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.
👋
In a diplomatic note sent to employees on Wednesday, CBS News EIC Bari Weiss says Americans don't trust the press.
The note comes several days after a story on CECOT was pulled, which has damaged the network's reputation with Americans.
📸: Ben Mullin / NYT
The note comes several days after a story on CECOT was pulled, which has damaged the network's reputation with Americans.
📸: Ben Mullin / NYT
December 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
In a diplomatic note sent to employees on Wednesday, CBS News EIC Bari Weiss says Americans don't trust the press.
The note comes several days after a story on CECOT was pulled, which has damaged the network's reputation with Americans.
📸: Ben Mullin / NYT
The note comes several days after a story on CECOT was pulled, which has damaged the network's reputation with Americans.
📸: Ben Mullin / NYT
The story on CECOT was at least the second "60 Minutes" segment pulled by CBS News this year.
As we first reported in May, CBS also dropped a story on the IRS while its parent company Paramount was seeking approvals to merge with Skydance Media: www.msn.com/en-us/news/o...
As we first reported in May, CBS also dropped a story on the IRS while its parent company Paramount was seeking approvals to merge with Skydance Media: www.msn.com/en-us/news/o...
December 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The story on CECOT was at least the second "60 Minutes" segment pulled by CBS News this year.
As we first reported in May, CBS also dropped a story on the IRS while its parent company Paramount was seeking approvals to merge with Skydance Media: www.msn.com/en-us/news/o...
As we first reported in May, CBS also dropped a story on the IRS while its parent company Paramount was seeking approvals to merge with Skydance Media: www.msn.com/en-us/news/o...
Reposted by TheDesk.net
The self-proclaimed head of USAGM, Kari Lake, who this year destroyed nearly all of the Voice of America, tells the agency's few remaining journalists the White House National Security Strategy will "guide our interview subjects, story selection, and coverage going forward."
December 23, 2025 at 11:20 PM
The self-proclaimed head of USAGM, Kari Lake, who this year destroyed nearly all of the Voice of America, tells the agency's few remaining journalists the White House National Security Strategy will "guide our interview subjects, story selection, and coverage going forward."
Paramount's attorneys are working at a feverish pace to pull copies of the 60 Minutes story on CECOT after it accidentally leaked via Canadian broadcaster Global.
But they're struggling to keep up with its spread, and CBS may ultimately be forced to air it.
But they're struggling to keep up with its spread, and CBS may ultimately be forced to air it.
Pulled "60 Minutes" segment on CECOT widely available online
Paramount is seeking to remove online copies of a pulled “60 Minutes” segment after it leaked via a Canadian broadcaster’s on-demand platforms.
thedesk.net
December 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Paramount's attorneys are working at a feverish pace to pull copies of the 60 Minutes story on CECOT after it accidentally leaked via Canadian broadcaster Global.
But they're struggling to keep up with its spread, and CBS may ultimately be forced to air it.
But they're struggling to keep up with its spread, and CBS may ultimately be forced to air it.
The banned "60 Minutes" segment on CECOT continues to proliferate online, with dozens of copies uploaded to @archive.org — where anyone can download a copy of it for preservation purposes.
The Internet Archive is taking down as many copies as it can based on DMCA notices filed by Paramount.
The Internet Archive is taking down as many copies as it can based on DMCA notices filed by Paramount.
December 23, 2025 at 7:44 PM
The banned "60 Minutes" segment on CECOT continues to proliferate online, with dozens of copies uploaded to @archive.org — where anyone can download a copy of it for preservation purposes.
The Internet Archive is taking down as many copies as it can based on DMCA notices filed by Paramount.
The Internet Archive is taking down as many copies as it can based on DMCA notices filed by Paramount.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
100%. Actual meaningful sacrifice is very difficult for people today. Many won't give up their comforts or livelyhoods.
December 22, 2025 at 7:07 PM
100%. Actual meaningful sacrifice is very difficult for people today. Many won't give up their comforts or livelyhoods.
