TheDesk.net
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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]
This is not going to end well.
The Chairman of the FCC posted a screenshot of a Truth Social post from President Trump, urging NBC to "fire" late night talk show host Seth Meyers.
The Chairman of the FCC posted a screenshot of a Truth Social post from President Trump, urging NBC to "fire" late night talk show host Seth Meyers.
November 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
This is not going to end well.
The Chairman of the FCC posted a screenshot of a Truth Social post from President Trump, urging NBC to "fire" late night talk show host Seth Meyers.
The Chairman of the FCC posted a screenshot of a Truth Social post from President Trump, urging NBC to "fire" late night talk show host Seth Meyers.
The ball is in your court, Chairman Carr.
November 14, 2025 at 10:40 PM
The ball is in your court, Chairman Carr.
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."
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.
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...
This is the e-mail that YouTube TV subscribers are receiving today, with information about how to apply the $20 bill credit due to the loss of ESPN, ABC and other Disney-owned channels.
November 9, 2025 at 8:56 PM
This is the e-mail that YouTube TV subscribers are receiving today, with information about how to apply the $20 bill credit due to the loss of ESPN, ABC and other Disney-owned channels.
#BREAKING: Comcast has hired Goldman Sachs to serve as a financial advisor for a prospective offering to acquire some or all of Warner Bros Discovery, Reuters reports. [Reuters] www.reuters.com/business/fin...
November 6, 2025 at 11:17 PM
#BREAKING: Comcast has hired Goldman Sachs to serve as a financial advisor for a prospective offering to acquire some or all of Warner Bros Discovery, Reuters reports. [Reuters] www.reuters.com/business/fin...
Rockstar Games says it will delay the release of "Grand Theft Auto VI" to November 2026.
November 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Rockstar Games says it will delay the release of "Grand Theft Auto VI" to November 2026.
For the first time since we've been tracking the data, @ewscrippsco.bsky.social made the Top 10 broadcast/cable networks in prime-time, with Ion securing the 10th spot during the most-recent Nielsen measurement week — ahead of CNN, the Food Network, HGTV, Comedy Central and others.
November 5, 2025 at 11:39 PM
For the first time since we've been tracking the data, @ewscrippsco.bsky.social made the Top 10 broadcast/cable networks in prime-time, with Ion securing the 10th spot during the most-recent Nielsen measurement week — ahead of CNN, the Food Network, HGTV, Comedy Central and others.
Ratings: "Monday Night Football" lost more than 40 percent of its audience with the Week 8 match-up between the Commanders and the Chiefs compared to the Week 7 game between the Buccaneers and Lions, per new Nielsen data.
The Commanders-Chiefs game was the last MNF broadcast on YouTube TV.
The Commanders-Chiefs game was the last MNF broadcast on YouTube TV.
November 5, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Ratings: "Monday Night Football" lost more than 40 percent of its audience with the Week 8 match-up between the Commanders and the Chiefs compared to the Week 7 game between the Buccaneers and Lions, per new Nielsen data.
The Commanders-Chiefs game was the last MNF broadcast on YouTube TV.
The Commanders-Chiefs game was the last MNF broadcast on YouTube TV.
Fox had five of the top 10 most-watched broadcast TV events last week, owed in large part to the MLB World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
CBS maintained its position at the top of the chart for the second week in a row.
ABC didn't chart at all.
CBS maintained its position at the top of the chart for the second week in a row.
ABC didn't chart at all.
November 5, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Fox had five of the top 10 most-watched broadcast TV events last week, owed in large part to the MLB World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
CBS maintained its position at the top of the chart for the second week in a row.
ABC didn't chart at all.
CBS maintained its position at the top of the chart for the second week in a row.
ABC didn't chart at all.
#BREAKING: Fox's telecast of Game 7 of the World Series was the most-watched single sporting event during Nielsen's most-recent measurement period, attracting 26.882 million viewers.
Four World Series games were among the top 10 sports broadcasts, per Nielsen data shared with us.
Four World Series games were among the top 10 sports broadcasts, per Nielsen data shared with us.
November 5, 2025 at 10:53 PM
#BREAKING: Fox's telecast of Game 7 of the World Series was the most-watched single sporting event during Nielsen's most-recent measurement period, attracting 26.882 million viewers.
Four World Series games were among the top 10 sports broadcasts, per Nielsen data shared with us.
Four World Series games were among the top 10 sports broadcasts, per Nielsen data shared with us.
Fun fact: You can watch ESPN for $5 per day with the new Sling TV Day Pass feature.
Disney would HATE if you took advantage of that deal — they're actually suing Sling TV because of it.
But it's still available: thedesk.net/go/sling
Disney would HATE if you took advantage of that deal — they're actually suing Sling TV because of it.
But it's still available: thedesk.net/go/sling
November 1, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Fun fact: You can watch ESPN for $5 per day with the new Sling TV Day Pass feature.
Disney would HATE if you took advantage of that deal — they're actually suing Sling TV because of it.
But it's still available: thedesk.net/go/sling
Disney would HATE if you took advantage of that deal — they're actually suing Sling TV because of it.
But it's still available: thedesk.net/go/sling
NEW: CNN says subscribers of its new "All Access" membership plan will be able to watch a dedicated live stream not available on cable during its November 4 election night programming.
The live stream, "CNN Election Livecast," will feature commentary from Charlamagne Tha God and Ben Shapiro.
The live stream, "CNN Election Livecast," will feature commentary from Charlamagne Tha God and Ben Shapiro.
