Headlines
Supreme Court rules in favor of TikTok ban in the U.S. unless ByteDance sells
TikTok mounted a free speech challenge to a bipartisan law that sought to ban the app on national security grounds if its Chinese owner did not sell it.
Mergers & Acquisitions
A TV Licensee Puts Assets On The Block
RBR+TVBR has learned that a Fresno-area owner of broadcast TV stations in such markets as Bakersfield; LaCrosse and Wausau, Wisc.; Beaumont-Port Arthur, Tex.; and Yuma, Ariz. has signed on with brokerage Hadden & Associates in a bid to find the right buyer for its assets.
Marquee Broadcasting Buys 4 Imagicomm Stations
The four are in two markets: KIEM/KVIQ-LD Eureka, Calif., and KMVU/KFBI-LD Medford, Ore.
Weigel Acquires A Digital LPTV Property from Copsidas
“SuperFrank” Copsidas has decided to part ways with a Class A digital low-power television station licensed to a small town in Indiana between Kokomo and Indianapolis.
Television
Sinclair Unveils ‘Strategic Evolution’ of Sales and Content Divisions
A “reimagined” advertising sales and integrated marketing division at Sinclair Inc.’s broadcast group and a “dynamic new brand focused on news-news content and original programming” has been launched by the company led by Chris Ripley and Rob Weisbord.
FCC
Trump To Nominate Senate Staffer Olivia Trusty To FCC
President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he will tap Senate staffer Olivia Trusty to serve on the Federal Communications Commission.
NAB Opens New Front In Battle To Block FCC’s New Foreign Sponsor ID Requirement
One of the Biden administration’s outgoing impacts on broadcasters is pending rules that will require stations to secure documentation when leasing airtime to make sure the lessee does not have foreign government connections.
To ‘Preserve First Amendment,’ FCC OKs WTXF License Renewal
It was a move that was largely expected, but is nevertheless noteworthy. In one of her final acts as Chairwoman of the FCC, Jessica Rosenworcel — by way of the Acting Media Bureau Chief — has denied four complaints and petitions that she believes “seek to curtail freedom of the press and undermine the First Amendment.”
Media
Meta Cuts Workforce And Amps Up AI Investment. Here’s What It Means For Media
As Meta slashes 5% of its workforce and doubles down on AI investments, CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s strategy to boost performance and innovation sends ripples across industries. Media companies and beyond are closely monitoring this shift as AI continues to reshape the future of work.
Lame Duck FTC Takes One Last Swing At Limiting Non-Compete Agreements
The Biden administration adopted rules barring non-compete agreements, only to see a federal court strike them down. Now as it leaves office, the Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department are taking a final swing at worker regulations. They have jointly issued antitrust guidelines for business activities affecting workers, with non-competes squarely in their sights.