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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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.
👋
Not only was the wedding during the Super Bowl LX halftime show real, the pastor who officiated the ceremony is from a church in Sacramento. [KCRA]
Sacramento pastor describes how he officiated a wedding during Bad Bunny's halftime show
YouTube video by KCRA 3
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Not only was the wedding during the Super Bowl LX halftime show real, the pastor who officiated the ceremony is from a church in Sacramento. [KCRA]
EXCLUSIVE: Sinclair starts offering "The National News Desk" through a coast-to-coast simulcast on its police procedurals network Charge.
Exclusive: Sinclair's Charge starts simulcasting The National News Desk
Sinclair's police procedural multicast network Charge is getting its own morning show — at least for an hour.
thedesk.net
February 9, 2026 at 8:15 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Sinclair starts offering "The National News Desk" through a coast-to-coast simulcast on its police procedurals network Charge.
Samba TV: 16.9 million U.S. households watched the 2026 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony when it aired on NBC and Peacock, based on data from opt-in smart TVs and streaming devices.
February 9, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Samba TV: 16.9 million U.S. households watched the 2026 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony when it aired on NBC and Peacock, based on data from opt-in smart TVs and streaming devices.
YouTube TV customers will have to wait until Fall 2026 before they have access to ESPN Unlimited, executive confirms.
YouTube TV won't get ESPN Unlimited until fall, exec confirms
YouTube TV subscribers will have to wait several more months before they can access ESPN Unlimited as part of their streaming TV plan.
thedesk.net
February 9, 2026 at 6:54 PM
YouTube TV customers will have to wait until Fall 2026 before they have access to ESPN Unlimited, executive confirms.
SCOOP: The E. W. Scripps Company has sold Court TV to Jellysmack, the owner of Law&Crime Network.
Scoop: Scripps sells Court TV to Law&Crime owner Jellysmack
E. W. Scripps Company agreed to sell Court TV to Jellysmack, placing it under common ownership with Law&Crime Network.
thedesk.net
February 9, 2026 at 5:59 PM
SCOOP: The E. W. Scripps Company has sold Court TV to Jellysmack, the owner of Law&Crime Network.
TL;DR — it was not a "Super Bowl" ad, which requires a national ad buy.
It was a local TV ad that aired during the Super Bowl, on a single TV station in Montana, for less than $3,000.
It was a local TV ad that aired during the Super Bowl, on a single TV station in Montana, for less than $3,000.
WE BOUGHT A SUPER BOWL AD. And no, we didn't spend $8 million. @evystadium.bsky.social has more on how we did it.
Read the behind-the-scenes story by @jasonkoebler.bsky.social here: www.404media.co/watch-404-me...
Read the behind-the-scenes story by @jasonkoebler.bsky.social here: www.404media.co/watch-404-me...
February 9, 2026 at 5:19 PM
TL;DR — it was not a "Super Bowl" ad, which requires a national ad buy.
It was a local TV ad that aired during the Super Bowl, on a single TV station in Montana, for less than $3,000.
It was a local TV ad that aired during the Super Bowl, on a single TV station in Montana, for less than $3,000.
Sinclair's "America 250" programming franchise lands its first national sponsor: Supplement brand Balance of Nature.
Balance of Nature to sponsor Sinclair's America 250 programming franchise
Balance of Nature will serve as presenting sponsor, with branding and executive participation woven into coverage highlighting communities.
thedesk.net
February 9, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Sinclair's "America 250" programming franchise lands its first national sponsor: Supplement brand Balance of Nature.
YouTube TV's forthcoming $65 per month sports-only package won't just include sports: It will also offer Fox News, with no way to opt out.
YouTube TV sports-only package to cost $65 per month, include ESPN Unlimited
The package undercuts the main YouTube TV plan and mirrors genre-based bundles offered by Fubo and DIRECTV.
thedesk.net
February 9, 2026 at 4:10 PM
YouTube TV's forthcoming $65 per month sports-only package won't just include sports: It will also offer Fox News, with no way to opt out.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
President Trump on Saturday said he supported the acquisition of TEGNA by Nexstar Media Group, a company that still has DEI programs as part of its "corporate philosophy" — meaning companies that ended their DEI programs to appease Trump in similar transactions did so needlessly.
Trump backs Nexstar-TEGNA deal, despite DEI philosophy
Trump’s support for the Nexstar-TEGNA deal comes despite past opposition to DEI initiatives, signaling a pragmatic carve-out.
thedesk.net
February 7, 2026 at 7:31 PM
President Trump on Saturday said he supported the acquisition of TEGNA by Nexstar Media Group, a company that still has DEI programs as part of its "corporate philosophy" — meaning companies that ended their DEI programs to appease Trump in similar transactions did so needlessly.
