TV/Cable News

On August 24, RBR+TVBR readers first learned of the sale of a LPTV station serving a wide swath of Massachusetts to the rapidly growing licensee led by CEO Vince Bodiford and funded by 5-Hour Energy creator Manoj Bhargava. That transaction has now closed, with Greg Guy of Tideline Partners serving as the broker.

"With audience migrations, the surge in streaming, the unpredictability of TV seasons and escalating sports rights costs, the TV landscape is being reshaped by disruptive forces," iSpot.TV says. However, against these changes, there is one constant.

The latest Spot Ten Cable report is out from Media Monitors, and the amount of activity seen last week from one QSR brand was enormous, putting a big user of Spot Cable in the home improvement category well far behind by play count.

"We are focused on what we can control as we navigate through these challenges," President/CEO Doug Murphy said as the owner of radio and TV stations reported flat revenue in its fiscal Q4 2023, but experienced a 10% year-to-year decrease in advertising revenue. Meanwhile, it has worked out a higher debt-to-cash flow ratio with its lenders.

The boom growth years for OTT platforms serving U.S. consumers are over. That's the breathtaking conclusion of a new research study from Dublin, Ireland-based Research and Markets that puts an exclamation point on the North American OTT television and video market, with forecasts offered through 2029.

There will be no "Great Affiliation Swaps" in any of the 21 markets where Sinclair Broadcast Group owns CBS network affiliates, thanks to a freshly signed comprehensive, multi-year distribution agreement announced on Friday by CBS parent Paramount.

Salem Media Group is largely known for its collection of Christian-themed and secular Conservative News/Talk radio stations, as well as a publishing house that's home to the works of individuals such as Dinesh D'Souza. But, Salem also has visual content for the taking, and being able to view it just became a step easier.

A new study released on Thursday by the TVB, conducted on its behalf by GfK, aims to better understand "the vast world of streaming and how linear television, specifically local broadcast TV, fits in it." Some 4,000 respondents offered their input. The key takeaway: Some 18% did not watch broadcast TV.

A free ad-supported streaming television network distributed to a half-million hotels and more than 2,500 airport screens across North America has partnered with the nation's No. 1 owner of broadcast TV stations to extend the distribution of its all-news MVPD-distributed network.

When it comes to rewarding shareholders, TEGNA has been consistent with its dividend declarations. And, the riches are bigger for those who hold the company's stock, rising from $0.095 per share in October 2021 to the value that TEGNA's board just declared for its latest regular quarterly dividend payment.

The ABC affiliate at Channel 8 in Virginia's capital city has a new VP/GM, with the Nexstar Media Group property welcoming a 10-year veteran of its operations in Tampa-St. Petersburg, where he has served as Director of Sales.

Jason Hall, Vice President of Spanish Media Sales for the GrayTV Telemundo Station Group, sits in on the InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM, to share insights and learnings on how educating and attracting sales leaders to best take advantage of the opportunities that exist by attracting Hispanic consumers can bring strong ROI.  LISTEN HERE

In recent years, the Pittsburg, Ks.-Joplin, Mo. DMA attracted national attention as it was the home market for former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who was raised in Parsons, Ks. Now, Joplin is getting attention again thanks to the launch of a new over-the-air broadcast TV station in the Missouri city.

She has held a variety of sales roles in radio and television broadcasting since 2000 and is well-known across Idaho's Treasure Valley for her decade-long presence in local TV ad sales. Now, she's been named Station Manager for the E.W. Scripps Co.-owned ABC affiliate serving Boise, Nampa and the communities that comprise Idaho's largest market.

In recent months, broadcast television has become an important delivery vehicle for pharmaceutical companies that wish to grow their brands, and increase sales. For the week ending October 22, this adoration of Spot TV easily put two big pharma brands at the top of the latest Media Monitors national play count report.