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owner spotlight
Armstrong Williams to Be a Baltimore Sun Owner
"The Baltimore Sun, the largest newspaper in Maryland, has been acquired in a private deal by David D. Smith, executive chairman of Baltimore County-based television station owner Sinclair Inc., the Sun announced Monday, with conservative commentator and entrepreneur Armstrong Williams his sole partner."
January 15, 2024
Governor Wes Moore talking about The Baltimore Sun ownership.
April 18, 2024
FCC Will Stay ‘Lost at Sea’ Until Antiquated Broadcast-Ownership Rules Are Eliminated
“Lost at sea” is how the National Association of Broadcasters recently characterized the Federal Communications Commission in deliberating a proposal for priority application review and processing for stations that met certain local programming thresholds..."
February 6, 2024
The co-acquisition of The Baltimore Sun by a Black entrepreneur ‘a new era’
"Today, we live in an era defined by widespread social injustice and inequality. Yet, the co-acquisition of The Baltimore Sun by Armstrong Williams, a Black American entrepreneur...."
July 10, 2023
FCC Report Shows NextGen TV Is Broadcast’s Gold Standard (B+C Guest Blog)
"As the FCC’s 2022 Quadrennial Review is once again demonstrating, the current media marketplace has a virtually unlimited amount and variety of content options."
https://www.nexttv.com/blogs/fcc-report-shows-nextgen-tv-is-broadcasts-gold-standard-bc-guest-blog
December 5, 2022
Major Broadcasters Launch NextGen TV on Seven Local Television Stations in Birmingham, AL
"The leading television stations serving the Birmingham television market today began broadcasting with NextGen TV, a revolutionary new digital broadcast technology."
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/major-broadcasters-launch-nextgen-tv-223300674.html
WISH-TV- March 31, 2021
WISH-TV, WNDY win court ruling in racial discrimination suit against DISH Network
"Circle City Broadcasting’s racial discrimination lawsuit against DISH Network will proceed, a federal judge ruled Wednesday."
NABOB - May 2022
NABOB Mourns The Passing of Jerry Lopes
"The broadcast industry lost a true pioneer in the recent passing of Jerry Lopes at age 72."
Broadcast + Cable - November 17, 2021
Gigi Sohn’s Confirmation to the FCC Will Undermine Minority Media Growth and Achievement
"When I wonder about our country’s direction, I often think back to my family’s story."
Broadcast + Cable - October 22, 2021
Nielsen’s Controversial Ratings System
"When I first entered the broadcast world as a radio host almost 30 years ago, and more recently as a television host and station owner, Nielsen ratings were everything."
https://www.nexttv.com/blogs/nielsens-controversial-ratings-system
Broadcast + Cable - August 5, 2021
Battle of the Titans: Comcast and Nexstar at War Over Retrans Fees in NYC
"Every regulated industry wants just one thing from its regulators, a fair advantage over its competitors."
Broadcast + Cable - May 14, 2021
It's Time To Close the Johari Window on COVID-19
"...we finally emerge from the Johari window analysis - “known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns” – in which we have been stuck."
https://www.nexttv.com/blogs/its-time-to-close-the-johari-window-on-covid-19
Broadcast + Cable - April 2, 2021
SCOTUS Ruling On Deregulation Is Good News to Broadcasters
"The Supreme Court of the United States’ unanimous decision in FCC v. Prometheus Radio Project may be long past due for much needed regulatory relief from anachronistic ownership restrictions..."
https://www.nexttv.com/blogs/scotus-ruling-on-deregulation-is-good-news-to-broadcasters
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES - April 1, 2021
FCC v. Prometheus Radio Project - SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Case File: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-1231_i425.pdf
AFRICAN LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
"BREAKING: African Leadership magazine announces its 2020 Top 100 most influential African American Leaders List"
Broadcast + Cable - January 3, 2021
Doomsday for TV Localism and Community If FCC Doesn’t Change Archaic Rules
"...The survival of local journalism is vital to the fate of American democracy and our communities."
https://www.nexttv.com/blog/doomsday-tv-localism-community-fcc-doesnt-change-archaic-rules
TVTECHNOLOGY - DECEMBER 11, 2020
FCC Votes to Promote Broadcast Internet via ATSC 3.0
"WASHINGTON—The FCC is throwing its support behind Broadcast Internet, approving a Report & Order that updates the rules and fee structure related to Broadcast Internet services. ...."
https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/fcc-promotes-deployment-of-broadcast-internet-services
TVTECHNOLOGY - DECEMBER 9, 2020
Congress Votes to Increase Diversity in Media Ownership
"WASHINGTON—The House of Representatives has passed a bill that reaffirms Congress’ commitment to media diversity ...."
https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/congress-votes-to-increase-diversity-in-media-ownership
BROADCASTING+CABLE - NOVEMBER 2, 2020
What Changes Will the 2020 Election Bring to the FCC and Broadcasters?
