Headlines
2025 Local TV Ad Forecast: -20% To $21B
After this year’s big political advertising season, for 2025, all local TV-based advertising efforts are projected to be down 20% to $21.3 billion, according to estimates from BIA Advisory Services.
FCC Approves Final ZoneCasting Rules, Limiting Each Station To 25 Boosters
The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve the final rules and procedures allowing FM broadcasters to use booster signals to originate program content for up to three minutes of each hour.
BIA
Local TV Advertising Poised For Growth In 2025, Led by Legal & Auto
Tom Buono, founder and CEO of BIA Advisory Services, shared insights on the future of local advertising at the annual TVB Forward Conference in New York.
Mergers & Acquisitions
DirecTV Abandons EchoStar Deal to Acquire Dish, Sling TV
Satellite TV giant DirecTV said it was abandoning a deal with Charlie Ergen’s EchoStar to acquire video distribution business Dish DBS, including Dish TV and Sling TV, due to opposition from bondholders to a debt exchange.
Station Sales Week Of 11/22
Lester Pace and Manny Bella’s BlueLight Communications is acquiring Hip Hop “Loud 102.3” 1470 WLOA Farrell PA/102.3 W272EI Youngstown OH from Over/Under LLC for $325,000. The buyers own Hip Hop “105.5 The Beat” W288CS Rochester NY.
Digital
Hindsight and adaptation: How local media is rethinking digital advertising
"Local advertisers need marketing consultation, and local media reps can provide that service. Unfortunately, the media hasn’t embraced this role fully. There are some sales stars at most companies, but overall, it’s a huge missed opportunity at many companies.”
Media
Rosenworcel Says Federal Law Protects Broadcasters From Political Retribution
“Under the Communications Act, every broadcaster that uses public airwaves has a duty to act in the public interest,” Rosenworcel said. “It is essential that every public servant honor the Constitution. The First Amendment is a cornerstone of our democracy, and the FCC should not be in the business of taking away broadcast licenses because a public official does not like the content or coverage on that station.”
Trump's FCC pick could make life more difficult for media companies
President-elect Trump’s nomination of Brendan Carr as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is bringing both hope and fear to the media industry.