Headlines
US Audio Ad Revenues Fell -5% in 1Q23; Growth Needs To Emerge Beyond Advertising
For a sense of where the business is vs. its pre-pandemic peak, I estimate that on a pro forma basis, the three biggest US radio station owners were 8% smaller in 2022 relative to 2019, and I estimate that the overall audio advertising sector including Spotify and SiriusXM was around 3% smaller in 2022 vs. 2019.
The Day Ford Blinked
Mark yesterday's date on your calendar – May 23, 2023 – because it was a rare day. A unicorn even.
It was the day the broadcast radio celebrated a victory….of sorts.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Station Trading Roundup: 1 Deal, $75,000,000
The purchase of WADL Detroit by Mission Broadcasting tops the latest list of TV station transactions submitted to the FCC for its approval, according to BIA Advisory Services.
Two Translators, Two LPFMs Change Hands
MAXIMUM IMPACT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. is selling W224AI/LOYALSOCK, PA to SALT AND LIGHT MEDIA MINISTRIES, INC. for $50,000. The primary station is listed as Christian AC WCRG/WILLIAMSPORT, PA.
Television
Sports Are Cutting Themselves (And TV) To Pieces
It wasn’t too long ago that U.S. sports fans were living in a golden age of TV viewing.
Telly The TV Set Company: Watch This TV Ad Space - Because You Have To
To encourage new consumers to embrace the smart TV ecosystem, new connected TV equipment-focused company Telly is now prepared to give away 500,000 free TVs in the U.S.
Radio
Congress Keeps Pressure On Automakers With AM Radio-Focused Hearing Next Month
The decision by Ford Motor Company to maintain AM radio in its dashboard could give momentum to a bill pending in Congress.
NAB’s Curtis LeGeyt: Ford Decision ‘Means A Lot But The Fight Is Not Over.’
In an interview with Inside Radio, Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters talks about the carefully orchestrated campaign to keep AM radio in cars, what’s likely to happen next on Capitol Hill, and how broadcasters can support the cause.
CTV/OTT
Inscape Expands Linear TV 'Commercial Feed' To Include Streaming
Smart TV data company Inscape is launching an “enhanced and expanded” advertising-measurement service -- now called Commercial Feed+ -- that places an emphasis on streaming.
TiVo’s Video Media Platform Moves from Living Rooms to Cars
BMW has selected TiVo’s video media platform with linear and on demand content for the new BMW 5 Series
Competitors
Analysts Say Audacy Is Threading A Financial Needle And A Restructuring Remains Possible
With Audacy’s stock now trading over the counter after the New York Stock Exchange began proceedings to delist it, and with shareholders set to vote Wednesday on a reverse stock split, the company is being closely scrutinized.
Audacy Partners With Allen Media On Weather And Climate Streams
Audacy partners with the Allen Media Group and its weather and climate news networks The Weather Channel, Pattrn, and The Weather Channel en Español, to launch audio streams of the three outlets on its digital audio platform.
