Author:
Matthew Keys
Matthew Keys is the award-winning founder and editor of TheDesk.net, an authoritative voice on broadcast and streaming TV, media and tech. With over ten years of experience, he's a recognized expert in broadcast, streaming, and digital media, with work featured in publications such as StreamTV Insider and Digital Content Next, and past roles at Thomson Reuters and Disney-ABC Television Group.
Don’t call it a firing, attorney for fired Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo says
The attorney, Bryan Freedman, spent considerable effort trying to spin the narrative, but didn't provide proof that earlier reports were wrong.
House schedules vote on bill requiring AM radio in new vehicles
Broadcasters argue AM radio remains important for emergency alerts, news and local information; critics say a legal mandate will cause car prices to rise even more.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Ex-Fox Sports broadcaster Mark Sanchez to plead guilty in assault case
Sanchez faces charges including battery causing serious injury; it was not clear from court records what charges are involved in the guilty plea.
TiVo refreshes operating system with AI capabilities, new FAST channels
TiVo is adding interactive television capabilities through IRCODE, using AI and computer vision to support commerce, advertising and content discovery.
Quickplay introduces AI-powered live operations platform
Quickplay is launching “Live Operations,” a cloud-native control plane designed to centralize management of live broadcast and streaming channels.
FCC to review post-bankruptcy foreign ownership of Spanish Broadcasting System
The approval would allow SBS to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and continue supporting stations in top markets like San Francisco, Puerto Rico, Orlando and Tampa.
Gloria Steinem, journalist who helped define modern feminism, dies at 92
The journalist and author helped bring the modern women's movement into mainstream American politics and media.
Laura Williamson to retire from Hearst’s Central California stations
No successor has been named; Williamson led the Salinas-Monterey cluster of stations since 2020.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Fox Business parts ways with Maria Bartiromo
No reason was given for her departure; some speculate that she could be next in line to become the White House Press Secretary.
Warner Bros Discovery launches shoppable streaming experience in Poland
When viewers pause a program in the TVN WBD Player app, they can see products detected in that scene, with listings powered by artificial intelligence.
Victory Plus shuts down after losing local sports rights
The shutdown ends a short-lived experiment in free ad-supported local sports streaming; many teams have signed deals with other platforms like DAZN and Prime Video.
NEW DETAILS
CBS schedules Judge Judy retrospective for September 22
CBS will mark the 30th anniversary of “Judge Judy” with a new 90-minute primetime special focused on the career and cultural influence of Judy Sheindlin.