Matthew Keys
@matthewkeys.net
Journalist who covers the transformation of the media industry after working in it for years. Previously worked for Reuters, Disney-ABC, Tribune Media.
Sacramento = Home. Light the Beam 🔦🟣
🌐: matthewkeys.net
✏️: @thedesk.net
📧: [email protected]
Sacramento = Home. Light the Beam 🔦🟣
🌐: matthewkeys.net
✏️: @thedesk.net
📧: [email protected]
Pinned
Matthew Keys
@matthewkeys.net
· Nov 11
For those of you who like the list I put together a loooong time ago of reputable journalists on Bluesky, it's now available as a starter pack.
Here you go:
go.bsky.app/22wADif
Here you go:
go.bsky.app/22wADif
Donald Trump will not be formally recognized as a Nobel Prize recipient, because the Nobel Prize title cannot be transferred or revoked, even if the physical medal is given away.
Can Machado actually transfer the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump?
While it can be gifted, refused or displayed, the Nobel Peace Prize itself — once awarded — belongs to its original recipient forever.
www.abc.net.au
January 17, 2026 at 1:29 AM
Donald Trump will not be formally recognized as a Nobel Prize recipient, because the Nobel Prize title cannot be transferred or revoked, even if the physical medal is given away.
"Fear Factor: House of Fear" was a rare, non-sports ratings win for Fox, attracting 6.353 million viewers with its debut episode on Sunday.
It was the most-viewed, non-live network TV show during Nielsen's most-recent ratings period.
It was the most-viewed, non-live network TV show during Nielsen's most-recent ratings period.
January 14, 2026 at 10:40 PM
"Fear Factor: House of Fear" was a rare, non-sports ratings win for Fox, attracting 6.353 million viewers with its debut episode on Sunday.
It was the most-viewed, non-live network TV show during Nielsen's most-recent ratings period.
It was the most-viewed, non-live network TV show during Nielsen's most-recent ratings period.
My partner and I have competing "binge" queues on our Plex server — TV shows that we'll watch over and over again, and never get tired of.
Who has the better binge queue?
Who has the better binge queue?
January 14, 2026 at 10:03 PM
My partner and I have competing "binge" queues on our Plex server — TV shows that we'll watch over and over again, and never get tired of.
Who has the better binge queue?
Who has the better binge queue?
Samsung and LG released rare previews into their annual revenue for 2025, weeks ahead of their scheduled earnings reports.
Both companies logged lower profit, in part due to tariffs that affected consumer discretionary spending.
Both companies logged lower profit, in part due to tariffs that affected consumer discretionary spending.
Earnings Preview: Samsung, LG reveal lower profit in 2025
Samsung and LG reported lower profits in 2025 despite strong device and appliance sales, citing competitive and economic pressures.
thedesk.net
January 14, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Samsung and LG released rare previews into their annual revenue for 2025, weeks ahead of their scheduled earnings reports.
Both companies logged lower profit, in part due to tariffs that affected consumer discretionary spending.
Both companies logged lower profit, in part due to tariffs that affected consumer discretionary spending.
In our part of Northern California, Verizon doesn't provide fiber-based home Internet — but it does own the backhaul fiber lines that supplies all wireless phone towers with data connections, so when Verizon's backhaul lines go down, it also takes down AT&T and T-Mobile.
Verizon says it is working to address a large-scale network outage that has also impacted customers of AT&T, T-Mobile and other phone services.
Verizon outage leaves thousands without wireless service
Verizon says it is working to address a large-scale outage that left thousands of wireless phone customers without service on Wednesday.
thedesk.net
January 14, 2026 at 9:19 PM
In our part of Northern California, Verizon doesn't provide fiber-based home Internet — but it does own the backhaul fiber lines that supplies all wireless phone towers with data connections, so when Verizon's backhaul lines go down, it also takes down AT&T and T-Mobile.
