Headlines
Gray, Scripps Sinclair Tout A `Goldmine’ in Spectrum Opportunities
During Q2 2026 earnings calls with analysts, CEOs at several of the nation’s largest station groups were particularly bullish about the increased market demand for spectrum and the opportunities this creates for broadcasters as they transition to NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0.
Mergers & Acquisitions
FCC scraps TV ownership cap, but big broadcast M&A may not follow
The FCC on Thursday voted to nix a decades-old cap limiting TV station audience reach for broadcasters. But that doesn't necessarily mean a wave of M&A is imminent.
Carr's Consolidation Overdrive
After a brief discussion and without much fanfare, Carr and the other Republican on the commission, Olivia Trusty, voted 2-1 to scrap the decades-old ownership cap in favor of what Carr described as a “case-by-case” review of deals, handing Donald Trump's corporate media allies a massive victory in their fight to control more of the national information landscape.
Television
Nexstar ends use of CBS NewsPath video, probes dropping ABC NewsOne next
Nexstar has ended its affiliation agreement with CBS NewsPath at more than three dozen CBS-affiliated stations it owns or operates.
Radio
Regional Bank Proves Radio Earns Interest
Sometimes, you don’t need a bigger budget to be remembered, just the right channel. Katz Radio Group’s latest brand lift study found that a localized over-the-air radio campaign strengthened three key areas for a regional bank with national competitors.
When Local Radio Towers Over Satellites
Say what you want, but SiriusXM’s recent deal with 42 of Audacy’s local news and sports stations effectively acknowledges that local broadcast radio creates something valuable that a national platform cannot easily manufacture—local connection, personalities, relationships, and community identity.
Nighttime is the Right Time for Radio's Doubled Streaming Share
New Share of Ear data shows AM/FM’s streaming share has doubled over the past decade, and that growth skews heavily toward a daypart many programmers and sales teams increasingly treat as an afterthought, but still carries an audience in the home.
Verticals
Elections 2026: Show Me the Money! (Part II)
Last week, I discussed the trends driving political media buying during the 2026 elections: record breaking fundraising; recent Supreme Court rulings; geopolitical and economic headwinds; incumbents retiring; and efforts to overturn voting rights. This week, I will provide estimates of political media buying by categories: Campaign, Medium and States/DMAs.