Broadcasting & Cable (B&C, or Broadcasting+Cable) is a telecommunications industry news website and formerly a monthly trade magazine published by Future US. Founded in 1931 as Broadcasting, subsequent mergers, acquisitions and industry evolution saw a series of name changes, including Broadcasting and Broadcast Advertising, and Broadcasting-Telecasting, before adopting its current name in 1993. B&C, which was published biweekly until January 1941, and weekly thereafter, covers the business of television in the U.S.—programming, advertising, regulation, technology, finance, and news. In addition to the newsweekly, B&C operates a comprehensive website[3] that provides a roadmap for readers in an industry that is in constant flux due to shifts in technology, culture and legislation, and offers a forum for industry debate and criticism. On August 6, 2024, Future announced that the magazine will cease publication after its September 2024 issue, and switch to a digital-only format on sister website Next TV.
History
Broadcasting was founded in Washington, D.C., by Martin Codel, Sol Taishoff and former National Association of Broadcasters president Harry Shaw, and the first issue was published on October 15, 1931. Originally, Shaw was publisher, Codel editor, and Taishoff managing editor; when Shaw retired, Codel became publisher and Taishoff took over as editor-in-chief (Taishoff had succeeded Codel writing the radio column for the Consolidated Press Association, both men using the pseudonym "Robert Mack"; the two met while covering radio in Washington).[4] The men operated under the corporate name Broadcasting Publications, Inc.; after Shaw's departure, the company was owned by Codel, Taishoff, and their wives. Codel left the magazine in January 1943, to work in public relations for the Red Cross in the North African theater of the war, but remained on the masthead as publisher until June 1944, at which point Taishoff and his wife bought out the Codels' interest in the magazine. Taishoff then assumed the post of the publisher in addition to editor.[5]
Broadcasting merged with Broadcast Advertising in 1932, with the Broadcast Reporter in 1933, and with Telecast in 1953.[6] The title was changed to Broadcasting-Telecasting beginning with the November 26, 1945, issue; Telecasting was dropped from the cover page on October 14, 1957, but remained on the masthead through January 5, 1959. The title remained Broadcasting thereafter until February 22, 1993, becoming Broadcasting & Cable with the March 1, 1993 issue.
In August 2024, Future announced the magazine would cease the following month, though it and Multichannel News (which will also cease publication) would survive as sub-brands on sister industry news website Next TV, which primarily focuses on the streaming industry. However, the magazine's Hall of Fame would continue.[14]
Hall of Fame
The magazine sponsors an annual dinner at which about a dozen industry professionals are inducted into its Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.[15]
In December 2012, the television court show Judge Judy earned its star, Judy Sheindlin, a spot in the Broadcasting & Cable hall of fame. Sheindlin accepted the honor at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.[16][17]
