Good Morning! Let's Check The Pulse For Friday, Jan 30

Radio Broadcasting

Regulatory Moves on Ownership Rules:  The FCC is actively reviewing broadcast ownership rules through its 2022 Quadrennial Review process (advanced in late 2025). This includes potential relaxation or elimination of local radio ownership caps (limits on stations per market and subcaps for AM/FM). The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) strongly advocates removing these "outdated" restrictions to help stations compete in converged media markets, filing comments urging full deregulation. Conversely, low-power FM (LPFM) advocates warn that increased consolidation could harm smaller community broadcasters by boosting market power imbalances. The FCC seeks input on competition, localism, and diversity impacts.

Push to Mandate AM Radio in Vehicles:  The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R.979/S.315) remains a top priority entering 2026. It would require AM capabilities as standard in new passenger vehicles for at least a decade (with potential renewal), plus warning labels on non-compliant models and no extra charges for AM. Broadcasters emphasize AM's role in emergency alerts, local news, and community access. The bill has massive bipartisan support (hundreds of co-sponsors in House and Senate, including filibuster-proof levels in the Senate). Despite past hurdles (e.g., opposition from some EV makers like Tesla over interference concerns), leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson have committed to an early 2026 floor vote. NAB and allies continue aggressive advocacy.

Other Notable Developments:  

• Technical shifts: Broadcast media sees IP infrastructure adoption accelerating due to factors like C-band spectrum loss, potentially designating IP as primary distribution for some major broadcasters.
• Broader context: Discussions on radio's relevance persist (e.g., U.S.-unique lack of performance royalties for artists on AM/FM airplay via pushes like the American Music Fairness Act), alongside podcasting's maturation and AI/data influences.

Media Industry

Ongoing pessimism and "ominous" outlook for media sectors: Analyses from early January (still highly relevant) highlight 2026 as potentially a tough year for Hollywood, journalism, and traditional media. Predictions include a make-or-break moment for the film industry to reconnect with consumers amid streaming shifts and box-office struggles, alongside vulnerable news outlets facing ownership-driven overhauls and declining trust. AI's role in content creation and distribution continues to pressure jobs and business models.

Streaming and TV landscape shifts: Forecasts point to 2026 as a pivotal year where streaming surpasses 50% of TV viewing, FAST (free ad-supported streaming) channels challenge incumbents like Netflix, and YouTube potentially overtakes U.S. broadcast viewing. The end of widespread ad-free TV viewing is anticipated, with ads becoming more pervasive across services.

The News:

Bipartisan deal reached to avert partial government shutdown:  Congress, the White House, and Senate Democrats finalized a spending agreement late on January 29 that funds most federal agencies through September while providing a short-term (two-week) extension for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This averts a shutdown that would have begun at midnight January 30/31 for key parts of the government. President Trump endorsed the deal on social media, praising the compromise while noting ongoing negotiations over immigration enforcement "guardrails." The deal separates DHS funding from broader packages to allow continued talks on restricting ICE and CBP actions.

Nationwide 'ICE Out' protests and 'national shutdown' strike:  Hundreds of demonstrations and a called-for general strike ("National Shutdown") are underway or planned for January 30 and 31, protesting aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations. Activists demand the abolition or severe restriction of ICE/CBP following multiple fatal incidents since early January, including high-profile shootings in Minneapolis (e.g., Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and Renee Good) and other cases like deaths in custody and shootings in Los Angeles and El Paso. Protests span cities nationwide, with calls to skip work, school, and shopping to disrupt the economy and force policy changes. Native American communities in Minnesota and elsewhere are rushing to secure tribal ID documentation amid fears of misidentification during large-scale raids.