyeing the next step that would bring further relief to broadcast media companies that are evermore challenged in their quest to compete against digital and social media. No matter how you view it, the FCC will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at its December 14 Open Meeting that seeks comment on the FCC’s national television multiple ownership rule, also known as the national cap, including the "UHF discount."

The likely removal of the FCC's Title II classification of broadband and a vote on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on the FCC’s national TV ownership cap, including the UHF discount, are two big highlights of what is in store at the Commission's Dec. 14 Open Meeting. Reaction was swift -- and most of it vicious in its opposition to the proposals drafted by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. One Commissioner even assailed Pai for revealing the details in a pre-holiday "news dump."

The spin cycle is set to high, but no matter how you look at it, DISH subscribers are in the dark if they want to tune to CBS O&Os, several affiliates of The CW, and three specialty networks.

After more than a month of negotiations that left Hispanic Verizon Fios customers in the dark, the MVPD has agreed to a new retransmission fee agreement with Univision Communications. As a result, all Univision-owned stations have been restored to Fios lineups in all impacted markets.

There's yet another fight brewing over rising retransmission fees, and RBR+TVBR has confirmed that a major "blackout" for DISH Network customers could come as soon as Tuesday morning. If that's the case, thousands of CBS viewers both young and old could get a bit restless while The CW would also fade to black.