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.
Read our stuff: https://thedesk.net
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Read our stuff: https://thedesk.net
Send us tips/pitches: [email protected]
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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.
👋
Reposted by TheDesk.net
LIVE: Coverage of shooting in Portland, Oregon involving federal law enforcement officials; two injured. [KGW-TV via YouTube]
LIVE: East Portland shooting — 2 hospitalized; federal agents involved, police say
YouTube video by KGW News
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:18 AM
LIVE: Coverage of shooting in Portland, Oregon involving federal law enforcement officials; two injured. [KGW-TV via YouTube]
Reposted by TheDesk.net
Portland ABC affiliate KATU (Channel 2) is offering live coverage of the shooting of two citizens by U.S. Border Patrol in that city. Watch live via YouTube:
Officials holding press conference after U.S. Border agents shoot two people in SE Portland
YouTube video by KATU News
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Portland ABC affiliate KATU (Channel 2) is offering live coverage of the shooting of two citizens by U.S. Border Patrol in that city. Watch live via YouTube:
ABC News: Two people have been shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Portland, Oregon.
January 8, 2026 at 11:44 PM
ABC News: Two people have been shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Portland, Oregon.
Scott Warren, the VP and GM of the CBS-owned local TV station in San Francisco (KPIX 5), is adding oversight of the CBS-owned stations in Sacramento (KOVR, KMAX) to his job duties.
Scott Warren to oversee local CBS stations in San Francisco, Sacramento
Warren will continue leading innovation efforts, including AR and VR studios, across Northern California CBS stations.
thedesk.net
January 8, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Scott Warren, the VP and GM of the CBS-owned local TV station in San Francisco (KPIX 5), is adding oversight of the CBS-owned stations in Sacramento (KOVR, KMAX) to his job duties.
"60 Minutes" on CBS lost 15 percent of its overall audience in the two weeks following the CECOT story scandal, and 30 percent of its audience in the key A18-49 viewership demographic, according to Nielsen data.
"60 Minutes" audience drops under 10 million after CECOT scandal
The controversy follows editorial decisions under CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and heightened scrutiny of the show.
thedesk.net
January 8, 2026 at 12:04 AM
"60 Minutes" on CBS lost 15 percent of its overall audience in the two weeks following the CECOT story scandal, and 30 percent of its audience in the key A18-49 viewership demographic, according to Nielsen data.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
The 12/21 broadcast of "60 Minutes" — the one that was supposed to include the CECOT story — attracted 10.35 million viewers, per Nielsen.
The next comparable broadcast, on 1/4/26, had 8.793 million viewers, an audience drop of 15 percent, according to Nielsen data.
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...
The next comparable broadcast, on 1/4/26, had 8.793 million viewers, an audience drop of 15 percent, according to Nielsen data.
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...
January 7, 2026 at 10:41 PM
The 12/21 broadcast of "60 Minutes" — the one that was supposed to include the CECOT story — attracted 10.35 million viewers, per Nielsen.
The next comparable broadcast, on 1/4/26, had 8.793 million viewers, an audience drop of 15 percent, according to Nielsen data.
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...
The next comparable broadcast, on 1/4/26, had 8.793 million viewers, an audience drop of 15 percent, according to Nielsen data.
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...
To Rick's point, the December 21st broadcast attracted 10.35 million P2 viewers and 1.872 million in the A18-49 demographic.
The next comparable broadcast, aired on January 4, brought in 8.793 million P2 viewers and 1.297 million in the A18-49 demographic.
So, the ratings are still lower.
The next comparable broadcast, aired on January 4, brought in 8.793 million P2 viewers and 1.297 million in the A18-49 demographic.
So, the ratings are still lower.
Appreciate that, but I think your framing here is way off. Pulling the CECOT story was not the cause of the next week’s audience drop, or at least not even close to the whole story.
January 7, 2026 at 10:38 PM
To Rick's point, the December 21st broadcast attracted 10.35 million P2 viewers and 1.872 million in the A18-49 demographic.
The next comparable broadcast, aired on January 4, brought in 8.793 million P2 viewers and 1.297 million in the A18-49 demographic.
So, the ratings are still lower.
The next comparable broadcast, aired on January 4, brought in 8.793 million P2 viewers and 1.297 million in the A18-49 demographic.
So, the ratings are still lower.
