The All-New Winter RBR+TVBR Special Report is Here!
All premium subscribers to the Radio+Television Business Report are on the VIP list to receive and fully access our Winter 2022 Special Report via instant PDF download. It's the EXCLUSIVE home of the all-new Broadcast Media’s Top Tech Leaders rankings.
Univision Gets Its FCC Foreign Ownership Ruling
In the final days of 2020, the FCC approved a request by Univision to accept foreign investment in excess of the 25% benchmark set forth in its regulations. Then, in summer 2021, the company sought the Commission’s OK for two specific non-U.S. based entities to grab a share of Univision ownership. A Declaratory Ruling was released by the Commission on Friday.
A ‘Legal vOTA’ Option Arrives. Will Retrans Deals Surface?
A new "virtual Over the Air" streaming service offering a "local broadcast bundle" based on one's location has been brought to market. And, the company offering the service says it is the first and only legal platform seen yet in the United States. We've got the exclusive details on LocalBTV's rollout.
Texas Sues Google Over ‘Deceptive’ Ads Voiced by iHeart Talent
Ken Paxton, the Attorney General of the State of Texas, has a beef with Google. And, it involves air personalities employed by iHeartMedia. The issue: the radio talents endorsed products that, the Lone Star State says, they never, ever used.
Former NuvoTV CEO, DISH Exec Joins Univision C-Suite
After a stint with Dish and Sling after exiting as President/CEO of Fuse TV, Michael Schwimmer is heading back to the U.S. Hispanic market in a big way.
For iHeart Shares, A 42-Week Low Is Seen
Until late September, all seemed particularly strong for iHeartMedia's stock price. By October, however, worries about the Delta, and Omicron, variants of the COVID-19 virus accelerated, creating new concerns. Ups and downs for IHRT were seen, but it has been a bumpy ride on the Nasdaq GlobalSelect market since the start of 2022.
Family Stations Closes On Its NYC Bargain Buy
Que pena ... The end is near for "Qué Buena" listeners across the New York Tri-State Area. For those who have wanted WFME back on a FM signal heard in Gotham, it is almost time to rejoice.
GeoBroadcast Solutions Takes iHeart To Task On ‘ZoneCasting’ Fight
The FCC in November 2020 adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, now under consideration, that would allow broadcast origination from FM Boosters. Obstacles could prevent this technology, dubbed "ZoneCasting" by its creator, GeoBroadcast Solutions, from proliferation across the U.S., however. Now, GBS says iHeartMedia is the biggest roadblock to making "ZoneCasting" happen.
Skyview COO Upped To Chief Executive Role
Skyview Networks has established itself as a radio industry leader. Now, one of its top C-Suite figures is being promoted to CEO. What does this mean for Skyview founder Ken Thiele?
A New Owner Takes AM Returned To Larry Fuss
In August 2021, RBR+TVBR first shared the news that Larry Fuss was once again poised to become the owner of a 1,000-watt AM and its FM translator serving a small city in Mississippi. Why? A reversal of his 2011 sale of the properties was in the works, as the buyer couldn't keep up with his payment schedule and was some $50,000 behind. Now, Fuss has a buyer for the properties.
WBEZ Parent Agrees To Tabloid Take
The board of directors for Chicago Public Media has voted to move forward with the acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times, the daily tabloid that competes against the Chicago Tribune and, in the suburbs, the Daily Herald. The organizations expect to close the transaction by the end of January.
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A Recent Gray Investor Takes Majority Stake In Michigan LPTVs
Eric Wotila has gained notice across the U.S. for his role as President of digital multicast network NewsNet. Now, he's in the news as Wotila has agreed to an asset purchase agreement that will adjust the ownership in the station branded as "NewsNet Michigan."
Altitude Sports Added To NextGen Pay-TV Service
DirecTV is today the lone home in the Denver DMA for Altitude Sports, as Comcast and DISH have each been unable to secure respective carriage agreements with the sports network's parent. A "revolutionary" NextGen television service could bring Altitude for those who don't wish to wait for a possible deal with Comcast.
Nexstar, ViacomCBS Renew All But One Affiliate Agreement
Nexstar and ViacomCBS have reached comprehensive multi-year agreements to renew the existing CBS Television Network affiliations in 39 markets across the country. That's not prevented an affiliation switch from transpiring in the biggest city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, to the benefit of Lilly Broadcasting.
Neflix Shares Sink Upon Release Of Weak Q4 Results
Netflix shares were down by more than 21% in Friday's trading, as investors reacted harshly to disappointing Q4 2021 subscriber results, which missed forecasts. Yet, there's dissent among just how poorly Netflix is performing. According to one industry observer, "Netflix’s performance is superb when you consider the crushing competition encroaching on what used to be a fast growing, greenfield market."
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Jackson Dell Weaver on GeoBroadcast Solutions Takes iHeart To Task On ‘ZoneCasting’ Fight
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Sheila Bron on DirecTV To Drop OANN as Koppel Speaks On News Bias
The InFOCUS Podcast: Rob Deichert, TuneIn
Rob Deichert, the Chief Revenue Officer at TuneIn, joins RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson for this new InFOCUS Podcast episode to share more about TuneIn’s initiatives designed to help bring more ears to all-things audio — traditional radio, too. LISTEN HERE
Want To Deliver Engaging Presentations? Try PechaKucha
Respondents to one of "Zoom expert" Rosemary Ravinal's recent polls on LinkedIn told her that “How to organize my content” is their No. 1 roadblock to great presentations. That didn’t surprise her. "Outstanding presentations require thoughtful planning," she says in this fresh column that puts a spotlight on a fast-paced presentation format you may want to consider.
From Bad Hair to Heavy Accents: What to Do On Zoom
As the new year unfolds, veteran public relations executive and "Zoom expert" Rosemary Ravinal has received "intriguing questions" from people who spend most of their workdays on Zoom, Teams or similar video conferencing platforms. Two questions she received could resonate with you. Here are her answers.
FCC Could Adopt a Major Office, Condo Broadband Choice Rule
Jessica Rosenworcel on Friday shared with her colleagues a Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling that she argues would promote competition and increase choice for broadband services for people living and working in multiple tenant environments (MTEs).
Internet and digital news for the broadcasting industry.
Comcast Technology Solutions Launches VideoAI
The division of Comcast Cable that provides media and entertainment technology to content providers, operators, and advertisers has launched a SaaS offering designed to help companies understand and analyze video (live and on-demand), audio, and closed captions to create actionable metadata around content assets, generate and manage new content, improve advertising efficiency, and streamline operations.
GeoBroadcast Solutions Has a Maple Leaf Partner
GeoBroadcast Solutions has formed an exclusive partnership with a Québec-based company that will bring the company's "MaxxCasting" offerings and associated sales, field service and post-sales support to Canadian broadcasters who seek to improve their signal strength and audience reach.
The InFOCUS Podcast: Kurt Heitman
With the 2022 NAB Show now marking the “big return” for many a broadcast media technology vendor, CP Communications has perhaps emerged as one of the more active players of late. In this RBR+TVBR Winter 2022 Special Report preview, CP CEO Kurt Heitman shares his excitement about what lies ahead for the company in 2022. LISTEN HERE