July\u2019s numbers provide a more encouraging start to the second half. They also provide some early support for BIA Managing Director Rick Ducey\u2019s expectation that transaction activity could gain momentum during the coming months.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to see some movement in the industry in terms of M&A,\u201d Ducey recently told Inside Radio. As for the remainder of the year, he said, \u201cHopefully things keep picking up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rather than expecting a return to large-scale consolidation, Ducey sees an ongoing “rationalization of assets” as broadcasters reassess their portfolios and buyers identify stations and clusters that better fit their own strategies.<\/p>\n
But hurdles remain. Ducey points to a continuing “gap between buyer-seller valuation” in the broader capital markets, while uncertainty surrounding financing can also complicate transactions. “Debt financing is sort of risky sometimes,” he said.<\/p>\n
BIA’s transaction data reflects deals when they are announced rather than when they close. Hoffmann Media Group last month announced a $20 million agreement to acquire six St. Louis stations from Audacy<\/a>, a deal that would rank among the largest radio transactions announced this year. Draper Media also filed a $2.5 million deal to buy five stations<\/a> from Forever Media in the Salisbury, DE-Ocean City, MD market.<\/p>\n BIA data shows television also recorded a significant increase in transaction value during July, although far fewer stations changed hands.<\/p>\n BIA says five television stations were involved in transactions worth a combined $52.55 million during the month. That lifted the year-to-date television total to 44 stations worth $130.43 million.<\/p>\n The July activity represents a substantial jump from where television stood at midyear. Through June, BIA had counted 39 TV stations involved in transactions worth $78 million. July therefore accounted for roughly 40% of television’s total transaction value through the first seven months of 2026.<\/p>\n Despite the much smaller number of television stations changing hands, the dollar value of TV deals continues to run relatively close to radio. Through July, radio transactions totaled $141.17 million compared with $130.43 million for television, even though more than five times as many radio stations have been involved in deals.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"http:\/\/www.insideradio.com\/app\/Images2026\/BIAchartAug282026.jpg\")
<\/p>\n