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.
Read our stuff: https://thedesk.net
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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.
👋
Reposted by TheDesk.net
It’s live on TV now.
Today, MSNBC becomes @ms.now: MS NOW – My Source for News, Opinion, and the World.
While our name has changed, who we are has not. You’ll find the same commitment to justice, progress, and the truth.
Same mission. New name.
While our name has changed, who we are has not. You’ll find the same commitment to justice, progress, and the truth.
Same mission. New name.
November 15, 2025 at 12:06 PM
It’s live on TV now.
Charter is giving its Spectrum Internet customers a free bump in download and upload speeds during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Spectrum Internet boosts download speeds for free during "Gig Week"
November 13, 2025 - Charter Communications is giving customers of its Spectrum Internet service faster download speeds during the busy Thanksgiving holiday.
thedesk.net
November 15, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Charter is giving its Spectrum Internet customers a free bump in download and upload speeds during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Donald Trump plans to file a frivolous lawsuit against the BBC next week, pursuing billions of dollars in damages because they apologized for editing his January 6 speech. [The Guardian]
Trump says he will take legal action against BBC, despite its apology
US president tells reporters he will sue the corporation for ‘anywhere between a billion and $5bn’
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Donald Trump plans to file a frivolous lawsuit against the BBC next week, pursuing billions of dollars in damages because they apologized for editing his January 6 speech. [The Guardian]
SiriusXM host Megyn Kelly says Jeffrey Epstein was not a conventional pedophile because he liked young teen girls, not those under the age of 10.
Kelly said Epstein was "sick," but said there was a "distinction" between teen and pre-teen girls. [Newsweek]
Kelly said Epstein was "sick," but said there was a "distinction" between teen and pre-teen girls. [Newsweek]
Megyn Kelly casts doubt on accusations Jeffrey Epstein was a "pedophile"
Megyn Kelly called Jeffrey Epstein's actions "sick" in a Wednesday episode of her show.
www.newsweek.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:15 AM
SiriusXM host Megyn Kelly says Jeffrey Epstein was not a conventional pedophile because he liked young teen girls, not those under the age of 10.
Kelly said Epstein was "sick," but said there was a "distinction" between teen and pre-teen girls. [Newsweek]
Kelly said Epstein was "sick," but said there was a "distinction" between teen and pre-teen girls. [Newsweek]
Google's new deal with Disney allows YouTube TV subscribers to access ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost, but the perk may not arrive until next year.
Disney, YouTube TV reach deal to restore ESPN, ABC
Google and Disney have reached an agreement that allows ESPN, ABC and other networks to be restored to YouTube TV.
thedesk.net
November 15, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Google's new deal with Disney allows YouTube TV subscribers to access ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost, but the perk may not arrive until next year.
#BREAKING: Google and Disney have reached an agreement that will allow YouTube TV customers to watch ESPN, ABC and other channels through the platform once again.
Disney, YouTube TV reach deal to restore ESPN, ABC
Google and Disney have reached an agreement that allows ESPN, ABC and other networks to be restored to YouTube TV.
thedesk.net
November 15, 2025 at 1:34 AM
#BREAKING: Google and Disney have reached an agreement that will allow YouTube TV customers to watch ESPN, ABC and other channels through the platform once again.
The ball is in your court, Chairman Carr.
November 14, 2025 at 10:40 PM
The ball is in your court, Chairman Carr.
Fewer than half of American households are subscribed to a pay TV service like cable, satellite, Fubo, YouTube or DIRECTV, according to a Wall Street analyst.
Analyst: U.S. pay TV penetration falls below 50 percent during Q4
The number of households subscribed to traditional pay TV or an equivalent fell below a critical threshold during Q4 2025, according to an analyst.
thedesk.net
November 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Fewer than half of American households are subscribed to a pay TV service like cable, satellite, Fubo, YouTube or DIRECTV, according to a Wall Street analyst.
In its Q3 earnings presentation to investors, Newsmax drew on a headline that said its post-election ratings "shook Fox News." And that's where it ended.
The actual headline was: "Surge in Newsmax ratings shook Fox News, then faded."
The actual headline was: "Surge in Newsmax ratings shook Fox News, then faded."
November 13, 2025 at 10:19 PM
In its Q3 earnings presentation to investors, Newsmax drew on a headline that said its post-election ratings "shook Fox News." And that's where it ended.
The actual headline was: "Surge in Newsmax ratings shook Fox News, then faded."
