FCC Reverses ALJ Discrimination Decision Against Cablevision
With new FCC leadership comes new insight into whether or not one of the nation's largest MVPDs discriminated against Game Show Network, violating Commission rules. In 2015, an Administrative Law Judge said Cablevision did. Today, the Republican-majority FCC responded to the now-Altice USA owned Cablevision's appeal of the ALJ decision by reversing it — effectively denying GSN's complaint on a party-line vote.
FCC OKs New Rules For Visually Impaired Video Access
Starting in July 2018, broadcasters and pay-TV providers carrying one of the top networks must provide 87.5 hours of described programming per calendar quarter. This averages out to roughly one hour per day of description on each included network.
FOX Locked For All Nexstar Properties
FOX will have no need to look for new affiliation partners in some 31 markets through the end of 2019, thanks to a newly forged deal with Nexstar that for the first time covers OTT distribution of the network's affiliates.
How Much Will The Man Set To Replace Rich Boehne Earn?
On Tuesday, August 8, a change in command at The E.W. Scripps Co. will formally take place. That's when Rich Boehne will step aside as CEO of the broadcast media company, which owns TV and radio stations. Boehne will continue as the company Chairman. Who's taking the role of President/CEO? How much will he make?
Nexstar Shoots Ahead With A Loan And Credit Refi Plan
Nexstar Media Group on Monday confirmed that it has received commitments for a whopping $3.1 billion refinancing of its outstanding Senior Secured Term Loan facilities. What did company CEO Perry Sook have to say about it? We've got the details.
NAB Steps Up Its White Space Fight Against Microsoft
Last week RBR+TVBR reported on a proposal from computing giant Microsoft to use TV white space to provide wireless broadband services in rural areas. Specifically, Microsoft wants the FCC to reserve a vacant UHF white space channel in every market nationwide, following the post-auction repack of broadcast television stations. The NAB is less than thrilled, and issued a statement on the matter Tuesday. We also have some thoughts on the matter, via a RBR+TVBR OBSERVATION.
Is ATSC 3.0 Late To The Party?
As the neutral party working with both broadcasting companies and wireless services providers, Vertical Bridge, the independently owned tower owner and manager, believes “over the top” delivery of programming — OTT — is the freight train that can’t be stopped for creators, distributors, advertisers and sales execs. That’s why Alex Gellman, CEO and co-Founder of this Palm Beach County, Fla.-based company, is not an individual those excited about the next-generation broadcast TV standard, ATSC 3.0, should have a conversation with.
Neutrogena Lands On The Top Of The Heap
In last week’s Media Monitors TV Spot Ten report, Neutrogena soared from No. 8 to No. 1 with 18,368 spots, as did McDonald’s, which soared from No. 21 to No. 2 with 17,780 ads.
Trivago Takes First Place
In last week’s Media Monitors Cable Spot Ten report, Trivago was No. 1 with 44,968 spots and Taco Bell soared from No. 13 to No. 2 with 39,256 ads.
FCC Opens Sinclair-Tribune Deal For Public Comments
With the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., removing a temporary regulatory hurdle (regarding the UHF discount) to Sinclair Broadcast Group’s $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune Media last month, the FCC has released a notice for the public to weigh in while it reviews the deal.
A Non-Partisan Player In The Spectrum Repack Process
The next 38 months or so will see a metamorphosis of the nation’s communications grid. Some 987 channels will be moving. Wireless carriers are already taking the steps necessary to move forward with their newly gained spectrum. In the first of a two-part RBR+TVBR INFOCUS report, top executives from Vertical Bridge share how they see the company as a neutral player on the flight deck of a major endeavor that's already set sail for the telecommunications industry.
Report Shows Netflix Has The Competition Whipped
ComScore is reporting that Netflix logs more viewing time in the US than its rivals Amazon, Hulu, and YouTube combined. Netflix holds a mighty 40 per cent share of total viewing hours. YouTube is a distant second with 18 percent, with Hulu third (14 percent), and then Amazon Video (7 percent).
Consumer Electronics Show Features Hi-Rez A/V
The annual CE Week is set for July 12-13 and among the consumer electronics on display will be the latest in high-resolution audio and video. Westinghouse Electronics will be showcasing the Smart 4K Ultra HDTV - Amazon Fire TV Edition with 4K UHD picture quality and the Fire TV experience built in.
Verizon Buying Disney “Laughable”?
Over the weekend, the New York Post published a story about a rumor supposedly doing the rounds that Verizon may be out to buy Walt Disney Co. But according to Wells Fargo analyst Mari Ryvicker, that’s comedy at its best.
ACA Appeals To FCC Regarding ATSC 3.0 Transition
The American Cable Association’s Vice President of Communications, Ted Hearn, has released a letter ACA sent to the FCC Commission recounting a meeting between the parties in which it discussed the broadcasters’ proposed transition to ATSC 3.0. There were two key proposals.