President Trump on Saturday said he supported the acquisition of TEGNA by Nexstar Media Group, a company that still has DEI programs as part of its "corporate philosophy" — meaning companies that ended their DEI programs to appease Trump in similar transactions did so needlessly.
Trump backs Nexstar-TEGNA deal, despite DEI philosophy
Trump’s support for the Nexstar-TEGNA deal comes despite past opposition to DEI initiatives, signaling a pragmatic carve-out.
thedesk.net
February 7, 2026 at 7:31 PM
President Trump on Saturday said he supported the acquisition of TEGNA by Nexstar Media Group, a company that still has DEI programs as part of its "corporate philosophy" — meaning companies that ended their DEI programs to appease Trump in similar transactions did so needlessly.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
Carr needs his news hits on Fox like a junkie needs their smack, so the agency is tied to producing empty unenforceable adjudication threats.
This is not a big secret to anyone paying even a little attention, but kudos to Commissioner Gomez as she keeps calling him out.
This is not a big secret to anyone paying even a little attention, but kudos to Commissioner Gomez as she keeps calling him out.
FIRST ON THE DESK: FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez @agomezfcc.bsky.social says the agency is not launching a legitimate "equal time" probe against "The View," calling a Fox News scoop on the matter nothing more than an intimidation tactic.
FCC Commissioner Gomez says agency not investigating "The View"
February 6, 2026 - Gomez said a report that the agency is investigating The View is merely an intimidation tactic, not a legitimate enforcement matter.
thedesk.net
February 7, 2026 at 5:38 AM
Carr needs his news hits on Fox like a junkie needs their smack, so the agency is tied to producing empty unenforceable adjudication threats.
This is not a big secret to anyone paying even a little attention, but kudos to Commissioner Gomez as she keeps calling him out.
This is not a big secret to anyone paying even a little attention, but kudos to Commissioner Gomez as she keeps calling him out.
FIRST ON THE DESK: FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez @agomezfcc.bsky.social says the agency is not launching a legitimate "equal time" probe against "The View," calling a Fox News scoop on the matter nothing more than an intimidation tactic.
FCC Commissioner Gomez says agency not investigating "The View"
February 6, 2026 - Gomez said a report that the agency is investigating The View is merely an intimidation tactic, not a legitimate enforcement matter.
thedesk.net
February 7, 2026 at 4:51 AM
FIRST ON THE DESK: FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez @agomezfcc.bsky.social says the agency is not launching a legitimate "equal time" probe against "The View," calling a Fox News scoop on the matter nothing more than an intimidation tactic.
SiriusXM is a mess. The company has renewed talent agreements with people who aren't driving business, and subscribers are starting to churn out. An ad-supported tier isn't rolling out aggressively, and the company is struggling to compete against "premium and free" offerings.
SiriusXM stalls on radio subscriber growth during Q4
SiriusXM continues to struggle with subscriber churn, and isn't moving aggressively enough to roll out its lower-cost, ad-supported offerings.
thedesk.net
February 5, 2026 at 11:13 PM
SiriusXM is a mess. The company has renewed talent agreements with people who aren't driving business, and subscribers are starting to churn out. An ad-supported tier isn't rolling out aggressively, and the company is struggling to compete against "premium and free" offerings.
Senator Ted Cruz has scheduled a hearing at the Senate Commerce Committee next week that will examine whether the FCC has the legal authority to eliminate a rule that caps the number of local TV stations a company may own outright.
Senator Cruz plans hearing on FCC broadcast ownership rules
February 4, 2026 - The Senate Commerce Committee will hear testimony on broadcast TV ownership rules from key stakeholders in the industry.
thedesk.net
February 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Senator Ted Cruz has scheduled a hearing at the Senate Commerce Committee next week that will examine whether the FCC has the legal authority to eliminate a rule that caps the number of local TV stations a company may own outright.
Disney, not YouTube, was the biggest loser in the distribution spat last November:
• Disney said the carriage dispute hurt sports revenue during that period
• YouTube grew its ad revenue by 9 percent to $11.4 billion; subscription revenue also increased.
• Disney said the carriage dispute hurt sports revenue during that period
• YouTube grew its ad revenue by 9 percent to $11.4 billion; subscription revenue also increased.
YouTube ad revenue grows to $11.4 billion during Q4
YouTube's effort in convincing viewers and Madison Avenue that its product is as premium as traditional TV appears to be working.
thedesk.net
February 4, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Disney, not YouTube, was the biggest loser in the distribution spat last November:
• Disney said the carriage dispute hurt sports revenue during that period
• YouTube grew its ad revenue by 9 percent to $11.4 billion; subscription revenue also increased.