NEW: NBC Sports says its January 5 telecast of the Los Angeles Clippers-Golden State Warriors game will feature game analysis from rapper Snoop Dogg. The game will stream on Peacock and air on NBCSN.
December 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
NEW: NBC Sports says its January 5 telecast of the Los Angeles Clippers-Golden State Warriors game will feature game analysis from rapper Snoop Dogg. The game will stream on Peacock and air on NBCSN.
If Paramount emerges as the winner of Warner Bros Discovery, the combined company would have a larger share of time spent with TV than YouTube, based on Nielsen's own charts and data.
What Nielsen's charts reveal about proposed Warner Bros Discovery deals
Nielsen on Monday released the latest edition of its monthly "Media Distributor Gauge," which offers a 30,000-foot view on the performance of media and entertainment companies based on time spent with...
www.linkedin.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
If Paramount emerges as the winner of Warner Bros Discovery, the combined company would have a larger share of time spent with TV than YouTube, based on Nielsen's own charts and data.
Dropping CBS also means:
• No more NFL on CBS
• No more March Madness
• No more SpongeBob
• No more Top Gun
• No more VMAs
• No more anything recent touched by Taylor Sheridan
Can you stand on principle by boycotting all of these? Or is below just for likes and shares? 🤔
We will see.
• No more NFL on CBS
• No more March Madness
• No more SpongeBob
• No more Top Gun
• No more VMAs
• No more anything recent touched by Taylor Sheridan
Can you stand on principle by boycotting all of these? Or is below just for likes and shares? 🤔
We will see.
Bari Weiss claims she killed the CBS CECOT story because it lacked Trump’s perspective.
1. That’s a lie. Trump has publicly commented supporting CECOT.
2. Refusing to comment is their choice. They are no victim.
3. Killing a story to protect power is State Run Media.
Drop CBS permanently.
1. That’s a lie. Trump has publicly commented supporting CECOT.
2. Refusing to comment is their choice. They are no victim.
3. Killing a story to protect power is State Run Media.
Drop CBS permanently.
December 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Dropping CBS also means:
• No more NFL on CBS
• No more March Madness
• No more SpongeBob
• No more Top Gun
• No more VMAs
• No more anything recent touched by Taylor Sheridan
Can you stand on principle by boycotting all of these? Or is below just for likes and shares? 🤔
We will see.
• No more NFL on CBS
• No more March Madness
• No more SpongeBob
• No more Top Gun
• No more VMAs
• No more anything recent touched by Taylor Sheridan
Can you stand on principle by boycotting all of these? Or is below just for likes and shares? 🤔
We will see.
"60 Minutes" is America's highest-rated program that isn't a live sports event — that's on broadcast AND cable television — and attracts more viewers than any scripted show on CBS.
Now, that standing could be in jeopardy.
Now, that standing could be in jeopardy.
December 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
"60 Minutes" is America's highest-rated program that isn't a live sports event — that's on broadcast AND cable television — and attracts more viewers than any scripted show on CBS.
Now, that standing could be in jeopardy.
Now, that standing could be in jeopardy.
#BREAKING: Instacart says it will halt a practice that used AI to adjust the cost of groceries for different shoppers after a study found some customers were paying as much as 23% more for the same items.
Ending Item Price Tests on Instacart | Instacart
Over the past couple weeks, there’s been a lot written about Instacart and how pricing works on our platform . Some of that coverage raised fair questions. Much of it included misconceptions and misin...
www.instacart.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
#BREAKING: Instacart says it will halt a practice that used AI to adjust the cost of groceries for different shoppers after a study found some customers were paying as much as 23% more for the same items.
CBS News has pulled a segment on a Venezuelan prison that is housing deportees at the behest of the Trump administration, with a spokesperson saying the piece needed further reporting.
Clips of the segment had aired in promotional materials for more than a week.
Clips of the segment had aired in promotional materials for more than a week.
December 22, 2025 at 1:08 AM
CBS News has pulled a segment on a Venezuelan prison that is housing deportees at the behest of the Trump administration, with a spokesperson saying the piece needed further reporting.
