Report: Bally Sports RSNs Are Preparing For Bankruptcy

Today it is being reported that Sincalir’s Sports Channels are preparing for bankruptcy. This would include the Bally Sports RSNs.

Cord Cutters News reports the company called Diamond Sports Group LLC, which runs Sincalirs sports channels, is reportedly $8.6 billion in debt. Sinclair is hoping to strike a deal to help them keep the channels operating thanks to bankruptcy.

In total, Sinclair owes $55 billion in sports-media rights, according to Bloomberg. A bankruptcy could put payments to the NBA and NHL at risk. It is being reported that Sinclair will skip a $140 million interest payment due in mid-February, starting a 30-day grace period for the company.

Comcast Beats Expectations

Comcast on Thursday reported fourth-quarter earnings that topped analyst expectations despite persistent softness in broadband subscriber growth and mounting losses from its streaming service, Peacock. 

CNBC reports the company’s top-line growth was fueled by higher revenue from its broadband and wireless businesses, as well as its theme parks segment. 

Here’s how Comcast performed:

• Earnings per share: 82 cents, adjusted, vs. 77 cents expected
• Revenue: $30.55 billion vs. $30.32 billion expected.

The Philadelphia company reported Thursday its fourth-quarter adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization declined nearly 5% to $8 billion compared with the same period last year, particularly because of higher severance expenses.

Comcast said it lost 26,000 total broadband customers during the period, particularly due to the impact of service interruptions from Hurricane Ian, which struck Florida and South Carolina in September. Excluding the impact of the hurricane, Comcast said it would have added 4,000 customers.

Yet even that number was a sign that cable broadband subscriber growth has slowed – especially compared with the early days of the Covid pandemic. The slowdown in subscriber growth has been hitting the cornerstone business of cable companies like Comcast and Charter Communications in recent quarters as they face heightened competition from telecom and wireless providers.

TV Ratings: Night Court Reboot, NFL Pull-In Viewers

NBC’s reboot of “Night Court” drew the largest audience for a comedy premiere since 2018 while the debut of Fox’s crime anthology “Accused” was the most-watched premiere since CBS’ “The Equalizer” on Super Bowl Sunday in 2021.

“Night Court” averaged 7.544 million viewers, the most for a comedy premiere since ABC’s “The Conners” averaged 10.567 million viewers on Oct. 16, 2018, according to The L-A Times citing live-plus-same-day figures released by Nielsen on Tuesday. It was eighth among prime-time programs airing between Jan. 16 and Sunday, behind three NFL playoff games, two pregame shows, one postgame show and “Accused.” A second episode that followed averaged 6.942 million viewers, 11th for the week, more than any comedy on any other network.

“Accused” averaged 8.705 million viewers, the most for a premiere since “The Equalizer” averaged 20.404 million viewers following the Super Bowl LV postgame show on Feb. 7, 2021. “Accused” had the most-watched premiere not following a Super Bowl since “9-1-1: Lone Star” averaged 11.405 million viewers on Jan. 19, 2020, following Fox’s coverage of the NFC championship game.

Two prime-time NFL playoff games gave Fox the largest weekly viewership of any network during the 18-week-old 2022-23 television season, averaging 14.52 million viewers , topping the previous high of 9.57 million for 22 hours by NBC a week earlier when it also aired two playoff games.

ABC was second, averaging 4.61 million, followed by CBS, which averaged 3.83 million and NBC, which averaged 3.4 million. ABC’s top non-NFL program was “The Rookie,” 20th for the week and 14th among non-NFL programs, averaging 4.777 million viewers.

CBS’ top-rated program was an edition of “60 Minutes” with three previously aired reports that were updated for the broadcast and averaged 6.319 million viewers, 12th for the week.

The top 20 prime-time programs consisted of two NFL games; three NFL pregame shows; one NFL postgame show; “Accused”; two episodes of “Night Court”; the three elements of NBC’s “Chicago” franchise; “60 Minutes”; six CBS scripted programs; and “The Rookie.”

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Wake-Up Call: Air Raid Sirens Blare In Ukraine

Ukraine declared an air raid alert over the whole country early on Thursday and senior officials said air defences units were shooting down incoming Russian missiles, while fighting also intensified in Bakhmut in the east.

LATEST: Air raid sirens go off across Ukraine as Russia launches multiple missiles from the east and south. https://t.co/yzlmhDWnLr

— ABC News (@ABC) January 26, 2023

The attacks come after the United States and Germany announced plans to arm Ukraine with dozens of modern battle tanks in its fight against Russia, which denounced the decisions as an "extremely dangerous" step.  "The first Russian missiles have been shot down," Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office said. Overnight, the military said its anti-aircraft defences had shot down all 24 drones sent by Russia, 15 around the capital, Kyiv. There were no reports of damage. Officials told the public to take shelter.

