Headlines
BIA Offers New Intel For M&A-Ready Local TV Market
New BIA databases make it easier to spot, assess and act on station buying and selling opportunities.
Nielsen Unveils Redesigned Weekly TV Ranking Reports
Nielsen has launched newly redesigned weekly TV ranking reports powered by Big Data Plus Panel metrics and has launched two new ranking reports, including Live Sports Events and Total Scheduled Programming.
Television
Polls Reveal Public Concern on Government’s TV Influence
The fight over who gets to decide what Americans watch on broadcast television has escalated from regulatory theory to Congressional showdown, and three new national surveys reveal sharp divides in how Americans view media accountability, regulatory authority, and the role of government in content decisions.
New NBCUniversal, YouTube TV Deal Includes the Return of NBC Sports Network
After announcing a short-term deal earlier this week that kept NBC stations on YouTube TV, last night the two sides announced a new long-term distribution agreement that includes the revival of NBC Sports Network.
FCC
Licensing and Management System Frozen With FCC In Shutdown Mode
The Federal Communications Commission has largely shut down alongside the federal government, with more than four out of five employees furloughed and day-to-day systems frozen – including the licensing and comment portals broadcasters rely on for transactions and regulatory engagement.
FCC Chair to Testify Before Senate After Jimmy Kimmel Backlash
FCC chairman Brendan Carr will testify before the Senate Commerce Committee about government censorship after facing criticism for comments he made leading up to Disney’s suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Media
Don’t dwell on “democracy,” and other new findings about how to market local news
“Here’s the paradox: 93% of people believe reliable local news is necessary for democracy, yet many of these same people react negatively to explicit ‘democracy’ messaging.”
Media Trust Hits a Low, But News Anchor Trust Holds Steady: Poll
An old Beltway adage is that almost no one trusts Congress, but if Americans are asked about their local congressperson, it’s a different story. There’s a face to a name.
