Headlines
Supreme Court Keeps Political Ad Rate Rules Intact Ahead Of Election
Broadcasters will not face another court-driven change to political advertising discount rules before Election Day after the Supreme Court blocked an appeals court order that would have forced the Federal Communications Commission to immediately rule on a challenge to its lowest unit rate policy.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Station Trading Roundup: 2 Deals, $2,255,000
The purchase of four stations by Gray Media tops the latest list of TV station transactions submitted to the FCC for its approval, according to BIA Advisory Services.
Deal Digest: Riverfront Broadcasting Expands Into Iowa
Larry and Leslie Boulier’s Impact Communications has filed a $500,000 deal to buy AC WGRT, Port Huron, MI (102.3) from Martin Doorn’s Port Huron Family Radio.
Television
Bakersfield TV stations targeted in two shootings days apart
Police in Bakersfield, California, are investigating two shootings at the studios of Sinclair-owned KBAK and KBFX after gunfire struck the television station building twice within four days.
What's Vinted? The Secondhand Clothing Market Is One Of TV's Biggest Brands
Vinted has become TV's third-most-seen brand since April, commanding 27 billion household impressions.
Radio
News Deserts Widen, Leaving An Opening For Radio
The 2026 State of Local News report from the Medill Local News Initiative at Northwestern University counts 238 US counties as news deserts.
Nielsen Report Highlights Radio’s Reach And Advertising ROI
Radio reaches 92% of U.S. adults each month, or more than 242 million consumers, making it a larger-reach platform than connected TV devices, smartphones and live or time-shifted television, according to a new Nielsen report.
Verticals
Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sales To Top $85 Billion
U.S. retail sales during the Black Friday-through-Cyber Monday shopping period are expected to exceed $85 billion this year, an 8.75% increase from 2025, according to a new forecast from Bain & Company.
Political TV Ad Spend Up 30% To $3.73B Through Mid-October
With less than four weeks to go, political TV advertising spend for midterm U.S. Senate and House of Representatives races is up 30.4% to $3.73 billion through October 12 versus 2024 spending for the Congressional races during the same period, according to AdImpact.