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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: 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.

👋

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 18h

LeBron James stunted for Hennessy this week. It didn't go as planned; instead, it was panned. [New York Times]

LeBron’s ‘Second Decision’ could have been memorable. Instead, it was corny

LeBron James' "The Decision" transfixed. "The Second Decision" on Tuesday was viewed to many as a marketing fail.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by TheDesk.net

Matthew Keys @matthewkeys.net · 18h

Kind of a clickbait teaser, but the implication is that broadcasters will use NextGen TV technology to encrypt their channels (which they're already doing) and charge for them (which they tried to do through Evoca a few years back — just wasn't ready for prime-time).

Hello $300/month NFL package.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 18h

The era of free broadcast TV might be coming to a close.

Under proposed rule, FCC will let TV broadcasters choose own ATSC 1.0 shutoff date

The proposal is aimed at lessening burdens on broadcasters who are eager to move their signals to NextGen TV on an exclusive basis.

multicastnews.com

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 18h

The era of free broadcast TV might be coming to a close.

Under proposed rule, FCC will let TV broadcasters choose own ATSC 1.0 shutoff date

The proposal is aimed at lessening burdens on broadcasters who are eager to move their signals to NextGen TV on an exclusive basis.

multicastnews.com

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 22h

The Bob Ross Estate has agreed to sell 30 of his paintings at auction, with all proceeds going to local public television stations. [AP]

Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal funding cuts

Thirty paintings by Bob Ross are set to be auctioned to support public television stations. The Bonhams auction is to begin Nov. 11 in Los Angeles with three of the paintings.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 23h

In the next few years, you might need entirely new TV equipment to continue receiving free broadcast programming from ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and PBS.

This month, the FCC will vote on a proposed rule that could open the door for just that.

FCC chairman says vote coming on NextGen TV

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is ready to discuss a possible switch from digital TV to NextGen TV, but there are more questions than answers about what this will mean for consumers.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 1d

The CEO of Univison's parent company is cozying up to President Donald Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr as the broadcaster's dispute with Google-owned YouTube TV enters its second week.

Televisa-Univision CEO thanks Trump during YouTube TV dispute

Trump warned that the loss of Univision on YouTube TV could be bad for Republicans in the midterm elections.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 1d

Google wants you to talk to your smart TV the way you interact with your smart speaker and ChatGPT.

Google believes smart TVs are ready for deeper AI integrations

Gemini is coming to some Google TV-powered devices this year before rolling out more broadly in 2026.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 2d

Sean Spicer, Rahm Emanuel are among the first guests on C-SPAN's new political show "Ceasefire," which debuts on Friday.

C-SPAN names guests for first "Ceasefire" episode

C-SPAN has announced the first slate of guests for its forthcoming conversation program "Ceasefire."

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 2d

Google is bringing Gemini to millions of smart TVs and streaming devices through next year, including Walmart's low-cost Onn TV streamer.

Google believes smart TVs are ready for deeper AI integrations

Gemini is coming to some Google TV-powered devices this year before rolling out more broadly in 2026.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 2d

The Bari Weiss era has officially begun at Paramount's CBS News.

Paramount buys the Free Press, Bari Weiss takes over at CBS News

The deal pairs one of the country's most-respected television news brands with an upstart digital publication that is known for challenging news media norms.

Reposted by TheDesk.net

Matthew Keys @matthewkeys.net · 3d

Hours after this story was published, Univision CEO Daniel Alegre posted a photo of himself next to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr thanking him for advocating for the "Hispanic voice and their access to critical news and information."

Univision is still off YouTube TV.

Reposted by TheDesk.net

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 3d

The CEO of Univision's parent company has thanked President Donald Trump for advocating on behalf of the Spanish-language broadcaster during its dispute with YouTube TV.

In a social media post, Trump said pulling Univision from YouTube TV will be bad for Republicans in the midterm election.

Televisa-Univision CEO thanks Trump during YouTube TV dispute

Trump warned that the loss of Univision on YouTube TV could be bad for Republicans in the midterm elections.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 3d

The CEO of Univision's parent company has thanked President Donald Trump for advocating on behalf of the Spanish-language broadcaster during its dispute with YouTube TV.

