Good Morning! Let's Check The Pulse for Monday Feb 9

Radio Broadcasting

Broadcast Ownership Hearing and Potential Regulatory Changes:  On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is scheduled to hold a full committee hearing titled "We Interrupt This Program: Media Ownership in the Digital Age." Chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the hearing will examine the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) current broadcast media ownership rules, with a particular focus on the 39% national cap limiting a single broadcaster's reach to U.S. television households. While the discussion centers on TV, it has direct implications for radio broadcasting, as industry groups like the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) are pushing for broader deregulation to help radio compete with digital platforms. 

Witnesses include NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt, who supports lifting ownership caps, and Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, a vocal opponent concerned about media consolidation. This hearing comes amid ongoing FCC reviews of ownership rules, following a 2025 court decision that struck down restrictions on owning multiple top-4 TV stations in a market. For radio, stakeholders hope for relief from 30-year-old local ownership limits, which cap the number of stations one entity can own in a market (e.g., up to 8 in large markets, with subcaps on AM/FM).

Radio Revenue Forecasts for 2026: Analysts project a mixed but stabilizing outlook for U.S. radio revenue in 2026, with over-the-air (OTA) broadcasting showing slight growth or stability amid digital shifts. BIA Advisory Services forecasts total local advertising at $182 billion, with radio's OTA revenue growing 1.83% (excluding political ads), reversing 2025 declines, and digital radio revenue up 5.01%. Streaming audio is expected to grow 9.2%, outpacing other formats, driven by platform partnerships and cross-media buying. Borrell Associates echoes this, predicting a 0.9% decline in overall radio but strong digital audio gains.

Media News

Trump Endorses Nexstar-Tegna Merger (Major Reversal):  President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Nexstar Media Group's proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna on Saturday, marking a significant reversal from his earlier criticism of the deal late last year. In a Truth Social post, Trump framed the merger as necessary for increasing competition against what he called "THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks," stating that approving such deals would "help knock out the Fake News" by fostering more sophisticated competition in local broadcasting. The deal, announced in August 2025, would combine the two companies to create the largest U.S. local TV station operator, with stations reaching over 80% of households and potentially exceeding the FCC's 39% national ownership cap on TV households. 

Super Bowl LX TV Coverage: Super Bowl 60 (LX) took place yesterday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, pitting the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots. The game kicked off shortly after 6:30 p.m. ET.NBC held the exclusive national broadcast rights. Play-by-play was handled by Mike Tirico and analyst Cris Collinsworth, with sideline reporters Melissa Stark and Kaylee Hartung. A Spanish-language broadcast aired on Telemundo and Universo.  Streaming was available exclusively on Peacock (NBC's platform), with additional options like NFL+ for mobile viewing. The event drew massive viewership as usual, with heavy ad inventory (a packed slate of commercials), Bad Bunny performing the halftime show, and features like Pokémon's 30th anniversary spot. Coverage emphasized the matchup's nostalgia (echoing past rivalries) and broader entertainment elements.

U.S. News

Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial Begins in Los Angeles:  Opening arguments are underway in a major Los Angeles County Superior Court trial against Meta (Instagram) and Google (YouTube), alleging the platforms deliberately design addictive features that harm children. This is the first of several anticipated cases holding tech giants accountable for youth mental health impacts. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify during the six-to-eight-week proceedings, drawing national attention to ongoing debates over social media regulation.

Other Key U.S. Stories:

• Powerball Jackpot Climbs: The jackpot reached an estimated $113 million for the February 9 drawing after no winner on Saturday, with excitement building around potential payouts.
• Measles Outbreak Concerns: A top U.S. health official urged vaccination amid rising cases in multiple states, warning the country risks losing its measles elimination status.
• Immigration and Detention Issues: Reports highlight prolonged waits and dire conditions in U.S. detention centers under current policies, with migrants facing extended holds.
• Winter Olympics Coverage: Team USA athletes compete in Milano Cortina 2026 events today (February 9), including figure skating ice dance with stars like Madison Chock and Evan Bates in medal contention.
• Federal Reserve Closed Meeting: The Board of Governors holds a pre-scheduled closed session to review advance and discount rates charged by Federal Reserve Banks.
• Ghislaine Maxwell-Related Developments: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) sent a letter outlining plans to question Maxwell in an upcoming deposition about any connections to President Trump in the Epstein case, stirring political controversy.