TheDesk.net
@thedesk.net
Interesting stories that won’t waste your time. TheDesk.net covers the business of media (broadcasting, streaming) and tech. Posts by @matthewkeys.net, and probably others, too.
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Read our stuff: https://thedesk.net
Send us tips/pitches: [email protected]
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TheDesk.net
@thedesk.net
· Oct 17
Woah. Hello, Bluesky!
We're excited to be here.
May we introduce ourselves?
We cover business and policy matters involving the tech, media and telecom industries, how they're disrupting from within, and how they're influencing your lives — in a way that aims to not waste anyone's time.
👋
We're excited to be here.
May we introduce ourselves?
We cover business and policy matters involving the tech, media and telecom industries, how they're disrupting from within, and how they're influencing your lives — in a way that aims to not waste anyone's time.
👋
We have seen an uptick in bot traffic from China and Singapore over the last few days, likely tied to AI scraping and ad fraud.
To protect the integrity of our digital platforms, we have blocked traffic from these two countries until further notice.
To protect the integrity of our digital platforms, we have blocked traffic from these two countries until further notice.
November 27, 2025 at 1:35 AM
We have seen an uptick in bot traffic from China and Singapore over the last few days, likely tied to AI scraping and ad fraud.
To protect the integrity of our digital platforms, we have blocked traffic from these two countries until further notice.
To protect the integrity of our digital platforms, we have blocked traffic from these two countries until further notice.
The FCC is urging radio stations across America to update passwords on a key piece of transmission equipment that has been targeted by cyberattackers over the past few weeks.
The equipment, made by Barix, has been used by hackers to broadcast offensive materials on the radio.
The equipment, made by Barix, has been used by hackers to broadcast offensive materials on the radio.
FCC urges radio stations to lock down Barix equipment after hacks
The FCC is urging radio stations to lock down Barix equipment with tougher passwords after a string of cybersecurity incidents.
thedesk.net
November 27, 2025 at 1:27 AM
The FCC is urging radio stations across America to update passwords on a key piece of transmission equipment that has been targeted by cyberattackers over the past few weeks.
The equipment, made by Barix, has been used by hackers to broadcast offensive materials on the radio.
The equipment, made by Barix, has been used by hackers to broadcast offensive materials on the radio.
If you are traveling at one of the nation's busiest airports this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, you might notice an offer at the terminal: Free DIRECTV.
Streamsgiving: DIRECTV targets airline passengers with extended free trial offers
The offers include five days of free access to any of its genre-based packages.
thedesk.net
November 27, 2025 at 12:56 AM
If you are traveling at one of the nation's busiest airports this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, you might notice an offer at the terminal: Free DIRECTV.
The E. W. Scripps Company has adopted a so-called "poison pill" that grants common stock owners voting power if any one shareholder accumulates more than 10 percent of its stock.
Sinclair, which is vying to acquire Scripps, currently has 9.9 percent of the company's stock.
Sinclair, which is vying to acquire Scripps, currently has 9.9 percent of the company's stock.
Scripps board adopts shareholder rights plan amid Sinclair takeover offer
The board of the E. W. Scripps Company has adopted a shareholder rights plan that is intended to insulate the broadcaster from opportunistic takeover offers from Sinclair, Inc. and other parties.
thedesk.net
November 27, 2025 at 12:50 AM
The E. W. Scripps Company has adopted a so-called "poison pill" that grants common stock owners voting power if any one shareholder accumulates more than 10 percent of its stock.
Sinclair, which is vying to acquire Scripps, currently has 9.9 percent of the company's stock.
Sinclair, which is vying to acquire Scripps, currently has 9.9 percent of the company's stock.
Hallmark Channel entered the top 10 ranker for broadcast and cable networks in prime-time last week, with its slate of early holiday movies under the "Countdown to Christmas" franchise name.
Read more here: thedesk.net/2025/11/niel...
Read more here: thedesk.net/2025/11/niel...
November 26, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Hallmark Channel entered the top 10 ranker for broadcast and cable networks in prime-time last week, with its slate of early holiday movies under the "Countdown to Christmas" franchise name.
