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Broadcasting & Cable Announces Closure After 45 Years of Industry Reporting

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, December 24th 2025 at 12:16 GMT by Los Angeles Times

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Long‑Running Trade Journal Broadcasting & Cable Announces Closure After 45 Years

The venerable trade publication Broadcasting & Cable (B&C), which has been a staple of the television and media‑technology industry since its launch in 1979, confirmed on August 6 2024 that it will cease publication. The decision comes after an exhaustive search for a buyer, a failed attempt to pivot to a digital‑only model, and a market that has continued to accelerate away from print‑centric trade journalism. The announcement, released via a joint statement from B&C’s parent company, B&C Media Group, marks the end of an era that saw the magazine chronicle the birth of cable, the rise of high‑definition broadcasting, the launch of streaming platforms, and the seismic industry shifts that reshaped how viewers consume content.

A 45‑Year Legacy

Founded by industry veterans Robert D. Gibbons and John S. W. McGrath, Broadcasting & Cable quickly carved out a niche as the go‑to source for network executives, syndicators, and content producers. By the 1990s, its weekly print circulation topped 70,000, and the publication had a reputation for hard‑news coverage, in‑depth feature stories, and the “Best‑New” lists that were widely cited in the industry. Over the decades, B&C’s staff included prominent editors such as Bill McCoy and Dan Lacy, who steered the magazine through the cable‑boom of the early 2000s and the subsequent fragmentation of audiences across platforms.

The publication’s flagship sections—“Network News,” “Cable & Satellite,” “Streaming,” and “Tech & Broadband”—offered comprehensive coverage of industry data, policy changes, and market trends. B&C was also known for its annual “Cable Industry Awards” and the “Best of B&C” round‑tables that gathered top executives for candid conversations about the future of TV. Even as it launched a companion website in 2005, the print edition remained a central source for many professionals, with editorial desks located in New York City and Washington, D.C.

The Road to Closure

Despite its storied past, B&C has faced mounting financial pressures for years. A 2021 revenue report from the parent company revealed that print advertising revenue had dropped by 38 % compared to 2018, a trend mirrored across trade media. The COVID‑19 pandemic further accelerated the shift to digital; during the lockdowns, B&C’s website traffic spiked by 24 %, but the increase was offset by a 22 % decline in subscription renewals. An internal memo from the editorial team in early 2023 noted that “our digital subscription model has yet to compensate for the loss of high‑value print clients.”

B&C Media Group tried to revive the brand with a digital‑only strategy. In 2022, the company announced “B&C Digital,” a subscription‑based news portal that featured weekly newsletters, data‑driven reports, and on‑demand webinars. However, the new platform struggled to attract the core readership that had long relied on the in‑depth investigative pieces and print ads. Even the addition of a mobile app and podcast series did not reverse the decline. According to a press release issued by the company, the “digital transformation has not yet achieved the scale necessary to sustain operational costs.”

When a search for a potential buyer ran out of leads, B&C Media Group decided to wind down the publication. “We are deeply grateful for the loyalty of our readers, the dedication of our staff, and the contributions of our partners,” the statement read. The closure will take effect at the end of the fiscal year, with the final print issue scheduled for November 2024. Employees are being offered severance packages, relocation assistance, and outplacement services. The company also announced that it would retain a small team to continue producing a weekly industry newsletter that will be distributed freely to former subscribers.

Industry Reaction

The announcement prompted an immediate wave of commentary across the industry. In a video interview on The Hollywood Reporter, former B&C editor-in-chief Dan Lacy expressed both nostalgia and concern. “B&C was a mirror of the industry’s evolution,” he said. “It’s a loss for anyone who relies on hard‑core data and the human stories that shape our business.”

Cable networks and streaming giants—such as Comcast NBCUniversal, Disney‑ABC Television Group, and Netflix—also weighed in. An email from Comcast’s Chief Media Officer highlighted the company’s reliance on B&C for “timely intelligence on regulatory changes and technology trends.” Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Netflix noted that the company will now seek other trade publications for its industry insights, citing that “the market has plenty of other voices that can fill the void left by B&C.”

Industry analysts also pointed to the closure as a sign of the wider decline of trade publications in the digital age. “The trajectory that B&C followed isn’t unique,” said Jane Patel, a media‑industry analyst at Deloitte. “Trade magazines have struggled to monetize digital content, and those that cannot adapt are likely to fold.”

Looking Ahead

While the physical pages of Broadcasting & Cable will no longer be printed, the brand’s influence is unlikely to disappear entirely. B&C’s corporate website will continue to host a curated archive of past articles, allowing researchers and industry professionals to access the journal’s extensive historical coverage. In addition, the “B&C Digital” newsletter will maintain a presence, albeit in a smaller, more targeted format.

The closure of B&C also highlights the shifting dynamics of media‑industry reporting. As more companies move to integrated content‑delivery models, traditional trade publications must innovate or risk obsolescence. The industry may see a rise in niche, data‑centric newsletters and online platforms that offer specialized coverage for emerging areas such as streaming rights, ad‑tech, and next‑generation broadcasting technologies.

For now, the 45‑year legacy of Broadcasting & Cable remains as a testament to the media world’s rapid transformation. Its archives will continue to serve as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of television, cable, and the ever‑evolving digital landscape.