The actual headline was: "Surge in Newsmax ratings shook Fox News, then faded."
Reposted by TheDesk.net
NEWS -- MLS owners voted + passed a schedule change today.
--League will now run from roughly August to May
--Expected start in summer of 2027.
--MLS will take a winter breaks in Jan/Feb.
--No more June/July MLS games, sadly.
--League will now run from roughly August to May
--Expected start in summer of 2027.
--MLS will take a winter breaks in Jan/Feb.
--No more June/July MLS games, sadly.
November 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
NEWS -- MLS owners voted + passed a schedule change today.
--League will now run from roughly August to May
--Expected start in summer of 2027.
--MLS will take a winter breaks in Jan/Feb.
--No more June/July MLS games, sadly.
--League will now run from roughly August to May
--Expected start in summer of 2027.
--MLS will take a winter breaks in Jan/Feb.
--No more June/July MLS games, sadly.
#BREAKING: Newsmax cuts financial loss in half after seeing uptick in revenue during Q3; CEO Christopher Ruddy cited stronger cable and premium streaming deals coupled with a growing presence on free streaming TV platforms.
Newsmax cuts net loss on strong revenue growth during Q3
November 13, 2025 - Newsmax cut its financial loss by half on stronger advertising and subscription revenue during the third quarter of the year.
thedesk.net
November 13, 2025 at 9:26 PM
#BREAKING: Newsmax cuts financial loss in half after seeing uptick in revenue during Q3; CEO Christopher Ruddy cited stronger cable and premium streaming deals coupled with a growing presence on free streaming TV platforms.
#BREAKING: Apple is ending MLS Season Pass in 2026, and will offer all live Major League Soccer games through the Apple TV Plus service (soon to be renamed Apple TV) without a separate fee.
Report: Apple to stop charging separate subscription for MLS Season Pass
November 13, 2025 - Apple will stop charging a separate fee for Major League Soccer games next year, according to a report.
thedesk.net
November 13, 2025 at 8:09 PM
#BREAKING: Apple is ending MLS Season Pass in 2026, and will offer all live Major League Soccer games through the Apple TV Plus service (soon to be renamed Apple TV) without a separate fee.
NBC is relaunching its cable sports network NBCSN on Monday; it will be available first to YouTube TV subscribers, and then to Xfinity TV customers, with other partners to be announced in the coming weeks.
The channel will feature live sports, plus Gold Zone during the Olympics.
The channel will feature live sports, plus Gold Zone during the Olympics.
NBC will relaunch NBCSN on Monday; will offer simulcasts of sports from Peacock | Matthew Keys
We have written about this quite a bit over at TheDesk.net: An evaluation of Nielsen ratings and data from Adobe Analytics shows most people prefer to watch NBC's premium live sporting events on the b...
www.linkedin.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:53 PM
NBC is relaunching its cable sports network NBCSN on Monday; it will be available first to YouTube TV subscribers, and then to Xfinity TV customers, with other partners to be announced in the coming weeks.
The channel will feature live sports, plus Gold Zone during the Olympics.
The channel will feature live sports, plus Gold Zone during the Olympics.
Disney continued to see upward pressure on its traditional linear TV networks during its fiscal Q4.
Executives said the dispute with YouTube TV is likely going to be long.
Executives said the dispute with YouTube TV is likely going to be long.
Disney posts mixed fiscal Q4 results, linear TV network revenue down
Disney posted a mixed bag of financial results for its fiscal Q4, with revenue boosted by streaming but nearly offset by lower income from traditional linear networks like ABC and FX.
thedesk.net
November 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Disney continued to see upward pressure on its traditional linear TV networks during its fiscal Q4.
Executives said the dispute with YouTube TV is likely going to be long.
Executives said the dispute with YouTube TV is likely going to be long.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
Last week's NFL game from Berlin between the Falcons and the Colts had 5.77 million viewers, according to Nielsen, slightly under the 5.97 million viewers ESPN had for "Monday Night Football" and a sign that overseas games can still pull in decent numbers.
November 13, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Last week's NFL game from Berlin between the Falcons and the Colts had 5.77 million viewers, according to Nielsen, slightly under the 5.97 million viewers ESPN had for "Monday Night Football" and a sign that overseas games can still pull in decent numbers.
Last week's NFL game from Berlin between the Falcons and the Colts had 5.77 million viewers, according to Nielsen, slightly under the 5.97 million viewers ESPN had for "Monday Night Football" and a sign that overseas games can still pull in decent numbers.
