Matthew Keys
@matthewkeys.net
Journalist who covers the transformation of the media industry after working in it for years. Previously worked for Reuters, Disney-ABC, Tribune Media.
Sacramento = Home. Light the Beam 🔦🟣
🌐: matthewkeys.net
✏️: @thedesk.net
📧: [email protected]
Sacramento = Home. Light the Beam 🔦🟣
🌐: matthewkeys.net
✏️: @thedesk.net
📧: [email protected]
Pinned
Matthew Keys
@matthewkeys.net
· Nov 11
For those of you who like the list I put together a loooong time ago of reputable journalists on Bluesky, it's now available as a starter pack.
Here you go:
go.bsky.app/22wADif
Here you go:
go.bsky.app/22wADif
Doesn't matter if it's Google Search traffic or a platform like Substack or Beehiiv — if your business success is predicated on someone else, and you aren't doing enough to own your space, it's not a sound long-term business.
Scoop: BI has abandoned its paywall this holiday season as it seeks to juice advertising revenue in Q4—a move that comes as the outlet is on pace to miss its revenue target, despite the goal being lowered by parent company Axel Springer.
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/business-i...
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/business-i...
Business Insider’s Paywall Backslide
The Axel Springer-owned outlet is pivoting back to clicks this holiday season, Status has learned, as internal pressures mount and its subscription bet shows new cracks.
www.status.news
November 26, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Doesn't matter if it's Google Search traffic or a platform like Substack or Beehiiv — if your business success is predicated on someone else, and you aren't doing enough to own your space, it's not a sound long-term business.
Bloomberg: Charges against former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James have been dismissed.
November 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Bloomberg: Charges against former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James have been dismissed.
President Trump's post on social media this weekend appeared to oppose broadcast ownership rule reform, sending local TV stocks down on Monday.
A closer examination of his comments reveals he really wasn't speaking about local TV stations, but broadcast networks — an issue that isn't on the table.
A closer examination of his comments reveals he really wasn't speaking about local TV stations, but broadcast networks — an issue that isn't on the table.
Broadcast TV stocks dip after Trump opines about ownership rules
November 24, 2025 - President Trump appeared to side against reforming broadcast ownership rules in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.
thedesk.net
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
President Trump's post on social media this weekend appeared to oppose broadcast ownership rule reform, sending local TV stocks down on Monday.
A closer examination of his comments reveals he really wasn't speaking about local TV stations, but broadcast networks — an issue that isn't on the table.
A closer examination of his comments reveals he really wasn't speaking about local TV stations, but broadcast networks — an issue that isn't on the table.
Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will resign from Congress in January. [NPR]
After break with Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene will resign
Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an "America First" conservative who has clashed with President Trump and her party, said Friday she would resign from Congress Jan. 5, 2026.
www.npr.org
November 22, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will resign from Congress in January. [NPR]
Reposted by Matthew Keys
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.
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.
Megyn Kelly had an "actually..." moment in real life.
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 2:18 AM
Megyn Kelly had an "actually..." moment in real life.
Reposted by Matthew Keys
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.
Disney says they're not to blame for the ongoing dispute with YouTube TV. Here is why they are wrong.
Viewpoint: Disney says they're not to blame for YouTube TV dispute. They're wrong.
November 14, 2025 - The ZapperBox allows TV fans to watch ATSC and NextGen TV broadcast signals. (Photo via Zapperbox storefront, Graphic by The Desk) Have Your Say Get our news alerts Executives at ...
thedesk.net
November 15, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Disney says they're not to blame for the ongoing dispute with YouTube TV. Here is why they are wrong.
Ain't that the truth.
November 14, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Ain't that the truth.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, likely a candidate for president in 2028, put his chief of staff on leave last year when he learned that she was under criminal investigation, according to POLITICO.
Newsom put then-chief on leave last year amid criminal probe
Another California public official — Xavier Becerra, the former health secretary now running for governor — voluntarily cooperated in the investigation that also included his former aide.
www.politico.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:59 AM
California Governor Gavin Newsom, likely a candidate for president in 2028, put his chief of staff on leave last year when he learned that she was under criminal investigation, according to POLITICO.
Source: Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Disney CEO Bob Iger have discussed the ongoing dispute involving YouTube TV and Disney's ESPN, ABC and other channels.