Clips of the segment had aired in promotional materials for more than a week.
Clips of the segment had aired in promotional materials for more than a week.
ESPN's new ad campaign, "Always in Season," is part of a persuasive effort to keep sports fans paying for ESPN Unlimited after their favorite sport ends for the year.
Notably, Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith aren't in their TV spot.
Notably, Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith aren't in their TV spot.
New ESPN ad campaign aimed at reducing ESPN Unlimited churn
The network is trying to avoid seasonality churn-out, similar to what co-owned streamer Fubo experiences each year.
thedesk.net
December 20, 2025 at 8:58 PM
ESPN's new ad campaign, "Always in Season," is part of a persuasive effort to keep sports fans paying for ESPN Unlimited after their favorite sport ends for the year.
Notably, Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith aren't in their TV spot.
Notably, Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith aren't in their TV spot.
A poll released this week showed most Americans on both sides of the political divide — Democrats and Republicans — oppose changing federal rules that allow local TV station owners to consolidate.
Poll: Most Americans oppose loosening broadcast ownership rules
The survey comes as the FCC reviews potential changes to the 39 percent national ownership cap.
thedesk.net
December 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM
A poll released this week showed most Americans on both sides of the political divide — Democrats and Republicans — oppose changing federal rules that allow local TV station owners to consolidate.
For the hockey fans out there, the season finale of "Heated Rivalry" will stream on HBO Max in the U.S. and Crave in Canada this Christmas Day.
December 20, 2025 at 2:27 AM
For the hockey fans out there, the season finale of "Heated Rivalry" will stream on HBO Max in the U.S. and Crave in Canada this Christmas Day.
Nearly 20 million people tuned in to watch President Donald Trump's address to the nation on Wednesday, according to Nielsen data.
Fox News and CBS had the highest ratings between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Fox News and CBS had the highest ratings between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Nielsen: 20 million watch Trump's prime-time speech on top networks
Nearly 20 million Americans watched President Donald Trump's prime-time address to the nation on top broadcast and cable networks this week, according to finalized ratings data from Nielsen.
thedesk.net
December 19, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Nearly 20 million people tuned in to watch President Donald Trump's address to the nation on Wednesday, according to Nielsen data.
Fox News and CBS had the highest ratings between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Fox News and CBS had the highest ratings between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
EXCLUSIVE: An advertising regulator that accused AT&T of violating its policies by challenging T-Mobile's marketing integrity in a spot that features Luke Wilson now says AT&T didn't violate its policies and the ad is fine.
BBB National Programs retracts challenge of AT&T ad spot
An advertising organization has withdrawn its complaint against AT&T over its spot challenging T-Mobile's honesty in marketing.
thedesk.net
December 19, 2025 at 11:10 PM
EXCLUSIVE: An advertising regulator that accused AT&T of violating its policies by challenging T-Mobile's marketing integrity in a spot that features Luke Wilson now says AT&T didn't violate its policies and the ad is fine.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
Interesting, Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith — arguably two of the most-recognizable hosts/analysts on ESPN — are not in the new promotional spot, which you can watch in the article.
ESPN has launched a new marketing campaign called "Always in Season," with the apparent goal of keeping ESPN Unlimited customers from canceling their subscriptions when the NFL, NBA and NHL are in their off seasons.
New ESPN ad campaign aimed at reducing ESPN Unlimited churn
The network is trying to avoid seasonality churn-out, similar to what co-owned streamer Fubo experiences each year.
thedesk.net
December 19, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Interesting, Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith — arguably two of the most-recognizable hosts/analysts on ESPN — are not in the new promotional spot, which you can watch in the article.
ESPN has launched a new marketing campaign called "Always in Season," with the apparent goal of keeping ESPN Unlimited customers from canceling their subscriptions when the NFL, NBA and NHL are in their off seasons.