➤LOOKS LIKE TRUMP IS RETURNING TO FACEBOOK: Parent Meta said Wednesday it will restore former President Donald Trump ’s personal account in the coming weeks, ending a two-year suspension it imposed in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection. The company said in a blog post it is adding “new guardrails” to ensure there are no “repeat offenders” who violate its rules, even if they are political candidates or world leaders. “The public should be able to hear what their politicians are saying — the good, the bad and the ugly — so that they can make informed choices at the ballot box,” wrote Nick Clegg, Meta’s vice president of global affairs.

Clegg added that when there is a “clear risk” to real-world harm, Meta will intervene. “In the event that Mr. Trump posts further violating content, the content will be removed and he will be suspended for between one month and two years, depending on the severity of the violation,” he wrote. Facebook suspended Trump on Jan. 7, 2021, for praising people engaged in violent acts at the Capitol a day earlier. But the company had resisted earlier calls — including from its own employees — to remove Trump’s account.

Trump issues statement after Meta announces end of 2-year Facebook ban, allowing him to return to the platform https://t.co/ae4DCIGK2N

— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 26, 2023

➤TESLA REPORTS RECORD NET INCOME: Tesla on Wednesday posted record net income in the fourth quarter of last year, and the company predicted that additional software-related profits will keep its margins higher than any other automaker. The Austin, Texas, maker of electric vehicles and solar panels said it earned $3.69 billion from October through December, or an adjusted $1.19 per share. That beat estimates of $1.13 that had been reduced by analysts, according to FactSet. The company’s profit was 59% more than the same period a year ago.

Revenue for the quarter was $24.32 billion, which fell short of the $24.67 billion that analysts expected. CEO Elon Musk said that despite price cuts of up to 20% on some of its vehicles announced earlier this month, demand for Tesla products is strong and sales are constrained by production. Elon Musk’s team has held talks with investors about raising up to $3 billion to repay some of the $13 billion in debt tacked onto Twitter Inc. as part of his buyout of the company, people familiar with the matter said.

Atlanta Radio: iHM Names Spencer Bynes As Metro President

iHeartMedia ha announced Spencer Bynes has been named Metro President for the Atlanta Market, effective February 1, 2023. iHeartMedia Atlanta has a strong cross-platform presence and includes a number of iconic brands and franchises — both broadcast and digital — encompassing more than six stations including Top 40, Country, Hip Hop, Spanish Contemporary, Regional Mexican and Black Information Network (BIN).

                  Spencer Bynes

iHeartMedia has the leading consumer reach and influence across multiple platforms and delivers more live programming than any other media company. As Metro President, Bynes will be responsible for overseeing all programming and marketing for iHeartMedia’s Atlanta-based radio brands, as well as developing and managing key partnerships with current and potential clients across all iHeartMedia platforms. Additionally, he will actively build and foster community relationships across the market and region, while providing leadership, guidance and oversight to the team. He will report to Kim Guthrie, Division President for iHeartMedia.

“Spencer has done a superb job in his leadership role in Texas, where he drove positive changes in culture and performance,” said Kim Guthrie, Division President. “In addition, his talents on how best to recruit, develop and coach a leadership team make him a wonderful fit for our needs here in Atlanta.”

Liberty Media Tops Forbes' Most Valuable Sports Empires

Liberty Media is the most valuable sports empire in the world, according to Forbes’ 2023 list.

The owner of Formula 1 and the Atlanta Braves, Liberty Media also has stakes in Drone Racing League, Kroenke Arena Co., Meyer Shank Racing, and Overtime Sports, totaling an enterprise value of $20.8 billion. F1’s enterprise value sits at $17.1 billion, while the Braves’ sits at $2.1 billion.

After Liberty Media, there’s a significant drop in value. 

Front Office Sports reports Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Los Angeles Rams, Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Arsenal, The Guard, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth, and Altitude Sports and Entertainment, is valued at $12.75 billion.

Dick Clark Productions Acquired by Penske Media Eldridge

Penske Media Eldridge — a Penske Media Corporation (PMC) subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldrige — has acquired Dick Clark Productions (dcp), it was announced Wednesday (Jan. 25). PMC is the parent company of Billboard.

The acquisition of the live events and alternative media producer was made as part of a broader strategic alliance between PMC and Eldridge, expanding the latter’s existing partnership with PMC’s entertainment media brands and SXSW, including the SXSW festival, Life is Beautiful, ATX TV festival and LA3C.

Founded in 1957, dcp owns and produces a number of TV’s most enduring awards shows, including the Golden Globe Awards, the American Music Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Billboard Music Awards. 