• Disney said the carriage dispute hurt sports revenue during that period
• YouTube grew its ad revenue by 9 percent to $11.4 billion; subscription revenue also increased.
FIRST ON THE DESK: Are you a Fubo subscriber? Don't expect to watch the Super Bowl or Winter Olympic Games through that platform this year.
Fubo CEO accuses Comcast of ending talks on restoring NBC in January
Comcast is satisfied with distributing NBC only on Hulu's pay TV service, Fubo CEO David Gandler told investors on Tuesday.
thedesk.net
February 4, 2026 at 3:07 AM
FIRST ON THE DESK: Are you a Fubo subscriber? Don't expect to watch the Super Bowl or Winter Olympic Games through that platform this year.
Executives from Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery testified before a Senate hearing on Tuesday, attempting to justify their $72 billion proposed transaction as good for consumers and good for media competition.
Lawmakers question execs from Netflix, WBD on proposed acquisition
Netflix and WBD executives defended their merger to lawmakers, arguing it will boost competition against YouTube and Amazon.
thedesk.net
February 4, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Executives from Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery testified before a Senate hearing on Tuesday, attempting to justify their $72 billion proposed transaction as good for consumers and good for media competition.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
📺👀"Stations give Sinclair actual duopoly in each affected market (Eugene, Eureka, Chico-Redding, Portland-Auburn, Tri-Cities) where it owns at least one major network affiliate + previously operated another on behalf of another company." (@matthewkeys.net @thedesk.net)
thedesk.net/2026/02/fcc-...
thedesk.net/2026/02/fcc-...
TheDesk.net: Latest stories on the business of media and technology
The Desk offers the latest news and analysis on the business of streaming media, broadcast TV and radio, journalism, technology and policy.
TheDesk.net
February 3, 2026 at 9:06 PM
📺👀"Stations give Sinclair actual duopoly in each affected market (Eugene, Eureka, Chico-Redding, Portland-Auburn, Tri-Cities) where it owns at least one major network affiliate + previously operated another on behalf of another company." (@matthewkeys.net @thedesk.net)
thedesk.net/2026/02/fcc-...
thedesk.net/2026/02/fcc-...
Paramount quietly shut down a TV network you've probably never heard of.
Paramount ends Fave TV, replaces feeds with Versant multicast networks
Paramount has quietly pulled the plug on Fave TV, its multicast network that served as a barker channel for programming found on its streaming apps Paramount Plus and Pluto TV.
thedesk.net
February 4, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Paramount quietly shut down a TV network you've probably never heard of.
Cineverse says "Air Bud Returns" will make its theatrical debut on August 21, which coincides with something called National Golden Retriever Day.
February 4, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Cineverse says "Air Bud Returns" will make its theatrical debut on August 21, which coincides with something called National Golden Retriever Day.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
#BREAKING: KOLD-TV, the CBS affiliate in Tucson, says it received an alleged ransom note via e-mail connected to the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy Guthrie. The note was forwarded to police for confirmation of its authenticity.
“We gotta find her:” DNA samples taken from Nancy Guthrie’s home belong to her, PCSD says
The Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed it is investigating alleged ransom notes tied to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
www.kold.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:34 PM
#BREAKING: KOLD-TV, the CBS affiliate in Tucson, says it received an alleged ransom note via e-mail connected to the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy Guthrie. The note was forwarded to police for confirmation of its authenticity.
Savannah Guthrie has withdrawn from NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympic Games; law enforcement are treating the case of her missing mother as a possible abduction. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Savannah Guthrie Pulls Out of NBC’s Winter Olympics Coverage as Mother Remains Missing
The 'Today' co-host's mom, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing on Sunday, with her disappearance now being treated as a possible kidnapping or abduction.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Savannah Guthrie has withdrawn from NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympic Games; law enforcement are treating the case of her missing mother as a possible abduction. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Reposted by TheDesk.net
In another e-mail, Peggy Siegal begged Jeffrey Epstein to "bring an age-appropriate date with a last name" because the same party was being attended by high-profile celebrities and journalists, including Barbara Walters, Howard Stern and George Stephanopolous.
February 3, 2026 at 6:46 PM
In another e-mail, Peggy Siegal begged Jeffrey Epstein to "bring an age-appropriate date with a last name" because the same party was being attended by high-profile celebrities and journalists, including Barbara Walters, Howard Stern and George Stephanopolous.