Headlines
Scripps Sports Is Off To A Fast Start
In December 2022 Scripps Sports was launched. In less than one year they have made media agreements with the WNBA and NWSL as well as two local NHL franchises.
No Slowdown In Political Ads, With Biden Now Third-Biggest Spender.
In what may be a sign of the year to come, the gap between the amount of political ad spending this year and the 2020 cycle was expected to close this fall. But so far that has not happened, as the 2024 election cycle is closing in on a billion dollars of spending with two and a half months left in 2023.
Mergers & Acquisitions
SBS Sues Voz Media Over Failed Mega TV Sale
Spanish Broadcasting System has filed a lawsuit in Miami Dade County Circuit Court against Voz Media over the failed sale of its Mega TV for $64 million.
Television
Broadcasters Look for Ways to Ride the 5G Wave (WSJ subscription required)
TV stations hope to tap in to the huge market of mobile customers and move big groups of people back to the broadcast model
TV News Burnout: The Crisis Reaches A Tipping Point
The most recent RTDNA/Syracuse University Survey revealed an unprecedented level of burnout among TV news’ ranks, and younger workers are quitting the industry for good. Only dramatic changes will stop an unsustainable exodus.
Radio
iHeartMedia Tells FCC That it Needs to Protect AM Radio
In a meeting on October 10 with several FCC members, iHeartMedia's Sara Morris recapped its submissions in the 2018 and 2022 Quadrennial Review proceedings, highlighting especially that the Commission "must do no harm to AM radio service" in the U.S. as it determines whether to retain or modify the broadcast ownership rules.
FCC
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: October 9 to October 13, 2023
Here are some of the regulatory developments of significance to broadcasters from the past week, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations.
Supreme Court To Hear Case That Could Weaken FCC
At issue is court deference to regulators’ subject matter expertise
CTV/OTT
FilmRise licenses AVOD, FAST content rights to Nexstar’s The CW
FilmRise inked a deal to license AVOD and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) rights to Nextsar-owned The CW’s free streaming service, spanning over 1,500 hours of content.