In a social media post, Trump said pulling Univision from YouTube TV will be bad for Republicans in the midterm election.

Televisa-Univision CEO thanks Trump during YouTube TV dispute

Trump warned that the loss of Univision on YouTube TV could be bad for Republicans in the midterm elections.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 3d

Police in Thailand have dismantled a large-scale pirate streaming TV operation that resold thousands of movies, TV shows and live channels for as little as $10 per month.

Thai police dismantle large pirate streaming TV operation

Police in Thailand have dismantled a pirate streaming TV operation that illegally sold access to non-licensed movies, TV shows and sports channels for $10 per month.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 3d

Brady Quinn will replace Mark Sanchez on Sunday's telecast between the Colts and the Raiders.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 3d

Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez arrested after bar fight, stabbing in Indianapolis.

Fox's Mark Sanchez arrested after bar fight, stabbing in Indianapolis

Police in Indianapolis have arrested Fox Sports commentator Mark Sanchez following a bar fight in that city early Saturday morning.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 3d

Two free broadcast networks are airing WWE documentary series this weekend:

Comet is airing episodes of "WWE Rivals."

The Nest is airing "WWE Rivals" and "Biography: WWE Legends."

First time that both programs have been available on free, over-the-air television. Both are from A&E.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 3d

Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez arrested after bar fight, stabbing in Indianapolis.

Fox's Mark Sanchez arrested after bar fight, stabbing in Indianapolis

Police in Indianapolis have arrested Fox Sports commentator Mark Sanchez following a bar fight in that city early Saturday morning.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 3d

Weekend Read: With the government shut down, more than 1,000 employees at the FCC have been placed on unpaid leave, and a skeleton crew has been retained to ensure the agency carries out its life and safety missions. thedesk.net/2025/10/fcc-...

FCC furloughs 1,000 employees amid government shutdown

The communications regulator will continue operating on a limited basis, with most of its activities put on hold for now.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 4d

When the Corporation for Public Broadcasting went under, so, too, did a program that funded the next-generation emergency alert program that was to deploy on NextGen TV.

Lack of funding causes NextGen TV emergency warning program to close

Congressional funding cuts will result in a major setback for the development of an advanced emergency warning notification system that is intended to be utilized over ATSC 3.0.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 4d

ABC News and CBS News are airing special reports on the sentencing of Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was sentenced to 4 years, 2 months in prison.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 4d

a man wearing sunglasses and a red hat is holding a bag of chips and says oh yeah

ALT: a man wearing sunglasses and a red hat is holding a bag of chips and says oh yeah

media.tenor.com

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 5d

Political affairs network C-SPAN has been named the official media partner of the U.S. Semi-quincentennial Commission, the bipartisan group tasked with overseeing the "America 250" celebrations.

C-SPAN named official media partner for "America 250" celebrations

C-SPAN will serve as the official media partner of the U.S. Semi-quincentennial Commission and its "America 250" initiative.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 5d

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez says the agency has never defined what it means for a broadcaster to serve in the "public interest," and that needs to change because some in power are using that requirement to censor political speech and expression.

FCC Commissioner Gomez: Agency must define "public interest" requirement

Speaking at an event on Thursday, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez called on the agency to issue a rule that defines a broadcaster's public interest obligation.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 5d

Mario Guevara, a journalist who gained popularity for live-streaming civil unrest and protests, has been deported to El Salvador after he was detained earlier this year. [CNN]

Live-streaming journalist deported to El Salvador after months in ICE custody | CNN Business

Mario Guevara was arrested while reporting from a “No Kings Day” protest in June and was deported on Friday — a major blow to press freedoms, say groups including the ACLU.

TheDesk.net @thedesk.net · 5d

NEW: Paramount says it is releasing all 10 seasons of "Beverly Hills, 90210" in upconverted ultra high-definition (UHD/4K) on digital platforms in celebration of the show's 35th anniversary.