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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.
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Read our stuff: https://thedesk.net
Send us tips/pitches: [email protected]
Just to give you an idea of how long we've been covering the situation at USAGM and Voice of America: A list of every story published over the past 12 months.
Not including today's story: thedesk.net/2026/01/cong...
#ReadMoreTheDesk @savevoa.bsky.social @newsguy.bsky.social
Not including today's story: thedesk.net/2026/01/cong...
#ReadMoreTheDesk @savevoa.bsky.social @newsguy.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Just to give you an idea of how long we've been covering the situation at USAGM and Voice of America: A list of every story published over the past 12 months.
Not including today's story: thedesk.net/2026/01/cong...
#ReadMoreTheDesk @savevoa.bsky.social @newsguy.bsky.social
Not including today's story: thedesk.net/2026/01/cong...
#ReadMoreTheDesk @savevoa.bsky.social @newsguy.bsky.social
#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.
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-...
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...
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
Nielsen: NBC was America's most-watched network last week, with an average audience of 4.72 million viewers and a 1.5 share.
MS NOW continued to see strong ratings following its relaunch from MSNBC, ranking among the top 10 networks during the measurement period.
MS NOW continued to see strong ratings following its relaunch from MSNBC, ranking among the top 10 networks during the measurement period.
December 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Nielsen: NBC was America's most-watched network last week, with an average audience of 4.72 million viewers and a 1.5 share.
MS NOW continued to see strong ratings following its relaunch from MSNBC, ranking among the top 10 networks during the measurement period.
MS NOW continued to see strong ratings following its relaunch from MSNBC, ranking among the top 10 networks during the measurement period.
NEW: NBC will provide an alternate telecast of the Baltimore Ravens-Green Bay Packers game on Saturday, December 27 rooted in the universe of Roblox.
The Roblox altcast will stream on Peacock.
The Roblox altcast will stream on Peacock.
December 17, 2025 at 11:17 PM
NEW: NBC will provide an alternate telecast of the Baltimore Ravens-Green Bay Packers game on Saturday, December 27 rooted in the universe of Roblox.
The Roblox altcast will stream on Peacock.
The Roblox altcast will stream on Peacock.
Top broadcast programs last week:
NFL on CBS (4:25 p.m. ET window) takes the cake with more than 24.49 million viewers — lower than the 27.9 million Fox had one week earlier.
Source: Nielsen
NFL on CBS (4:25 p.m. ET window) takes the cake with more than 24.49 million viewers — lower than the 27.9 million Fox had one week earlier.
Source: Nielsen
December 17, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Top broadcast programs last week:
NFL on CBS (4:25 p.m. ET window) takes the cake with more than 24.49 million viewers — lower than the 27.9 million Fox had one week earlier.
Source: Nielsen
NFL on CBS (4:25 p.m. ET window) takes the cake with more than 24.49 million viewers — lower than the 27.9 million Fox had one week earlier.
Source: Nielsen
The website of the FCC has removed language that described itself as an independent agency overseen by Congress after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr was grilled by Senate lawmakers on Wednesday.
During the hearing, Carr said the FCC "is not an independent agency, formally speaking."
During the hearing, Carr said the FCC "is not an independent agency, formally speaking."
December 17, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The website of the FCC has removed language that described itself as an independent agency overseen by Congress after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr was grilled by Senate lawmakers on Wednesday.
During the hearing, Carr said the FCC "is not an independent agency, formally speaking."
During the hearing, Carr said the FCC "is not an independent agency, formally speaking."
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December 15, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Our news is also available on LinkedIn!
We hope you follow us there as well.
(Don't worry, we're still committed to Bluesky.)
thedesk.net/social/linke...
We hope you follow us there as well.
(Don't worry, we're still committed to Bluesky.)
thedesk.net/social/linke...
NEW: CNN says its New Year's special hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will feature performances from Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson, OK Go, Flo Rida and Burna Boy, with special appearances by Stephen Colbert, Shakira and others.
December 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
NEW: CNN says its New Year's special hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will feature performances from Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson, OK Go, Flo Rida and Burna Boy, with special appearances by Stephen Colbert, Shakira and others.
Speaking to Bloomberg Radio on Friday, journalist @jasonleopold.bsky.social said the FBI acknowledged searching "client lists" when asked to produce documents under FOIA about the Jeffrey Epstein case.
www.bloomberg.com/account/news...
www.bloomberg.com/account/news...
December 12, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Speaking to Bloomberg Radio on Friday, journalist @jasonleopold.bsky.social said the FBI acknowledged searching "client lists" when asked to produce documents under FOIA about the Jeffrey Epstein case.
www.bloomberg.com/account/news...
www.bloomberg.com/account/news...
MS NOW was the second most-watched cable news network in America during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week, supplanting CNN with an average daily viewership of 965,000.
December 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
MS NOW was the second most-watched cable news network in America during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week, supplanting CNN with an average daily viewership of 965,000.
Meta (Facebook), Alphabet (Google, YouTube) and Amazon will account for the majority of the world's advertising revenue over the next two years, according to a report from WARC Media released on Thursday.
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/12/warc...
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/12/warc...
December 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Meta (Facebook), Alphabet (Google, YouTube) and Amazon will account for the majority of the world's advertising revenue over the next two years, according to a report from WARC Media released on Thursday.
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/12/warc...
Full story: thedesk.net/2025/12/warc...
NEW: The National Football League (NFL) has finalized its Week 17 schedule, which includes three streaming games on Christmas and two Saturday games.
December 10, 2025 at 11:11 PM
NEW: The National Football League (NFL) has finalized its Week 17 schedule, which includes three streaming games on Christmas and two Saturday games.
NEW: ESPN says it wrapped up the Formula 1 season with record viewership. Events averaged 1.3 million viewers, the largest U.S. seasonal average in history, with 16 of 24 races setting viewership records, per @espnpr.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 10:55 PM
NEW: ESPN says it wrapped up the Formula 1 season with record viewership. Events averaged 1.3 million viewers, the largest U.S. seasonal average in history, with 16 of 24 races setting viewership records, per @espnpr.bsky.social
CNBC will debut a new logo on December 13 as it moves away from NBC Universal. The new logo drops the Peacock and incorporates the shades of blue that were part of the network's visual refresh in December 2023.
December 4, 2025 at 11:26 PM
CNBC will debut a new logo on December 13 as it moves away from NBC Universal. The new logo drops the Peacock and incorporates the shades of blue that were part of the network's visual refresh in December 2023.
Philo is giving new users an $8 discount for the first month, dropping the price of the service to $25, which includes access to more than 100 live channels like Comedy Central and Hallmark plus access to the ad-supported plans of AMC+, HBO Max and Discovery+.
Learn more: thedesk.net/go/philo
Learn more: thedesk.net/go/philo
December 4, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Philo is giving new users an $8 discount for the first month, dropping the price of the service to $25, which includes access to more than 100 live channels like Comedy Central and Hallmark plus access to the ad-supported plans of AMC+, HBO Max and Discovery+.
Learn more: thedesk.net/go/philo
Learn more: thedesk.net/go/philo