Headlines
Want To Grow Political Dollars This Year? ‘Don't Forget Your Back Yard.’
“The political money is going to be flowing like never before,” Steve Passwaiter told a RAB webinar audience Thursday.
NAB Wants FCC To Ditch Retrans Blackout Reports
A federal rule that would require cable and satellite TV providers to report blackouts involving TV stations would violate the law, potentially incentivize blackouts, and ought to be abandoned, according the National Association of Broadcasters.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Shari Redstone sells National Amusements real estate assets to make $40M debt payment: sources
Shari Redstone’s National Amusements — the holding company that controls the voting stock in media giant Paramount Global — has sold off a chunk of its real estate holdings in a scramble to make a $40 million debt payment due this week, The Post has learned.
Deal Digest: Trio Of Million-Dollar Radio Deals.
La Promesa Foundation has filed a $1.1 million deal to buy Spanish religious KHFX (1140) from Siga Broadcasting.
Television
Nexstar Head Open to Buying Big 4 Network
As murmurs persist about Paramount and Disney abandoning their linear assets, Nexstar may be open to moving beyond the CW
Dave Lougee: ‘TEGNA Is Back On Offense’
With the failed merger acquisition by Standard General, with Apollo Global Management’s involvement, some 10 months in the past, capital return commitment and sustained shareholder returns are among the many investor benefits TEGNA CEO Dave Lougee is touting, as the broadcast TV station owner said it will again see a down quarter once the first three months of 2024 conclude.
Radio
How Should Radio Encourage Minority Station Ownership?
As radio seeks inclusion and diversity in all aspects of the industry, how do minority entrepreneurs and aspiring executives break into AM/FM? It’s a key focus of Radio Ink‘s March issue, with our annual showcase of radio’s future African-American leaders.
Cable TV
Cord-Cutting, Broadband Weakness Take Root: Are Pay TV Provider Mergers A Thing?
The effects of cord-cutting and linear TV results trending down continue to fuel merger talk with regard to legacy TV network groups (and their stations).
CTV/OTT
Nexstar Embraces Fox-Disney-WBD Sports Streaming Venture
There has been “significant misinterpretation and market overreaction” over the announced live sports joint venture from Fox, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery, according to Nexstar president and COO Michael Biard. The executive addressed the buzzy announcement during the company’s 2023 fourth quarter earnings call.
Houston (and Cleveland, and Wichita, and. . .), We Have A Problem
The exponential growth of the FAST streaming channel landscape over the last few years has been a largely mixed bag for local broadcasters.