In this week’s issue… FCC regulatory questions vex broadcasters – Promotion for Ford – Levine back on the scene – Curry retires from Lehigh Valley’s Hawk
By SCOTT FYBUSH
*It’s rare that the inner regulatory workings of the FCC escape from Washington into the general public’s attention, but these are rare times, and Audacy’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy has become one of those stories that’s taken on political dimensions far beyond the usual obscurity of the Commission’s processes.
The FCC approved the Audacy restructuring deal on Monday, but the approval came on a narrow partisan 3-2 majority, with Republican commissioners Nathan Simington and Brendan Carr dissenting. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel fired back in a statement criticizing Simington and Carr for claiming the plan received preferential treatment, a claim that’s been making the rounds heavily on conservative media in recent weeks.
At the heart of the dispute, of course, is the presence of financier George Soros as one of the funders behind the restructuring. To hear some conservative media outlets tell it, Soros plans to take control of the Audacy stations to push his own political agenda, and while we’re not here to take political sides, the facts are pretty clear: there’s no real evidence that Soros is in this for any reason other than to try to make some money. (It’s worth noting that, if anything, Audacy’s talk stations have been trending to the right lately – KRLD in Dallas, for instance, has been replacing news blocks with more conservative talk.)
What we’re here to do this week (since it’s otherwise a slow news week) is to offer some other observations about some FCC trends that have us raising our eyebrows. Keep reading…
The 2026 Tower Site Calendar was the final edition, and there will no longer be a Fybush Media Store.
We still have some old calendars and some books, so if you’ve been planning to buy some but just haven’t gotten around to it — this week is your last chance.
Go to our store now and get your favorite tower pin-ups!
Not sure what pictures are in which calendars? Ask Lisa — she’ll tell you.
Looking to get into station ownership? Our StationSale division has some great new listings for you, including a very successful multimedia combo including radio/digital/print in one of the finest small markets in the region, a major market FM translator opportunity, a profitable Midwest FM, an inexpensive entry into a fast-growing Western market, and a turnkey profitable FM/AM/translator small-market combo that’s ready for a new owner. Drop me a line at scott@fybush.com and I’ll set you up with an NDA and all the details…
And if your noncommercial FM station is ready to think about translators, there’s a filing window coming this fall from the FCC and it’s the perfect time to start making plans.
In this week’s issue… iHeart cuts leave some small markets vacant - Townsquare makes more NJ moves - Format shuffles in the Connecticut River Valley - Veteran meteorologists retire - Toronto AM seeks FM voice
In this week’s issue… FCC, licensees prepare for translator window - Ithaca exec moves on - Border gets the Lake back - Malloy returns to NJ 101.5 - AMs sell in MA, CT - Windsor vet retires
In this week’s issue… NYC veteran leaves desk - Bulldozers take down some Boston history - Public radio sale in PA - Family adds FM - CKNX celebrates centennial
In this week’s issue… NJ PBS enters new era - Adam 12's new Boston gig - Audacy relocates studios - NYC morning host plans retirement - CHUM, Flow retool in Toronto - Remembering Rocky Allen, Pittsburgh's Negri