It also produces shows including Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and So You Think You Can Dance (in partnership with 19 Entertainment).

Penske Media Eldridge will assume full control of dcp’s operations in the coming weeks. As part of the deal, Adam Stotsky will step down as dcp president following a transition period.

Report: Byron Allen Wants To Derail Tegna TV Deal

Media mogul Byron Allen appears to be courting major Democratic politicians once again as he attempts to stop a hedge fund’s acquisition of TV station giant Tegna, according to The NY Post citing a prominent Beltway research firm.

The Department of Justice is within days of potentially clearing hedge fund Standard General’s $8.6 billion buyout of Tegna — a publicly traded chain of 64 local TV stations that was spun off in 2015 from newspaper giant Gannett.

Meanwhile Allen — who reportedly has been angling to nab Tegna’s nationwide broadcasting empire to widen the distribution of his own nascent cable channels — on Friday hosted an event at his Los Angeles home for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies (D-NY) and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) with guests that also included Nancy Pelosi, according to Deadline Hollywood.

“We would not be surprised by a forthcoming letter from the … politicians [at the event] raising concerns regarding private equity firm Standard General’s purchase of Tegna to FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel,” Washington Analysis, which advises institutional investors on DC policy, wrote in a note to clients last week that was reviewed by The Post.

If the DOJ approves the deal, which seems increasingly likely, it would then go to the FCC and Rosenworcel would decide whether to clear it, sources said.

Triton Digital Releases Year-End Report

Triton Digital®, the global technology and services leader to the digital audio, podcast, and broadcast radio industries, today released its inaugural U.S. Year-End Podcast Report. The report provides insights into the evolving U.S. podcast landscape over the course of 2022, such as listening habits and insights into audience demographics.

According to the report, podcast downloads increased by 20% in 2022 over the prior year, with an average of 3.8 hours of content downloaded per listener, per week. 

Other notable findings include:

• Listeners downloaded 5.6 episodes per week, on average, and News was the most downloaded genre, followed by Comedy and True Crime;
• Monthly podcast listeners are younger than the general population with over 25% of monthly podcast listeners between the ages of 25 to 34, and tend to skew more male;
• Compared to the general U.S. population, podcast listeners tend to have a higher household income (121 index for HHI $100K+), be more educated (131 index for College Graduate+) and be more diverse (115 index for Hispanic ethnicity, 109 index African American);
• The most downloaded podcast in 2022 was NPR News Now (NPR) and the number one top new show was Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra (NBCUniversal News Group).

Times Requests Fox News Defamation Evidence To Be Revealed

The New York Times has asked a judge on Wednesday to unseal some legal filings that contain previously undisclosed evidence in a defamation suit brought against Fox News by Dominion Voting Systems, a company targeted with conspiracy theories about rigged machines and stolen votes in the 2020 election.

Most of the evidence in the case — including text messages and emails taken from the personal phones of Fox executives, on-air personalities and producers in the weeks after the election — has remained under seal at the request of lawyers for the network.

Federal law and the law in Delaware, where the case is being heard, broadly protect the public’s right of access to information about judicial proceedings. The law allows for exceptions if a party in a lawsuit can show good cause to keep something under seal, such as a company seeking to protect a trade secret or financial information.

The judge in the case, Eric M. Davis, has cautioned that neither Fox nor Dominion was entitled to keep information secret for reasons not covered by those limited exceptions, including, he said last month, the fact that something “may be embarrassing.”

Dominion filed the lawsuit in early 2021, arguing that “Fox sold a false story of election fraud in order to serve its own commercial purposes.” It is asking for $1.6 billion in damages from the network and its parent company, Fox Corporation.

Fox has defended itself by claiming that the commentary of its hosts and guests was protected under the First Amendment, and that the allegations of fraud made by former President Donald J. Trump and his allies were inherently newsworthy, even if they were false.

The Times argued that the law tilts heavily toward the public’s right to access even if it also allows for limited exceptions. The Times is being joined by National Public Radio in its request to make public hundreds of pages of documents filed under seal this month by Fox and Dominion.

Fox News Sued For Abuse

Fox News and former top executive Bill Shine were sued by a onetime booker for the network who says she was subjected to decades of abuse by ex-chairman Roger Ailes and blackmailed to secure her silence.

Bloomberg reports the lawsuit was filed on Wednesday by Laura Luhn in New York state court under the state’s Adult Survivors Act, a new law that gives victims a one-year window to file sexual assault claims no matter how long ago the alleged abuse occurred. In the suit, Luhn makes claims of discrimination and negligence against Fox for letting Ailes abuse her and against Shine for going along with it.