"Times are hard on broadcasters. Mounting competition from the tech giants, non-stop political turmoil, civil unrest, elections, market uncertainty, and of course the COVID-19 ...."
https://www.nexttv.com/blogs/what-will-the-2020-election-mean-for-the-fcc-and-broadcasters
NEW YORK TIMES - OCTOBER 26, 2020
"And last month, President Trump tapped Williams, who recently published a new book, “What Black and White America Must Do Now,” to conduct one of his first interviews after announcing his administration’s economic plan for Black Americans. “There is no way that someone who’s liberal and who happens ..."
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/26/magazine/armstrong-williams-interview.html
BROADCASTING+ CABLE - MARCH 26, 2020
"The unspoken elephant in the room is that neither television networks nor cable operators can provide the essential service Americans are now relying on more than ever on real-time local news programming. The unique realities of the nation’s response to COVID-19 have put local broadcasters in... "
https://www.multichannel.com/news/judge-dismisses-at-t-suit-against-max-retrans
WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL - MAY 18, 2020
"Elected officials from Prince George’s County sent a letter to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Sunday saying his office has not adequately responded to requests for equipment and staffing to combat the coronavirus, according to The Washington Post."
https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2020/05/18/lawmakers-say-larry-hogan.html
ABC 7 WJLA - MAY 15, 2020
"WASHINGTON (WJLA) — Mayor Bowser and businessman Armstrong Williams together carried a big box of face masks from a medical supply van to a setup spot outside Howard University’s NE Clinic."
https://wjla.com/news/local/mayor-bowser-armstrong-williams-face-masks-howard-clinic
OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS - MAY 15, 2020
"WASHINGTON – Today, Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser gathered at the new Benning Road Clinic COVID-19 testing site to announce the clinic’s expansion to four days a week. As a show of community support, journalist Armstrong Williams..."
LAW 360 - MAY 5, 2020
"TV Stations To Pay $100K For Bad Faith Retransmitting Talks
Law360 (May 5, 2020, 6:50 PM EDT)"
THE HILL - MAY 4, 2020
"Why fat black lives must not really matter. It’s a sure sign you’ve reached maturity in life when you stop trying to have it both ways. As an adult, you probably shouldn’t expect to be able to eat all the ice cream in the fridge every night and still avoid the long-term health effects of a poor diet. And yet, whe"
https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/495727-why-fat-black-lives-must-not-really-matter
TWITTER - NOVEMBER 11, 2019
As the owner of NBC 25 (WEYI-TV) in Flint, Michigan, it brings me great joy to announce that we’re back on the @DIRECTV platform after five months of retransmission negotiations.
https://twitter.com/arightside/status/1193920782260461568?s=21
MULTICHANNEL NEWS - JANUARY 17, 2020
"A federal judge dismissed with prejudice a six-month old lawsuit filed by AT&T against Max Retrans, adding that the broadcast TV consultant headed by former Nexstar Media chief operating officer Duane Lammers did not violate a 2016 non-disclosure agreement."
https://www.multichannel.com/news/judge-dismisses-at-t-suit-against-max-retrans
REUTERS - JANUARY 21, 2020
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday let residents of Flint, Michigan pursue a civil rights lawsuit against the city and government officials that accused them of knowingly allowing the city’s water supply to become contaminated with lead."
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-flint-idUSKBN1ZK1S5
BROADCASTING & CABLE - JANUARY 16, 2020
"Former top FCC staffer Clint Odom told House members at a Hill hearing on media diversity this week that the way some broadcast station deals to sell TV stations to minority owners are structured could actually reduce diversity in the industry."
https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/odom-tv-sidecars-could-derail-diverse-ownership
BROADCASTING & CABLE - JANUARY 3, 2020
"With the death of newspapers in all but a few major markets, broadcast television is the only real source of local news left in American society. The survival of local journalism is vital to the fate of American democracy and our communities." -Armstrong Williams
THE DAILY HERALD - DECEMBER 19, 2019
Sometimes, the impact of even the most eloquent voices can fade with time. Sometimes, we need to get accustomed to hearing from different voices just to keep ourselves active and alert to the issues of the day...