Disney is hoping to reach an agreement before Thursday morning, when it releases its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings report.
Disney is hoping to reach an agreement before Thursday morning, when it releases its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings report.
November 13, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Source: Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Disney CEO Bob Iger have discussed the ongoing dispute involving YouTube TV and Disney's ESPN, ABC and other channels.
Disney is hoping to reach an agreement before Thursday morning, when it releases its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings report.
Disney is hoping to reach an agreement before Thursday morning, when it releases its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings report.
Federal prosecutors have indicted a top advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom on charges of embezzlement.
The aide, Dana Williamson, is accused of attempting to steal money from former State Health Secretary Xavier Becerra. [CNN/AP]
The aide, Dana Williamson, is accused of attempting to steal money from former State Health Secretary Xavier Becerra. [CNN/AP]
Former aide to California governor indicted for alleged theft of campaign funds from ex-health secretary | CNN Politics
A former top aide to California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been indicted on federal charges alleging her involvement in a scheme to steal campaign money from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra...
www.cnn.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Federal prosecutors have indicted a top advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom on charges of embezzlement.
The aide, Dana Williamson, is accused of attempting to steal money from former State Health Secretary Xavier Becerra. [CNN/AP]
The aide, Dana Williamson, is accused of attempting to steal money from former State Health Secretary Xavier Becerra. [CNN/AP]
Reposted by Matthew Keys
"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.
At one point, AccuWeather supported a bill in Congress that would have legally prevented the National Weather Service from doing anything that a private, for-profit weather organization does, including providing daily forecasts, as John Oliver warned in this 2019 segment.
November 10, 2025 at 5:26 PM
At one point, AccuWeather supported a bill in Congress that would have legally prevented the National Weather Service from doing anything that a private, for-profit weather organization does, including providing daily forecasts, as John Oliver warned in this 2019 segment.
#BREAKING: For the second time, a federal appeals court has determined that President Trump and his administration cannot block SNAP benefits by refusing to tap into rainy day funds.
However, the order will be paused until at least Tuesday evening, in order to give Trump time to take it to SCOTUS.
However, the order will be paused until at least Tuesday evening, in order to give Trump time to take it to SCOTUS.
SNAP benefits: Appeals court again rejects Trump admin bid to halt full payment order
The question of whether the Trump administration can be compelled to pay 42 million Americans full food stamp benefits is set to return to the Supreme Court.
www.cnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:06 AM
#BREAKING: For the second time, a federal appeals court has determined that President Trump and his administration cannot block SNAP benefits by refusing to tap into rainy day funds.
However, the order will be paused until at least Tuesday evening, in order to give Trump time to take it to SCOTUS.
However, the order will be paused until at least Tuesday evening, in order to give Trump time to take it to SCOTUS.
The trauma of having a kindergarten-era friend shun you in middle school.
Fox News late night comedian Greg Gutfeld said his friend in kindergarten shunned him about seven years later.
"And, it was just like, what happened?"
The incident left a deep impression on him, accounting for his sense of resentment today. [New York Times]
"And, it was just like, what happened?"
The incident left a deep impression on him, accounting for his sense of resentment today. [New York Times]
Fox News Wanted Greg Gutfeld to Do This Interview. He Wasn’t So Sure.
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:52 AM
The trauma of having a kindergarten-era friend shun you in middle school.
Supreme Court grants an emergency appeal filed by Donald Trump to block full payments to SNAP recipients during the government shutdown.
Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid payments
The Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown.
apnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Supreme Court grants an emergency appeal filed by Donald Trump to block full payments to SNAP recipients during the government shutdown.
Reposted by Matthew Keys
President Donald Trump's media company, which owns the platform Truth Social, continues to lose money.
During Q3, Trump Media & Technology Group posted a wider financial loss, based largely on low income and higher legal-related expenses.
During Q3, Trump Media & Technology Group posted a wider financial loss, based largely on low income and higher legal-related expenses.
Donald Trump's media company is still losing money
President Donald Trump's media company continues to lose money as legal-related expenses grew during the third quarter of the year.
thedesk.net
November 7, 2025 at 9:35 PM
President Donald Trump's media company, which owns the platform Truth Social, continues to lose money.
