Headlines
A Wish For Indianapolis Viewers: Three Channels on DirecTV
An agreement wasn’t expected, and as the 8pm Eastern hour began on August 24, a segment of local television viewers in Indianapolis lost access to their local ABC Television Network affiliate.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Paramount CEO David Ellison's WBD acquisition can't clear final hurdle
An antitrust challenge by a group of state attorneys general has left Paramount CEO David Ellison hunting for avenues to get his deal for Warner Bros. Discovery done.
Television
A TV Station Goes Live With Key ATSC 3.0 Certification
News-Press & Gazette Co. has long been a pioneer of digital television, with its California Central Coast operation among the first stations in the U.S. to embrace the current standard. Now, NPG Media has transitioned its ATSC 3.0 broadcast signal signing to the certificate authority operated by Silicondust.
VAB: Ads in Local News Boost Sales and Brand Perception
A new survey from the VAB shows that consumers across all age levels are more likely to purchase products that appear in local TV new programming and that those ads also boost their opinion of the brand being advertised.
Radio
The Shopper Has Changed. Has Your Retail Message?
Retail has never been an easy business, but 2026 is giving retailers plenty to think about. Consumers are still spending, but higher prices and economic uncertainty are making them more thoughtful about where their dollars go and what they expect in return.
Study: Radio, Podcasts Audiences Outpace TV on AI Reach
Data shows weekly AI use among Americans has reached 50%, but many brands in the space are struggling to build awareness and trust with a still-skeptical public. Their best bet for both, per new research, might just be over-the-air radio and podcasts.
Verticals
Radio Political Dollars Surge, With Post-Labor Day Rush Coming
The amount of money spent on radio during the midterm election cycle has jumped 22% in the past month, with the vast majority of ad dollars expected to come following Labor Day. The ad-tracking firm AdImpact reports $124 million has been spent on political ads on the radio so far. That is up from $101 million a month ago.