New ESPN ad campaign aimed at reducing ESPN Unlimited churn
The network is trying to avoid seasonality churn-out, similar to what co-owned streamer Fubo experiences each year.
thedesk.net
December 19, 2025 at 10:35 PM
ESPN has launched a new marketing campaign called "Always in Season," with the apparent goal of keeping ESPN Unlimited customers from canceling their subscriptions when the NFL, NBA and NHL are in their off seasons.
Sources: Talk show host Conan O'Brien prevented guests from calling the police when actor-director Rob Reiner and his son Nick argued at his Christmas party, one day before the gruesome double homicide that has rocked Hollywood. [Page Six, tabloid report]
Conan O’Brien stopped guests from calling 911 on Nick Reiner during explosive fight with dad Rob at holiday party: report
Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home hours after leaving O’Brien’s holiday party over the weekend.
pagesix.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Sources: Talk show host Conan O'Brien prevented guests from calling the police when actor-director Rob Reiner and his son Nick argued at his Christmas party, one day before the gruesome double homicide that has rocked Hollywood. [Page Six, tabloid report]
The newsroom of Seattle's Fox-owned television station KCPQ (Channel 13) will move to a new building in 2026, one that previously held the administrative offices of Amazon.
Seattle Fox station moving to new studios in 2026
Fox is moving its Seattle television production facility to a new building in the city's downtown.
thedesk.net
December 19, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The newsroom of Seattle's Fox-owned television station KCPQ (Channel 13) will move to a new building in 2026, one that previously held the administrative offices of Amazon.
Some context:
NBC's tree-lighting ceremony, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," grabbed 6.05 million P2+ viewers on Dec. 3, per Nielsen ratings.
The "All American Christmas Tree Lighting" brought 3.17 million P2+ viewers to Fox News on Nov. 21.
(P2+, viewers over age 2)
NBC's tree-lighting ceremony, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," grabbed 6.05 million P2+ viewers on Dec. 3, per Nielsen ratings.
The "All American Christmas Tree Lighting" brought 3.17 million P2+ viewers to Fox News on Nov. 21.
(P2+, viewers over age 2)
December 19, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Some context:
NBC's tree-lighting ceremony, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," grabbed 6.05 million P2+ viewers on Dec. 3, per Nielsen ratings.
The "All American Christmas Tree Lighting" brought 3.17 million P2+ viewers to Fox News on Nov. 21.
(P2+, viewers over age 2)
NBC's tree-lighting ceremony, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," grabbed 6.05 million P2+ viewers on Dec. 3, per Nielsen ratings.
The "All American Christmas Tree Lighting" brought 3.17 million P2+ viewers to Fox News on Nov. 21.
(P2+, viewers over age 2)
Fox News Channel's roundtable discussion program "The Five" was the most-watched show on cable television last week that does not involve the National Football League.
Each episode attracted an audience of over 3 million viewers, per Nielsen data.
Each episode attracted an audience of over 3 million viewers, per Nielsen data.
December 19, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Fox News Channel's roundtable discussion program "The Five" was the most-watched show on cable television last week that does not involve the National Football League.
Each episode attracted an audience of over 3 million viewers, per Nielsen data.
Each episode attracted an audience of over 3 million viewers, per Nielsen data.
Trump Media is buying an energy company; shares of DJT rose 33 percent on Thursday. [CNBC]
Trump Media announces $6 billion merger with fusion company TAE Technologies; DJT stock soars 33%
Trump Media and Technology Group announced a merger agreement with fusion power company TAE Technologies valued at more than $6 billion.
www.cnbc.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Trump Media is buying an energy company; shares of DJT rose 33 percent on Thursday. [CNBC]
Reposted by TheDesk.net
EXCLUSIVE: Most Americans are opposed to reforming broadcast ownership rules in a way that allows local TV station groups to grow larger, according to a new survey shared with The Desk this week.
Poll: Most Americans oppose loosening broadcast ownership rules
The survey comes as the FCC reviews potential changes to the 39 percent national ownership cap.
thedesk.net
December 18, 2025 at 5:53 AM
EXCLUSIVE: Most Americans are opposed to reforming broadcast ownership rules in a way that allows local TV station groups to grow larger, according to a new survey shared with The Desk this week.