Reposted by Matthew Keys
On the one hand, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has spoken about empowering local broadcasters by easing rules so they can consolidate and compete against streaming services.
On the other, he warned companies with DEI programs they would face a tougher road to regulatory approvals.
What to do here??
On the other, he warned companies with DEI programs they would face a tougher road to regulatory approvals.
What to do here??
SCOOP: Last year, an executive with local TV broadcaster Nexstar affirmed the company still includes DEI as part of its "corporate philosophy," despite trying to eliminate DEI from its corporate image.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a DEI critic, must approve Nexstar's proposed merger with TEGNA.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a DEI critic, must approve Nexstar's proposed merger with TEGNA.
Exclusive: Nexstar exec says company still has DEI "philosphy"
A high-level Nexstar executive confirms DEI elements remain part of its "corporate philosophy," creating a possible catch-22 at the FCC as it weighs the Nexstar-TEGNA deal.
thedesk.net
January 12, 2026 at 7:12 PM
On the one hand, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has spoken about empowering local broadcasters by easing rules so they can consolidate and compete against streaming services.
On the other, he warned companies with DEI programs they would face a tougher road to regulatory approvals.
What to do here??
On the other, he warned companies with DEI programs they would face a tougher road to regulatory approvals.
What to do here??
During his first full week, Tony Dokoupil's "CBS Evening News" ranked third among the three network evening news programs, per Nielsen data.
• ABC World News Tonight: 8.08 million viewers
• NBC Nightly News: 6.73 million viewers
• CBS Evening News: 4.16 million viewers
• ABC World News Tonight: 8.08 million viewers
• NBC Nightly News: 6.73 million viewers
• CBS Evening News: 4.16 million viewers
January 13, 2026 at 9:57 PM
During his first full week, Tony Dokoupil's "CBS Evening News" ranked third among the three network evening news programs, per Nielsen data.
• ABC World News Tonight: 8.08 million viewers
• NBC Nightly News: 6.73 million viewers
• CBS Evening News: 4.16 million viewers
• ABC World News Tonight: 8.08 million viewers
• NBC Nightly News: 6.73 million viewers
• CBS Evening News: 4.16 million viewers
LGBTQ+ media brand Revry has hired Steven Toomey to serve as its new Head of Finance, a role that will allow the company to grow its free, ad-supported streaming TV presence across Internet-connected video platforms.
Revry hires Steven Toomey to serve as Head of Finance
Toomey's newly-created role is intended to strengthen the company's financial operations as it explores various growth opportunities
thedesk.net
January 13, 2026 at 9:41 PM
LGBTQ+ media brand Revry has hired Steven Toomey to serve as its new Head of Finance, a role that will allow the company to grow its free, ad-supported streaming TV presence across Internet-connected video platforms.
The producers at KOMO get very creative with the Sinclair "must-runs."
Most of the corporate-mandated editorial/opinion pieces air in the very early morning, which ticks the box. The 4 a.m. news hour is little-watched. Same with early afternoon newscasts, outside of breaking news.
Most of the corporate-mandated editorial/opinion pieces air in the very early morning, which ticks the box. The 4 a.m. news hour is little-watched. Same with early afternoon newscasts, outside of breaking news.
We have a Sinclair affiliate here in Seattle. KOMO.
Like all local news, they SUUUUUUUCK. Corporate mandated "terror alert" coverage to keep mee-maw and pee-paw shitting their depends about "antifa" or "blm?"
You bet your ass they aired that shit.
Like all local news, they SUUUUUUUCK. Corporate mandated "terror alert" coverage to keep mee-maw and pee-paw shitting their depends about "antifa" or "blm?"
You bet your ass they aired that shit.
Sinclair has consolidated the local newsrooms of two Rhode Island-area television stations into a single unit, while promising more local news output in the years to come.
January 13, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The producers at KOMO get very creative with the Sinclair "must-runs."
Most of the corporate-mandated editorial/opinion pieces air in the very early morning, which ticks the box. The 4 a.m. news hour is little-watched. Same with early afternoon newscasts, outside of breaking news.
