Headlines
Candidates, Ad Buyers Battle Over Radio’s Lowest Political Rates.
The fight over who gets broadcasters’ cheapest political advertising rates is turning into a candidate-vs.-candidate showdown at the Federal Communications Commission, with Democrats pushing to narrow eligibility while Republicans argue changing course now would disrupt political buys already underway.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Station Trading Roundup: 2 Deals, $4,175,000
The purchase of KJYY Portland & KCKW Eugene, Ore., by Gray Media tops the latest list of TV station transactions submitted to the FCC for its approval, according to BIA Advisory Services.
Pamal Broadcasting To Acquire Galaxy Media
Pamal Broadcasting is expanding its New York footprint with an agreement to acquire Galaxy Media, owner and operator of 10 radio stations serving Syracuse and Utica, NY, for an undisclosed amount.
Radio
Format Counts: Religion Takes An 80-Station Lead Over Country
It’s been eight months since religion — which includes stations featuring religious teaching, hymns and other related content — became America’s most-programmed format, dethroning country’s 11-year run at the top of Inside Radio/PrecisionTrak’s monthly station counts by format.
Audio Gives Campaigns More Ways To Reach Voters
As Election Day approaches, campaigns are looking for ways to reach voters across an increasingly crowded media landscape. Television remains a major tool for building awareness, while radio, podcasts and streaming audio can extend campaign messages into commutes, workdays and other daily routines, according to iHeartMedia.
CTV/OTT
Fuse Media Rebrands As Streaming-First Company
Fuse Media is rebranding to reflect a shift from a multicultural television company into a streaming-focused business built around free ad-supported streaming television, connected TV, content monetization and culturally specific entertainment.
Media
Disney cuts hundreds of jobs in third round of layoffs this year
The Walt Disney Company s eliminating several hundred positions across the company, marking its third significant round of layoffs this year as the entertainment giant continues efforts to reduce costs.
Tech
Trump says top tech firms have signed accord to 'self-police' AI
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he and a large group of leaders of artificial intelligence companies had signed a voluntary accord that will include internal and external reviews during a meeting at the White House aimed at addressing Americans' fears about the technology.
Warner Bros integrates ad platform into Mediaocean's Prisma Direct
Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) is integrating its advertising technology with Mediaocean’s Prisma Direct platform, an arrangement intended to automate more of the process agencies and brands use to purchase advertising directly from the media company, the companies announced on Wednesday.