During Q3, Trump Media & Technology Group posted a wider financial loss, based largely on low income and higher legal-related expenses.
During Q3, Trump Media & Technology Group posted a wider financial loss, based largely on low income and higher legal-related expenses.
Finalized Nielsen data purportedly shows that Fox News, not MSNBC, won in prime-time, per a source.
This story below was based on preliminary data (as we made extremely clear), and we're publishing a supplemental story on finalized data when we receive it tomorrow morning.
This story below was based on preliminary data (as we made extremely clear), and we're publishing a supplemental story on finalized data when we receive it tomorrow morning.
MSNBC had the highest prime-time ratings with its coverage of key races and causes in New York City, New Jersey, Virginia and California, according to preliminary Nielsen data.
• MSNBC: 2.92 million
• Fox News: 2.76 million
• CNN: 1.68 million
• MSNBC: 2.92 million
• Fox News: 2.76 million
• CNN: 1.68 million
MSNBC ratings strong during prime-time Election Day coverage
November 5, 2025 - MSNBC had the highest preliminary ratings during prime-time on Election Day, according to Nielsen data.
thedesk.net
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Finalized Nielsen data purportedly shows that Fox News, not MSNBC, won in prime-time, per a source.
This story below was based on preliminary data (as we made extremely clear), and we're publishing a supplemental story on finalized data when we receive it tomorrow morning.
This story below was based on preliminary data (as we made extremely clear), and we're publishing a supplemental story on finalized data when we receive it tomorrow morning.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reportedly earned $16 billion in 2024 from ads connected to fraudulent products and scams.
When flagged, internal systems didn't pull those spots in all cases — sometimes, Meta simply charged scammers more.
When flagged, internal systems didn't pull those spots in all cases — sometimes, Meta simply charged scammers more.
Meta projected 10% of 2024 revenue came from scams and banned goods, Reuters reports
The report shows that the company was hesitant to crack down harder on scams, due to the billions in revenue that they were generating for Meta....
sherwood.news
November 6, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reportedly earned $16 billion in 2024 from ads connected to fraudulent products and scams.
When flagged, internal systems didn't pull those spots in all cases — sometimes, Meta simply charged scammers more.
When flagged, internal systems didn't pull those spots in all cases — sometimes, Meta simply charged scammers more.
Reposted by Matthew Keys
#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...
Reposted by Matthew Keys
ESPN Bet is closing up shop in December.
Moving forward, ESPN will lean on DraftKings as its official sports wagering partner.
Moving forward, ESPN will lean on DraftKings as its official sports wagering partner.
ESPN Bet to close, sports network forges partnership with DraftKings
ESPN Bet is winding down after the network ended its 10-year deal with Penn Entertainment earlier than expected.
thedesk.net
November 6, 2025 at 8:04 PM
ESPN Bet is closing up shop in December.
Moving forward, ESPN will lean on DraftKings as its official sports wagering partner.
Moving forward, ESPN will lean on DraftKings as its official sports wagering partner.
Reposted by Matthew Keys
American streamers hate ads, and they feel that, if they're buying a service, they should be able to watch shows and movies without interruptions.
But attitudes change when prices go up, with streamers finding ads tolerable if it means they can get a discount.
But attitudes change when prices go up, with streamers finding ads tolerable if it means they can get a discount.
Bango: Americans prioritize streaming apps in budgets
November 5, 2025 - Americans are cutting back on certain household-related spending to maintain access to streaming services, according to Bango.
thedesk.net
November 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
American streamers hate ads, and they feel that, if they're buying a service, they should be able to watch shows and movies without interruptions.
But attitudes change when prices go up, with streamers finding ads tolerable if it means they can get a discount.
But attitudes change when prices go up, with streamers finding ads tolerable if it means they can get a discount.
Reposted by Matthew Keys
Nexstar CEO Perry Sook says he remains optimistic that his proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of peer broadcaster TEGNA will be approved.
Nexstar CEO still optimistic about TEGNA buy, NextGen TV launches
Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said the regulatory environment favors mass-media consolidation and the launch of NextGen TV as the new digital broadcast standard.
thedesk.net
November 6, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Nexstar CEO Perry Sook says he remains optimistic that his proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of peer broadcaster TEGNA will be approved.