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TheDesk.net

@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. Read our stuff: thedesk.net Send us tips/pitches: news@thedesk.net

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TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 8h

LATEST NIELSEN RATINGS: Football continued to dominate during the most-recent measurement week (Sept. 21-27, '26). CBS simulcast of MTV Video Music Awards pull in 8.175 million P2+ viewers.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 8h

Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery is moving forward.

Judge approves settlement, clearing Paramount's merger with Warner Bros Discovery

The states sued in July to block the merger, alleging the combination would reduce competition in theatrical films and cable programming.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 12h

New data from Hub Entertainment Research shows consumers — especially younger ones — are tolerating ads as streaming prices climb. Ad-supported plans tend to be lower in cost compared to premium, commercial-free tiers. Full report: thedesk.net/2026/09/hub-...

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 14h

Fox's television station in Atlanta will soon offer games from the Nashville Predators for free.

Nashville Predators games coming to Fox's Atlanta TV station

Fox and Scripps Sports are partnering together to bring Nashville Predators hockey games to the Atlanta market.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 16h

Google is paying some news publishers for the privilege of using their content to power its AI-generated search results and responses in Gemini. Some publishers who are part of the program say the payments don't help offset declining search traffic and ad revenue.

Google pays some news publishers as AI-generated results dominate search

Nearly 100 publishers are participating in the trial, according to a report. The program comes as Google search results become more reliant on AI-generated responses.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 17h

President Trump welcomed conservative radio hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton to the White House this week. Marco Rubio was kind of there, too.

Clay Travis, Buck Sexton bring radio show to Oval Office

Conservative radio talk show hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton brought their nationally-syndicated radio show to the White House this week.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 17h

Paramount CEO David Ellison is already making executive appointments for the combined Paramount-WBD, despite a legal challenge that has put the merger on hold. This week, a report surfaced indicating Ellison wants a leading HBO executive to oversee Paramount Plus and HBO Max down the road.

Report: Paramount CEO wants HBO boss to lead streaming operations

Paramount CEO David Ellison has selected HBO content chief Casey Bloys to oversee streaming for the combined company as another executive is set to depart.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 17h

Latino-owned Fuse Media is shifting its entire business operations away from traditional cable TV in favor of free streaming platforms.

Fuse Media leans into connected TV with brand refresh

Fuse Media has refreshed its brand identity as part of a broader restructure of its business around connected TV and related advertising initiatives.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 29/09/2026

Fubo is now allowing subscribers of its cheaper Fubo Sports plan to add their regional sports network for a separate monthly fee.

Fubo launches regional sports add-on to slimmer sports TV package

The plan, called My Local Sports, offers access to regional sports networks via the cheaper Fubo Sports plan, though no specific pricing was released.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 29/09/2026

Hundreds of people are losing their jobs at Disney this week, the latest in a long list of layoffs over the past several years.

Disney cuts hundreds of jobs in third round of layoffs this year

Disney is laying off several hundred employees across multiple departments, with the latest cuts concentrated primarily in human resources and IT.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 28/09/2026

Crazy hot mic moment as Sacramento sports reporters comment on players during today's Sacramento Kings media day, as captured by a KCRA-TV live stream. One of the sports reporters calls Zach LaVine "cute, but his personality f--king annoys me."

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 28/09/2026

The E. W. Scripps Company has promoted one of its long-time news executives to serve as the company's Head of News, responsible for news initiatives at its local TV stations and Scripps News. He previously worked in news-related roles at Fox News Channel and Fox-owned TV stations.

E. W. Scripps promotes Sean McGarvy to Head of News

McGarvy will oversee Scripps News and the editorial output of local Scripps-owned TV stations; he reports to Dean Littleton.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 28/09/2026

LIVE: Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek is speaking with Bloomberg as he pitches his book on his time with the media giant.

