Headlines
It’s Official: Comcast To Spin Off Cable Networks
Comcast this morning formally unveiled plans to spin out most of its linear cable networks (except Bravo) to shareholders in a separate company, SpinCo, a move that President Mike Cavanagh said puts all of NBCUniversal “on a new growth trajectory.”
Election Cycle Spending Hit Record $10.86 Billion, Says AdImpact
The 2024 election cycle is now in history books, and more for just who won or lost. The ad tracking firm AdImpact says its preliminary tally shows there was a record $10.86 billion in political ad spending, making it the most expensive election cycle of all time. It compares to $8.47 billion that was spent during the 2020 cycle.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Could ‘News Distortion’ Claim Chill Pending Skydance Deal?
He was asked what the FCC can do to help “legacy media.” But, his comments regarding the Commission’s pending approval of the acquisition of majority control of Paramount Global by David Ellison-led Skydance Media from the Redstone Family’s National Amusements, Inc., are reverberating across Washington.
Station Trading Roundup: 3 Deals, $381,160
The purchase of WMBE-LD Myrtle Beach, S.C., by Nexstar Media tops the latest list of TV station transactions submitted to the FCC for its approval, according to BIA Advisory Services.
Television
Nearly 170 New Advertisers On TV In First-Half 2024: VAB
Although consumer confidence was weak heading into this year, 169 new advertisers across 43 categories invested $380 million in national TV in the first half of 2024, according to the VAB, the advertising group for national TV network groups.
FCC
NAB Requests Further Delay in Requirement that TV Stations Provide Audio Description of Non-Textual Emergency Information While Rule Changes are Considered
Since 2015, TV broadcasters that transmit any emergency information visually in text during non-news programming have been required to convert that information into an audio broadcast on a station’s Secondary Audio Programming channel (its “SAP channel”).
FCC's Final Moves Under Rosenworcel Hold Weight For Radio
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s final two Open Commission Meetings will carry some consequence for radio broadcasters.