Local TV Revenue Outlook: Headwinds, Tailwinds, Crosswinds

How can local TV leverage its unique value propositions while creating new ones that go beyond its core strengths? What are the major pivot points that will determine success or failure as local TV transforms, and what can broadcasters expect ahead for ad revenue, retrans and even reverse comp?

Speaker(s)

• Rick Ducey, Managing Director, BIA Advisory Services

M&A: Valuations, Benefits and Challenges of Impending Consolidation

The coming months are expected to see a flurry of merger and acquisition activity after a long quiet period. What deals are likeliest to lead the pack and how will a dramatically different regulatory environment affect the shape of the industry?

Speaker(s)

• John Sanders, Principal, Bond & Pecaro
• Todd Hartman, EVP, Kalil & Co.
• Janet Stilson, Contributing Edfitor, TVNewsCheck (moderator)

Local Sports: Expanding Audience and Revenue

TV stations continue to expand their footprint in broadcasting local games, multiplying audiences for teams and forging relationships with avid fans. How are stations and advertisers building campaigns to bring brands into the action? Where’s the potential for subscriber revenue? How is technology helping stations to expand their sports businesses and widen their ad revenue potential?

Speaker(s)

• Todd Parkin, Founder, Rincon Broadcasting
• Eric Ratchman, CRO, FanDuel Sports Network
• Brad Ramsey, SVP of Media Ops and Head of Sports Rights, Tegna
• Tony Lamerato, VP, Local Media Sales, The E.W. Scripps Company
• Glen Dickson, Contributing Editor, TVNewsCheck (moderator)

Station Group Leaders on the State of the Industry

Four station group leaders assess the state of the industry, capitalizing on multimedia opportunities and assessing emerging revenue streams. Where do they see the most promising opportunities in 2025 including NextGen TV, streaming, sports and a reimagining of local news?

Speaker(s)

• Adam Sympson, CEO, E.W. Scripps
• Catherine Badalamente, CEO, Graham Media Group
• Rob Weisbord, Chief Operating Officer and President of Local Media, Sinclair
• Michael Depp, Editor, TVNewsCheck (moderator)

Technology and the Future of the TV Station Group

Cloud, automation, AI, content sharing, hubbing and other strategies will all shape how TV station groups operate in the coming decade. How is technology powering revenue and content creation now and in the coming three years? How is technology streamlining operations now and in the coming three years?

Speaker(s)

• Mike Kralec, SVP and CTO, Sinclair
• Blake Russell, EVP, Operations, Nexstar
• Paul Capizzi, CIO and SVP of Enterprise Technology Operations, Fox Corporation
• Stefan Hadl, SVP, Broadcast Engineering and Technology, Hearst Television
• Glen Dickson, Contributing Editor, TVNewsCheck (moderator)

Advertising Leaders on Thriving in 2026

Media buying leaders talk about optimizing multiplatform TV advertising locally and regionally in 2025. What kind of growth do they anticipate from national spot TV? Where is the industry evolving in audience measurement and the way advertising is targeted?

Speaker(s)

• Joe Cerone, EVP Local Investment, IPG Mediabrands
• Tracy Chavez, EVP, Managing Director of Local Investment Operations, Publicis Media
• Bobby Mushroe, Partner, Sage Media Planning
• Paige Albiniak, Contributing Editor, TVNewsCheck (moderator)

Programming and Audience at a Crossroads

In a resource-challenged local TV environment the need for creative, efficient programming solutions is greater than ever. How will cross-group collaborations, technology and thinking out of the box put groups on a strong footling for 2026? How are audiences changing and how is audience measurement helping with strategy setting?

Speaker(s)

• Adrienne Roark, Chief Content Officer, Tegna
• Paige Albiniak, Contributing Editor, TVNewsCheck (moderator)

Make It Local: New York’s GMs on Amplifying Revenue and Deepening Engagement with NY Audiences

Station GMs grapple daily with the challenges of TV broadcasting, from finding new sources of advertising revenue to building programming lineups that nuture and expand audiences. Leaders from stations in the largest market in the U.S. gather to talk about doubling down on local connections, developing a multiplatform strategy and finding elusive younger viewers.

Speaker(s)

• Eric Lerner, President & GM, WNBC NY
• Johnny Green, President & GM, WCBS NY / WBZ Boston
• Lew Leone, SVP & GM, WNYW /WWOR- TV / Fox
• Cristina Schwarz, President & GM, WNJU, Telemundo 47
• Marilu Galvez, President & GM, WABC TV
• Michael Depp, Editor, TVNewsCheck (moderator)

Make It Local: NY Content Creators Showcase

New York-based content creators share their rapid-fire pitches for bringing their talent to local TV audiences, sharing insights into the social followings and brand relationships they’ve built.