Apple Card will transfer from Goldman Sachs to Chase, a bank with a history of cancelling accounts for questionable reasons. [WSJ]
Exclusive | JPMorgan Chase Reaches a Deal to Take Over the Apple Credit Card
Goldman Sachs is expected to offload the credit-card balances at a more than $1 billion discount.
www.wsj.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Apple Card will transfer from Goldman Sachs to Chase, a bank with a history of cancelling accounts for questionable reasons. [WSJ]
Smart TVs are now the primary way most Americans watch streaming video in their homes, with Samsung, LG, Vizio and Roku leading the pack.
Parks Associates: Smart TVs are primary streaming devices in homes
Smart television sets are the primary way most Americans are watching streaming video content at home, according to new consumer data released by Parks Associates on Tuesday.
thedesk.net
January 6, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Smart TVs are now the primary way most Americans watch streaming video in their homes, with Samsung, LG, Vizio and Roku leading the pack.
The New York Times says a hit piece written by a blog called the "Trans News Network" made numerous inaccurate and unsubstantiated claims about its prior coverage of the transgender community and related issues. [New York Times]
Fact-Checking False Claims About Our Gender Identity Coverage | The New York Times Company
A recent post from Trans News Network included numerous falsehoods about New York Times stories on gender identity and maligned some of the journalists involved in the work. Our coverage is guided by…
www.nytco.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:56 PM
The New York Times says a hit piece written by a blog called the "Trans News Network" made numerous inaccurate and unsubstantiated claims about its prior coverage of the transgender community and related issues. [New York Times]
"60 Minutes" lost more than 50 percent of its audience after pulling a segment on CECOT, according to Nielsen data.
"60 Minutes" loses 5 million viewers after CECOT segment scandal
Viewership fell from 10.35 million to 4.89 million week over week, with sharp declines in the key A18-49 demographic.
thedesk.net
January 5, 2026 at 9:36 PM
"60 Minutes" lost more than 50 percent of its audience after pulling a segment on CECOT, according to Nielsen data.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
Context: The 12/28 show was a planned special coinciding with the holiday weekend, aired under the "60 Minutes Presents" branding, when CBS figures ratings will be lower due to sports overflow, the holidays, etc.
The 12/21 show had slightly higher ratings compared to 12/14, per Nielsen.
The 12/21 show had slightly higher ratings compared to 12/14, per Nielsen.
#BREAKING: CBS News program "60 Minutes" lost more than 5 million viewers between its airings on December 21 — the week a planned segment on CECOT was to air before being pulled — and December 28, when it aired a special holiday program spotlighting the sitcom "Cheers," according to Nielsen data.
January 5, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Context: The 12/28 show was a planned special coinciding with the holiday weekend, aired under the "60 Minutes Presents" branding, when CBS figures ratings will be lower due to sports overflow, the holidays, etc.
The 12/21 show had slightly higher ratings compared to 12/14, per Nielsen.
The 12/21 show had slightly higher ratings compared to 12/14, per Nielsen.
#BREAKING: CBS News program "60 Minutes" lost more than 5 million viewers between its airings on December 21 — the week a planned segment on CECOT was to air before being pulled — and December 28, when it aired a special holiday program spotlighting the sitcom "Cheers," according to Nielsen data.
January 5, 2026 at 9:02 PM
#BREAKING: CBS News program "60 Minutes" lost more than 5 million viewers between its airings on December 21 — the week a planned segment on CECOT was to air before being pulled — and December 28, when it aired a special holiday program spotlighting the sitcom "Cheers," according to Nielsen data.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
This is not as altruistic as it seems — Ruddy also has professional motivations, as Nexstar's NewsNation and Newsmax compete for cable distribution and retransmission fees.
Ruddy is worried NewsNation will win if the combination happens, since Nexstar has powerful local TV bargaining chips.
Ruddy is worried NewsNation will win if the combination happens, since Nexstar has powerful local TV bargaining chips.
Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy is urging the FCC to block a proposed $6 billion merger between local TV broadcasters Nexstar and TEGNA, saying the combination violates federal law and the spirit of anti-monopoly rules.
Newsmax urges FCC to deny Nexstar-TEGNA merger
The company warned the deal would increase retransmission fees and further concentrate power among local TV station owners.
thedesk.net
January 5, 2026 at 8:23 PM
This is not as altruistic as it seems — Ruddy also has professional motivations, as Nexstar's NewsNation and Newsmax compete for cable distribution and retransmission fees.
Ruddy is worried NewsNation will win if the combination happens, since Nexstar has powerful local TV bargaining chips.
Ruddy is worried NewsNation will win if the combination happens, since Nexstar has powerful local TV bargaining chips.
Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy is urging the FCC to block a proposed $6 billion merger between local TV broadcasters Nexstar and TEGNA, saying the combination violates federal law and the spirit of anti-monopoly rules.
Newsmax urges FCC to deny Nexstar-TEGNA merger
The company warned the deal would increase retransmission fees and further concentrate power among local TV station owners.
thedesk.net
January 5, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy is urging the FCC to block a proposed $6 billion merger between local TV broadcasters Nexstar and TEGNA, saying the combination violates federal law and the spirit of anti-monopoly rules.
Comcast finishes spin-out of MS NOW (MSNBC) and other cable networks into Versant.
Comcast completes spin-out of cable networks into Versant
Comcast completed the spin-off of its cable networks into Versant Media Group, which began trading publicly under the ticker VSNT.
thedesk.net
January 5, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Comcast finishes spin-out of MS NOW (MSNBC) and other cable networks into Versant.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has officially disbanded, months after Congress and President Trump stripped funding from public media.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting disbands after Congress pulls funding
The decision has already triggered layoffs and budget crises across public radio and television stations.
thedesk.net
January 5, 2026 at 7:14 PM
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has officially disbanded, months after Congress and President Trump stripped funding from public media.
Reposted by TheDesk.net
Charter Communications and Apple are teaming up to offer select Los Angeles Lakers games to Spectrum TV and Spectrum Internet customers in Apple Immersive when watched via Apple Vision Pro. A total of six games between now and the end of March will be available through the feature.
Spectrum TV to offer some L.A. Lakers games via Apple Vision Pro
Spectrum and Apple will stream select 2026 Lakers games live in an immersive format on Apple Vision Pro, with replays and highlights available worldwide.
thedesk.net
January 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Charter Communications and Apple are teaming up to offer select Los Angeles Lakers games to Spectrum TV and Spectrum Internet customers in Apple Immersive when watched via Apple Vision Pro. A total of six games between now and the end of March will be available through the feature.
Newsmax has filed a formal Petition to Deny with the FCC, urging the Trump administration to block the Nexstar-TEGNA merger.
Newsmax urges FCC to deny Nexstar-TEGNA merger
The company warned the deal would increase retransmission fees and further concentrate power among local TV station owners.
thedesk.net
January 3, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Newsmax has filed a formal Petition to Deny with the FCC, urging the Trump administration to block the Nexstar-TEGNA merger.
Broadcasters are backing a new program that will reduce the cost of NextGen TV converter boxes to $60 per device; during the last broadcast transition, converter boxes were offered for free through a federally-backed rebate program.
Pearl TV launches affordable NextGen TV converter box program
The initiative aims to reduce basic ATSC 3.0 converter box prices to around $60, down from current $200-plus devices.
thedesk.net
January 2, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Broadcasters are backing a new program that will reduce the cost of NextGen TV converter boxes to $60 per device; during the last broadcast transition, converter boxes were offered for free through a federally-backed rebate program.
NBC, Fox News are America's most-watched broadcast and cable networks in prime-time during 2025, according to Nielsen data.
Full story here: thedesk.net/2025/12/fox-...
Full story here: thedesk.net/2025/12/fox-...
January 1, 2026 at 1:36 AM
NBC, Fox News are America's most-watched broadcast and cable networks in prime-time during 2025, according to Nielsen data.
Full story here: thedesk.net/2025/12/fox-...
Full story here: thedesk.net/2025/12/fox-...
LIVE: London celebrates 2026. [BBC]
Happy New Year Live! 🎆 London Fireworks 2026 🔴 BBC
YouTube video by BBC
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 12:08 AM
LIVE: London celebrates 2026. [BBC]
Reposted by TheDesk.net
The CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting told former Wikipedia CEO-turned-NPR CEO Katherine Maher that she should quit earlier this year, according to the New York Times.
NPR’s C.E.O. Was a Right-Wing Target. Then the Real Trouble Started.
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting told former Wikipedia CEO-turned-NPR CEO Katherine Maher that she should quit earlier this year, according to the New York Times.
A major win for Netflix: The streamer now holds the designation as having the most-streamed NFL game in American television history.
Netflix: Christmas Day NFL game is most-streamed in U.S.
The match-up averaged 27.5 million viewers and peaked at 30 million, according to Nielsen data cited by Netflix.
thedesk.net
December 31, 2025 at 10:38 PM
A major win for Netflix: The streamer now holds the designation as having the most-streamed NFL game in American television history.