Most of the corporate-mandated editorial/opinion pieces air in the very early morning, which ticks the box. The 4 a.m. news hour is little-watched. Same with early afternoon newscasts, outside of breaking news.
Reposted by Matthew Keys
Just to give you an idea of how long we've been covering the situation at USAGM and Voice of America: A list of every story published over the past 12 months.
Not including today's story: thedesk.net/2026/01/cong...
#ReadMoreTheDesk @savevoa.bsky.social @newsguy.bsky.social
Not including today's story: thedesk.net/2026/01/cong...
#ReadMoreTheDesk @savevoa.bsky.social @newsguy.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Just to give you an idea of how long we've been covering the situation at USAGM and Voice of America: A list of every story published over the past 12 months.
Not including today's story: thedesk.net/2026/01/cong...
#ReadMoreTheDesk @savevoa.bsky.social @newsguy.bsky.social
Not including today's story: thedesk.net/2026/01/cong...
#ReadMoreTheDesk @savevoa.bsky.social @newsguy.bsky.social
A California lawmaker has introduced three new bills that would strengthen media protections in the state, including a new rule that grants greater access to public court facilities and a proposal to toughen criminal statutes to better prosecute acts of violence against members of the news media.
Proposed laws would strengthen media protections in California
The proposals target political retaliation, courtroom exclusions and rising violence against news organizations.
thedesk.net
January 12, 2026 at 8:50 PM
A California lawmaker has introduced three new bills that would strengthen media protections in the state, including a new rule that grants greater access to public court facilities and a proposal to toughen criminal statutes to better prosecute acts of violence against members of the news media.
New year, new headshot.
Feel like the phone is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
Feel like the phone is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
January 12, 2026 at 8:36 PM
New year, new headshot.
Feel like the phone is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
Feel like the phone is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
Reposted by Matthew Keys
Big local implications here: Nexstar owns DC-area WDCW and WDVM. Tegna owns WUSA.
On the one hand, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has spoken about empowering local broadcasters by easing rules so they can consolidate and compete against streaming services.
On the other, he warned companies with DEI programs they would face a tougher road to regulatory approvals.
What to do here??
On the other, he warned companies with DEI programs they would face a tougher road to regulatory approvals.
What to do here??
SCOOP: Last year, an executive with local TV broadcaster Nexstar affirmed the company still includes DEI as part of its "corporate philosophy," despite trying to eliminate DEI from its corporate image.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a DEI critic, must approve Nexstar's proposed merger with TEGNA.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a DEI critic, must approve Nexstar's proposed merger with TEGNA.
January 12, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Big local implications here: Nexstar owns DC-area WDCW and WDVM. Tegna owns WUSA.
On the one hand, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has spoken about empowering local broadcasters by easing rules so they can consolidate and compete against streaming services.
On the other, he warned companies with DEI programs they would face a tougher road to regulatory approvals.
What to do here??
On the other, he warned companies with DEI programs they would face a tougher road to regulatory approvals.
What to do here??
SCOOP: Last year, an executive with local TV broadcaster Nexstar affirmed the company still includes DEI as part of its "corporate philosophy," despite trying to eliminate DEI from its corporate image.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a DEI critic, must approve Nexstar's proposed merger with TEGNA.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a DEI critic, must approve Nexstar's proposed merger with TEGNA.
Exclusive: Nexstar exec says company still has DEI "philosphy"
A high-level Nexstar executive confirms DEI elements remain part of its "corporate philosophy," creating a possible catch-22 at the FCC as it weighs the Nexstar-TEGNA deal.
thedesk.net
January 12, 2026 at 7:12 PM
On the one hand, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has spoken about empowering local broadcasters by easing rules so they can consolidate and compete against streaming services.
On the other, he warned companies with DEI programs they would face a tougher road to regulatory approvals.
What to do here??
