Broadcasting & Cable News

Lesser Departs From AT&T’s Xandr: Reports

March 15, 2020

Brian Lesser, who headed AT&T’s Xandr advanced advertising unit, suddenly resigned his post, according to reports. Xandr was part of AT&T’s effort to monetize its big investment in television and media properties including DirecTV and Time Warner. The departure was first reported by ...

AT&T Questions Broadcasters' Use of TV Spectrum

March 15, 2020

Policymakers "need to take a fresh look at existing allocations of spectrum, including the allocation of spectrum to broadcasters" to determine if "that spectrum is still needed by the broadcast industry or if it is better used in other areas," said Jim Ciconni, senior executive VP of AT&T at a ...

NBA Suspends Season, Impacting ESPN, TNT

March 15, 2020

The National Basketball Association said it was suspending its season after Wednesday night’s games after a player preliminarily tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The decision leaves the Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN and AT&T TNT with big holes in their schedules. NBA programming draws high ...

Allen Joins Bidders For Tegna: Report

March 15, 2020

Byron Allen, who has been building a media empire comprised of TV stations and The Weather Channel, has joined the bidding for giant broadcaster Tegna, according to published reports. Allen made an offer of $20 a share in cash for Tegna, the Wall Street Journal said. That would value Tegna, which ...

‘House Hunters Int’l’ Tops in Ad Viewability: TVision

March 15, 2020

HGTV’s House Hunters International was the top primetime series for ad viewability in February, according to research company TVision. The list of high-scoring cable shows was dominated by shows on Discovery Networks, including Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush Alaska, HGTV’s Rehab Addict, TNT’s All ...

NAB Launches Coronavirus Toolkit, PSA Campaign

March 15, 2020

The coronavirus may have taken down the NAB Show in Las Vegas, but the National Association of Broadcasters is fighting back. NAB said Thursday (March 12) that it is launching a Corovirus Response Toolkit to help stations accurately cover the disease, including TV and radio public service ...

Small Satellite Symposium Cancelled

March 15, 2020

The symposium had been scheduled for March 26 at the Hilton National Mall in Washington. It was sponsored by the Universities Space Research Association and the Space Policy Institute of The George Washington University. Related: FCC's Pai Proposes Streamlining Smallsat Licensing The FCC ...

Pop TV to Air ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Documentary After Series Finale

March 15, 2020

Pop TV will offer a documentary special about hit comedy Schitt’s Creek. Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: A Schitt’s Creek Farewell airs April 7 on Pop, following the series finale. The Schitt’s finale will air on Comedy Central and Logo as well as Pop. All are part of ViacomCBS. “As we celebrate the ...

Matt King Named WGCL-WPCH Atlanta News Director

March 15, 2020

Matt King has been named news director of WGCL-WPCH Atlanta. He comes from WCNC Charlotte, where he was executive news director for five years. “Matt’s extensive and impressive accomplishments, experience and leadership make him the perfect fit with our newsroom staff, our management team and our ...