TheDesk.net - Live Video (Bloomberg alternate feed)

Watch live video coverage of major news, panels, seminars, press conferences and more on TheDesk.net

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 28/09/2026

The BBC is laying off more than 100 workers in its Media Tech unit, which develops iPlayer and BBC Sounds. A senior executive said artificial intelligence technology will replace some lost jobs.

BBC to cut 110 jobs from tech group focused on iPlayer, BBC Sounds

The staffers will receive pink slips in the coming weeks; another 35 vacancies will go unfilled, the organization said.

Reposted by TheDesk.net

Matthew Keys @matthewkeys.net · 28/09/2026

U.S. Mobile now has more than 1 million customers — and few of them can connect their cellular Apple Watch to partner networks because of a "predatory" demand by Apple, the company's CEO says.

U.S. Mobile accuses Apple of "predatory" ask to support Apple Watch

The CEO of U.S. Mobile said Apple wanted a multi-million dollar commitment to support Apple Watches on its peer networks AT&T and T-Mobile.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 28/09/2026

Paramount will move its Class B shares from the NASDAQ to NYSE next week as the company moves forward with its acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.

Paramount to move some stock from NASDAQ to NYSE

Paramount said its Class B shares will move to the NYSE on October 5 as the company prepares to acquire Warner Bros Discovery.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 28/09/2026

Sony has decided to skip the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this year, the first time in 60 years that the global electronics giant has not exhibited.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 28/09/2026

The Detroit Pistons have announced additional broadcast TV partners in Michigan, bringing more than 70 games to free, over-the-air TV there.

Detroit Pistons announce more broadcast partners for 2026-27 season

More than a half-dozen new broadcast TV partners will offer Detroit Pistons games on their stations this season.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 26/09/2026

A federal judge declined to sign off on a settlement between Paramount and several states attorneys general, saying the agreement needs more scrutiny and time.

Judge hits pause on settlement between states, Paramount over Warner Bros acquisition

A federal judge declined to approve a settlement between Paramount and 12 state attorneys general over its acquisition of Warner Bros, saying she needs more time to deliberate on the matter.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 25/09/2026

Attorneys for Timothy Burke, @bubbaprog.xyz, have asked a judge to permanently dismiss his criminal indictment after the government dragged out an appeal on some charges for more than a year.

Fox News leaker asks judge to permanently dismiss hacking charges

Attorneys for former Deadspin editor Timothy Burke said federal prosecutors spent too much time dragging out an appeal that went nowhere, justifying the need to permanently dismiss charges against him...

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 25/09/2026

CBS News and CNN have resumed their coverage of the White House as press pool participants.

TV networks resume White House pool coverage after access dispute

The dispute began after the White House barred CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO from covering Trump on White House grounds.

Reposted by TheDesk.net

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 24/09/2026

A federal judge on Thursday declined to approve Paramount's settlement with California and other states over its acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, saying the matter needs more time.

Judge hits pause on settlement between states, Paramount over Warner Bros acquisition

A federal judge declined to approve a settlement between Paramount and 12 state attorneys general over its acquisition of Warner Bros, saying she needs more time to deliberate on the matter.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 24/09/2026

A federal judge on Thursday declined to approve Paramount's settlement with California and other states over its acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, saying the matter needs more time.

Judge hits pause on settlement between states, Paramount over Warner Bros acquisition

A federal judge declined to approve a settlement between Paramount and 12 state attorneys general over its acquisition of Warner Bros, saying she needs more time to deliberate on the matter.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 24/09/2026

Sesame Workshop says it is working with Netflix on a new feature-length "Sesame Street" film as well as four new seasons of the children's television program. Season 57 of Sesame Street will start on PBS Kids and Netflix in mid-November.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 24/09/2026

Sorry, Swifties: America's Game of the Week (and other national games in the same time slot) on Fox beat out NBC's Sunday Night Football game between the Colts and Chiefs by nearly 3 million viewers, per Nielsen data. thedesk.net/2026/09/niel...

