Yes, the FCC should be involved
I can't justify the concept that the FCC has absolutely no control over Arbitron's PPM, and should have a "hands-off" approach to the sudden and mysterious drop of Urban, Spanish and other formats not considered "Hockey Mom Friendly."
Obama putting more ammo on the air
Barack Obama is way ahead of John McCain with it comes to advertising in the final stages of the 2008 campaign, spending almost triple...
Analysts foresee further drops in ad spending
Goldman Sachs and Barclays Capital have both issued updates on what they see ahead for ad-supported industries. Both expect 2009 to be even
Ban bonanza in California
Proposition 8 is hot. Real hot. The California ballot initiative seeks to limit marriage to a union between a man and a woman, or...
Bailout continues to trump election
Of course, in a way, the financial crisis feeds directly into the national conversation about the 2008 election, but in terms of direct media...
Merrill Lynch lowers CBS estimates
The latest research piece from Merrill Lynch analyst Jessica Reif Cohen declares that CBS Corporation is “going from bad to worse.” The analyst has...
Somebody still has some money
If you assumed that private equity has dried up because of the current turmoil in the financial markets, think again. Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst reports that US private equity firms raised $222.6 billion
Sell honesty
First things first: I am no big fan of Arbitron. At least not the diary system that exists in the majority of the country's rated markets. I discontinued a contract with the ratings giant after spending
Westwood One execs put their cash on the line
Westwood One has gotten a second notice of potential delisting from the NYSE, adding failure to maintain a minimum market capitalization of $75 million...
Detaxing big media?
The Center for American Progress Action Fund notes that plans by a John McCain administration to cut corporate taxes by 25%-35% would benefit big...
Give Arbitron a hug
I almost fell out of my chair this afternoon when I read a bulletin about nine radio broadcasters actually stepping up to the aide of Arbitron. Telling the FCC to "nose out" was an astounding move
On Markey's Satellite/HD/AM/FM receiver bill…
Reading all of the hoopla about Rep. Ed Markey’s proposed radio Receiver Act I was hopeful for what would be a level playing field...
Moody’s reviews broadcast ratings
Radio and television companies are facing another round of potential, if not likely credit rating reductions by Moody’s Investors Service. “Moody's expects rated issuers will face significant revenue
BIAfn expands with new media acquisition
BIA Financial Network (BIAfn) analyzes lots of media transactions, but this time it is the one actually doing the M&A deal. BIAfn announced that...
Wachovia: Citi out, Wells Fargo in (maybe)
Wells Fargo has cut a $15.1 billion deal to buy Wachovia, trumping the deal previously announced with the FDIC’s blessing to have Citigroup buy Wachovia’s banking operations for $2.1 billion