November 13, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Last week's NFL game from Berlin between the Falcons and the Colts had 5.77 million viewers, according to Nielsen, slightly under the 5.97 million viewers ESPN had for "Monday Night Football" and a sign that overseas games can still pull in decent numbers.
Two lawmakers have accused Paramount CEO David Ellison of avoiding their questions into the company's merger with Skydance Media, including whether certain concessions given to Trump and his administration were intended to help gain regulatory approvals for the merger.
Lawmakers accuse Paramount CEO of evading probe of Skydance Media merger
aTwo Congressmen have accused Paramount CEO David Ellison of sidestepping their questions into the company's August merger with Skydance Media.
thedesk.net
November 13, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Two lawmakers have accused Paramount CEO David Ellison of avoiding their questions into the company's merger with Skydance Media, including whether certain concessions given to Trump and his administration were intended to help gain regulatory approvals for the merger.
Spotify will start offering music videos to its subscribers in the United States in the next few weeks.
Spotify to start offering paid subscribers access to music videos
Spotify will launch music videos for U.S. premium subscribers in the coming weeks, after testing the same feature with overseas users in recent months.
thedesk.net
November 13, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Spotify will start offering music videos to its subscribers in the United States in the next few weeks.
Fox News, MSNBC and CNN were among the top 10 overall TV networks during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week, bolstered by their coverage of Election Day races.
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/11/niel...
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/11/niel...
November 12, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Fox News, MSNBC and CNN were among the top 10 overall TV networks during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week, bolstered by their coverage of Election Day races.
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/11/niel...
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/11/niel...
"Monday Night Football" loses more than 1 million viewers during the first full week of Disney's distribution dispute with YouTube TV, per Nielsen ratings data.
Nielsen data shows "Monday Night Football" audience decline during YouTube TV dispute
November 12, 2025 - The total audience for "Monday Night Football" was more than 1 million viewers lower on ABC and ESPN combined during the first full week of Disney's dispute with YouTube TV.
thedesk.net
November 12, 2025 at 11:12 PM
"Monday Night Football" loses more than 1 million viewers during the first full week of Disney's distribution dispute with YouTube TV, per Nielsen ratings data.
Documentary service CuriosityStream posted higher revenue during Q3 after inking new distribution deals with streaming providers, including Roku, LG and President Trump's platform Truth Plus.
CuriosityStream boasts higher revenue on stronger licensing income during Q3
Revenue at CuriosityStream rose 46 percent to $18.4 million during Q3, compared to $12.6 million last year.
thedesk.net
November 12, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Documentary service CuriosityStream posted higher revenue during Q3 after inking new distribution deals with streaming providers, including Roku, LG and President Trump's platform Truth Plus.
Versant, the cable networks business being spun out of Comcast, has offered a first look at the new USA Sports brand, which will exist across the USA Network, CNBC and Golf Channel.
Versant unveils brand identity refresh for USA Sports
November 12, 2025 - USA Sports will exist as the flagship brand for live sports programming across Comcast's cable networks that are being separated into Versant.
thedesk.net
November 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Versant, the cable networks business being spun out of Comcast, has offered a first look at the new USA Sports brand, which will exist across the USA Network, CNBC and Golf Channel.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
Optimum is now offering its TV and Internet subscribers a one-year plan of Netflix with Ads for free.
Optimum launches free Netflix perk for broadband, TV customers
November 11, 2025 - Optimum is now offering most of its Internet and TV customers a one-year subscription of Netflix with Ads as part of their service.
thedesk.net
November 11, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Optimum is now offering its TV and Internet subscribers a one-year plan of Netflix with Ads for free.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
#LateNight round up!
On #JimmyKimmelLive Remembering #CletoEscobedo (Emotional monologue)
youtu.be/0xlVAr6JZ9A?...
On #JimmyKimmelLive Remembering #CletoEscobedo (Emotional monologue)
youtu.be/0xlVAr6JZ9A?...
Jimmy Kimmel Remembers His Best Friend and Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III
YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 6:28 AM
#LateNight round up!
On #JimmyKimmelLive Remembering #CletoEscobedo (Emotional monologue)
youtu.be/0xlVAr6JZ9A?...
On #JimmyKimmelLive Remembering #CletoEscobedo (Emotional monologue)
youtu.be/0xlVAr6JZ9A?...