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.
Fox News “America 250” programming delivers highest Independence Day ratings
America 250 programming delivered the network's strongest Independence Day viewership in its history, per Nielsen data.
RATINGS
Hub: Streaming app experience linked to customer retention, churn
User experience issues are driving streaming subscriber cancellations; 36 percent of viewers cited app usability as the sole reason they have canceled a service.
DATA
Fox Television Stations appoints Robert Lydick to SVP, Engineering & Operations
Fox has appointed Robert Lydick to a new senior-level engineering and tech role for its local television station group.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
IAB becomes founding partner of inaugural Jupiter Festival for media leaders
The partnership will see IAB work with Jupiter Festival organizers to help develop the event's programming, recruit speakers and encourage participation.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Microsoft to clip thousands of jobs in Xbox gaming division
Xbox will bear the brunt of broader job losses at Microsoft, with approximately 3,200 positions to be eliminated through fiscal 2027.
Fox News Media tops other news brands in YouTube viewership during Q2
The cable news brand topped other TV news outlets in total YouTube viewership during Q2, according to Emplifi.
DATA
Sports on ITV will remain free, Sky CEO pledges
Sky and ITV will look at opportunities for synergy in sports broadcasting, but protected sport rights will remain on ITV's free-to-air television channels.
Comcast’s Sky makes ITV acquisition official, will spend $2.16 billion to buy broadcaster
Sky says the acquisition strengthens its ability to compete with global streaming platforms, while ITV says its public service broadcasting obligations remain protected.
Amazon pact with NBA lifts global viewership of basketball games
Amazon's telecast of regular season NBA games through Prime Video is lifting global interest in the sport, according to fresh data released this week.
DATA
Fubo rolls out price increase on NBC-inclusive plans after new carriage deal
The adjusted price accounts for a $11 discount the company rolled out during the NBC dispute, plus a modest bump to account for its new carriage deal.
Disney Channel to rebrand in Germany, expand programing beyond kid shows
The revamped channel will include an expanded schedule with more-mature programming from Marvel and FX, among others.
Amazon pulls ZapperBox from online store over unfounded TV piracy concerns
BitRouter, the company that makes the ZapperBox, believes Amazon is confusing its certified live TV device with boxes that enable piracy.
THE DESK INVESTIGATES