On the other, he warned companies with DEI programs they would face a tougher road to regulatory approvals.
What to do here??
January 12, 2026 at 4:38 AM
Sometimes I take a good photo.
January 12, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Sometimes I take a good photo.
LIVE: Coverage of shooting in Portland, Oregon involving federal law enforcement officials; two injured. [KGW-TV via YouTube]
LIVE: East Portland shooting — 2 hospitalized; federal agents involved, police say
YouTube video by KGW News
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:18 AM
LIVE: Coverage of shooting in Portland, Oregon involving federal law enforcement officials; two injured. [KGW-TV via YouTube]
Portland ABC affiliate KATU (Channel 2) is offering live coverage of the shooting of two citizens by U.S. Border Patrol in that city. Watch live via YouTube:
Officials holding press conference after U.S. Border agents shoot two people in SE Portland
YouTube video by KATU News
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Portland ABC affiliate KATU (Channel 2) is offering live coverage of the shooting of two citizens by U.S. Border Patrol in that city. Watch live via YouTube:
Part of the public’s distrust in the media is due to reporters and editors dancing around the obvious.
The video doesn’t “raise questions” — it proves Trump and Noem are lying about the ICE shooting, which everyone can see for themselves.
📸: @washingtonpost.com
The video doesn’t “raise questions” — it proves Trump and Noem are lying about the ICE shooting, which everyone can see for themselves.
📸: @washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Part of the public’s distrust in the media is due to reporters and editors dancing around the obvious.
The video doesn’t “raise questions” — it proves Trump and Noem are lying about the ICE shooting, which everyone can see for themselves.
📸: @washingtonpost.com
The video doesn’t “raise questions” — it proves Trump and Noem are lying about the ICE shooting, which everyone can see for themselves.
📸: @washingtonpost.com
Some of this is holiday viewership, which trends lower around Christmas and New Year's, but CBS News can usually rely on "60 Minutes" to pull in an audience of at least 10 million viewers during its first broadcast after New Year's Day — and that didn't happen this year.
Wonder what changed?
Wonder what changed?
"60 Minutes" on CBS lost 15 percent of its overall audience in the two weeks following the CECOT story scandal, and 30 percent of its audience in the key A18-49 viewership demographic, according to Nielsen data.
"60 Minutes" audience drops under 10 million after CECOT scandal
The controversy follows editorial decisions under CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and heightened scrutiny of the show.
thedesk.net
January 8, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Some of this is holiday viewership, which trends lower around Christmas and New Year's, but CBS News can usually rely on "60 Minutes" to pull in an audience of at least 10 million viewers during its first broadcast after New Year's Day — and that didn't happen this year.
Wonder what changed?
Wonder what changed?
The 12/21 broadcast of "60 Minutes" — the one that was supposed to include the CECOT story — attracted 10.35 million viewers, per Nielsen.
The next comparable broadcast, on 1/4/26, had 8.793 million viewers, an audience drop of 15 percent, according to Nielsen data.
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...
The next comparable broadcast, on 1/4/26, had 8.793 million viewers, an audience drop of 15 percent, according to Nielsen data.
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...
January 7, 2026 at 10:41 PM
The 12/21 broadcast of "60 Minutes" — the one that was supposed to include the CECOT story — attracted 10.35 million viewers, per Nielsen.
The next comparable broadcast, on 1/4/26, had 8.793 million viewers, an audience drop of 15 percent, according to Nielsen data.
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...
The next comparable broadcast, on 1/4/26, had 8.793 million viewers, an audience drop of 15 percent, according to Nielsen data.
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...
Context: The 12/28 show was a planned special coinciding with the holiday weekend, aired under the "60 Minutes Presents" branding, when CBS figures ratings will be lower due to sports overflow, the holidays, etc.
The 12/21 show had slightly higher ratings compared to 12/14, per Nielsen.
The 12/21 show had slightly higher ratings compared to 12/14, per Nielsen.