Read more here: thedesk.net/2025/11/niel...
Read more here: thedesk.net/2025/11/niel...
Comcast will pay $1.5 million to the FCC to settle a year-long probe over the mishandling of personal information.
A vendor used by Comcast to pursue past-due bills was hacked in 2024, which exposed personal information of more than 230,000 customers.
A vendor used by Comcast to pursue past-due bills was hacked in 2024, which exposed personal information of more than 230,000 customers.
Comcast settles data breach probe for $1.5 million
November 25, 2025 - Comcast has agreed to forfeit $1.5 million to the FCC to resolve a probe over the mishandling of customer account and personal information.
thedesk.net
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Comcast will pay $1.5 million to the FCC to settle a year-long probe over the mishandling of personal information.
A vendor used by Comcast to pursue past-due bills was hacked in 2024, which exposed personal information of more than 230,000 customers.
A vendor used by Comcast to pursue past-due bills was hacked in 2024, which exposed personal information of more than 230,000 customers.
ESPN says its telecast of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix drew 1.5 million viewers, and peaked at 1.8 million viewers just before midnight.
November 25, 2025 at 10:27 PM
ESPN says its telecast of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix drew 1.5 million viewers, and peaked at 1.8 million viewers just before midnight.
Walmart is selling an Onn TV for Black Friday that is powered by its own Vizio operating system, rather than Roku.
Scoop: Walmart begins selling Onn TV powered by Vizio
Walmart is now selling an Onn-branded smart television that is powered by Vizio's operating system, The Desk can confirm.
thedesk.net
November 25, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Walmart is selling an Onn TV for Black Friday that is powered by its own Vizio operating system, rather than Roku.
Fox's decision to sell Fox One through Amazon Prime Video Channels helped the streaming platform grow faster than ESPN Unlimited, according to new data from Antenna released on Tuesday.
Antenna: Amazon Prime Video driving sign-ups to Fox One
Fox's decision to partner with Amazon for sales of Fox One helped it grow faster than ESPN Unlimited, according to Antenna.
thedesk.net
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Fox's decision to sell Fox One through Amazon Prime Video Channels helped the streaming platform grow faster than ESPN Unlimited, according to new data from Antenna released on Tuesday.
Sinclair has hired former CNN and KTLA morning news anchor Michaela Pereira to serve as the Executive Producer of its new "Amazing America" series.
Sinclair names Michaela Pereira as Executive Producer of Amazing America
November 25, 2025 - Sinclair has hired Michaela Pereira to serve as the Executive Producer of "Amazing America," the company’s digital content brand focused on uplifting stories.
thedesk.net
November 25, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Sinclair has hired former CNN and KTLA morning news anchor Michaela Pereira to serve as the Executive Producer of its new "Amazing America" series.
You, our readers, keep us going.
Thank you for another strong Q3.
We're blessed to have you. We don't take our readers for granted.
Thank you for another strong Q3.
We're blessed to have you. We don't take our readers for granted.
November 24, 2025 at 9:43 PM
You, our readers, keep us going.
Thank you for another strong Q3.
We're blessed to have you. We don't take our readers for granted.
Thank you for another strong Q3.
We're blessed to have you. We don't take our readers for granted.
Exclusive: Fubo has started selling subscriptions to Peacock while NBC-owned channels remain unavailable on the platform.
Scoop: Fubo sells Peacock subscriptions during NBC Universal dispute
November 24, 2025 - Fubo is selling subscription to Peacock during its dispute with NBC Universal over channels on its platform, The Desk has learned.
thedesk.net
November 24, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Exclusive: Fubo has started selling subscriptions to Peacock while NBC-owned channels remain unavailable on the platform.
Sinclair, Inc. has made an offer to acquire the E. W. Scripps Company and its 60 local television stations, plus multicast networks like Ion, Scripps News, Court TV and Laff.
Sinclair makes unsolicited bid for E. W. Scripps
November 24, 2025 - Scripps has made an unsolicited offer to acquire all outstanding share of Scripps as part of an effort to merge with the company.
thedesk.net
November 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Sinclair, Inc. has made an offer to acquire the E. W. Scripps Company and its 60 local television stations, plus multicast networks like Ion, Scripps News, Court TV and Laff.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
President Trump's post on social media this weekend appeared to oppose broadcast ownership rule reform, sending local TV stocks down on Monday.
