Headlines
NPAW: VOD, Linear TV Viewing Increased in 2023 for First Time in Two Years
Viewers worldwide viewed more on demand and linear TV than in the previous two years, according to NPAW’s 2023 Video Streaming Industry Report released this week.
February 13th newsletter had technical difficulties
Yesterday's newsletter had technical difficulties and wasn't delivered to everyone. Click here to read yesterday's stories. Suzanne Ackley, Editor
Mergers & Acquisitions
iHeartMedia Gets $101.4 Million From Sale of BMI
iHeartMedia knew it would get a healthy cash boost from the sale of its equity interest in Broadcast Music Inc. Now it has announced the total: $101.4 million.
Walmart might buy Vizio to win the fight over cheap TVs
Walmart is in talks to buy Vizio’s TV business for $2 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal, and could use it to gain an advantage over Roku and Amazon’s Fire TV.
Television
Why More Brands Turned To Regional Super Bowl Ad Buys
There’s an obvious downside to running a national broadcast campaign for the Super Bowl in its hefty pricetag (around $7 million for a 30-second buy), but cost isn’t the only reason some brands are taking a different approach.
Overtime Was Money Time for CBS -- Network Reportedly Banked an Additional $60 Million in Extra Ad Money on the Way to $695 Million Bonanza
CBS was able to run an extra 10 spots in what was almost a full bonus quarter of football
Three Gray TV Stations To Air Milwaukee Bucks Games
Three Wisconsin stations owned by Gray Television will broadcast 10 Milwaukee Bucks games this season.
Radio
WSJ Opinion Piece Implores FCC To ‘Free WJLX’ After Agency Denies FM Translator Broadcast
The Wall Street Journal is the latest publication to highlight the plight of WJLX Jasper, AL (1240), which was knocked off the air after thieves downed and stole the station’s 200-foot tower and transmitter.
Digital
SMBs Still Cautious Advertising on X Despite Lower CPMs
X has been ramping up efforts to court small and midsized businesses in order to offset some of the ad revenue declines it has faced as brands have quit the platform.
CTV/OTT
Analyst Says Walmart Buying Vizio Could ‘Disrupt’ CTV Market
If Walmart buys smart TV set maker Vizio, it could disrupt the connected TV advertising market, analyst Michael Nathanson of MoffettNathanson said.