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 24/09/2026

A California TV station received a legal demand from U.S. Representative Kevin Kiley's campaign ordering them to stop airing a political advertisement that claims President Donald Trump has endorsed him. Kiley is running for re-election in California's 6th Congressional District.

Kevin Kiley campaign demands TV station remove political ad

The ad spot, produced by a pro-science political action committee, claims President Trump has endorsed Kevin Kiley, who is running to keep his Congressional seat.

Reposted by TheDesk.net

Matthew Keys @matthewkeys.net · 24/09/2026

The White House told POLITICO and other outlets to source information to an anonymous "senior administration official." When POLITICO complied with the request, Trump banned them from the White House. We really are living in the stupid times.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 24/09/2026

The White House reportedly accused POLITICO of using "anonymous" sources for a story that ultimately led the outlet to being banished from its grounds at the direction of President Trump. One big problem with that claim: The White House actually provided the quotes. [Washington Post]

washingtonpost.com

The White House banned Politico, citing anonymous sources. It provided the quotes.

In a letter defending its ban of Politico, the White House critiqued a report based on a press call it conducted, where reporters were told not to name the speaker.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 24/09/2026

Most people know ChatGPT — it might be the first thing that comes to mind when the words "artificial intelligence" are uttered. But ChatGPT is starting to lose market share to competitors like Google Gemini and Claude, according to new research from Comscore.

Comscore: ChatGPT losing market share to Gemini, Claude

ChatGPT remains the category leader, but its share of total AI prompt volume fell this year as consumers sampled and integrated competing products.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 23/09/2026

Disney is probably going to raise the price of its streaming service every year; there's no end in sight.

Disney implements price hikes on Disney Plus, Hulu bundles

Watching shows and movies without ads is about to get more expensive on Disney's streaming platforms.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 23/09/2026

BBC Three, which provides children's-focused programs and alternative shows and reality series to British youth, could be shut down for good as part of broad, cost-cutting measures expected to be rolled out next week.

BBC preparing TV, radio network closures as part of cost-cutting measure

The planned cuts are expected to include “audience-facing” closures as the broadcaster executes its strategy of deep, long-term expenditure reduction.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 23/09/2026

Nexstar is partnering with Hubbard Media, Allen Media, Sinclair and E. W. Scripps to distribute its Iowa U.S. Senate debate on local TV stations across the state next month.

Nexstar to produce Iowa U.S. Senate debate, aired across multiple stations

The broadcast will originate from WHO-TV in Des Moines and air on partner stations owned by Allen Media, Hubbard Broadcasting, Gray Media and others.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 23/09/2026

INBOX: Kacey Musgraves will pay tribute to Dolly Parton with a special performance at the MTV Video Music Awards this weekend. The show will air on MTV and simulcast on CBS.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 23/09/2026

Disney is squeezing more money out of its streaming subscribers by implementing its fourth price hike in four years.

Disney implements price hikes on Disney Plus, Hulu bundles

Watching shows and movies without ads is about to get more expensive on Disney's streaming platforms.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 23/09/2026

Fifty news organizations sign letter opposing Trump's ban on CNN, MS Now and Politico from covering White House events.

News outlets sign letter opposing Trump ban on CNN, MS Now, Politico

The letter, filed in court on Wednesday, says the ban issued by Trump against three news outlets violates the First Amendment.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 23/09/2026

SCOOP: More than three dozen news outlets have been approached by @rcfp.org about signing a friend-of-the-court brief backing CNN, MS Now and Politico's lawsuit against Donald Trump over White House access, The Desk has learned.

News outlets to sign court brief supporting CNN, MS Now, POLITICO lawsuit against Trump

Dozens of news organizations are expected to endorse a court filing that backs CNN, MS Now and Politico's lawsuit over their banishment from the White House.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 23/09/2026

ChatGPT is still the king of consumer artificial intelligence platforms, but competitors like Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude are gaining ground, according to data from Comscore.