Laura Luhn

Luhn, who began working for the network in 1996, received a settlement of about $3 million in 2011 after making harassment complaints against Ailes, according to New York Magazine. Fox has said the network’s parent at the time, News Corp., was unaware of the settlement because of its relatively small size.

“Roger Ailes used his position as the head of Fox News to trap Laura W. Luhn in a decades-long cycle of sexual abuse,” lawyers for Luhn said in the complaint. “To ensure her compliance and public silence, Ailes photographed and videotaped Luhn in compromising positions — blackmail material that he explicitly described as his ‘insurance policy’ — and made clear to Luhn that any attempt to speak out or stop the abuse would result in severe personal humiliation and career ruin.”

January 26 Radio History

➦In 1899...writer/producer Wyllis Cooper was born in Pekin Illinois. He was the creator of NBC Radio’s scary series “Lights Out.” Besides writing, producing and directing, he hosted the show from its start in 1934 to 1936, when Arch Oboler succeeded him. He also was creator/writer/producer of “Quiet, Please!” on Mutual (1947-1948 ) and ABC Radio (1948-1949), and producer/narrator of the early TV series Volume One. He died June 29 1955 at age 56.

1936 group of breakfast-clubbers "start the day with a smile, music and an extra cup of cawfee." L-R: Carl Fasshauer, Bill Short, Earl Roberts, Walter Blaufuss, Helen Jane Behlke, Don, Frank Papile, Clark Dennis, Bill Krenz and Eddie Ballantine.

➦In 1907...bandleader Eddie Ballantine was born in Chicago. He was musical director of the Don McNeill Breakfast Club on NBC Blue/ABC Radio for almost thirty years. When that program ended in 1968 he became a stock market reporter for a Chicago TV station. He died Nov. 14 1995 at age 88.

➦In 1922...pianist Page Cavanaugh was born in Cherokee Kansas. He formed & led his own trio from 1943-1960, which was featured on NBC Radio’s Jack Paar Show in 1947. They worked as backup to Mel Torme recordings, and also were featured repeatedly on CBS Radio’s Songs by Sinatra. He died of kidney failure Dec. 19, 2008 at age 86.

This ad for KNOW appeared in a 1947 edition of Broadcasting

➦In 1932...KUT AM in Austin Texas became KNOW 1490 AM.

On December 7, 1926, the station's first license was originally granted, with the sequentially issued call sign of KGDR. It was owned by a company named "Radio Engineers" and broadcast in San Antonio, Texas. In December 1929, the station was renamed KUT and moved to Austin.That was followed by a call letter change to KNOW on January 26, 1932.

Mike & The Mad Dog Reunion Coming To First Take On ESPN

On the Feb. 1 edition of ESPN’s signature morning debate show First Take, with Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim, Chris Russo will be joined during his weekly appearance by his former radio show partner Mike Francesa. The duo will go head-to-head with Smith in studio for the entire two-hour show (10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET).

Russo and Francesa co-hosted the Mike and The Mad Dog radio show from 1989-2008 on WFAN. The show become one of the signature sports radio programs in New York and beyond across its 19-year run and left behind a lasting legacy.

Before the duo arrives on the First Take set together next week, watch the instant reaction from Smith, Qerim and Russo after they received a video message from Francesa on today’s show: WATCH

NYC Radio: Cipha Sounds Joins The Block For Middays

Audacy welcomes Cipha Sounds (Luis Diaz) as midday host for 94.7 The Block (WXBK-FM) in New York. He will be heard weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. beginning January 26.

“I've been a Cipha fan for many years, so we’re thrilled to bring him aboard the Block and add him to our weekday programming slate,” said Skip Dillard, Brand Manager, 94.7 The Block. “His talent, immersion in hip-hop culture and on-air execution will be a welcomed addition to our all-star team.”

“I am beyond excited to be returning to the airwaves in New York City,” said Cipha Sounds. “I thought I had done it all in radio and was extremely happy shifting into my comedy career, but ever since I heard The Block pop up, I realized how much I missed rocking hip-hop and R&B to the masses. It’s time for Cipha to come back home!"

FCC Fine: 3-Seconds Of Audio To Cost Fox $504K

The FCC has proposed a $504,000 fine against Fox Corporation and its local television subsidiaries for broadcasting emergency alert tones when promoting a football game, reports The Desk.

In a notice of apparent liability published on the FCC’s website Tuesday, the federal agency said Fox transmitted tones used for the emergency alert system (EAS) while promoting its National Football League (NFL) coverage on November 28, 2021. The promo aired on over 18 Fox-owned local television stations across the country, as well as on 190 Fox affiliated TV stations, on Fox Sports-affiliated iHeartMedia radio stations and on the Fox Sports SiriusXM satellite radio channel.