Headlines
U.S. Appeals Court Vacates FCC’s Top-Four Station Ownership Rule
In an important development in the battle over broadcast ownership regulations, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated the Federal Communications Commission’s rules against a station group owning more than one of the top-four TV stations in audience share in a given market.
NAB Offers Mixed Response To Key Eighth Circuit Ruling
The NAB is “extremely pleased” that the FCC’s top-four prohibition has been struck down by a federal appeals court, but is downbeat about the court’s decision to abide by every other rule reinforced by the 2018 Quadrennial Review — released in the waning days of the Biden Administration.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Deal Digest: First-Time Buyers Lead Week’s Radio Sales.
Joshua Anaman has filed a $1 million deal to buy country WHST, Pigeon, MI (94.1) and classic hits “Cruise 102.1” WLEW-FM and WLEW (1340) in Bad Axe, MI from Richard and Matthew Aymen’s Thumb Broadcasting.
Will More Legacy Media Be Hit By The 'Trump Transaction Tax'?
Legacy media companies that owned TV stations' FCC licenses may have more concerns under the Trump Administration -- according to a note from New Street Research.
Television
Linear Retains 86% Share Of Ad Impressions Even As Streaming Grows
Although the streaming share of ad impressions has grown some 44% for the first half of 2025, its overall share of total TV/streaming ad impressions is still at a modest 16% share compared to linear TV, according to a recent report by iSpot.tv.
Minneapolis Station Shut Down After Transformer Fire
Minneapolis NBC affiliate KARE was evacuated Tuesday afternoon after a transformer fire on the building’s south side.
Radio
AM Radio Bill Gains Support, But House Action Waits Until After August Recess.
Broadcasters will need to wait a bit longer to see legislation that would require AM radio be installed in all U.S. passenger vehicles advance in the House.
AM/FM Radio Still #1 in Daily US Audio Use, Edison Says
Even as the number of available audio entertainment choices gets larger by the day, Americans still have a clear favorite: AM/FM. While streaming music has carved out a strong second-place position, traditional radio still leads by a double-digit margin.
Print Media
How did newspapers in places like Harrisburg, Birmingham, and Syracuse become some of America’s most-read online?
They share an owner that sometimes gets forgotten — but which dominates much larger peers in web traffic. Here’s our first monthly ranking of the top 25 local newspaper websites in the United States.
FCC
With Court Ruling and GOP Majority, Carr Readies FCC For Broadcast Rule Overhaul.
The media ownership ball is in the hands of Brendan Carr as the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has bounced back the issue to the Federal Communications Commission in the latest volley between the agency and the courts.