A closer examination of his comments reveals he really wasn't speaking about local TV stations, but broadcast networks — an issue that isn't on the table.
A closer examination of his comments reveals he really wasn't speaking about local TV stations, but broadcast networks — an issue that isn't on the table.
Broadcast TV stocks dip after Trump opines about ownership rules
November 24, 2025 - President Trump appeared to side against reforming broadcast ownership rules in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.
thedesk.net
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
President Trump's post on social media this weekend appeared to oppose broadcast ownership rule reform, sending local TV stocks down on Monday.
A closer examination of his comments reveals he really wasn't speaking about local TV stations, but broadcast networks — an issue that isn't on the table.
A closer examination of his comments reveals he really wasn't speaking about local TV stations, but broadcast networks — an issue that isn't on the table.
CuriosityStream isn't just a subscription documentary service — it is starting to earn some serious money from licensing its content to AI developers, so they can train their large language models.
Wall Street analyst Laura Martin said more media companies need to adopt this strategy.
Wall Street analyst Laura Martin said more media companies need to adopt this strategy.
Laura Martin: CuriosityStream taps new revenue by licensing data to AI developers
November 21, 2025 - Media companies that own intellectual property and first-party data should be licensing that material to developers of large language models, a leading Wall Street analyst said on...
thedesk.net
November 22, 2025 at 2:54 AM
CuriosityStream isn't just a subscription documentary service — it is starting to earn some serious money from licensing its content to AI developers, so they can train their large language models.
Wall Street analyst Laura Martin said more media companies need to adopt this strategy.
Wall Street analyst Laura Martin said more media companies need to adopt this strategy.
#BREAKING: Fubo drops channels owned by NBC Universal after contract expires; both sides negotiating toward new agreement, but at odds over distribution fees.
Fubo drops channels from NBC Universal amid fee dispute
Disney-owned streamer Fubo has pulled channels from rival broadcaster NBC Universal, owned by Comcast.
thedesk.net
November 21, 2025 at 11:24 PM
#BREAKING: Fubo drops channels owned by NBC Universal after contract expires; both sides negotiating toward new agreement, but at odds over distribution fees.
Netgem is bringing Freely to existing smart TVs with a new device called PLEIO, which includes a voice-powered remote control and a game controller.
The Android TV gadget is the first device to support Freely on a standalone basis — no new TV needed.
The Android TV gadget is the first device to support Freely on a standalone basis — no new TV needed.
Netgem unveils PLEIO, first standalone Freely-capable device
Netgem has introduced the first standalone CTV device that brings the capabilities of Freely to existing TV sets in the United Kingdom.
thedesk.net
November 21, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Netgem is bringing Freely to existing smart TVs with a new device called PLEIO, which includes a voice-powered remote control and a game controller.
The Android TV gadget is the first device to support Freely on a standalone basis — no new TV needed.
The Android TV gadget is the first device to support Freely on a standalone basis — no new TV needed.
A federal judge has sided against a former CBS local TV executive who had numerous performance issues, then complained about not being paid out a performance bonus. thedesk.net/2025/11/audr...
Judge sides against ex-WJZ general manager in unpaid performance bonus case
Court records showed ongoing performance, professionalism and attendance issues documented by senior leaders and HR throughout 2021.
thedesk.net
November 21, 2025 at 1:09 AM
A federal judge has sided against a former CBS local TV executive who had numerous performance issues, then complained about not being paid out a performance bonus. thedesk.net/2025/11/audr...
New data from Antenna:
ESPN subscriptions have surpassed 3 million since August (nearly 2 million for ESPN Unlimited alone), and Fox One subscriptions have grown to more than 2 million during the same time.
Both products launched on the same day.
ESPN subscriptions have surpassed 3 million since August (nearly 2 million for ESPN Unlimited alone), and Fox One subscriptions have grown to more than 2 million during the same time.
