Radio & Television Business Report

The FCC has abided by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts' order to submit to the nation's highest court by Noon on Saturday a plan of action regarding a challenge to its "Lowest Unit Rate" Public Notice that effectively extends the political advertising advertising benefit to political action committees.

The President/CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters will appear in a "fireside chat" focused on radio and television companies' battle against "Big Tech" for ad dollars and local media's core strengths and advantages at Forecast 2027, presented by RBR+TVBR and Radio Ink. 

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts late Thursday effectively blocked a mandamus order from the Fourth Circuit in Richmond — a decision that came just hours earlier. What does this mean for the FCC with its need to issue a ruling on its “Lowest Unit Rate” policy as discussed in a controversial Public Notice?

U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Judge Loren AliKhan on Tuesday heard from attorneys representing both ABC and the FCC, as litigation continued as to whether civil rights violations are at the heart of the Commission's early license renewal proceeding for the eight ABC Owned Stations.

From the Great Recession to the AI boom, one reporter has been covering the stories that move markets. ABC News Chief Business, Technology, and Economics Correspondent Rebecca Jarvis joins Forecast 2027 to share her reporting on the economy.

Connoisseur Media founder and CEO Jeff Warshaw says he is not chasing the Audacy CEO job in court. Soros Fund Management says his own complaint suggests otherwise. That is why SFM is asking a Constitution State judge to hold him to that position before the case moves any further down the road.

The fiscal challenges at Corus Entertainment Inc., whose stock is trading on the TSX at just $0.03 CDN, may not wholly be over, but the company that owns such stations as "Q107" and "102.1 The Edge" in Canada's biggest market has started an important new chapter in the quest to cut and end its losses.

The Radio Hall of Fame has inducted its 2026 class of honorees, with a ceremony and dinner honoring eight notables from across the AM and FM radio dial at the Fairmont Chicago in Millennium Park.

Jo Ann Jean Juliano has emerged as the seller-to-be of an FM translator in Sheridan, Mont., associated with an AM/FM combo in Dillon, Mont., with Angel Broadcasting signing off on a purchase agreement submitted for regulatory approval with the FCC.

He's served as Director of Sales for publicly traded Saga Communications' Charleston Media Solutions for the past five years. Now, he's being elevated to General Manager for the group of radio stations in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

Forever Media, which has engaged in the sale of radio stations in Delaware, Ohio and the Keystone State in recent times, has agreed to part ways with two more properties. Both stations have FM signals serving the "Mon Valley" region due south of Pittsburgh. Who's the buyer in this deal brokered by Michael J. Bergner?

In yet another mini-package that will see a pro sports league's games simulcast on over-the-air television, the St. Louis Blues have come to terms on a multi-year partnership that will see 10 select Blue Note + telecasts appear on the recently launched ABC affiliate in the Gateway City owned by Gray Media.

In a MIPCOM 2026 keynote address, Frédéric Vaulpré, Sr. VP at French television industry market intelligence firm Glance, notes the line between broadcasters and platforms is blurring. Still, the winners in a world of "coopetition" will be those who understand who is watching, where and why "by having an accurate understanding of audience drivers."

There's a sense of stability along with rejuvenated longevity at National Spot TV, with commitment combined with a new spurt of activity that reinforces the power of broad reach broadcast television offers a marketer.  Last week, Walmart was among the brands making a return to a report that saw little movement at the top.

How big is product placement, which over the last two decades has become commonplace on network TV and many local TV entertainment and lifestyle shows? The U.S. accounted for 56.5% of the global market for product placement in all media, new data from PQ Media show.

Global ad spend is forecast to rise 11.9% to $1.34 trillion in 2026, according to WARC Media’s Global Ad Spend Forecast Q3 2026. That follows 10.0% growth in both 2024 and 2025. WARC cites corporate AI investment and major events including the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup, and the US mid-term elections as drivers. It names further escalation of global tensions as a downside risk.