#BREAKING: CBS News program "60 Minutes" lost more than 5 million viewers between its airings on December 21 — the week a planned segment on CECOT was to air before being pulled — and December 28, when it aired a special holiday program spotlighting the sitcom "Cheers," according to Nielsen data.
January 5, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Context: The 12/28 show was a planned special coinciding with the holiday weekend, aired under the "60 Minutes Presents" branding, when CBS figures ratings will be lower due to sports overflow, the holidays, etc.
The 12/21 show had slightly higher ratings compared to 12/14, per Nielsen.
The 12/21 show had slightly higher ratings compared to 12/14, per Nielsen.
This is not as altruistic as it seems — Ruddy also has professional motivations, as Nexstar's NewsNation and Newsmax compete for cable distribution and retransmission fees.
Ruddy is worried NewsNation will win if the combination happens, since Nexstar has powerful local TV bargaining chips.
Ruddy is worried NewsNation will win if the combination happens, since Nexstar has powerful local TV bargaining chips.
Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy is urging the FCC to block a proposed $6 billion merger between local TV broadcasters Nexstar and TEGNA, saying the combination violates federal law and the spirit of anti-monopoly rules.
Newsmax urges FCC to deny Nexstar-TEGNA merger
The company warned the deal would increase retransmission fees and further concentrate power among local TV station owners.
thedesk.net
January 5, 2026 at 8:23 PM
This is not as altruistic as it seems — Ruddy also has professional motivations, as Nexstar's NewsNation and Newsmax compete for cable distribution and retransmission fees.
Ruddy is worried NewsNation will win if the combination happens, since Nexstar has powerful local TV bargaining chips.
Ruddy is worried NewsNation will win if the combination happens, since Nexstar has powerful local TV bargaining chips.
Charter Communications and Apple are teaming up to offer select Los Angeles Lakers games to Spectrum TV and Spectrum Internet customers in Apple Immersive when watched via Apple Vision Pro. A total of six games between now and the end of March will be available through the feature.
Spectrum TV to offer some L.A. Lakers games via Apple Vision Pro
Spectrum and Apple will stream select 2026 Lakers games live in an immersive format on Apple Vision Pro, with replays and highlights available worldwide.
thedesk.net
January 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Charter Communications and Apple are teaming up to offer select Los Angeles Lakers games to Spectrum TV and Spectrum Internet customers in Apple Immersive when watched via Apple Vision Pro. A total of six games between now and the end of March will be available through the feature.
Reposted by Matthew Keys
Media consolidation ALERT.
Remember when MAGA-FCC Chairman Carr asked Sinclair and Nexstar to ban Jimmy Kimmel to please MAGA/Trump - and they did?
There’s a battle for local TV power/consolidation that impacts all Americans.
Important update from @matthewkeys.net @thedesk.net
Remember when MAGA-FCC Chairman Carr asked Sinclair and Nexstar to ban Jimmy Kimmel to please MAGA/Trump - and they did?
There’s a battle for local TV power/consolidation that impacts all Americans.
Important update from @matthewkeys.net @thedesk.net
Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy is worried that if Nexstar acquires TEGNA, they will use local stations as a bargaining chip to increase distribution of NewsNation — and there won't be money left for his competing cable news network.
Newsmax has filed a formal Petition to Deny with the FCC, urging the Trump administration to block the Nexstar-TEGNA merger.
January 3, 2026 at 3:26 AM
Media consolidation ALERT.
Remember when MAGA-FCC Chairman Carr asked Sinclair and Nexstar to ban Jimmy Kimmel to please MAGA/Trump - and they did?
There’s a battle for local TV power/consolidation that impacts all Americans.
Important update from @matthewkeys.net @thedesk.net
Remember when MAGA-FCC Chairman Carr asked Sinclair and Nexstar to ban Jimmy Kimmel to please MAGA/Trump - and they did?
There’s a battle for local TV power/consolidation that impacts all Americans.
Important update from @matthewkeys.net @thedesk.net