Both products launched on the same day.
November 20, 2025 at 6:17 PM
New data from Antenna:
ESPN subscriptions have surpassed 3 million since August (nearly 2 million for ESPN Unlimited alone), and Fox One subscriptions have grown to more than 2 million during the same time.
Both products launched on the same day.
ESPN subscriptions have surpassed 3 million since August (nearly 2 million for ESPN Unlimited alone), and Fox One subscriptions have grown to more than 2 million during the same time.
Both products launched on the same day.
Major League Baseball games are coming to Netflix and NBC Universal/Peacock, while ESPN retains a limited window of games.
Playoffs will still be split between TNT Sports and Fox Sports, while the World Series will remain on Fox.
Playoffs will still be split between TNT Sports and Fox Sports, while the World Series will remain on Fox.
MLB inks multi-year TV deal with Netflix, ESPN, NBC Universal
November 19, 2025 - Major League Baseball will distribute regular-season games and special events on Netflix, NBC Sports and ESPN under a new three-year deal, the league announced this week.
thedesk.net
November 20, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Major League Baseball games are coming to Netflix and NBC Universal/Peacock, while ESPN retains a limited window of games.
Playoffs will still be split between TNT Sports and Fox Sports, while the World Series will remain on Fox.
Playoffs will still be split between TNT Sports and Fox Sports, while the World Series will remain on Fox.
Lionsgate has launched a new broadcast network called Moviesphere Gold, now available on digital television stations affiliated with Univision.
Lionsgate officially launches digital broadcast network Moviesphere Gold
November 19, 2025 - The channel pulls from the Lionsgate content library, and will operate through a partnership with Debmar-Mercury.
thedesk.net
November 19, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Lionsgate has launched a new broadcast network called Moviesphere Gold, now available on digital television stations affiliated with Univision.
A judge rejected Disney's request for a preliminary injunction against Sling TV over its ESPN-inclusive "Day Pass" feature.
Sling responded by dropping the price of Day Pass to $1 through the end of November.
Sling responded by dropping the price of Day Pass to $1 through the end of November.
Sling offers $1 Day Pass after judge sides against Disney in lawsuit
November 19, 2025 - On Tuesday, a federal judge denied Disney's request for a preliminary injunction, which would have forced Sling to stop offering the Day Pass while the lawsuit played out.
thedesk.net
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
A judge rejected Disney's request for a preliminary injunction against Sling TV over its ESPN-inclusive "Day Pass" feature.
Sling responded by dropping the price of Day Pass to $1 through the end of November.
Sling responded by dropping the price of Day Pass to $1 through the end of November.
#BREAKING: Local TV broadcaster Nexstar will begin filing applications with the FCC this week to take over stations owned by TEGNA.
Nexstar readies FCC applications to acquire TEGNA stations
Nexstar this week will begin filing applications with the FCC to take over TEGNA's local TV stations.
thedesk.net
November 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM
#BREAKING: Local TV broadcaster Nexstar will begin filing applications with the FCC this week to take over stations owned by TEGNA.
Never forget: The CEO of Nexstar Media Group once said that the coronavirus pandemic would be good for his business because people would be stuck at home with nothing more to do than watch TV.
"I think advertisers see the value in that."
"I think advertisers see the value in that."
Nexstar Media executive says coronavirus good for business
The head of the largest owner of local television stations in the country says a viral outbreak of coronavirus in the United States could provide a boon for stations and advertisers.
thedesk.net
November 18, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Never forget: The CEO of Nexstar Media Group once said that the coronavirus pandemic would be good for his business because people would be stuck at home with nothing more to do than watch TV.
"I think advertisers see the value in that."
"I think advertisers see the value in that."
Broadcast TV saw higher interest in October primarily due to live NFL games on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, according to the latest "The Gauge" report from Nielsen.
Nielsen: Sports creates parity between traditional, streaming TV in October
NFL games and other sports helped lift broadcast TV's share of viewership during the measurement month of October, according to Nielsen.
thedesk.net
November 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Broadcast TV saw higher interest in October primarily due to live NFL games on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, according to the latest "The Gauge" report from Nielsen.