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20191219/introducing-additional-new-voices-on-issues-of-the-day
TWITTER - NOVEMBER 11, 2019
As the owner of CW21 (WWMB) in Florence, South Carolina, it gives me great pleasure to announce that we’re back on the @DIRECTV platform after five months of retransmission negotiations.
https://twitter.com/arightside/status/1193914886167945222?s=21
KULR-8 - SEPTEMBER 2019
"DIRECTV, KHQ Incorporated, NBC Right Now and Cowles Montana Media are in an on-going retransmission contract dispute resulting in the decision to discontinue the DIRECTV carriage of our television stations."
BROADCAST + CABLE - NOVEMBER 2019
Station owner Howard Stirks Holdings has settled its retrans dispute with AT&T and replaced its negotiating agent. The stations at issue, WEYI Flint-Saginaw, Mich., and WWMB Myrtle Beach-Florence, S.C., had been off DirecTV since June.
https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/howard-stirks-holdings-at-t-strike-retrans-deal
BROADCAST + CABLE - NOVEMBER 2019
The FCC has upheld an AT&T complaint against a number of TV station groups for failure to negotiate retransmission consent in good faith, a move MVPDs are hoping adds fuel to their argument for renewal of the satellite compulsory license law that includes that good faith mandate.
https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fcc-finds-for-at-t-in-retrans-negotiation-complaint
BROADCAST + CABLE - NOVEMBER 2019
The FCC has upheld an AT&T complaint against a number of TV station groups for failure to negotiate retransmission consent in good faith, a move MVPDs are hoping adds fuel to their argument for renewal of the satellite compulsory license law that includes that good faith mandate.
https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fcc-finds-for-at-t-in-retrans-negotiation-complaint
BROADCAST + CABLE - AUGUST 2019
"As one of the very few African-American TV owners in the country, I also thought AT&T/DirecTV was impacting diversity by truncating my market access, limiting viewer choices, and trenching upon cherished First Amendment values, which hold that more voices are better than fewer."
https://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/pay-tv-titan-at-t-continues-scorched-earth-ways
THE NAB PULSE - AUGUST 2019
"We Are Broadcasters spots remind Congress and your audiences of the important role local radio and TV stations play in our communities. "
https://www.nab.org/xert/2019emails/newsletters/pulse/081219/article_stelar.asp
BROADCAST + CABLE - JULY 15, 2019
Page 4
"Howard Stirk Holdings owner Armstrong Williams accused AT&T of using litigation to intimidate blackouts."
https://issuu.com/futurepublishing/docs/bnc_07_15_2019?fr=sODFmMTk1MDI
NEWSMAXTV - FRIDAY 19, JULY 2019
"Armstrong Williams is an influential conservative and African-American political commentator who owns Howard Stirk Holdings, a media company that was recently named among BlackEnterprise.com's Top 100 black businesses."
BY DAVID DIMOLFETTA | JULY 18, 2019 20:07
“For the past five years, there have been solutions promised to the community by many, yet no one has delivered an affordable solution that is good for the people and for the environment by reducing plastics,” said Armstrong Williams, a nationally syndicated talk show host who partnered with WatergenUSA and NBC25 to bring the Watergen solution. “When I saw the Watergen unit, I immediately started working with the company to bring this technology to Flint.”
S. FLORIDA TIMES— JULY 17, 2019
“WASHINGTON – This week Howard Stirk Holdings (HSH) debuted on the Black Enterprise 100 list. HSH wholly owned and operated by media mogul Armstrong Williams, occupies a unique niche in the television broadcasting industry – an industry where fewer than 2% of owners are minorities.”
http://www.sfltimes.com/finance/media-mogul-armstrong-williams-among-black-enterprise-100
BY KELLAN HOWELL - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015
“We want to reinforce the kind of values and virtues that make America great,” Mr. Williams, who also writes a weekly column for The Times, said of his television programming. “We want the kind of shows that families can sit down and watch and be proud of. We want people to know that you don’t always have to lead with what bleeds. We want to uplift people we want to give people real self-esteem and real worth.”
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/oct/29/armstrong-williams-becomes-largest-black-owner-of-/
The Washington Times - April 15, 2015
Armstrong Williams and the ‘Right Side Forum’ take a look at the White House Correspondents Dinner
"Right Side Forum,” a live, hour-long conservative news and talk show hosted by columnist Armstrong Williams, will ask this question on its next broadcast: “The history and fabulous Legacy of The White House Correspondents’ Dinner"
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/24/armstrong-williams-and-right-side-forum-address-wh/