Comscore: ChatGPT losing market share to Gemini, Claude

ChatGPT remains the category leader, but its share of total AI prompt volume fell this year as consumers sampled and integrated competing products.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 22/09/2026

SiriusXM slid a new satellite into operational orbit this month, allowing it to continue offering linear radio channels and datacasting to more than 200 million satellite-equipped radios.

SiriusXM slides new satellite into operational service

Intuitive Machines has handed the satellite over to SiriusXM, and it has entered operational service.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 22/09/2026

Long-time telecom advocate @gbsohn.bsky.social said California's settlement with Paramount over its merger with Warner Bros Discovery contains is a "disaster" that relies too much on behavioral changes without real structural remedies.

Paramount settlement lacks structural remedies, ex-FCC nominee Sohn says

Her comments came a day after California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement resolving the state-led antitrust challenge to the merger.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 22/09/2026

California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, were worried Paramount would leave the state, motivating them to settle an antitrust lawsuit over the company's acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery. [New York Times]

How Paramount Won Warner Bros.

Inside the settlement talks between the media mogul David Ellison and the coalition of states seeking to block his $111 billion deal.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 22/09/2026

A reminder that, as we first reported last October, Paramount CEO David Ellison wants to merge Paramount Plus with HBO Max.

Paramount CEO wants to kill HBO Max, merge content into Paramount Plus

Paramount CEO David Ellison wants to merge the content library of HBO Max into Paramount Plus, according to a report published this week.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 21/09/2026

Settlement between California and Paramount over its acquisition of Warner Bros allows Paramount to break the terms of the agreement if the state encounters an earthquake.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 21/09/2026

Advocacy group @freedom.press raises the concern that Paramount's independent editorial board overseeing CBS and CNN might be influenced by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr in the future.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 21/09/2026

Paramount will be required to offer a free streaming TV service "like Pluto TV" as one of several conditions to end a multi-state lawsuit over its merger with Warner Bros Discovery.

Paramount required to operate free streaming service under settlement over WBD merger

The condition was outlined Monday by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose office led the multi-state antitrust challenge.

Reposted by TheDesk.net

Matthew Keys @matthewkeys.net · 21/09/2026

#BREAKING: Paramount settlement with California and other states requires company to maintain a free streaming service "like Pluto TV" when its acquisition of Warner Bros is complete.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 21/09/2026

The White House has issued a press release calling access to the government office a "privilege" and "not a right." (The White House is owned by the federal government, which receives funding from the American taxpayer.)

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 21/09/2026

Are you ready for some basketball? One Orlando TV station is changing its entire brand identity to reflect its carriage of Orlando Magic basketball games this season.

Cox Media Group to rebrand WRDQ as "Magic TV 27"

Cox Media is rebranding its independent station in Orlando around the local Magic basketball team.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 21/09/2026

No, Disney is not going to suddenly start showing advertising in the ad-free version of Disney Plus...

Sources: Disney won't run ads in ad-free tiers, despite change to user agreements

September 21, 2026 - A small tweak to a user agreement in some parts of the world had the Internet abuzz with rumors that Disney will start streaming ads in commercial-free tiers.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 21/09/2026

California took a hard line against Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros, until Paramount threatened to pull its business from the state.

Paramount deemed too large to sue: States expected to settle lawsuit over WBD merger

September 21, 2026 - The settlement does not require Paramount to sell major cable networks, but does require the company to commit to film releases and the installation of an independent oversight g...

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 21/09/2026

Three news organizations — CNN, MS Now (MSNBC) and Politico — have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn their ban from the White House; all broadcast networks are also opposing CNN's ouster from the traveling White House press pool.

Networks back CNN in opposing White House pool changes; lawsuit filed against Trump

September 21, 2026 - The ZapperBox allows TV fans to watch ATSC and NextGen TV broadcast signals. (Photo via Zapperbox storefront, Graphic by The Desk) ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC suspended their...