October 31, 2025 at 10:24 PM
NEW: CNN says subscribers of its new "All Access" membership plan will be able to watch a dedicated live stream not available on cable during its November 4 election night programming.
The live stream, "CNN Election Livecast," will feature commentary from Charlamagne Tha God and Ben Shapiro.
The live stream, "CNN Election Livecast," will feature commentary from Charlamagne Tha God and Ben Shapiro.
Sports continued to dominate during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week:
• NBC won the week thanks to NFL and NBA games.
• CBS had the highest-rated program on broadcast TV
• ESPN and Fox News had the most viewers with live sports and political commentary programming on cable.
• NBC won the week thanks to NFL and NBA games.
• CBS had the highest-rated program on broadcast TV
• ESPN and Fox News had the most viewers with live sports and political commentary programming on cable.
October 30, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Sports continued to dominate during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week:
• NBC won the week thanks to NFL and NBA games.
• CBS had the highest-rated program on broadcast TV
• ESPN and Fox News had the most viewers with live sports and political commentary programming on cable.
• NBC won the week thanks to NFL and NBA games.
• CBS had the highest-rated program on broadcast TV
• ESPN and Fox News had the most viewers with live sports and political commentary programming on cable.
Here are the top-rated broadcast TV programs during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week:
CBS had the highest viewership with late-window NFL games, but Fox had the most Top 10 programs thanks to baseball.
"60 Minutes" was the only non-sports program to rank in the top 10.
CBS had the highest viewership with late-window NFL games, but Fox had the most Top 10 programs thanks to baseball.
"60 Minutes" was the only non-sports program to rank in the top 10.
October 29, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Here are the top-rated broadcast TV programs during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week:
CBS had the highest viewership with late-window NFL games, but Fox had the most Top 10 programs thanks to baseball.
"60 Minutes" was the only non-sports program to rank in the top 10.
CBS had the highest viewership with late-window NFL games, but Fox had the most Top 10 programs thanks to baseball.
"60 Minutes" was the only non-sports program to rank in the top 10.
Nielsen:
The first NBA game on NBC between the Thunder/Rockets had 4.87 million viewers last week.
The second NBA game on NBC between the Warriors/Lakers had 3.99 million viewers.
The first NBA game on NBC between the Thunder/Rockets had 4.87 million viewers last week.
The second NBA game on NBC between the Warriors/Lakers had 3.99 million viewers.
October 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Nielsen:
The first NBA game on NBC between the Thunder/Rockets had 4.87 million viewers last week.
The second NBA game on NBC between the Warriors/Lakers had 3.99 million viewers.
The first NBA game on NBC between the Thunder/Rockets had 4.87 million viewers last week.
The second NBA game on NBC between the Warriors/Lakers had 3.99 million viewers.
"NFL on CBS" late window games (4:25 p.m. Eastern Time) on October 26 were the highest-rated single TV event during Nielsen's most-recent measurement period, attracting a collective 25.3 million viewers.
October 29, 2025 at 9:47 PM
"NFL on CBS" late window games (4:25 p.m. Eastern Time) on October 26 were the highest-rated single TV event during Nielsen's most-recent measurement period, attracting a collective 25.3 million viewers.
CNN's new $7 per month "All Access" membership plan will include limited access to CNN's domestic and international news programming through a new feed called "CNN Stream."
Full details: thedesk.net/2025/10/cnn-...
Full details: thedesk.net/2025/10/cnn-...
October 28, 2025 at 6:32 PM
CNN's new $7 per month "All Access" membership plan will include limited access to CNN's domestic and international news programming through a new feed called "CNN Stream."
Full details: thedesk.net/2025/10/cnn-...
Full details: thedesk.net/2025/10/cnn-...
Game 3 of the 2025 World Series is less than an hour away from breaking the time record for the longest World Series game in MLB history, and two innings away by that count.
October 28, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Game 3 of the 2025 World Series is less than an hour away from breaking the time record for the longest World Series game in MLB history, and two innings away by that count.
During the most-recent Nielsen measurement period for which data is available, NBC ranked as the top broadcast network in America, while Fox News had the largest audience among cable networks and Univision was the biggest Spanish broadcaster.
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/10/niel...
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/10/niel...
October 27, 2025 at 7:35 PM
During the most-recent Nielsen measurement period for which data is available, NBC ranked as the top broadcast network in America, while Fox News had the largest audience among cable networks and Univision was the biggest Spanish broadcaster.
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/10/niel...
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/10/niel...
NEW: Netflix says WWE professional wrestler John Cena will make his final appearance on "Monday Night Raw" during the show's taping at Madison Square Garden on November 17.
After November 17, you won't be able to see him.
After November 17, you won't be able to see him.
October 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
NEW: Netflix says WWE professional wrestler John Cena will make his final appearance on "Monday Night Raw" during the show's taping at Madison Square Garden on November 17.
After November 17, you won't be able to see him.
After November 17, you won't be able to see him.
NEW: MSNBC says it will re-brand to MS NOW on November 15.
October 27, 2025 at 4:26 PM
NEW: MSNBC says it will re-brand to MS NOW on November 15.
NEW: Fox News will air the first TV interview with "Turning Point USA" CEO Erika Kirk, the widow of political activist Charlie Kirk, in early November. www.msn.com/en-us/news/o...
October 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
NEW: Fox News will air the first TV interview with "Turning Point USA" CEO Erika Kirk, the widow of political activist Charlie Kirk, in early November. www.msn.com/en-us/news/o...